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Topic starter
29/08/2025 10:48 am
My grandfather was in the Imperial Guard in Vienna, Austro-Hungary at the turn of the century. He later worked as an accountant/bookkeeper there and with grandma came to America before WWl. Around the time he served, Porsche was the driver, mechanic and Zeppelin pilot for Archduke Franz Ferdinand whose assassination sparked the World War in 1914. By that time, fortunately, Porsche had moved on to the position of Chief Designer for Austro-Daimler in 1906 where he designed both gas and even electric cars for the company. Kaiser Wilhelm ll's brother Heinrich of Prussia was an auto racing enthusiast and patron of Imperial Automobile Club which held rallies and this Porsche designed "Prinz Heinrich" was initially built for him. It featured a 5.7 liter OHC 4 cylinder engine that produced a whopping 95 HP. Production continued offering a less powerful version of that engine. Here's Grandpa Albert Weiss:
And here's the Prinz Heinrich:
29/08/2025 3:05 pm
Your grandfather was a handsome man, Rich, and he lived in significant historic times.
I did not know of the tie of Porsche to Archduke Ferdinand. Was the Austro-Daimler really that white? Great presentation Rich. Thank you.
29/08/2025 4:07 pm
...such a stunning replica and beautifully photographed too. Tremendous family history Rich, I think many of my Italian ancestors were in prison! 🙄 🤨
OK, just to be clear: This is a 1/18 Porsche designed Austro-Daimler named "Prinz Heinrich," correct? Q: What year?
Topic starter
29/08/2025 4:49 pm
Topic starter
29/08/2025 4:51 pm
@chris That first one was built in 1910.
Karl Schnelle and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
30/08/2025 12:51 pm
@chris Heres' grandma Annie taken at the same turn of the century in Vienna:
and with my mother circ 1918:
30/08/2025 1:27 pm
@rich-sufficool You're lucky to have these - they're remarkable!
Steve Jacobs reacted
Topic starter
30/08/2025 2:23 pm
@chris I literally have rooms stocked to the ceiling with this stuff of 3 generations that I'll never get through. There's so much I never knew; so many questions I never got to ask. I pity my daughters when they'll have to go through all this stuff. My wife keeps bringing tubs of stuff to the living room to go through and what to throw out and I haven't filled a waste basket yet. I have 125 year old albums of post cards from everywhere you could imagine. Grandpa Albert was part of this turn of the century club that was seeking to make Esperanto a world-wide language. There are at least 500 of these pictorial cards with scenes of exotic places in the 1890s to 1900s. I like the ones from places in Germany that end in "Hail to the Kaiser". LOL
30/08/2025 6:17 pm
Wow.... that's quite a tangible piece(s) of comprehensive family history! If it were my family, I'd definitely be going through that stuff! I wonder what your daughters will ultimately decide: Keep & organize? -OR- Turn their heads and light a match? 😀 😬
This post was modified 8 months ago by Christopher Moroni
Topic starter
30/08/2025 6:56 pm
@chris I think about this a lot. I have a sh*t ton of... lets call it stuff, that I doubt they have any idea even what the stuff is worth. As to the family relics. I keep the stuff because I feel one day at least one of them will become interested in their roots. They weren't interested years ago, but I figured one day I'm going to hear, "Oh No!!! Why did you throw all that out?".
30/08/2025 7:44 pm
Rich, I have the same problem with about 40 albums going back to the late 1800s, chock full of family images. Luckily, my grandmother and mother organized most of it and left detailed notes. My sister in law during Covid did some further editing and had books printer showing the highlights to give to all current family members. Fairly costly but much appreciated by the family members.
Love the beautiful images of your mother and other family members. They are well dressed for the times.
Topic starter
31/08/2025 10:25 am
@david-green Back then, you put on your "Sunday Dress" for family photos.
Christopher Moroni and David Green reacted
31/08/2025 11:09 am
You have a deeply rich and interesting ancestry. I wish my background were as deeply chronicled.@chris I think about this a lot. I have a sh*t ton of... lets call it stuff, that I doubt they have any idea even what the stuff is worth. As to the family relics. I keep the stuff because I feel one day at least one of them will become interested in their roots. They weren't interested years ago, but I figured one day I'm going to hear, "Oh No!!! Why did you throw all that out?".
My brother wrote a book about his life and the people who were involved in it. It took him 7 years to complete. Considering your rich history, you might want to consider chronicling your own life and that of your ancestors while you're still alive to tell the stories. I've attached a PDF file to give you an idea of what he did. And no, I don't expect you to go through the book as it would bore you to death! LOL!
This post was modified 8 months ago 3 times by Marty Johnson
31/08/2025 2:58 pm
"I don't expect you to go through the book as it would bore you to death!"
For anyone who cares....
I've actually seen this book; it's wonderfully done, chalk full of fantastic photos & accounts. BTW: Marlowe may have been adopted - he looks NOTHING like his gorgeous sister - who was a legitimate beauty queen & contest winner. Man-0-man! 😎 😀
Marty Johnson reacted
31/08/2025 8:55 pm
I'm gonna tell my sister what you said. Since she's my sister, I don't see it but....... LOL!"I don't expect you to go through the book as it would bore you to death!"
For anyone who cares....
I've actually seen this book; it's wonderfully done, chalk full of fantastic photos & accounts. BTW: Marlowe may have been adopted - he looks NOTHING like his gorgeous sister - who was a legitimate beauty queen & contest winner. Man-0-man! 😎 😀
Christopher Moroni reacted
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