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The Hissem-Montague Family  |
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The Hissem-Montague Family |
Researchers Erik Gernet and Doug Garnett feel that some members of the English Gernet family had returned to Europe by the late 15th or early 16th century. This was just after the War of the Roses (1455-1487) and, conceivably, these Gernet's may have been on the wrong side in that conflict. However, data is very sparse in the 14th and 15th centuries making any determination doubtful. The Gernet's may have become involved in trade and emigrated along the trade routes of the old Hanseatic League in Europe. I think it equally likely that these European Gernets were descendents of the family members who remained in Normandy, living in Fecamp and, later, Rouen. These Gernets, Ghernets, Grenets, and Chernets lived throughtout northern France and into Belgium and the Netherlands in the 15th century. That family can be found at The French Origins of the Gernet Family.
However, the Gernet family that lived on the Baltic coast certainly felt that they were of English origin. In the section under Carl Gottlieb Gernet, below, there is a reference to a rescript by Franz I, the Holy Roman Emperor, in which the noble "von" was added to Carl's name. The text of the rescript confirmed that,
"Die uhralte Edele Garnet Familie abstammet aus Engelland"and,
[The most-ancient noble Garnet family derived from England]
"Die Voreltern abkommlinge der uhralten Edlen Englandischen Familie Garnet gewesen, die sich von Zeit zu Zeit in den Niederlandischen Kriegen so beruhmt gemacht, und sehr honorable Militar-Chargen bekleidet."
[The descendants of this most-ancient noble English family of Garnet were, between times, so famously engaged in the wars in the Netherlands that they clothed themselves in military honors]
I had not believed the story about Gernet's in the Netherland's wars until I found the following reference.
(15) Captain & Sergeant-Major Henry Gernet (c1560)An Englishman, in the Netherlands as part of England's army supporting the Dutch rebellion.
"Gernet, Henry, sergeant-majoor van de Engelse troepen, weduwe van, zie Gernet, Maria.Another a slightly different text, of the Resolution of 1610-1670, has,
Gernet, Maria, weduwe van kapitein Henry Gernet.
Doubleth mag juffrouw Maria Gernet, weduwe van Henry Gernet, kapitein en sergeant-majoor van de Engelse troepen, haar pensioen over 1620 voorschieten."
- from "Resolution Staten-Generaal Oude en Nieuwe Reeks 1576-1625"
[Gernet, Henry, sergeant-major of the English troops, widower of, Gernet, Maria.
Maria Gernet, widow of Captain Henry Gernet.
[Philip] Doubleth [Receiver General of Public Revenues] may advance young lady Maria Gernet, widow of Henry Gernet, captain and sergeant-major of the English troops, her pension over 1620.]
"Engelse compagnieen en regimenten, 1439, 2587.
--, sergeant-majoor van, zie Gernet."
Gernet, Henry, sergeant-majoor van de Engelse troepen, weduwe van, zie Gernet, Maria.
Gernet, Maria, weduwe van kapitein Henry Gernet, 3674."
The English army in the reign of Elizabeth I was in transition. It had been a medieval levy, but to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands, the most modern and powerful army of its day, they had to adopt the drill, the evolutions, and the staff structure of that force. This was the period when marching, as a means of organizing a force for battle, became an integral part of the army.
A Captain-General was in overall command of the regiments that made up the army in the field or, in modern parlance, a Brigade. Serving the Captain-General was a Lieutenant-General of the Infantry and a Lieutenant-General of the Cavalry. A Sergeant Major-General ranked just below the Lieutenant-Generals. Over time the title of Captain-General was shortened to just General, and Sergeant Major-General to Major-General. This left us with the anomoly that, even though a Major outranks a Lieutenant, a Lieutenant-General outranks a Major-General
Each regiment was commanded by a Colonel. Supporting him was a Lieutenant-Colonel, and beneath him a Sergeant-Major. The Sergeant-Major was selected from amongst the regiment's Captains. It was the duty of the sergeant-major to keep the regiment in due form, establish the marching order and the battle formation, and organize the encampment. He reported to the Sergeant Major-General.
A regiment was made up of Companies, commanded by Captains who were usually gentlemen. A company's full complement was generally considered to be 200 men. The Captain was supported by a Lieutenant, who trained and drilled the men. The lowest officer rank was Ensign, or for the cavalry, a Cornet. There were also a number of gentlemen volunteers and pages, young men and boys roughly equivalent to a midshipman on a ship.
The companies were divided into four squadrons, with a sergeant in command of two each. Each squadron had a Corporal.
The squadrons were divided into fellowships, or what we would call a Patrol today. Ten to twelve men were commanded by a Lance Corporal.
The principal weapons was the pike, an 18 foot pole with an iron spike at the end. The men also carried a sword and a dagger. The men were armored with a breast plate, back plate, helmet, and gorget to protect the neck.
A subsidiary force of shotmen used muskets, but in this early period the weapon was heavy, short-ranged, slow to arm and fairly inaccurate.
The companies were formed in sold squares for battle, the pikemen in the center and the shotmen on the flanks. There were usually ten men in each rank and file. As can be seen, this formation hearkened back to the classical phalanx.
| England and the Dutch War of Independence (1568-1648)
The Netherlands was, in the 16th century, a subject state of the Habsburg Empire and later, after Charles V split the realms of Austria and Spain in 1555, the subject of the King of Spain, Phillip II. The revolt was a response to excessive taxation, interference with local business, and religious differences. England entered the fray both to protect Protestantism and to inhibit Spain's freedom of action in other theaters. In 1585 the Duke of Parma, Spain's general, had the initiative and the Dutch turned to England for help. Elizabeth I agreed to send an expeditionary force of 6,350 foot and 1,000 horse under the command of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. The Earl however was unsuccessful both at war and in the political infighting that characterized the Dutch state. He left the country in 1587. The Duke of Parma was poised to conquer the United Provinces of the Netherlands when King Phillip changed course and ordered the Duke's armies to board ships for the proposed invasion of England. The invasion was called off when the Spanish Armada was defeated, but it was too late for Parma's army, they had lost the initiative while they sat and waited at Dunkirk. In 1589 Parma's army was again diverted from their mission, this time to support the Catholic side in France's erupting civil war. The Dutch used this two-year respite to turn their army into a well drilled, professional force. In 1591 they were ready to go on the offensive.  England continued to aid the Dutch and by 1602 there were up to eight thousand English troops fighting in the Netherlands, under the able of command of Sir Francis Vere, who had led the English forces since 1589. However, in 1604 England was under a new King, James I, who wasn't interested in the Dutch war. He made peace with Spain, and in 1609 the Dutch followed suit. The war resumed in 1621 and England reentered the war in 1625, ready to recapture the glamour of the Elizabeth's buccaneers. The English attack on Cadiz miscarried, however and another new King, Charles I, took England out of the war again. The war finally ending in 1648. See Elizabeth's foreign policy and Dutch Revolt, (1566) 1579-1648 for more background. |
When did Henry Gernet die? Based on the history of the English involvement in the Dutch rebellion, probably no later than 1604. In this light, the citation for Maria Gernet's pension looks like an extension of, or advance upon, the pension she was already receiving.
But, how does this Henry relate to the family that descends from Peter Gernet, burghermeister of Gollnow, below? The rescript implies that the Gernets were "between times" engaged in the wars in the Netherlands. That seems to mean that Gernet's were in Europe both before and after Henry's part in the Dutch wars. I suspect this also means that while Henry Gernet was claimed as part of the family, he was not necessarily an ancestor of any of the European family. I do not suppose, that is, that Henry was a descendent of Peter, moving back westward to join the English forces.
I've recently done some reading about the Dutch Rebellion and about Francis Vere (1560-1609), nephew to the Earl of Oxford. He was a leader of the English forces in the Netherlands. In 1589 he was the sergeant major-general (!) of the English troops and soon afterwards he assumed overall command. However, early in life he had spent time in Poland. Could he have met Henry Gernet there and brought him to Holland? That is, was Henry an heir of Peter Gernet of Gollnow, below? Was it likely that a foreigner would be made an officer in the English army? By the way, the poet and playwright Ben Johnson served in this army.
Where was Henry Gernet from? If from England, I'd say he was from the Essex line of the family because the given name was so popular amongst that family.
The Gernet's of Gollnow and Reval/TallinnThe "Gernet aus Gollnow" were descended from Petrus Gernet.
| Gollnow
The town was founded in 1190 and its importance in the Baltic trade was highlighted by its admittance to the great Hanse trading league in 1450. Pomerania
The region had been brought into the loosely organized Holy Roman Empire of Frederick I "Barbarossa" in 1181 and declared a Duchy. The Duchy would live in the shadow of Brandenburg, later Prussia, to the west and the Order of The Teutonic Knights, to the east. This crusading order was conquering heathen old Prussia and the Baltic states. Pomerania would sometimes be under the proctection of Brandenburg and at other times be a fief of the Order. In the 15th century a resurgant Poland, allied with Lithuania, defeated the Order of the Teutonic Knights, and from 1466 to 1637 Pomerania was ruled as an independant Duchy. In 1618 the Thirty Years War began, devastating central Europe. In 1637 Pomerania was given to Poland as a fief, but at the end of the war, in 1648, Sweden was awarded the region. The period under the Swedes was a time of great hardship for the citizens of Gollnow. Polish, Austrian and Brandenburg troops ravaged Pomerania and, in the 1670's, it was occupied by Denmark and Brandenburg, though Sweden regained the territory in the peace of 1693. The Great Northern War followed and, in 1720, Sweden ceded the region to Prussia. |
See also Petrus Gernet. Petrus is latin for Peter. Also as Petrws [a mistranscription?]. He was born in about 1525. Was that in Gollnow, in Pomerania, where he later lived, or did he emigrate from Rouen, Bruges or one of the Dutch trading ports? He married Isabella [Ibsabe, Elsabe] Hoppe in about 1569 in Gollnow. Doug Garnett writes,
"This Peter Gernet was first recorded as a burgher at Gollnow in 1547. He was a proprietor of property in Gollnow between 1548 and 1584 and also served as a deacon of the church from 1554 onward. In 1561 he was elected to the town council and was burgomaster or mayor of Gollnow from 1581 to 1584."Peter was the forefather of Joachim, and a line of Gernet's into the 19th century.
Gernet Stammvater: Peter G. (1525-1584), Burgermeister zu Gollnow (Pommern).The reference above, freely translated as "Baltic Coat of Arms Book," is desribed as "Wappen sommtlicher den Ritterschaften von Livland, Estland, Kurland und Oesel zugeherigen Adelsgeschlechter [Arms . . . of the . . . Aristocracy of Latvia, Estonia, Kurland and Oesel]."
[Gernet progenitor: Peter Gernet, Mayor of Gollnow, Pommerania]
Joachim G., 1710 Burgermeister von Reval. Reichsadel mit Wappenbesserung
[Joachim Gernet, 1710 Mayor of Reval (Tallinin). Aristocracy of the realm with a coat of arms]
1761 Karl Gottlieb G., besitzl. in Estld.
[1761 Karl Gottlieb Gernet, with estates in Estonia]
Matr. Estld 1827 Karl Johann, Alexander August, Gustav Georg, Heinrich und Peter Woldemar v. G.,
[Matriculated (?) Estonia 1827 Karl Johann, Alexander August, Gustav Georg, Heinrich and Peter Woldemar von Gernet]
1846 Moritz v. G., 1847 Wilhelm Adolf v.G. Gavel W 1696 Gayl Gernet W 1761
[1846 Moritz von Gernet, 1847 Wilhelm Adolf von Gernet, Gavel W, 1696 Gayl Gernet W 1761]"
- from "Baltisches Wappenbuch" by Patrick von Glasenapp, Verband der Baltischen Ritterschaften
Petrus died in Gollnow after 1584.
Another German text has,
"Aus Pommern stammendes Geschiecht, dessen Stammreihe mit Peter Gernet (Gerneth, Gerndt), urkundl. 1547--1584, Ratahrn, Km. u. Burgermeister zu Gollnow, beginnt.--Reichsadelastand mit Wappenbesserung Wien 1. 10. 1761 (fur Carl Gottlieb Gernet, auf Lehhola u. Kasal, Estld, Kais. russ. Kreiskommissar . . ."Lehhola was a Rittergut, or knight manor, in Estonia. Owners of such manors were knights with a vote in the local government of nobles. The Lehhola manor was established in the 1620's and was owned, successively, by the Kromers, Scheidings, von Gernets and von Girard de Soucanton's. At the end of the 18th century the main building was constructed of stone, and was slightly altered in the 19th century. It suffered a fire in 1999 and is now in ruins.
[Born in Pomerania, his (Joachim's) father's line began with Peter Gernet, burgermeister of Gollnow, who lived from 1547 to 1584. Imperial coat of arms dated at Vienna 1 October 1761 (for Carl Gottlieb Gernet, of Lehhola and Kasal [Kassel?], Estonia, imperial district commissioner . . .]
- from "Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels" edited by Hans Friedrich von Ehrenkrook
At about this same time Brian Garnet, a Gernet descendant, was living in England. His family, Catholic recusants, were involved in the Gunpowder plot against James I.
Was Peter a Gernet family name? Note that a Peter Gernet, the son of Peter Gernet (c1540?), was christened on 20 May 1571 in Eagle parish, Lincoln, England - from "Bishop's Transcripts, 1561-1840, Church of England, Parish Church of Eagle (Lincoln)" maintained in the Lincolnshire Archives Offices.
If Petrus had lived in the Netherlands, the connection between there and Gollnow may have been that both were in the Hanseatic trading league. For example, on a trading voyage he may have stopped in Gollnow, met the local merchants, and their daughters, and been enticed to stay. The troubles incident to the outbreak of the Dutch revolt may have inspired him as well.
| The Hanseatic League
The Hanse, a type of merchant's guild, was an economic and defensive confederation of free towns, varying from 70 to 170, in northern Germany and neighboring areas. It dated from the 12th century and reached the height of its power in the 14th. The Hanse maintained a trade monopoly over most of Northern Europe and the Baltic. Lubeck was its chief city and where the Hanse parliament (Diet) met. Its last official assembly was held in 1669. The League declined with the rise of territorial states. At the start of the 16th century Dutch and English merchants wre challenging them in the Baltic.
Some of the cities in the League were,
|
Or Nicolaus. He was born in about 1575 in Gollnow, Pomerania. He married Elisabeth Lichtfuss [Lichtefuss, Litchtefot]. He died after 1609.
(17) Georg Buergermeister Gernet (c1620)He married Elisabeth Rudolphi in about 1645 in Gollnow, Pomerania. The title shown assumes he was the mayor of the city [of Gollnow?]. He died on 3 June 1688 in Gollnow. This was a hard time for Pomerania. Polish, German and Swedish armies plundered the countryside, burned the cities and destroyed castles with explosives.
His sons were Georg and Joachim.
(18) Georg Gernet (1640)Perhaps the son of Georg Sr. He was born in about 1640 in Gollnow.
(18) Joachim Buergermeister Gernet (1648)He was born on 26 February 1648 and christened on 29 November in Gollnow, Pomerania. I suspect he married and had several children around 1670. Whether they lived to adulthood is unknown.
In 1677 Joachim Gernet, a burgher of Gollnow, registered a coat of arms in the "Hauptbuch" of Swedish merchant Guild. The arms were azure, an anchor argent. This may have been a hint, as Russian researcher Erik Gernet puts it, to the English origin of the family, it being a country of seamen. Or, more simply it may be a reference to the Gernet's sea-going trade in the Baltic. If the family remembered their English roots, as noted above, why didn't they use the arms of Benedict Gernet?
Ninety years later, in about 1771 [or 1761], when Joachim's son [he must be a grandson], Carl Gottlieb, obtained the nobility, this coat of arms acquired chivalrous rights, with a crowned helmet surmounted with a six-sided star and with spread eagle wings emerging from the left and right side of the crown.
| Baltic Gernet Arms
According to Doug Garnett, "Investigations done by August von Gernet found no evidence that this shield was ever used by any earlier branch of the Gernet or Garnet family in England or elsewhere prior to its adoption by the von Gernets."
|
Joachim emigrated to the city of Reval in Estonia no later than 1683. This move may have been precipitated by the stress of continual warfare in Pomerania, or it may simply have been facilitated by the fact that Estonia was also ruled by Sweden.
| Estonia
From the 11th century through the 16th the region was ruled, variously by the Russians, Danes, Teutonic Knights, Poles, Lithuanians and Swedes. In 1584 the Swedes annexed the territory as the Duchy or province of Estonia [Estland in Swedish and German]. |
Joachim married Hedwig Sidonia Heydrich on 17 January 1684 in Reval [today's Tallinn], Estonia. She was born in 1662 in Kegel, Estonia, the daughter of Anton Heiderich and Hedwig Sidonia Wagner. Joachim, like his father Georg, was the mayor of his town.
"Gernet, Joachim, Konigl. Obersecretar 1692, Syndicus 1710, zugleich Bm. 1710; starb wenige Tage darauf an der Pest.and,
[Gernet, Joachim, Secretary to the War Ministry (Kreigsministerium) 1692, City Magistrate 1710, at the same time Mayor 1710, died within a few days upon catching the Plague.]
- from "Die Revaler Rathslinie nebst Geschichte der Rathsverfassung und einem Anhange uber Riga und..." by Friedrich Georg von Bunge
"Joachim G., 1710 Burgermeister von Reval" - from the "Baltisches Wappenbuch" by Patrick von Glasenapp, Verband der Baltischen Ritterschaftenand,
"Gernet, Joachim, Burgermeister von Reval, * Gollnow, Pommern 26.02.1648, + Reval 09.10.1710 oo I. um 1670 ... NN, II. Reval/Tallin, Estland 17.01.1684 Hedwig Sidonia Heiderich (Heydrich)" - from the website of Ulrich Hodeand,
Gernet Stammvater: Peter G. (1525-1584), Burgermeister zu Gollnow (Pommern).
[Gernet progenitor: Peter Gernet, Mayor of Gollnow, Pommerania]
Joachim G., 1710 Burgermeister von Reval. Reichsadel mit Wappenbesserung
[Joachim Gernet, 1710 Mayor of Reval (Tallinin). Aristocracy of the realm with a coat of arms]
- from the "Wappen sommtlicher den Ritterschaften von Livland, Estland, Kurland und Oesel zugeherigen Adelsgeschlechter [Arms . . . of the . . . Aristocracy of Latvia, Estonia, Kurland and Oesel]."
Gernet was listed as "Kreiskommissar", district commissioner, in " Die Nachlassverzeichnisse der deutschen Kaufleute in Tallinn 1702-1750."
| The Great Northern War
In 1697 the old King of Sweden, Charles XI, died and was succeeded by the 15 year-old Charles XII. Believing this made Sweden an easy target for conquest, in 1700 Denmark, Poland [who was ruled by the Duke of Saxony] and Russia attacked Livonia [Latvia-Estonia], where many of the Germanic nobles were unhappy with Swedish rule. However the young Charles XII responded quickly, forcing Denmark out of the war by an attack on Copenhagen. Landing in Livonia he attacked an entrenched Russian army at Narva in the midst of a snowstorm and routed the poorly trained men. He then turned on the Polish-Saxon army and in a devastating series of battles forced them out of Livonia, to Warsaw, and then on to Krakow. In 1706 Charles attacked Dresden and Leipzig, finally forcing the Polish-Saxon army out of the war. Unfortunately for Charles XII he was dealing with a Tsar whose name ended in "the Great." In 1707 Charles and his army began an advance on Moscow, defeating a Russian army at Grodno. In a tactic to be repeated in the future, Tsar Peter pursued a scorched-earth policy. After a long chase a depleted Swedish army was defeated at Poltava and forced to retreat. Seeing their chance, Saxony and Denmark renewed their war. Charles XII tried to attack Russia again out of the Ottoman Empire, where he had retreated after his defeat at Poltava. It was at this time that Reval/Tallinn was seized. The war continued in multiple theaters with Hannover and Brandenburg joining against the Swedes. While it looked bad for Sweden, Charles' army once again impressed the coalition with its war-fighting, if not war-winning, capability. The war only ended, in 1718, with the death of Charles, shot while inspecting the front lines. Sweden then made peace, recognizing that she was no longer the dominant power in the Baltic. That role now belonged to Russia. |
After the defeat of Sweden's King Charles XII at the battle of Poltava, the Russians seized Sweden's Baltic territories. On 10 October 1710 Estonia was annexed, the papers of capitulation signed by the Russian Governor-general, Rudolf Felix Bauer (1687-1717). Estonia was briefly free of the Russians during the short period between the World Wars, then finally regained its freedom with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The following, in Estonian, is the annexation of Estonia by Russia in 1710.
"29. septembril 1710 kirjutasidki Tallinna linn ja Rootsi garnison Vene vogede peakorteris linna kolje all Harkus alla kapitulatsiooniaktile. Tallinna linna poolt andsid allkirja raeherrad Dierick Reimers ja Joachim Gernet ning Suurgildi vanem Johan Lantingh; Vene poolelt kindralleitnant Rudolf Felix Bauer. Tallinna kapituleerumisega loppes sojategevus Eesti territooriumil." - from TallinnAlso,
[29 September 1710 ___ Tallinn town and Swedish garrison both ___ headquarters town [around?] ___ ___ ___ the instrument of surrender. Tallinn town by who sign ____ Dierick Reimers and Joachim Gernet and great-guild elder Johan Lantingh; both by lieutenant-general Rudolf Felix Bauer. Tallinn capitulates ___ [ending?] hostilities in Estonian territory.]
"Capitulation der Stadt Reval vom 29 September 1710." "Joachim Gernet. Syndicus." - from "Die Capitulationen der estlandischen Ritterschaft und der Stadt Reval vom Jahre 1710 nebst deren..." by TallinnDierick Reimers was the Altester Burger Meister, Elder Alderman, or mayor, Joachim Gernet was the Syndicus, or city magistrate, and Johann Lantingh was the Alterman der grossen Kaufmansgilde.", alderman of the great merchants guild.
Hedwig's ruined estate can be seen at Lehhola in Kirchspiel Kegel, Harrien. See also Estonian Manors for an explanation, in English, of the rise of manors.
"The owners of the manorial estates, who were not members of the matriculated nobility, were called landsassen, whether they were noblemen or merchants, that is, the burghers. In the 17th and 18th century some of the citizens of Reval (Tallinn) who were called landsassen were: the Buchaus, Dehn, Dellingshausen, Gernet, Hahn, Hueck, etc." - from "Probate Invetories as Sources for the Study of the History of Luxury in Estonian Towns in the Early Modern Period (18th Century)" by Raimo Pullat and Lauri Suurmaa
Joachim died on 9 October 1710 in Reval, just days after the annexation, apparently of the plague. If true, the disease was probably brought by the Russian troops. Hedwig was buried on 7 June 1743 in Reval.
Reet Laherand of Estonia figures that Joachim had two wives, the first being the mother of Joachim's first three children. The second, Hedwig Sidonie, being the mother of the rest. Joachim's children were,
(19) Joachim Gernet, born in about 1670 in Gollnow
(19) Margaretha Gernet, born in about 1670 in Gollnow
"Gernet, Margarete, * Gollnow, Pommern um 1670"(19) Dorothea Gernet, born in about 1670 in Gollnow
"Studierende Liv - und Estlander in Jena.(19) Catherine Elisabeth Gernet, married on 10 July 1706 in Reval
. . .
1710. Octobr. 3 Joh. Frider. Gernet, Reval: Estho."
[Students in Lithuania and Estonia in Jena.
3 October 1710. Johann Friederich Gernet of Reval, Estonia.]
- from "Livland im Achtzenten Jahrhundert"
". . . Friedr. Gottlieb Gernet, Sohn des Herrn Burgermeisters Gernet in Reval . . ." - from the "Memoirs of Samuel Strauch"
She was born in about 1718 or 1720 in Reval, Estland, Poland. She is too young to be Joachim's daughter and too old to be his grand-daughter. Perhaps Joachim had a brother. She married a Kettler.
(19) Wilhelm Heinrich Gerichtsvogt Gernet (1702/3)The son of Joachim Gernet and Hedwig [Heiderich] Sidonia Heydrich. He was christened on 15 January 1702/3 in Reval, Estonia. His father died when he was only 8 years old.
Wilhelm Gernet, Gerichtsvogt. married Anna Margaretha Schreve on 17 June 1729 in Reval. Gerichtsvogt, directly translated as court advocate, refers to a bailiff, that is, someone concerned with judicial proceedings and trials. He was more noted as a merchant.
 The Baltic Trading Family of Gernet
The present day Embassy for the Republic of Lithuania to Estonia is located in the capital city of Tallinn, in a baroque style house that dates to the late 17th century. Above the portal are three escutcheons bearing coats of arms. These belong to the merchant-aldermen of Tallinin who adapted the original building for the sorting of flax and hemp. The anchor is the emblem of the Gernet merchant family, Wilhelm Heinrich Gernet having played a major role in the creation of the sorting house. The embassy noted is located on 15 Uus street and was built by the Gernet's and their partners in trade, the families of Oom [Ohm] and Husen. The arms over the door are for the family of Oom - a heart; Gernet - an anchor; Husen - a lion. Two Gernet sons married with two Husen daughters. H. William and Friedrich Oom, brothers, assumed the business of Oom & sons from Rathsherrn Heinrich Oom upon his death, circa 1757-1773. The following is from the Embassy's website "The history of the building of the Embassy 
The letters on the center set of arms should be "W H G", but time and a lot of painting and repainting transformed the "H" into an "N." The restoration preserved the misspelling. |
As a leading merchant Wilhelm held many government positions.
Gernet, Wilh. Hnr., aus Reval, Burger 1729, Aelt. dem gr. G., Rhr. 1745, GV. 1761-63, HV. 1764-66, Bm. 1767 Pr. 1769. 72. Starb 1772."
[Gernet, Wilhelm Henreich, of Reval, Alderman 1729, Elder of ?, Councilman 1745, Bailiff 1761-1783, (?) 1764-66, Mayor 1767, Magistrate 1769. Died in 1772.]
- from "Die Revaler Rathslinie nebst Geschichte der Rathsverfassung und einem Anhange uber Riga und..." by Friedrich Georg von Bunge
I also have a notation for a Wilhelm Heinrich Gernet, Altester, Ratsherr, Burgermeister, Prises II." - from "Die Nachlassverzeichnisse der deutschen Kaufleute in Tallinn 1702-1750" by Raimo Pullat. Altester means Elder. Ratsherr referred to a member of the city council.
Wilhelm died on 20 November 1772 in Reval. The following may have been his sons,
(20) Johan Christian Gernet (c1730)
(20) Joachim Heinrich Gernet (1730)
(20) Carl Gustav von Gernet (1747)
(20) Peter Gernet (1749)
There was a Johan Christion Gernet living in Tallin circa 1766. Interestingly, there was a Johann Christian Gernet who took the Oath of Allegiance to the Colony of Pennsylvania upon debarking from the ship HERO in 1764. Did members of this family emigrate to America?
The following quotation was listed immediately below those for Joachim and Wilhelm Heinrich Gernet.
Gernet, John Christian, aus Reval, Burger 1766, Aelt. der gr. G., Rhr. 1783 bis 1786. Er bewarb sich noch im J. 1800 um die Emeritur, ward jedoch damit abgewiesen.(20) Joachim Heinrich Gernet (1730)
[Gernet, John Christian, of Reval, Alderman 1766, Elder, Councilman 1783 to 1786. He applied himself again in January 1800 about the Emeritus (?), he was however turned down.]
- from "Die Revaler Rathslinie nebst Geschichte der Rathsverfassung und einem Anhange uber Riga und..." by Friedrich Georg von Bunge
Joachim Gernet was born in Reval on 31 March 1730. He went to the University of Frankfut in 1748, and then to Berlin and Leipzig where, in 1753, he became a doctor of medicine. During the Seven Years War he served as a doctor in the Russian Army. He subsequently served as a general practitioner in his hometown. He died in Reval on 29 December 1804.
"Kam in seinem 10ten Jahre auf das Gymnasium seiner Vaterstadt, bezog 1748 die Universitat Frankfurt, ging dann nach Berlin und zuletzt nach Leipzig, wo er 1753 zur medicinischen Doktorwurde gelangte. Zuruckgekehrt von da, trat er in die Dienste der Krone als Divisionsarzt bey dem Theile des russischen Heeres, der im 7 jahrhigen Kriege in Konigsberg stand. Spater liefs er sich als freyer praktischer Arzt in seiner Vaterstadt nieder, und war 1785 beym dasigen See-hospital angestellt und Hofrath. Geb zu Reval am 31 Marz 1730, gest. daselbst am 29 December 1804." - from the "Allgemeines Schriftsteller-und gelehrten-lexikon der Provinzenlivland, Esthland und Kurland" by Johan Friedrick von ReckeThe following says that Dr. Gernet served the entire period of the Seven Years War in Russian service.
"Gernet, Joachim Heinrich, Dr. med., wurde bei Beginn des 7jahrigen Krieges als Divisionsarzt in russ. Dienste genommen zur russ. Armee ins Ausland gesandt und machte den ganzen 7 jahrigen . . . " - from "Die Aerzte Estlands, vom Beginn der historischen Zeit bis zur Gegenwart: ein biographisches..." by Isidorus BrennsohnJohann Gottlieb Gernet (c1740)
Of Reval. Perhaps a son of Wilhem Henrich or of Karl Gottlieb Gernet.
"Auch 1781 steht Peter Duborgh als kaufmannischer Wechselglaubiger im Vordergrund, da er sechs von insgesamt zwolf Protesten in dieser Gruppe in Gang setzt (Tab. 3b). Durborgh reklamiert auerdem zwei Platzwechsel, die ihm ein Johann Gottlieb Gernet obertragen hatte. Als Aussteller (Schuldner) fungierte hier der . . . Als Einzelleufer aus Braunschweig findet sich im Folgejahr 1775 ein weiterer "Sola" der renommierten Osnabrocker Firma Johann Gerd Struckmann & Sohn, welche den Revaler Johann Gottlieb Gernet" - from "Zwischen Rubel und Reichstaler" by Elisabeth Harder-Gersdorff
"Einer seiner Gesellen war Johann Gottlieb Gernet. Ihm stellte er das folgende Zeugnis aus: Kraft dieses bezeuge, das d. H.Joh: Gottl." - from "Reval vom 16. bis 18. Jahrhundert Gestalten und Generationen eines Rats" by Heinz von Zur MohlenFriedrich Gottlieb Gernet (c1740)
Of Latvia (Livland?). Perhaps a son of Wilhem Henrich or of Karl Gottlieb Gernet.
"Die Livlandische Revision vom Jahre 1782.I think the last sentence says that "The Gernet family war raised to the knighthood." (20) Carl Gustav von Gernet (1747)
. . .
109. Uuf dem Gute Schloss-fellin:
Der Pfandhalter und Zehntner: Lieutenant Friedrich Gottlieb Gernet) (43), deffen Gattin Gerdruta Dorothea Hetling (55) und feine Stiefgrossfohne: Georg (6) und Friedrich Gottlieb v. Renteln (5).
110. Uuf dem Gute Surgefer:
Der Pfandhalter und Zehntner: Lieutenant Friedrich Gottlieb Gernet . . .
Anmerkungen.
. . .
24) Die familie Gernet gehort gegenwartig zur efthlandifben Ritterschaft (v. Nottbed, Rathsfamilien Revals)." - from "Vierteljahrsschrift fur Wappen-, Siegel und Familienkunde"
He was born on 28 December 1747. He may have been a son of Wilhem Henrich or of Karl Gottlieb, below. Carl married Johanna Elisabeth Harpe on 28 January 1776. She died on 14 May 1797. After the death of Johanna, Carl married Luise von Rehbinder on 21 December 1809. They had no children. Carl died on 31 December 1812.
(21) Alexander August von Gernet (1786)He was born on 8 July 1786, the son of Carl Gustav von Gernet and Johanna Elisabeth Harpe. Alexander married Natalie Prokowia Rehbinder. She was born on 24 March 1796 and died on 12 December 1862. Alexander died on 18 July 1865.
(22) _____ von Gernet (c1820)He was born on ____ in Estonia, the first son of Alexander August von Gernet and Natalie Prokowia Rehbinder.
(22) Karl Woldemar Alexander von Gernet (1821)He was born on 10 June 1821 in Estonia, the second son of Alexander August von Gernet and Natalie Prokowia Rehbinder. While he never married, Karl did have a liaison with Mari Lilleprom Nipper. She was born on 19 May 1840 and died on 18 May 1919. She married Juhan Turbert on 26 December 1872, just before the birth of Hans, below. Karl died in 1901.
(23) Hans Turberg [von Gernet] (1821)He was born on 8 January 1873, the natural son of Karl. Reet Laherand, of Keila, Estonia, a distaff member of the family, writes that the Keila church registry had Hans entered as Gernet's son. It was said that Mari and Karl were not allowed to get married. However, Karl did give Mari and Juhan lands near the Leholad manor where the Gernets lived for a long time."
(20) Peter Gernet (1749)The son of William Heinrich Gernet and Anna Margatetha Shreve. He was born on 13 September 1749 in Tallinn, Estonia. Apparently he moved to Archangel, in far northern Russia, near Murmansk.
He married Margaretha Elisabeth Riemsnyder on 8 December 1773 in Archangel, Russia. She was born on 8 April 1750 in St. Petersburg. He died on 19 May 1807. Margaretha died on 31 August 1839.
| Archangel
Arkhangelsk. On the Northern Dvina river near its exit into the White Sea in the far north of European Russia. It was the chief seaport of medieval Russia as Sweden controlled access to the Baltic. However, it was icebound in the winter. Arkhangelsk declined in the 18th century when Russia gained control of the Baltic seaports, but its economy revived at the end of the 19th century when a railroad to Moscow was completed and timber became a major export. |
Probably the son of Peter. He was born on 25 March 1777 in Archangel. Wilhelm moved back to Germany, settling in Altona, in the province of Hannover. He married Maria Peterson. She was born on 13 November 1786 in Altona, Hannover. Wilhelm died in 1820. Maria died on 15 April 1835.
(22) Joachim Heinrich Gernet (1809)He was born on 19 April 1809 in Altona. He died on 24 December 1852.
(22) Wilhelm Heinrich Gernet Jr. (1810)He was born on 27 May 1810 in Altona and died in 1874.
(22) Georg Gernet (1812)He was born on 17 January 1812 in Altona.
(21) Johann Gernet (c1785)Probably the son of Peter. He was born on 22 January 1785 in Archangel.
(22) Louise Antoinette Gernet (1827)She was born on 1 March 1827 in Archangel to Johan Gernet and Margarethe Carolina von Briemen.
(21) George Gernet (c1785)Probably the son of Peter. A merchant of Archangel. He married Eugenia Amalia Rohde.
(22) Peter Christian Gernet (1815)Peter Christian Gernet was the son of George Gernet and his wife Eugenia Amalia Rohde, and was born 11 August 1815. He is listed as leaving Archangel on the passenger list of the "Betsy Brandt" on the voyage of 22 Sept 1831. He married Rosetta Migliora Barker at St Helena Island on 11 March 1847 (born St Helena 27 June 1824, daughter of Richard William Barker & Anna). Peter & Rosetta had one son, Edward Friedrich William Gernet, born 2 June 1849 on St Helena Island. Some time later the family went to North Africa, where they had two more children: Joseph Charles Rait Gernet born at Salem River, Capestate on 12 November 1864, christened 7 May 1865 in the church of St Joanna in Capestate; and Anna Elena Agnes Gernet born 27 June 1867 in Capestate and christened in the St George Cathedral on 29 May 1868.
On 20 August 1869 Peter and his family arrived in St Petersburg and requested citizenship of Archangel. Prior to his departure overseas, Peter had, according to Russian custom called himself Peter, but at the time of his return to Russia in 1869 he was using the name Christian. This resulted in confusion with the process of applying for a passport lasting over 2 years. Peter gave up waiting for a result, and took his family overseas again. He was eventually granted citizenship, written into the registers of Archangel municipality and sent a passport, but he did not return to Russia. Edward, his son, died in Lisbon on 28 August 1875. Of Joseph there is no further information. Anna was living in Moscow in 1888. After the death of her parents in 1879 her aunt Henrietta Repin proposed that she would adopt Anna, but Anna refused. Rosetta died on 19 January 1879, and Peter Christian died 10 days later on 29 Jan 1879, the latter probably in Lisbon. It is also known that Rosetta's brother Peter Christian Rait (?) was living in Capestate in 1871.
Peter Christian Gernet was the son of a merchant in Archangel Russia, George Gernet and his wife Eugenia Amalia Rohde, and was born 11 August 1815. He is listed as leaving Archangel on the passenger list of the "Betsy Brandt" on the voyage of 22 Sept 1831. He married Rosetta Migliora Barker at St Helena Island on 11 March 1847 (born St Helena 27 June 1824, daughter of RW Barker & Anna). Peter & Rosetta had one son, Edward Friedrich (I think this should be the German spelling, but may appear in other documents as Frederick) William Gernet, born 2 June 1849 on St Helena Island. Some time later the family went to North Africa, where they had two more children: Joseph Charles Rait (?) Gernet born at Salem (?) River, Capestate (Is this the name for the area around the Cape? I have tried to search for the name on the Net, but don't get anything in Africa) on 12 November 1864, christened 7 May 1865 in the church of St Joanna in Capestate; and Anna Elena Agnes Gernet born 27 June 1867 in Capestate and christened in the St George Cathedral on 29 May 1868. On 20 August 1869 Peter and his family arrived in St Petersburg and requested citizenship of Archangel. Prior to his departure overseas, Peter had, according to Russian custom called himself Peter, but at the time of his return to Russia in 1869 he was using the name Christian. This resulted in confusion with the process of applying for a passport lasting over 2 years. Peter gave up waiting for a result, and took his family overseas again. He was eventually granted citizenship, written into the registers of Archangel municipality and sent a passport, but he did not return to Russia. Edward, his son, died in Lisbon on 28 August 1875. Of Joseph there is no further information. Anna was living in Moscow in 1888. After the death of her parents in 1879 her aunt Henrietta Repin proposed that she would adopt Anna, but Anna refused. Rosetta died on 19 January 1879, and Peter Christian died 10 days later on 29 Jan 1879, the latter probably in Lisbon. It is also known that Rosetta's brother Peter Christian Rait (?) was living in Capestate in 1871. As I mentioned earlier, Serge is a serious historian, and can give you much more on the Gernet side if you are interested and I know he would like to correspond with you. We will need to work out how best to facilitate that as he lives in Russia and does not have access to email. Peter Christian GERNET and his wife Rosetta Migliora BARKER (daughter of Richard William BARKER & his wife Anna) who married at St. Pauls church on St Helena Island on 11 March 1847. Witnesses: S.H. Barker , J. Barker and A.M. Janish Their son was Edward Friedrich William GERNET born St Helena 2 June 1849 died Lisbon 28 August 1875. Some time after the birth of Edward, the whole family moved to North Africa where they had two other children - Joseph Charles and Anne Elena Agnes.
(21) Emerentia Charlotte Gernet (1786)Probably the daughter of Peter. Emerentia Charlotte Gernet was born on 21 April 1786 in Archangel, Russia. She married Johann Dietrich L. Tieden on 4 February1806 in Archangel. She died on 20 December 1858.
(21) Margaretha Elis Gernet (1789)The daugther of Peter Gernet and Margaretha Elisabeth Riemsnyder. She was born on 9 August 1789 in Arkhangel [Archangel], Russia. She married Barthold Jacob Benjamin Ehrenpatron Meyer on 11 December 1810 in Archangel. He was born on 21 June 1781 in Hamburg, Germany, the son of Benjamin Meyer and Ilsabe Luise or Elisabeth von Bargen.
The following is an unplaced Gernet of Arkangel, probably a descendant of Peter.
(22) Berend Gernet (1822)Berend Gernet was born on 27 September 1822 in Arkhangel [Archangel], Russia. Probably the son of George or Johann Gernet.
He was incarcerated in Schlesselburg prison as an accomplice in the attempted assassination of Tsar Alexander II on 4 April 1866, by Dimitri Vladimir Karakoz. After his release from Schlesselburg, he was exiled to Vologda in north-east Russia for some time. He married in 1872.
| Tsar Alexander II
Alexander succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father in 1855. After the disastrous Crimean War was ended he began a period of radical reforms throughout the government, encouraged by public opinion, but carried out with autocratic power. Chief among his accomplishments was the emancipation of the Serfs in 1861. He also reformed the Army and Navy, created a judiciary on the French model, and wrote a new penal code. However, the growth of a revolutionary movement on the "left" led to an abrupt end to Alexander's changes when he was assassinated by a bomb in 1881. Previous attempts had been made on his life in 1866, 1873 and 1880. |
Mikhail Nikolaevich Gernet was born 12 July 1874. A celebrated criminologist and anti-tzarist crusader, he wrote a 5 volume history on criminal justice and prisons that is considered a classic. Gernet was the head of the Department of Criminal Law at Moscow University beginning in 1919. Gernet's 5 volume history spans the period from 1762 to 1917, and deals with criminal justice in Imperial Russia, and especially the construction of the Schlesselburg and Petro-Pavlovsk fortress-prisons in St. Petersburg, and its inmates. Gernet died in 1953.
Erik Gernet (1927)
Erik Gernet of St. Petersburg, Russia is a descendant of the Baltic Gernet family of Wilhelm Heinrich Gernet via Christopher.
(19) Karl Gottlieb von Gernet (c1705)
Or Carl. Wilhelm's brother, Carl Gottlieb Gernet, applied "for nobility of [the] Holy Roman Empire." The rescript [a formal degree or edict], signed by Kaiser Franz I [1745-1765], added the noble "von" to his name.
"herrehren sol> lenden Geschlechts Carl Gottlieb Gernet abstamme," - from "Jahrbuch fur Genealogie, Heraldik und Sphragistik" by Kurlondische Gesellschaft fur Literatur und Kunst
"Reichsadel mit Wappenbesserung 1761 Karl Gotlieb G., besitzl. in Estld." - from "Baltisches Wappenbuch" by Patrick von Glasenapp, Verband der Baltischen RitterschaftenThis family is included in a listing of Russian Nobility in the Collection of T. F. Boettger. Note that this elevation applied only to Carl and his heirs, not to Wilhelm's line of the family. The text of the rescript confirmed that,
"Die uhralte Edele Garnet Familie abstammet aus Engelland"So clearly this Austro-German family thought they were English. Also,
[The most-ancient noble Garnet family derived from England]
"Die Voreltern abkommlinge der uhralten Edlen Englandischen Familie Garnet gewesen, die sich von Zeit zu Zeit in den Niederlandischen Kriegen so beruhmt gemacht, und sehr honorable Militar-Chargen bekleidet."The allusion to the Netherlands Wars, which must be those they fought for their independence from Spain in the latter 16th century, seem late for this family, who was already in Pomerania at that time. Karl was living in 1756 and 1759. His son was perhaps Wilhelm, living 1775. . . .
[The descendants of this most-ancient noble English family of Garnet were, between times, so famously engaged in the wars in the Netherlands that they clothed themselves in military honors]
He was born in 1750 in Prussia [?]. Possibly the father of Karl Johann, below. Also, possibly the son of Karl Gottlieb von Gernet, above.
(22) Karl Johann von Gernet (1776)He was born on 25 December 1776 in Prussia [?]. He married Hedwig Elisabeth von Paykull.
"Matr. Estld 1827 Karl Johann [Gernet], Alexander August, . . . " - from "Baltisches Wappenbuch" by Patrick von Glasenapp, Verband der Baltischen RitterschaftenHe had two sons, Richard and Magnus.
1839.a. pantis ning hiljem ostis Carl Johann von Gernet;I believe the language is Estonian. Friedrich is probably the Magnus Friedrich listed below. (23) Richard von Gernet (1823)
1857.a. vara jagamise lepinguga sai omanikuks Friedrich von Gernet;
He was born on 20 January 1823 in Waimel, Polve, Vorun, Estonia. He married Magdalena Pauline Charlotta Stackelberg on 18 June 1852 in Attel, Esonia. He died on 13 May 1892.
(24) Magdalena von Gernet (1853)She was born on 23 September 1853 in Reval, Estonia
(24) Adam Ludwig Richard von Gernet (1856)The son of Richard and Magdalena, he was born on 25 January 1856 in Newenhof, Nissi, Harju, Estonia. He died in August 1885.
(24) Friedrich Rudolf Herman von Gernet (1857)He was born on 26 June 1857 in Waimel, Polve, Voru, Estonia. He married Alexandre Pauline von Renteln on 10 February 1883 in Sompaeh, Estonia. Rudolf von Gernet was the first Commodore of the Estonian Yacht Club, which was founded in 1888.
"Aastal 1888 asutati Eestimaa Merejahtklubi, mis hakkas tegutsema Haapsalus. Klubi esimene kommodoor oli Rudolf von Gernet."The club's Admiral, an honorary position I imagine, was His Imperial Highness, The Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovitch. Rudolf died on 18 February 1893. (25) Margaretha von Gernet (1886)
She was born on 21 October 1886 in Hapsal, Estonia. She married Leonhard Alexander August von Roth on 22 December 1905 in Dorpat, Estonia. She died on 29 September 1968.
(24) Marie Elisabeth Pauline von Gernet (1860)She was born on 22 August 1860 in Newenhof, Nissi, Harju, Estonia. She died in 1926.
(24) Pauline Katherine Sophie von Gernet (1862)She was born on 3 October 1862 in Newenhof, Nissi, Harju, Estonia.
(24) Konstantin August Richard von Gernet (1867)Known as Richard. He was born on 29 January 1867 in Newenhof, Nissi, Harju, Estonia. He died on 18 January 1890.
(24) Henriette Marie Luise von Gernet (1868)She was born on 6 September 1868 in Newenhof, Nissi, Harju, Estonia. She married Harry Walter on 25 April 1891 in Neuenhof, Estonia. She died before 1978.
(23) Magnus Friedrich von Gernet (1824)Known as Friedrich. He was born on 22 October 1824 in Neuenhof, Voru, Estonia. He married Helene Amalie Katharina von Gruenewaldt on 8 May 1857 in Reval, Estonia. Friedrich, and his sons, Adolf, Rudolf, and Adam, are mentioned on the Loonemaa, Estonia Muuseum website. However, since this in Estonian I'm at a loss to tell you what it says. He died on 22 October 1909.
(24) Hedwig Alexandrine Kitty von Gernet (1858)She was born on 6 April 1858 in Reval, Harju, Estonia.
(24) Johann Friedrich von Gernet (1859)Also known as Friedrich. He was born on 2 July 1859 in Sellenkull, Poenal, Laanemaa, Estonia. He died on 24 February 1881.
(24) Anna Julie von Gernet (1860)She was born on 20 July 1860 in Sellenkull, Poenal, Laanemaa, Estonia. She died on 8 December 1915.
(24) Richard Adolf von Gernet (1863)Known as Adolf, or Adolph. He was born on 14 April 1863 in Sellenkull, Poenal, Laanemaa, Estonia. He was a noted metullurgist. At least once referred to as of "M. Inst. M.M. [? Institute of Mining and Metallurgy]." He was a graduate of the Domschule zu Reval, Dome School of Reval, a German-language institution. It was closed in 1893 as part of a forced "Russification" program.
"Adolf von Gernet (Domschule [zu Reval] 1876-1881, H 620), nachdem er zunachst Leiter des Privatlaboratoriums von Dr. Werner Siemans in Berlin und Vertreter der Firma in Amerika (1892) gewesen war." - from "Geschichte der Domschule zu Reval. 1913-1939" by Erik ThomsonHe worked in the Rand Central Ore Reduction Works, a gold mine in South Africa, circa 1895, perhaps having accompanied his brother, Rudolf, to Africa. He presented a paper before the Society of Chemists and Metallurgists in Johannesburg on electrical precipitation. He patented a process for extracting copper from its ores. This is, I think, known as the Siemans-Halske electric precipitation process. In the 1890's he and John Hammond conducted "investigations off the coast of South Africa, not far from Capte Town, to determine the gold content of sea water in that place." - from "The Autobiography of John Hays Hammond." There was a Von Gernet Copper Company, but it was liquidated in October 1905. (24) Rudolf Jakob von Gernet (1864)
Known as Rudolf. He was born on 30 December 1864 in Sellenkull, Poenal, Laanemaa, Estonia. A doctor. He wrote "Ueber die verbreitung der strumen in den ostsee-provinzen," St. Petersburg med. woch., 1891.
"von Gernet, Rudolf (Domschule [zu Reval] 1878-1884). Dr. med., Leiter des Leprosoriums in Pratoria (1898), Arzt in . . ." - from "Geschichte der Domschule zu Reval. 1913-1939" by Erik ThomsonSo apparently Rudolph went to South Africa to run a leprosy clinic. Rudolph von Gernet, M.D., "a German physician," volunteered for service in the Boer War, helping the Boers. - from "Pretoria from Within During the War, 1899-1900 By H. J. Batts. He was referred to as,
"Dr. von Gernet, a Russian, who was latterly appointed by the Boer authorities to superintend the hospital, and who successfully demanded and received the wherewithal for the proper treatment of the inmates." - from "Twice Captured: A Record of Adventure During the Boer War" by James Francis Harry St. Clair-Erskine Rosslyn.He wrote an article, "Is South Africa Drying Up?" while living in Pretoria.
I recently received the following email,
Dear Mr Hissem.(24) Hedwig Luise Elisabeth von Gernet (1867)
I came across your history/geneology of the Gernet family in Estonia some time ago but have neglected, up to now, to pursue the leads it contains. It so happens that my grandfather, Rudolf Jakob von Gernet, migrated to South Africa in the late nineteen nineties togethether with his wife Olga Antoinette Vera von Dehn. I am somewhat vague about his movements after that, but know that he was appointed as the director of the now defunct leprosy asylum by the then President Kruger of the South African Republic and that at one time he practised as a district surgeon in the area of Rustenburg.
The couple had two children: my father Hans Juergen Magnus von Gernet born Rustenburg on 29 December1903 and killed in action off Trieste on 1 May 1945; and a daughter Hedwig Alexandra von Gernet born on 3 August 1898 in Pretoria, where she spent her life as a teacher. (She never married).
I, Johan Rienk von Gernet, was the only son of this union, having been born at Pretoria on 4 December 1938. I have since, by two marriages, had a daughter Maria Felicia von Gernet , born 30 August 1974, and Johan Bruce von Gernet, born in Buenos Aires on 14 July 1983. By profession I was a diplomat for most of my working life (South African ambassador to Bolivia and later to Brazil) and late, after my premature retirement, a practicing advocate at High Court of South Africa.
The real reason for contacting you is that I notice that you have used a number of sources which could give me further insight into the life and times of my German/Estonian family, but which appear to be unavailavble to me locally. Possibly, with your advice I could hen also contact the archives in Talinn (I visited Estonia some two years back but didn't have the time to do any research).
Whilst I appreciate that your main interest is in the Hissem branch of your family, I read you contribution t the von Gernets' genealogy with great interest.
Thank you for the trouble and best wishes, Sincerely, Johan von Gernet.
She was born on 29 October 1867 in Sellenkull, Poenal, Laanemaa, Estonia.
(24) Eva Natalie von Gernet (1869)She was born on 2 September 1869 in Sellenkull, Poenal, Laanemaa, Estonia.
(24) Julie Alexandre von Gernet (1872)She was born on 17 [14] June 1872 in Kiwidepha, Roethel, Laanemaa, Estonia. She married Konrad Johan Gottwald von Zur Muhlen on 22 February 1900 in Reval, Estonia. She died on 7 March 1945 in Poznan, Poland.
(24) Richard Ernst Adam von Gernet (1878)Known as Adam. He was born on 7 August 1878 in Kiwidepah, Roethel, Laanermaa, Estonia. An Adam von Gernet was involved in the study of magnetism.
An Adam von Gernet was "a trusted contact in an infantry regiment in Dunaburg" who helped the Schiemann family escape across the German lines in March 1918. - from "Defender of Minorities: Paul Schiemann, 1876-1944" by John Hiden.
(21) Christian Wilhelm von Gernet (c1750)He married Wilhelmine Dorothea Harpe.
(22) Otto Heinrich von Gernet (1780)He was born on 22 January 1780 in Reval, Estonia. He married Jeanette Auguste von Essen on 2 August 1848 in Poddes, Maholm, Viru, Estonia. He died on 10 December 1848.
(21) Christoph von Gernet (c1760)Or Chrisopher, Christoffer. He married Charlotta Beata Eleonora Rehbinder.
(22) Auguste Fredrike von Gernet (1790)She was born on 11 March 1790 in St Petersburg, Russia [or Tallinn]. She married Magnus John Stenbok-Fermor on 9 August 1804 in Hapsal, Estonia.
"Magnus Johann greve Stenbock-Fermor (23.6.1825), overste, f. Petersburg 24.6.1768, d. 1.4.1834, begr. Nitau. - G. Hapsal 9.8.1804 m. Auguste Friederike von Gernet, f. 11.3.1790, d. 5.9.1850, dotter till majoren och tulldirektoren i Reval Christoffer von Gernet och Beate Eleonore friherrinna (von) Rehbinder."She died on 5 September 1850. (22) Gustav George von Gernet (c1790)
He married Katherina Juliane von Adlerberg.
(23) Ernst Konstantin Julius von Gernet (1821)Or Ernst Julius Konstantin. He was born on 2 November 1821 in Uxnorm, Kegel, Harju, Estonia [or St. Petersburg, Russia]. He married Ida Marie von Pistolekors on 10 September 1843 in Harju, Estonia. She was born on 17 December 1817 in St. Petersburg, Russia. She died on 18 March 1850. He secondly married Emmy Julie Henriette Amalie von Hennings on 26 August 1862 in Reval, Estonia. She was born on 12 March 1827 in Neuhof, Latvia. He died on 1 March 1872. She died on 23 January 1878 in St. Petersburg.
(22) Hans Moritz von Gernet (c1805)He married Charlotte Juliane Clapier de Colongue on 20 April 1831 in Onika, Jewe, Viru, Estonia. He died on 2 August 1860.
(23) Adam Oskar von Gernet (1834)Known as Oskar. He was born on 28 May 1834 in Reval, Estonia. He married Elisabeth Johanna von Stubendorff. He died on 5 September 1908.
(24) Konrad Axel [Oskar?] von Gernet (1865)Historian of Estonia. He was born on 14 November 1865 in Sallentack, Haggers, Harju, Estonia. He married Magdalene Marie Olga von Tiesenhausen on 10 August 1893 in Dorpat, Estonia. He wrote "Geschichte und System des beuerlichen Agrarrechts in Estland" or "History and System of the Rural Agrarian Right in Estonia," Reval 1901 and "Die Deutschen in Russland." He died on 5 February 1920.
(24) Moritz Nikolai Oswald von Gernet (1867)He was born on 8 June 1867 in Sallentack, Haggers, Harju, Estonia.
(24) Charlotte Ellinor von Gernet (1868)She was born on 8 December 1868 in Sallentack, Haggers, Harju, Estonia. She married Theodor Robert Wilhelm von Knupffer on 29 December 1893 in Weissenstein, Jerva, Estonia.
Gernet's in Latvia(21) Heinrich Wilhelm Gernet (1787)
Heinrich Wilhelm Gernet was born on 17 November 1787 in Latvia. He died in 1880.
(22) Johann Gernet (1812)Johann Gernet was born on 5 February 1812 in Latvia.
(23) Ferdinand Hermann Friedrich von Gernet (1832)He was born on 3 January 1832 in Rjasan, Russia. He married Elise Juliane Hoffman. He died on 27 March 1897 in Riga, Latvia.
(24) Bruno Reinhold von Gernet (1866)He was born on 14 August 1866 in Riga, Latvia. He married Marie Elisene Bosse. He apparently wrote "Die Entwicklung des Rigaer Handels und Verkhers," 1919. He died on 10 December 1930 in Riga, Latvia.
(25) Gerhard Heinrich Joachim Ferdinand von Gernet (1895)He was born on 19 May 1895 in Riga, Kurland, Latvia. He died on 28 March 1949 in Stuttgart, Baden-Wurtembrug, Germany.
(25) Richard Johann Christoph von Gernet (1896)He was born on 14 July 1896 in Riga, Kurland, Latvia. He died at Mystery Lake, Alberta, Canada.
(26+) Alexander von GernetI assume he is a descendent of Richard. A modern, he teaches Anthopology at the University of Toronto. He's become somewhat famous in his role as an expert witness for the Canadian government in aboriginal claims suits. Since it is in the best interest of the plaintiffs to damage his reputation, there are some mean things said about him on the internet.
(25) Margarete Anna Marie von Gernet (1897)She was born on 3 Janury 1897 in Riga, Kurland, Latvia. She married Helmut Cosack on 31 July 1922 in Munich, Bavaria. She died at on 12 October 1971 in Bremen, Hannover, Prussia.
(25) Meinhard Lothar Bruno von Gernet (1909)He was born on 25 May 1909 in Riga, Kurland, Latvia. He died on 3 August 1949 in Belaja Zerkow, Kiew, Ukraine, USSR.
(24) Richard Emil von Gernet (1868)He was born on 17 December 1868 [or 4 December 1867] in Riga, Latvia. He died on 15 September 1942 in Wloclawek, Bydgoskiego, Poland.
(24) Alphons von Gernet (1870)He might fit here. He was born on 19 July 1870 in Riga, Latvia.
(23) Ida Helene Katharina von Gernet (1848)She was born in about 1848 in Mitau, Kurland, Latvia. She married Carl Theodor Gramkau on 24 December 1881 in Mitau.
Louisa Johanna von Gernet
She was buried in the Keila cemetary, Estonia. "Hier ruhet in Gott . . . Louise Johanna v. Gernet."
Nine de GernetA Mlle. Nina de Gernet of Antonisberg, 5, Reval, Esthland, wrote two articles in the "Theosophist Magazine" of February-March 1909.
He married Maria Dorothea Charlotta von Schulman (1831-1862), the daughter of Otto Woldemar von Schulaman (1792-1861). Apparently he also married Bertha Eleonora Charlotte von Schulmann (1843-1911), Maria's sister. No children were noted for either marriage. Note the von Gernet's below with Woldemar middle names.
v. Gernet Alexander => 67484
v. Gernet Alexander Heinrich (Andr.) => 67447
v. Gernet Christoph (Christianovia) => 67434
v. Gernet Christoph (Vilimovia) => 67432
v. Gernet Ernst Konst. Julius (Gust.) => 67436
v. Gernet Ferdinand Johann (Christoforovia) => 67460
v. Gernet Friedrich Wilhelm Woldemar (Fedor Vas.) => 67453
v. Gernet Karl August (Gustavovia) => 67440
v. Gernet Karl Johann (Karlovia) => 67438
v. Gernet Konrad Axel (Osk.) => 67451
v. Gernet Konstantin (Andreevia) => 67446
v. Gernet Konstantin Wilhelm (Fedorovia) => 67455
v. Gernet Leon Nikolai (Lev Karlovia) => 67448
v. Gernet Leonhard Nikolai (Lev Karlovia) => 67448
v. Gernet Nikolai Wilhelm (Andreevia) => 67450
v. Gernet Nikolai Wilhelm (Ivanovia) => 67450
v. Gernet Paul Bernhard (Fedorovia) => 67445
v. Gernet Peter Woldemar (Fedorovia) => 67463
v. Gernet Reinhold Wilhelm => 67433
v. Gernet Richard Ernst Adam (Fridrichovia) => 67437
v. Gernet Viktor (Pavlovia) => 67444
"Gernet, von Elisabeth 14.3.1872 14-12 26-19 a5-33
Gernet, von Ernst Julius Constantin 6.3.1872* 14-12 28-19 a2-33
Gernet, von Ida geb. von Pistolkors 14-12 39-18 a2-52" - from "Wolkowo Lutherischer Friedhof in St. Petersburg" by Benedikt Bohm
He married Johanna Henrica Pouwels.
Louise Helena Johanna Gernet (1858)She was born on 23 August and christened on 24 August 1858 in Burgerlijke Stand, Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands.
Helena Louisa Francisca Gernet (1860)She was born on 20 February and christened on 21 February 1860 in Burgerlijke Stand, Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands.
Hendrikus Gerhardus Maria Gernet (1861)He was born on 10 May 1861 in Burgerlijke Stand, Amhem, Gelderland, Netherlands.
Henrietta Johanna Maria Gernet (1862)She was born on 18 July and was christened on 21 July 1862 in Burgerlijke Stand, Amhem, Gelderland, Netherlands.
Louis Gernet (1882-1962)
French philologist and sociologist - A student at the Ecole Normale Superieure (class of 1902), he received a licentiate in law and agregation in grammar. In 1917, supported by the Fondation Thiers, he received his doctorate in letters with a dissertation entitled "Researches on the development of legal and moral thought in Greece".
For a long time he led a modest academic career, devoted to teaching Greek at the University of Algiers. In 1948, at the age of 66, he went to the seminary of legal sociology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes etudes to teach ancient Greek anthropology. From 1949 to 1961 he was editor of the journal L'Annee sociologique, to which he also contributed under the heading "Legal and moral sociology".
In 1964, two years after Gernet's death, his pupil Jean-Pierre Vernant founded the Centre Louis-Gernet, a centre for the comparative study of ancient societies which is attached to the Ecole des Hautes etudes en Sciences Sociales.
Jacques Gernet (1921- )I assume he is the son of Louis Gernet. He was born in Algiers on 22 December 1921 where Louis was on the faculty of the University. Historian of Greek and Chinese civilization. A French sinologist, chevalier of the Legion of Honour, commander the order of the academic Palms.
It obtains a licence of traditional letters in Algiers in 1942. Its studies are stopped by the war: it is mobilized between 1942 and 1945. It is then diploma of Chinese at the national Institute of the languages and Eastern civilizations in 1947 and at the practical School of high studies (EPHE) in 1948. He becomes member of the French School of the Far East, before being a researcher with the CNRS and stock-broker of Yomiuri Shimbun in Japan.
1955 to 1976, he is a director of studies with the EPHE, VIe section, then at the School of the high studies in social sciences. He is an arts doctor in 1956. He in parallel teaches the Chinese language and civilization with the Faculty of Arts of the Sorbonne in 1957, as a lecturer, then reaches under professor in 1959. In 1968, it melts the Unit of teaching and research of the Languages and ages of Eastern Asia (Paris-VIi university), which it directs until 1973.
Lastly, it enters to the College of France, holder of the pulpit of social and intellectual history of China (1975-1992).
On June 8, 1979, it is elected ordinary member of the Academy of the Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres, with the armchair of Paul Demiville.
Or Golnow, Gollenow, Golienow. This was a town in the province of Pomerania, on the right bank of the Ihna river. Today it is known as Goleniow and is located in northwestern Poland, in the center of the Goleniowska forest on the Goleniow Plain, about 14 miles northeast of Stettin. This is right on the border with modern-day Germany, to the west.
Pomerania [Polish Pomorze or German Pommern] is comprised of the southern coast of the Baltic Sea between the Oder and Vistula rivers. Its original population was Slavic, but Germanic emigration significantly altered the region's culture. 
The arms of Joachim Gernet and his heirs, authorized for use in 1677. These are nautical arms, suitable to either a merchant ship's captain or, as Erik Gernet proposes, a reference to that nautical nation par excellence, England. Arms: Azure, an anchor "in pale", argent. Actually I think the anchor was inclined to the right, that is, sinister. This is how it is displayed in the "Baltisches Wappenbuch" and above the door of the 17th century house of the Gernet's. A bar or baton displayed sinister was often a sign of illegitimacy, though only in England. In Germany the sinister did not have this connotation.
At right are the arms of Giles Heysham and his heirs, obtained by his grandson, William Heysham, in 1723. The family claimed inheritance from the Gernet family of Halton, Lancashire. Interestingly, these arms use the charge of the Baltic Gernets, the anchor, in the colors of the Halton Gernets, red and gold. Arms: Gules an Anchor in Pale Or, on a chief of the second three Torteauxes. The three torteauxes [balls] may be a reference to the three escallops [shells] used in the arms of another related family, the Dacres. A crest was included in the arms which underwrites the connection with the Foresters of Lancashire. Crest: On a wreath of the Colours a Mount proper and thereon a Buck in full course Argent Gutte de Sang attired and unguled Or and wounded through the Neck with an Arrow Gules feathered end, headed Gold. 
Estonia is located on the south side of the Gulf of Riga which leads to the old Russian capital of St. Petersburg. It is usually grouped with the other "Baltic States" of Lativia and Lithuania, south of Estonia, facing on to the Baltic sea. It is divided into four regions; Harrien, Wierland, Jerwen and Wiek. In Germany it was known as the Estlaendische Ritterschaft and its capital, Tallinn, as Reval. 
