Messages

1

Imperial Russian History / Re: Pre revolution spoken Russian

« on: November 03, 2018, 04:40:53 PM »

He speaks fluent Russian but like a person whose first language is different - French and/or German. His advanced - to say the least - age is also well perceived in his speech.

2

Russian Noble Families / Re: von Nybeck

« on: October 26, 2018, 02:25:03 PM »

In 1822, some Second Lieutenant Nybeck graduated from Imperial Engineering School and was assigned to Vyborg Engineering Detachment. To be admitted to that school and then commissioned, he had to belong to nobility.

3

Russian Imperial Medals, Orders, Uniforms & Militaria / Re: What Unifrom is my Great Grandfather Wearing?

« on: January 23, 2018, 07:00:58 AM »

Since Vladimir was just a private soldier and the surname Romanov is pretty widespread among Russians, I don't believe that it might be realistic to find any info on him in Russian archives or in other Russian sources. However, you might try French archives. Most Russian soldiers were repatriated upon the end of WW1 and much few had chosen to stay in France. Their names and other personal data must be kept somewhere in France together with residence applications etc.

4

Russian Imperial Medals, Orders, Uniforms & Militaria / Re: What Unifrom is my Great Grandfather Wearing?

« on: January 23, 2018, 05:46:33 AM »

The uniformed guy on the photo is an infantry private, most probably of the Russian Expeditionary Force in France, 1916 - 1917.
See e.g. here.

5

Russian Noble Families / Re: Where was Slepov Konyets, the estate of the Von Dreyer family?

« on: August 04, 2017, 02:51:57 AM »

There is a hamlet named Rovnitsy [Ровницы] in Plyussa district of Pskov Region, that was formerly alternatively named Slepoy Konets. Before 1917 it belonged to Luga uezd of Petersburg Governorate. It's almost certainly the estate you're looking for.

6

Russian Noble Families / Re: Colonel Bernard Ernest Jule de Koetteritz (Russian Imperial Guard)

« on: March 16, 2017, 04:05:46 PM »

This is a photo of Valerian Ketteritz, b. 1838, d. 1907. He was senior inspector of Russian Railways in the rank of active state councillor (equivalent to major-general).

7

Russian Noble Families / Re: Colonel Bernard Ernest Jule de Koetteritz (Russian Imperial Guard)

« on: March 12, 2017, 03:16:44 AM »

Another possibility for the upper badge: Regimental badge of 13th Life-Grenadier Erivan regiment.

8

Russian Noble Families / Re: Colonel Bernard Ernest Jule de Koetteritz (Russian Imperial Guard)

« on: March 11, 2017, 03:29:37 PM »

I have a photo of him, and he is wearing a couple medals (though he is not in a uniform). Does anyone recognize any of these?

They are graduation badges, not medals. The upper one: most probably, Alexeyevskoe Officer School, Moscow. The lower one (Maltese cross): Corps of Pages, St. Petersburg.

9

Russian Noble Families / Re: Royal Danish Morganauts Danneskjold-Løvendal /-Levendal in Russian Service

« on: December 17, 2016, 01:30:03 AM »

Lavrentiy Nikolayevich von Løvendal (b. 1878) was probably son of Captain 2nd rank Nikolay Lavrentievich Løvendal, who in 1893 was commander of the schooner Chasovoy in Reval.

10

Russian Imperial Medals, Orders, Uniforms & Militaria / Re: Help with Cross of St. George/1900-1901 China Campaign medal recipient

« on: September 12, 2016, 07:16:15 AM »

25 October 1900 was the date of the battle. The village's name was spelt as some junior staff officer back in 1900 thought it should be pronounced. The chance of locating it today is next to zero.

11

Research Russian Roots / Re: The Origins of the Comital? de Witt Family

« on: August 04, 2016, 02:24:41 AM »

The comital branch of the de Witts (originated from Poland) expired in Russia in the second half of 19 c. While the 1909 officers list mentions at least a dozen de Witts and de Wittes  (not including Serge who was too young then), none of them was titled.

12

Research Russian Roots / Re: The Origins of the Comital? de Witt Family

« on: August 03, 2016, 03:32:13 PM »

Just before the revolution in January 1917 Serge de Witt was promoted from second lieutenant (cornet) to first lieutenant (poruchik) of Life Guard Dragoon regiment, and he was listed in the imperial order of promotions without any title. So wherever he acquired his comital title, it was definitely not in the imperial Russia.

13

Russian Imperial Medals, Orders, Uniforms & Militaria / Re: Can anyone help me to identifiy this uniform? Known to be BEFORE 1915. Tks!

« on: May 04, 2016, 04:08:22 PM »

You're welcome, Erik. The Ungern-Sternberg family has left many traces in Russian military and general history. If you give me a couple of full names, I could try finding some info on the Russian web.

14

Russian Imperial Medals, Orders, Uniforms & Militaria / Re: Can anyone help me to identifiy this uniform? Known to be BEFORE 1915. Tks!

« on: May 04, 2016, 02:34:55 PM »

There was no princely family named Gusakov or like that. The only known prominent person of that name (but certainly not a prince!) was Lieutenant General Epifanii Gusakov (1850 - 1916).

15

Russian Imperial Medals, Orders, Uniforms & Militaria / Re: Can anyone help me to identifiy this uniform? Known to be BEFORE 1915. Tks!

« on: May 04, 2016, 08:06:58 AM »

Volunteer was both a status and a rank, equivalent to private. Since they only served one to two years, volunteers were almost never promoted to NCOs. However, they enjoyed some privileges similar to those of military schools' cadets. For example, they were allowed to hire cabs, visit public gardens and travel first class by rail and steamships.