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Research Russian Roots / Genealogical query: FRESHVILLE / FERSEN.
« on: March 04, 2012, 05:34:13 AM »
Hello. I wonder if any of the knowledgeable people on this website can assist me with a genealogical query – which primarily relates to the name FERSEN.
My surname is WILDE. My great-great-grandfather of the same surname married Sarah FRETWELL; both families being from Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. I have recently learnt that Sarah’s eldest brother James (1815 – 1898) changed his name from James Fretwell to James Fretwell FRESHVILLE; and was the representative of the Sheffield steel-makers Thomas Firth and Sons, at St Petersburg (where he was presented to the Tsar, according to an old family letter held by a cousin). James Fretwell Freshville lived in St Petersburg – as best I can calculate – from about 1847 – 1870. The first five of his children were born there, including his two sons. It seems likely that he married in Russia, and that his first wife died. In 1856 he married, in Sheffield, Anne Elizabeth TOWNEND. James’s sons were James junior (who is not mentioned in his father’s will – so probably pre-deceased him) and Thomas Frederick.
The last surviving of James Fretwell Freshville’s children died in 1940 as Marguerite Ada de Freshville HOWLEY-SIM, in Bath, Somerset, England. In her will of the same year, she leaves a small annuity to “Countess Alexandra Fersen of Number 25 Suisi Bolzano Italy” – without specifying their relationship. After Countess Alexandra’s death, the will specified that her daughters should receive the annuity – if they were still under 21 years old. They were “Countess Sophia Fersen” and “Countess Maria Fersen”. I think it likely that Countess Alexandra Fersen was a grand-niece to Marguerite, by being a granddaughter of Marguerite’s brother Thomas Frederick Freshville – but I have not been able to confirm this, as yet.
I have read on this website of the Count Fersen who was evacuated from Yalta, with his wife and daughters; and that he disembarked in Italy. The names (and subsequent history) of his daughters might provide a clue to my search. I would be grateful for any help or advice, relating to any of the people or facts described above. Thank you.
Matthew Wilde.
My surname is WILDE. My great-great-grandfather of the same surname married Sarah FRETWELL; both families being from Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. I have recently learnt that Sarah’s eldest brother James (1815 – 1898) changed his name from James Fretwell to James Fretwell FRESHVILLE; and was the representative of the Sheffield steel-makers Thomas Firth and Sons, at St Petersburg (where he was presented to the Tsar, according to an old family letter held by a cousin). James Fretwell Freshville lived in St Petersburg – as best I can calculate – from about 1847 – 1870. The first five of his children were born there, including his two sons. It seems likely that he married in Russia, and that his first wife died. In 1856 he married, in Sheffield, Anne Elizabeth TOWNEND. James’s sons were James junior (who is not mentioned in his father’s will – so probably pre-deceased him) and Thomas Frederick.
The last surviving of James Fretwell Freshville’s children died in 1940 as Marguerite Ada de Freshville HOWLEY-SIM, in Bath, Somerset, England. In her will of the same year, she leaves a small annuity to “Countess Alexandra Fersen of Number 25 Suisi Bolzano Italy” – without specifying their relationship. After Countess Alexandra’s death, the will specified that her daughters should receive the annuity – if they were still under 21 years old. They were “Countess Sophia Fersen” and “Countess Maria Fersen”. I think it likely that Countess Alexandra Fersen was a grand-niece to Marguerite, by being a granddaughter of Marguerite’s brother Thomas Frederick Freshville – but I have not been able to confirm this, as yet.
I have read on this website of the Count Fersen who was evacuated from Yalta, with his wife and daughters; and that he disembarked in Italy. The names (and subsequent history) of his daughters might provide a clue to my search. I would be grateful for any help or advice, relating to any of the people or facts described above. Thank you.
Matthew Wilde.