Notes |
- BIOGRAPHY:
1. She left Russia in 1916/1917 with Butzkoy. He was attache in several places including, Tokyo, Washington DC, and London. See his history in his notes in this database for an extensive recounting of their travels. Photos of her passport on file with Kerry Petersen. The following article, dated 9 Dec 1917 from a Washington DC newspaper, is also on file with Kerry and contains a photo of Catherine with the following:
"[Photo subtext:] Newcomer in Foreign Colony. Mme. Victor P. Butzkoy, Wife of the Capt. Butzkoy of the Russian embassy." Another photo caption: "Mme. Butskoy, wife of Capt. Victor P. Butskoy, of the Russian Army, who is in Washington on war work."
[Article:] Russians Likely To Be Popular Social Additions.
I met a lonely little couple the other day, strangers in a strange land, but I prophesy that they won't be lonely long, after society once discovers them, for they are both charming and awfully good looking. They are Captain and Mme. Butzskoi, of Russia. He is here in association with some special work for the embassy. Both are young, both very good looking, speak English perfectly, and are quite sociable. He has been decorated twice "for valor," has been wounded several times,and has done a lot of interesting things. I am told his hobby is riding; that he is a marvelous horseman. They have an apartment at the Marlborough just now, but will move next week to the Sheridan. They expect to be in Washington all winter. [The article continues describing another couple.]"
The following is more about the above article from a research librarian (serref@loc.gov) at the Library of Congress per an email dated 7 Apr 2011 addressed to Chris Petesen:
"Since the images are identified as being created by Harris & Ewing, they were likely published in one of the Washington, D.C. newspapers - for example, the Washington Post, the Evening Star, the National Tribune, the Washington Times, etc. In the time I had available, I searched a few different resources, including Chronicling America and our subscriptions to ProQuest Historical Newspapers and America's Historical Newspapers. I was able to find the second image, "Wife of Russian Attache," in the December 9, 1917 issue of the Washington Post. I can send you this article in a separate email. I was not able to find the other image or text in this issue of the Washington Post, which leads me to believe that these clippings may have come from multiple newspapers. In my search of Chronicling America [The Washington Times, December 10, 1917, FINAL EDITION, Page 10, Image 10], I was able to find this article about Mme. Buitzkoy, although it is different from any of the information you have (this link has been shortened): < http://bit.ly/hFHBJb <http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FhFHBJb&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEYEUniVkXA2dyBjhYUNdUn8KEf_Q> > It looks like the text "Russians Likely to Be Popular Social Additions" may have come from the social section of the Washington Times [The Washington Times, September 30, 1917, FINAL EDITION, Page 14, Image 14], since they use similar fonts/text arrangements. I was able to find this text here (this link has been shortened): < http://bit.ly/eO4JsU <http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FeO4JsU&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHf7hXr_3Wnts7PKco5dgn1mwRj6A> > The first image was likely published in the social section as well, though it may have come from a different paper than the Post or Times. Something I might mention is that while it is likely that all three items were published around the same time, they may have been published earlier or later, so you may need to search items from 1917 and include 1918 to find the items. I went to the Prints and Photographs Reading Room, where the Harris and Ewing Collection is held, to look at their subject list(s). I was not able to find the name "Butzkoy" or "Buitzkoy" (or other variations) in the list, or in the biographic files in the Reading Room. I don't think that this will be a useful resource to search for the remaining image, as the image will not be accessible without indexing. I might recommend that you continue to browse additional Washington, D.C. newspapers through Chronicling America, or see if you are able to request microfilm copies of other newspapers via interlibrary loan at your local library. I would recommend searching the second half of 1917/first half of 1918, as this is most likely the time period the second photo was published. You can search for additional Washington D.C. newspapers by using the directory on Chronicling America. Just click on the "Find" feature on the homepage: < http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ <http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fchroniclingamerica.loc.gov%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGvydoolZ72kdSX3-rLGhX4ALuQow> > Megan Halsband, Reference Librarian, Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room, Serial and Government Publication Division, Library of Congress."
2. Lived at 5 Rue Place Vieille, Vence, France, circa 1959 when the author of this database, Kerry Petersen, was age five.
3. Last name Verblovski (russian) or Werblovsky/Werbowsky (french). Catherine also spelt as Cathaerine.
4. Posted photos of letters, passport, and other information can be seen on the Internet. See Irene's notes for private site.
5. The following undated paper was written late 1969 in Nice, France by Catherine Werblovsky Olympieff (also known as Ekaterina Werblovskaya Olympieva) at the request of Patrick Landau through his aunt Alice Nikitina. Patrick's father, Vladimir Landau, even though he was Catherine's cousin, had less knowledge on the family then Catherine. Catherine was the granddaughter of Edouard and Rebecca Herzenberg. The letter was written a couple of years before Catherine's death after she entered into an assisted care facility in Nice. The paper was recently found among personal items previously gathered about 1969 by her daughter Irene Nadia de Lanskoy Petersen. Portions of the letter were written in three languages: English, French, and Russian. Irene, in transcribing the letter, notes that the letter was hard to follow and to make sense of. Irene's transcription dated 31 Jul 2007 with her notes added in [ ]:
"What concerns the father and mother of our mother's: Mother's father: Edouard Ocipovitch Herzenberg [or Gerzenberg] Edward son of Joseph Herzenberg born: in Mitava [or Mittau] not far ___, Baltic Provinces - not far from Riga. He died at 76 years of age (had diabetes and malaria) from lung congestion after flu. His wife was his cousin.
Rebecca Herzenberg also married a first cousin. I am not sure of the name of her father; she died in Moscow when I was 6 years old (70 years ago). [Death would be approximately 1899?]
They were probably married in Mitawa and came to Moscow young, because all their children were born in Moscow. The eldest 1) Elizabeth 2) Sonja [or Sonia] (Sofia) mother of Manja or Mania who now lives in Moscow, who had a sister Nadja or Nadia who was born in Moscow. Sonia's husband was Adolf Schneider - son of Aaron Schneider - who had 3 more sons: Nicolas, Alexander, Serge and a daughter Elizabeth Schneider. She got married with Martin Behr (English nationality); they had two children and lived in Moscow. Mrs. Elizabeth Behr died in London (after the Russian Revolution she lived in France, later in England.) Her brother Adolf Schneider was a brother-in-law of our mother's of course.) [This is a repeat of the above.] The Behrs had 2 children. Elisabeth Behr died in London (probably her husband Martin Behr died before.) Mrs. Behr's daughter Olga died in London about a year ago [1968-69?], her brother George Behr still lives in London is married (has 1 daughter who is married too and has 2 boys, 8 and 7.
So my mother Elisabeth was the eldest daughter of Edward and Rebecca Herzenberg born in Moscow like her sister Sonia, the next sister Flora born in Moscow. Flora, married Joseph Offenbacher, had one son Lotar (my first cousin as well as yours). She, her husband, and son died in Germany during the war of Hitler (son Lothar). [Irene notes that another family account says that Lothar committed suicide on account of the war.] [His father] Joseph Offenbacher had an older brother Vasily [William or Wilhelm] Offenbacher who married a cousin of our mother's - Fanny, daughter of Abra[ha]m (whom all children of Edward Herzenberg used to call Uncle Abraham.) He was the husband of Grandfather Edward Herzenberg's sister Theresa. His family name was also like all: Herzenberg. Theresa Herzenberg had many children - daughter Fanny, sons Ludwig, Harry, and 2 other sons and another daughter Sophia married to another Herzenberg (all those marriages were between cousins) who had three children, Robby (Robert) who lives in Sweden and 2 daughters Clara and Roberta (died in Riga - Bolshevik Revolution). [I am not sure if Clara and Roberta are correct for this family grouping.] After Flora Herzenberg, the 4th daughter was my Aunt Anjuta [Anna Herzenberg-Landau]. Then there was another one Genga (Eugenie) married Harry Taube from Riga - were killed by Hitler's army. She was the 5th daughter of Edward Herzenberg. The 6th was Lilja [Lilia] (1st wife of Uncle Max Landau - died in Davos, Switzerland from TB.) Then was another daughter Milja, died very young (she was the 7th daughter). The youngest daughter Tonya [Tonia] died in Moscow. Then there were two brothers, the oldest Ivan (John) married a French young girl from Mussidan, Dordogne, France. She was daughter of the Mayor of that town. Died in the north of Russia where - she was sent sick and was sent with her to Mourmansk (north of Russia). Uncle Vanja's [Vania, Ivan, John all same name wife Lydia died there [note her maiden name was Lydie Buisson]. Uncle Vanja died too in Bolshevik Revolution. Their 3 children: Micha (Michel) died probably in Moscow; his brother Andrei (Andre) Herzenberg and Suzanne Hindzee (Herzenberg) - 1st husband (French) Volant. She has a daughter in Toronto married in Toronto (Alja [or Alice Nikitina] knew her) who has two children, boy and girl. The father's family name is A. [Albert?] Statter - wife Lydie (Suzanne's daughter) - son Albert. [Irene's note: last known address was 33 Stonegate Road, Toronto, Canada, M8Y-1V8; phone 416-251-6295.]
There was yet other families related to us through our mother's. It was a well known dentist. His name was Kovarsky. His wife was the cousin of our mother's. They had a lot of children - 3 brothers Misha (Michael), Leva (Leon), 2 daughters Choura (Alexandra). Chura who now is same age as Suzanne [Herzenberg Hindzee] - the only one alive. I forget the name of the eldest brother deceased. Manja (Mania) in Moscow knows more about that family. What was the name of the mother cousin of our mother's-probably it was yet another of the Herzenberg family. As Alja [Alice Nikitina] will be going to Moscow she will be able to find out more form Manja [Mania]. Then there was yet another family related to the wife of our grandfather through the husband or wife Idelson. There was a girl Lisa Idelson and her brother. I think that Manja must know something about them. They lived in Moscow. I used to go see them with my mother when I was about 8 or 10 years old.
Now George Behr has written from London thanking me for my sympathy condolences on account of the death of his sister Olga Behr. She must have been older than 78 years. he thought that his aunt on his father's side, Nina Karlovna died in Moscow, as well as his cousin Leija, but I think it is relatives on the side of his father Bahr, and the cousin is perhaps of the Schneider family (it is possible that the cousin is still living). All these people lived in Moscow.
Now what concerns the Packschwer family. The one that came to see you with the Vietnamese wife has passed away. His name was Julien Packschwer born in Vitebesk, Russia. He was 72. His younger brother Saveijn (Sahva) engineer in London named himself Packshaw, died in England 3 weeks before Julien, leaving a widow (2nd marriage) and 2 children. It was the death of his younger brother that caused reaction on Julien Packshwer. He died 3 weeks after him. He was found on a street in Nice, France with a cerebral hemorrhage-fell in the street. Police took him to the hospital St. Rock where he died at 19 hours in the evening and remained in a coma. His car 2 CV (small) stayed in the parking where he had left it. It was only his Vietnamese wife [Mado] returning from Saigon 1 month after his death that was able to retrieve that car from the parking. Yet another day or two, it would have been impounded. But as it was the widow herself then came. They did not charge her anything. But as the car was her husband's-she has to wait by inheritance law to be able to sell it and divide up in 4 parts to his children. The eldest son of another marriage Leon is an eye doctor in Paris, then 3 other children. Oldest Robert in Montreal, CA; another son in ___ was in the navy for 3 years. The oldest was in the Air force, married a girl from Morocco - they are going to have a child soon. The daughter Irene married, has a little boy, the husband is serving in the military; they live in Cayrons near Vence, France in the Packshwer house. The widow/mother Mado inherited ¼ of the sum, the children ¾ divided in 4 for each of the 4 children. Through a real estate in Vence, Julien's house of 1000 sq. meters is worth 18 million francs. If the children keep the house, they will in turn need to give on fourth of the cost to the widow who also has the right to half of his monthly pension of 30,000 francs. She came to see me day before yesterday and told me all these details. So here you have it-the relatives. The mother of the Packshwer father was 1st cousin of our mother's through the daughter of the sister of our grandfather Edward Herzenberg maiden name Theresa Herzenberg died in Nice, born I think in Mitawa [Mitau], Baltic Provinces. She was buried with her husband in Nice at the Caucade cemetery.
Now I add what George Behr wrote from London that his wife Janet has seen Aunt Anjuta [Anna Herzenberg] in Monte Carlo, then he wrote about his cousin in Moscow who he thinks has passed away (he is going to find out about it from Manja-he asked their address in Monaco). She was the daughter of the oldest sister Polina Aronovna of his mother. Here is what concerns that family... [Balance of letter missing]."
6. Random memories of Irene Petersen:
A. As a young girl recalls many arguments between Catherine and her mother Elizabeth. The arguments were frequent and always in German so the Irene could not understand them.
B. Catherine became pregnant at one point out of wedlock and had an abortion, which her mother convinced her to do. She always deeply regretted for the rest of her life having the abortion.
C. Arik was always upset with his mother Catherine for having left him in the care of nannies and Catherine's parents as a six-month infant as his parents left on their diplomatic travels that took the young couple across the Russia to Japan, then Canada and Washington DC. Irene felt that it was in retrospect a good thing because of all the Revolutionary uprisings in Russia. Arik apparently left with his grandparents through Finland to Germany.
D. Irene remembers talk that her grandfather Werblovsky had a mistress.
7. See notes of Irene de Lanskoy for her autobiography of growing up with her mother Catherine in France.
8. Ancestry.com's "Border Crossing: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956" which lists both Victor and Catherine. The "Empress of Japan" sailed from Hong Kong Jan. 10, Shanghai Jan. 13, Kobe Jan. 17, and Yokohama Jan. 19 for a destination of Vancouver, Canada. It was most likely in Japan from where they took passage:
A. Arrival 15 Jan 1917 at Vancouver, British Columbia, departing Hong Kong 10 Jul 1917 on the "Empress of Japan": Victor Boudzkoy, 30, Catherine, 24, married, both b. in Russia, Russian, both read and write, diplomat and diplomat's wife, last permanent address was Moscow, nearest relative is father/father-in-law P. Boudzkoy, no. 9 Mochovaja St. Petrograd, religion for both is "Orthodox."
B. Victor Boudzkoy; arrival date: 31 Jan 1917; port of arrival: St. Albans, Vermont, United States; ship name: Empress of Japan; Port of Departure: Hong Kong, China; age 30; birth date: abt 1887; birth country: Russia; race/nationality: Russian."
PHOTOS:
1. The following Picasa website is the portal as of 13 Jan 2009 to view the documents and photos relating to Irene's family and especially Catherine: http://picasaweb.google.com/irenenadia/CatherineWerblovskyDeButzkoyOlympieffRussianPasseportAndOtherDocuments?authkey=r_btitQ4vmw&feat=email#
2. One photo attached to Family Search and in the possession of Irene Petersen is a postcard addressed from Catherine to her father Adolphe Werblowsky in Russian. The following is the translation:
In English:
"To A.Z. Verblovski
Petrograd, Chernyshev per. 16
Dear Dad!
We ask you please to come here tomorrow, on Saturday, since we leave for X. on Tuesday. If we depart later on, it will be hotter, and we won't be there for long time. Nikolai Ivanovich also says that you should come ащк that business now, it is more convenient. Big trouble with train tickets as well. We look forward to seeing you the day after tomorrow. Maybe I should have a … power of attorney? Please inquire and arrange for it if necessary.
In the meantime I kiss you warmly,
Your loving daughter Katyusha
May 15th 1915"
In Russian:
"Ð.З. ВербловÑкому
Петроград, Чернышев пер. д. 16
Дорогой папа!
Мы очень проÑим Ñ‚ÐµÐ±Ñ Ð¿Ñ€Ð¸ÐµÑ…Ð°Ñ‚ÑŒ Ñюда завтра в Ñубботу, так как во вторник мы уедем в Ð¥. ЕÑли уехать позже, будет жарче, поедем наверное не на очень долгий Ñрок. Ðиколай Иванович говорит, чтобы Ñ‚Ñ‹ Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð´ÐµÐ»Ð° приехал теперь же — Ñто тоже удобнее. Большое затруднение Ñ Ð±Ð¸Ð»ÐµÑ‚Ð°Ð¼Ð¸. Ждём Ñ‚ÐµÐ±Ñ Ð¿Ð¾Ñлезавтра. Ðœ.б. мне лучше иметь доверенноÑÑ‚ÑŒ … узнай пожалуйÑта и еÑли надо уÑтрой.
Пока целую крепко,
любÑÑ‰Ð°Ñ Ð´Ð¾Ñ‡ÑŒ Катюша.
15 Ð¼Ð°Ñ 1915 г."
BIRTH:
1. Transcription of birth record made by Irene Petersen from government records in Nice France: "André Olimpieff. The 26 December 1926 at 21 hours [7 p.m.] was born 4 Place Duffy, André, of masculine sex, of Nicolas Olimpieff, hotel employee, born at Oust. Medveditzkaia (Russia) the 21 of May 1897 and of Catherine Werblovsky, his wife, hotel employee, born in Petrograd, Russia, the 8 October 1893 residing 33 Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France. Document of 29 December 1926 at 9 o'clock upon declaration of Victorine Sanrat, 34 years old, midwife residing in Nice."
2. City of Nice civil registration.
3. Per Irene Petersen, both Catherine and her son Arik (Artemy) were born at this address in St. Petersburg, Russia, which can be found and looked at on Google street view: Ulitsa Lomonosova 18. It appears to be a classy and important address in its day.
MARRIAGE:
1. Butzkoy: Divorced Victor de Butzkoy 27 Jul 1922. A paper in the possession of Catherine's daughter Irene Petersen from "Administration Diocesaine Des Engls. Orhodoxes Russ. En. Europe" (French for Diocese Adminisration of the Russian Orthodox Church in Europe) dated 9 Oct 1922 with no address says in Russian that Catherine and Victor Butskoy were married at the Mironocitkoy Church [Russian orthodox] in Kharkov, Ukraine, on September 24, 1915 with divorce July 27, 1922, at the fault of the husband.
2. Olimpieff:
A. Stamped copy dated 14 May 1976 of the official marriage extract from the Ville de Saint-Cloud, Hauts-de-Seine, France, on the southwest outskirts of Paris, translated by Kerry Petersen:
No. 98, Olimpieff/Werblovky. "9 Oct 1923, 11 a.m., before us, Nicolas Olimpieff, without profession, living at 86 Rue de Mayence, at Wiesbaden, 26 years old, born at Oust. Medvéditzkaia (Arormie?[Province] du Don, Russia) 8 (21 May) 1897, son of Victor Olimpieff and Alexandra Chiraieff, his wife, without profession, living at Oust. Medvéditzkaia, and Catherine Werblovsky, without profession, living at Avenue Magenta in this town, and before at Wiesbaden, 73 Boulevard de l'Empereur Frederic, 30 years old, born at Petrograd, Russia, 25 Sep (8 Oct) 1893, daughter of Adolphe Werblovsky, banker, and Elisabeth Herzenberg, his wife, without profession, living at 73 Boulevard du l'Empereur Frederic at Wiesbaden; divorced from Victory Boutzkoy 7 Sep 1922...[standard marriage language]." Both sign: Catherine Werblovsky and Nicolas Olimpieff.
B. Olimpieff: According to Irene Petersen, Catherine never divorced Nicolas. Later Nicolas disappears and they lose track of him. Supposedly he made off with some money from his employer and was hiding.
DEATH:
1. Death Certificate from Nice, Alpes-Maritime, France Vital Statistics, Nice City Hall: Catherine Werblovsky, d. 8 Jan 1972; Lists Adolphe Werblovsky and Elizabeth Herzenberg as parents, and she as widow of Nicolas Olimpieff. Died at 13:30. at 87 Route de Levens. Her residence was listed as 5 Rue Place Vieille in Vence (Alpes Maritimes). Her brith was 8 Oct 1893 in Petrograd, Russia.
BURIAL:
1. Cemetery in Nice (behind old medical psychiatric hospital on road to St. Andre). Photo on file. Marker has since been removed. Inexpensive wood cross marker from photo reads in french: "124, Ici repose [Here rests] Olympieff, Catherine Epouse [Spouse] Nerblovsky nee [born] 1895 DCD (decede) [died] 1972."
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