The most frequent communication I get from readers of this blog goes something like this:
“I grew up being told that my great-great-great-(grandfather/uncle, etc) was a (close friend/servant/doctor/personal guard) of Napoleon. Have you come across our family name in your research?”
I’m always happy to respond. Sometimes I can point the questioner to a website where they might get help. Occasionally, particularly if the ancestor in question hailed from St Helena, I might put their information in a blog post.
But how much scrutiny can most family legends take? In this holiday season, filled with Santa Clauses, elves, and flying reindeer, it’s appropriate to tell the legend from my own family that comes closest to touching on Napoleon—in this case, Napoleon III, the first emperor’s nephew who ruled France from 1852 – 1870.
One of Napoleon III’s more dubious exploits—and he had several—was the installation of Maximilian of Austria as Emperor of Mexico. Needless to say, many locals weren’t thrilled. A rebellion ensued and the French forces were routed.
In 1864, my grandmother’s grandfather, Ferdinand Heinrich Englebert Osthaus, had followed Maximilian to the New World, expecting to make his fortune as “a gentleman farmer.” From here, I’ll quote the document my father left me:
“After the army of Juarez captured Mexico City in 1867, Maximilian and his followers took refuge in Querétaro north of Mexico City. Querétaro, too, was captured and Maximilian tried by court martial and executed in June of that year. Family tradition has it that Maximilian was “shot in Grosspapa’s shirt,” because his clothing was in such disrepair after being in prison that Osthaus lent him a shirt, which he was wearing when he was executed.”
It turns out there was a photographer, François Aubert, who took photos of Maximilian’s body and his effects. In this photo, Aubert memorialized the very shirt my ancestor claimed as his own. Since the photograph was famous in its time, I do wonder if it prompted my great-great grandfather to claim a little of its gory glory after he fled Mexico to join his brother in Wisconsin.
As a child, this family myth fascinated me. Now it makes me realize how much I wish there had been photography (Video! Audio!) in the Age of Napoleon I. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see a candid shot of the Great Man? Think of all we could learn that can’t be discerned from the staged portraits of his day.
Margaret,
That is sure a twist (a wring?) on the “will give you the shirt off his back – so you can go get executed.” D: ;D
And as for current e-tech existing back then, you *know* Napoleon would have been preparing podcasts! (Can you imagine the outtakes?)
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A few months ago I began constructing my family tree. I’ve followed my family members back for many generations to the time period of Maximilian. It turns out my, great, great grandfather formed part of the court martial that sentenced Maximilian. His name was handed down for many generations all the way to me. His name was Captain Ignacio Jurado. I am a novice connoisseur of Mexican history, but this has definitely peaked my interest. I studied the fact that President Juarez and Maximilian were both Masons and the myth that Maximilian’s life may have actually been spared through a pact they made and his death was later faked. How much research have you encountered pertaining to this myth?
I don’t know anything about that myth, but here’s a good source for research into it. Try CM Mayo’s website here for some sources. Catherine Mayo has written an excellent historical novel The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire, as well a number of other non-fiction books about Mexico. She did a ton of research about Maximillian. Perhaps you’ll find out something through her. All the best! Margaret