The John F. Kennedy Assassination Homepage

Navigation

  » Introduction
  » The Report
  » The Hearings

Volumes

  » Testimony Index
 
  » Volume I
  » Volume II
  » Volume III
  » Volume IV
  » Volume V
  » Volume VI
  » Volume VII
  » Volume VIII
  » Volume IX
  » Volume X
  » Volume XI
  » Volume XII
  » Volume XIII
  » Volume XIV
  » Volume XV
Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. IX - Page 289« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Jeanne De Mohrenschildt)

Mr. Jenner.
So when she was born, we were not citizens yet, and we didn't have a legal paper of changing our name to LeGon. So in her birth certificate I put down Jeanne Elinor LeGon and just in case, Bogoiavlensky, so just in case something happened to us she would not be an orphan thrown somewhere--I was so afraid something would go wrong and she would be put out of the country or something--she was born here, and that is her name, and I put that Bogoiavlensky on the birth certificate.
And that started the whole uproar.
And besides--I lost her birth certificate once when I needed it for a passport--I could not find it, because I was looking under "L"--I told them to look under "L". And for months they were looking under "L" and then it dawned on me, did I put, by any chance, Bogoiavlensky.
So they filed it under "B".
Well, it is my own fault--I asked for it. I can't get rid of that name.
It is a pretty name. In fact, it is a very novel name. But I don't think it belongs in this country. I think it is ridiculous for people to have such long names. If you are a priest's family, that would be fine. But not for us.
Mr. Jenner.
When was your daughter born?
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. She was born April 30, 1941.
Mr. Jenner.
I might go back with your husband. Where was your husband born, your first husband?
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. From what I know, he was born in--I think in Russia--and brought out as a very, very little boy. And I never met his father. His mother was supposed to be dead when he was born. I only knew his stepmother, who was absolutely wonderful.
He had two half brothers, charming boys, and they were both lost in the war with China and Japan. We never could find them. One of them was with the British forces and another with the French forces. And I understand one was sent to Hong Kong, and the other remained in Shanghai. And we never heard from them.
So that is one of the really big tragedies. We were anxious to find them, because we were going to get them over here. They had good heads. They could grow up very fine.
Mr. Jenner.
You have always regarded the United States as a haven?
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. Absolutely. It was the country by choice, because we could have gone to Europe. But I didn't want anything--this was from so and so. I said I wanted to have a country where everything is new and fresh, and if I break something I go to the store and buy another one.
I never have anything you can break. It was just because I was brought up with furniture with little gilded things in it, I don't want any part of it.
I have been in Europe about 15 times after.
Mr. Jenner.
I know you have.
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. And I enjoy being there for a few weeks. But I would never live in Europe. I would not be happy.
If I had to, I would live there, but I don't like--the whole atmosphere doesn't appeal to me.
Mr. Jenner.
There have been various reports on your views with respect to Russia and communism. What are your views?
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. What I am?
Mr. Jenner.
What are your views?
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. My views?
Well, I tell you I am not a Communist by all means at all. I think that revolution in Russia was inevitable. It is just horrible that it happened that way, and it was so bloody, and so many people----
Mr. Jenner.
You are talking now about the revolution of the 1920's?
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. 1917, I think.
Mr. Jenner.
1918, 1919.
Mrs. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. 1917, 1918---that is when it started. I know in fact very little of the whole thing, because at home there was never any conversation--too many people were killed. In fact, from what I understand, all the families
« Previous | Next »

Found a Typo?

Click here
Copyright by www.jfk-assassination.comLast Update: Wed, 3 Aug 2016 21:56:34 CET