Fercken family of the Levant story

The Contributors

Richard S. Fercken

My name is Richard S. Fercken I lived in Northern New York State about a half hour from Canada near Lake Ontario. I’m sixty years old and have been doing genealogy research sense 1990.

I myself was born in Bronx N.Y. that is part of New York City. About 1959 we moved to Puerto Rico so my father could help a friend start a Funeral Business. In 1962 we moved back to the United States. We settled in a small town in New Jersey just across from New York City, I lived there until I left home.

I first started to think about our past when I was about fourteen years old (1970). My father was a Funeral Director in New York City. I used to go into work with him and one night I asked him where my grandparents were from? The room fell silent after a few minutes he said I was waiting for this conversation. He said all I can tell you is that your grandfather Octave came over from Turkey but was a Dutch citizen and that he believed the family raised or was involved with dates and figs. That he really didn’t know, that the subject was a forbidden topic when he was growing up. He also stated that after Octave’s death my grandmother threw out all of the family papers and documents. My uncle Stephen Fercken (my father’s brother) with whom I became close to in his later years couldn’t tell me anything. When my uncle and I were reviewing some old pictures he had trouble remembering the names of the people in the photos.

In the fall of 1992 I had some spare time and I was able to get to a local branch of our national archives. I had no information and just started with my grandfather Octave Fercken and this is where my journey began. Back then it wasn’t an easy task to do research, everything was paper or micro film. From then to now I’ve collected almost everything on Fercken in the U.S.

But with the help of friends in Canada, The Netherlands and France I’ve been able to trace the Fercken’s origins Back to Aachen, (now) The Netherlands. The Netherlands/ Germany (Country boundaries were decided depending on what year and what war was going on).

I was able to find birth and some death records but at times contradicted each other. Then I found the word “Levantine”. The brick wall went up with the language barriers and the history lessons began. As I found out most Levantines were able to read and write 3 or more languages I’ve found out quickly that the records and what archives there were scattered all over the world and in many languages. My father spoke and read 3 languages, my Grandfather I was told could speak 16, I myself can only speak 1, English. So to translate documents can take me hours via the computer and dictionaries.

I’ve decided to share the information I have on the Fercken family in hopes that other connections can be made. The Fercken’s having been being such a prominent family and having a strong connection to the Levantine community in Smyrna that very little information is know and are only mention in passing.

My ancestry

The family research I’ve done goes much deeper that what I’m going to show in this document. My goal is to show the Levantine connection that the Fercken’s had. From about 1750 to 2006 the name Fercken was part of this community. Aleppo, Beirut, Smyrna, Istanbul are just some of the communities.

This connection started when Esaie Fercken (1730-1785) he became Chancellor of The Dutch Consulate of Smyrna (1755-1785). Esaie was son of Leonard Fercken, Who at the time had a connection with the Royal Dutch Court in the Netherlands. Documents in the Archives of The Hague in the Netherlands show Leonard Fercken’s seal. The family crest on this seal is now registered as the Fercken family crest with the Government of The Netherlands. Showed below:

Esaie Fercken son Esaie Isiah Fercken (1785-1842) also became the Chancellor of the Consulate of Smyrna. His grave is in the Alsancak Cemetery in Smyrna Turkey. A photo of his Headstone/slab is below:

Esaie Isiah Fercken’s son William Fercken (1817-1869) Became Chancellor of the Dutch consulate of Aleppo, Syria (1855-1864).

Another son was Richard Jean Fercken my great grandfather.

Richard Jean Fercken had a son Octave Francois Fercken (1881-1950) my grandfather. He emigrated to the United States In 1903 from Smyrna.

Another son Calixite Edmond Fercken (1882-?) stayed in Turkey married Marie Macri. They had a son Michael Richard Fercken (1900-1971).Per his grandson Calixte Edmond Fercken stated “my Grandfather had a commission trade business; he was the representative of European Firms in Turkey and was selling their products on a commission basis to local importing firms.”

Michael Richard Fercken married Christianne Stoeckel in 1929. They had a son Calixte Edmond Fercken (1929-2007). Calixte Stated “after working with his father for a few years Michael Fercken went into the export trade and with a highly valued Turkish politician created the Fig and Raisin Cooperative of Ismir which in later years was nationalized. During World War II (1939-1945) he was mobilized by the Dutch Government exiled in London and was named Buying agent for the British Ministry of Food who were trying to purchase most of the Turkish dried fruit so that it would not be sold to Germany.” When Calixte came out of school in 1947 he and his father founded together their own firm Michel R. Fercken & CO. Edmond took over the company and ran it till 1997.

This completes the direct connection to the Levantine community from 1750 to 2006.

Other Fercken Descendents

Another son of Richard Jean Fercken was my Grandfather Octave Francois Fercken (1882-1950) born in Smyrna in 1882, I know nothing of his life there. Records from the passenger List of the Ship SS Neustria, Fabre-Line that departed Naples, Campania, Italy, on 15 Mar 1903 arriving at the Port of New York 2 Apr 1903. Shows Octave Fercken 20 years old, a Clerk, born in Smyrna, Turkey, his final destination is NY. He married Rosette Rizzo (1887-1966) born in Sousse, Tunisia. Her Father Francesco Rizzo (1859-1894) was born in Pantelleria, a little island south of Sicily. He was a crew master on tramp ships. He met his wife Sophie Solomos Shapiroglou (1871-1957) in Tunisia. She being Greek, born on the island of Chios near Turkey. They had a second daughter Caroline Georgette Rizzo (1889-1975) born in Constantinople Turkey. He found a job to install the railway crossing in Turkey, a third daughter Cantina Rizzo (1881-1986) was born in a little harbor on the Marmara Sea called Moudania(now Mudanya Turkey). But Francesco Rizzo died from Cholera in 1894. Sophia Rizzo placed her three Daughters in a French Convent for education for girls in Bursa, a town a little inside Turkey. Cantina Rizzo son told me that the girls stayed there from 1895 to 1912. Mean while her mother remarried a Greek man called Aristide Doucas who worked as an interpreter on the French ship Line. The Passenger List of The SS La Lorraine, French Line, sailing from Le Harve, Seine-Inferior, France 26 Sept. 1908 Arriving Port of New York 3 Oct. 1908 shows Mrs. Sophie Doucas, 34 years old, arriving with Miss. Rosa Doucas, age 16 immigrating to the US. I’m unable to find when the rest of family entered the US. Documentation shows immigrating to US in 1908 but can’t locate when the final 2 daughters and stepfather came into US.

Another son of Richard Jean Fercken was Joseph Alfred Fercken (1864-1925). His life profession was a Jesuit Priest. He wrote Cancer is Curable, May 4, 1923. A quote from his Book “As a French missionary for 33 years in the Near-East, particularly at Constantinople, Beyrouth (Syria) and Smyrna (in which city I resided 22 years), I was licensed to practice medicine and attended all those who requested me to do so. Having studied medicine for some time, as resident physician at St Joseph’s University, an institution controlled by the Reverend Fathers Jesuits of the French Mission in Syria”. (Page III)

Joseph Alfred Fercken was the founder and builder of the church of Norte Dame De Lourdes Catholic Church in Smyrna (Göztepe) Turkey. Picture of plaque inside church proves this It reads: UNE MESS A PERPETUITE EST DITE TOUS LES MOIS A L’INTENTION DES BIENFAITEURS: Le Chanoine Joseph Fercken, Fondateur etpremier cure’de L’eplise N.D. De Lourdes. Translation a mass is forever called every month for patrons: The canon Joseph Fercken Founder and First pastor of the Church of Lourdes N. D.

The passenger list from SS Black Arrow, American Line, Sailing from Smyrna, Turkey 4 Dec. 1919 arriving at Port of NY on 29 Dec. 1919 Shows both Chanoine Joseph Fercken 57 years old, and his mother Catherine Eleanor Routier Fercken 76 years old, going to visit his brother and her son Octave Fercken (my grandfather). Their mother would die in the influenza outbreak in 1919 in NYC, NY. Joseph Alfred Fercken would die in 1925.

A Daughter of Richard Jean Fercken name Marie Henrietta Fercken (1886 -?) Shows a marriage certificate dated 1 November 1919 from the U.S., Consular at Smyrna that shows the marriage John Baptist Frances Roboly took place at Saint Poycarp’s Church Smyrna, Turkey by Father Joseph Fercken of Saint Polycarp Church. On 5 November 1919 she applies for a Emergency Passport at the U.S., Consulate Generals Office Smyrna, Turkey as Marie Henrietta Roboly. Then on December 29 1919 she arrives at Port of New York, NY. Other Ship Passengers included James D langdon and Ida Blanche Fercken Langdon going to Bedham, Mass. No other information can be found on Marie or John Roboly.

William Fercken (1817-1869) Chancellor of the Dutch consulate of Aleppo, Syria (1855-1864). Married Sophie Fautrier(1827-1882) born 18 Jan.1827, in Marseilles, France. She was a daughter of one of the soldiers who, under Napoleon, fought at Waterloo. They had 3 children Gaston John Fercken (1855-1930), Alexine Fercken (1857-1907) and Ida Blanche Fercken. William Fercken left behind a last Will and Testament. Being Bankrupt (from bad business decisions) when he died he left detail instructions as where and to whom the children would go to. Documents are still being translated and will take some time.

Gaston Jean Fercken

His son Gaston Jean Fercken (1855-1942) when he was a child his father was order by the Government to relocate to Beirut being made the Consul of the Netherlands there. From seven till fourteen years old Gaston attended the private school of a Lutheran minister who taught him reading, spelling, arithmetic, grammar, history, geography, the bible and the catechism. He then entered the National College, a native institution, where all studies were in Arabic. Five years gave him thorough training in the language as well as other studies. Here he learned the English language. He began to work in an insurance and mercantile office, but soon having the opportunity to travel through France, Italy, Tunis, Algeria, Egypt, India and Ceylon, with a wealthy manufacturer as his private interpreter, he quite the office. In the meantime, his parents both having died, he relocated to Smyrna, where his father was born, and where two of his brother’s resided. (This statement of two brother’s is unproven no records exist that backs this up. We believe that this was translated incorrectly from French and should read “where two of his uncles resided”). Here he spent five years in the Austrian College, teaching and pursuing his studies, until he was granted the degree’s BA and BS. Here he also became fluent in speaking Greek. Up to this time he had made no profession. His mother was Catholic, his father never identified himself with any organization. Gaston felt the call to the ministry and thought he would attend a divinity school, and look into the word to determine where he could be most at home. The choice of schools was Faculte Libre de L’Oratoire at Geneva, Switzerland. In the free reformed Church. After two years of study he embraced the opportunity to come to America, and finish his theological education in the Episcopal College at Middletown, Connecticut. This school is now known as Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He then entered the Ministry of the Episcopal Church. After finishing his theological studies in 1884 he was ordained An Episcopal Priest on 8 June 1884. He then became Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Great River, Long Island (still in use today) 1884 to 1892 the Order of. During this time Rev. Gaston Fercken having done translations (in Arabic) between the Christian Catholic Church (CCC) and the Patriarchate of Antioch (Syriac), Patriarch Ignatius Peter III authorized Rev. Gaston to re-establish The Crown of Thorns (OCT). He assumed leadership as the First modern Day Grand Master of OCT on 1 June 1891.

Rev. Gaston J. Fercken relocated to St Stephens Cathedral 1432 SW 13th St Portland, Oregon (still in use today). He and his family arrive on 10 April 1892 Palm Sunday. During the two years that Rev. Fercken was at St. Stephens Cathedral. He carried on the services at Ascension Chapel. On 1 June 1893 he resigned his position as Grand Master of OCT and made the following declaration: “After two years of service, we feel ourselves forced (for entire personal reasons), to transfer our charge of Grand Master to his Grace J. Rene Vilatte, Primate and Archbishop of the Christian Catholics in America, whose wisdom, influence and social position will shed a greater luster upon the Order still young, but destined, it may be, to rival those of a glorious past. We have transferred our charge and function of Grandmaster to His Eminence and to his successors in the Christian Catholic episcopate, with full powers to confer the grades of the Order and to make modifications in them as he may deem fit for the well-being, honor and perpetuity of the Order.

In December 1894, he and his family after some correspondence with D.L. Miller and one or two others, of the Church of the Brethren, moved to Mount Morris, Illinois, and united with the Church of the Brethren. In due time the Mt Morris Church called him to the ministry. The Brethren Conference of 1895 approved of him as a Missionary to Asia Minor. Rev. Fercken and his family arrived on July 13, 1895 and choose Smyrna as the headquarters for the mission. Although the mission had been started when Christianity was frowned upon by the government and when severe persecutions against Christians were not uncommon, real success seemed to be attending the efforts of the Brethren Mission about the middle of 1898 reverses came. The Armenians learning of the baptism of several of the orphans became unfriendly to the mission. They brought serious charges against Rev. Fercken which however could not be sustained, and also influenced the Turkish Government to become antagonistic. For the sake of his personal safety, Rev. Fercken had to leave the country. Rev. Fercken never returns to Turkey again. He started up Churches in Switzerland and Madagascar. Returning many times to the U S to visit his family but never became a citizen - further information on Rev Gaston:

Alexine Fercken(1857-1907) Williams second child immigrated to the US but a exact date could not be located. But she was present at her brother’s daughter baptism in long Island US on 5 September 1886. She lived in the US till her death in 1907 due to being ran over by a street car she was a teacher at Alinda Preparatory School in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

Williams Third Child Ida Blanche Fercken (1858-1942) Married James Davee Langdon (1851-1921) before we go any farther there are people questioning this connection with her brother Gaston due to the listing of Gaston as her father on her death certificate. I have statements in letters from Gaston to Ida mentioning their relationship as brother and sister a letter referring to his brother-In law J D Langdon. Familee Fercken, Dated 31 Decembre 1898 (a Genealogy Chart I received from a family friend) shows Ida(23) and Gaston(21) as brother and sister.

Genealogy Chart “Famille Fercken“ le Decembre 1898

The Passenger list for SS Black Arrow, depart Smyrna on 4 Dec. 1919, arrived at Port of New York on 19 Dec. 1919 reads James D Langdon, age 70 and Ida Blanche Langdon, age 60, going to Bedham, Mass. I guess to visit their son. Arriving at same time with them was John Roboly and Mary Fercken Roboly. After her husband’s death she went to England to live with her daughter Louise until WW II broke out. Then the family then sent her to live with her son James Cordis in the U.S. She died 1 July 1942.

One last Fercken I have is Christina (Christine) Fercken (1788-?) Married James Louis Gout on 4 January 1813,. This information is from Malta Family history, Baptism, Marriage and Burial records of the British Chapel, Smyrna, Turkey 1795-1832 composite index web site.

Conclusion

Well this is all I have for now as I stated I wanted to show the influence the Fercken’s had on the Levantine community. If you want to discuss the surname with me please email me at rsfdtl[at]twcny.rr.com and put Fercken family as subject.