Noble Lineage

Svetozar's Grandfather, c. 1870

This is believed to be Svetozar's maternal grandfather, Johann Carl Robert von Medem (1807-1888) of the Rumbenhof line of the House of Medem. According to Geneaology records of Russian nobility, he was born to Peter Ernst and Dorothea von Medem in Mitau, Courland, and went on to St. Petersburg Russia as General Major in the Imperial Russian Military. In 1870, he married Emmerica Ehlers.

Svetozar and His Grandmother, c. 1876

The woman seen here with Svetozar is believed to be Emmerica Ehlers (1809-1877). The portraits on display in SVETOZAR: The Early Life of Baron Eugene Fersen come from the Medem's estate and depict Ehlers and her husband, Robert von Medem.

Genealogischen Handbuch des Adels, Bd.69., 1979

Svetozar's lineage as outlined by the Yearbook of the nobility, published 1979.

Cane Top, c. 19th Century

Close up of the Medem's cane top (1989:35.90) made of sterling, amethyst, and small turquoise stones. The amethyst is carved with the seal of the House of Medem, the gold ringed hunting horn.

Coat of Arms of Noble Families, c. 18th Centruy

An example of the Baron von Medem's coat of arms -middle right- as per Ad. M. Hildebrandt.

Robert von Medem, c. 1900

The portrait of Robert von Medem (1989:35.146) from SVETOZAR, hanging in the Medem-Fersen's Paris home. Taken from Marie Zvenigorodsky's photo album.

Carl Alexander von Versen, c. 1870

The cabinet card is believd to depict Carl Alexander von Versen (Fersen) who married Svetozar's mother, Olga von Medem-Fersen in St. Petersburg in 1868.

Emmerica Ehlers, c. 1970

Portrait of Emmerica Ehlers (1989:35.145) as seen in SVETOZAR hanging in Svetozar's Seattle home and Lightbearers Headquarters at 1409 E. Prospect Street.