Lived in:
**The exception Rupert, who carried Austrian citizenship to attend medical school in Austria prior to WWII and Johanna, who later in her life moved back to Austria.
of Hesse*, existed
A State of German
Photo: The Sea Battle of Lissa by Carl Frederik Sørensen, 1868
Allied-occupied Austria
Austrian Empire,
First Republic of Austria**,
(1945–1955)
A State of German
A State of German
*Grand Duchy of Hesse was part of German Confederation of 67 independent States.
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Parents of the von Trapp Children
(1918–1919)
Died in:
Captain August Johann Ritter (Knight) von Trapp
1836–1884 (m. 1876)
Born: Homberg v.d. Hoehe, Grand Duchy of Hesse, an independent country and state of the German Confederation (today Bad Homburg, Germany)
Talent: Accomplished amateur pianist
Career: At 14, he emigrated from Hesse to the Austrian Empire to join the Austrian Imperial Navy; at age 30, he participated in the 1866 Battle of Lissa (today Vis, Croatia) under Admiral Tegethoff; later he captained the corvette SMS Saida and SMS Schwarzenberg.
Knighted: In 1874, for heroism at sea and awarded family coat-of-arms.
To learn more about August, see the 'Historical Figure' section below.
The von Trapp family's 1938 heroic story of leaving Austria, prior to WWII, inspired the musical and film, The Sound of Music. It is ironic that the most famous 'Austrian' family, due to geopolitics after WWI, carried Italian citizenship not Austrian (for details see the year 1918 under 'Georg & Agathe'). The exception was the eldest son Rupert, who carried Austrian citizenship to attend medical school in Austria prior to WWII and Johanna, second youngest daughter, who later in her life moved back to Austria.
Countries
As one can see from the country list below, the family lived through turbulent and tumultuous times. Prior to World War I, they were citizens of the Austro-Hungarian Empire living on the Adriatic coast where both Georg and Agathe were born. When the Empire collapsed they were given Italian citizenship because the Adriatic coast area was annexed to Italy; due to Georg's Naval career, he was not welcomed to stay in the Adriatic since Italy had opposed Austria in the war, the family moved to inland Austria from their coastal home. While living in Austria, the country went through many shifts in power. For its first year, it was the Republic of German-Austria; then it changed to the First Republic of Austria and remained so for fifteen years; later due to internal power struggles, it reorganized as the Federal State of Austria for four years. In 1938, with the 'Anschluss', it was annexed by the German Reich and became one of its States. During this time the family became endangered as they openly opposed the Nazi regime and had to look for ways to leave the country. Fortunately, their pre-established musical career allowed them to tour Europe and then America. They were first refugees and then ultimately immigrated to the United States of America, where most of their descendants remain.
Confederation*,
of, before WWI:
Kingdom, exists
Kingdom of
Historical Figure - John Whitehead
Photo: Courtesy of von Trapp family
'Battle of Lissa' on July 20th,1866; the Austrian navy against the Italian fleet.
Empire, existed
After WWI, under First Austrian Republic (existed from 1919-1934):
Born: Klosterneuburg, First Austrian Republic (today Klosterneuburg, Austria)
Baroness* Martina Alice Gobertina von Trapp (1921–1951) / Musical: Gretl
from 1938–1940
Grandfather of the von Trapp children
Captain August Johann Ritter (Knight) von Trapp (1836-1884)
Austro-Hungarian Imperial Naval Captain
Multi-National: Captian August von Trapp was born in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, an independent country and free state of the German Confederation*. He emigrated to the Austrian Empire for a career in the Austrian Imperial Navy, later the Austro-Hungarian Royal War Navy. His ancestors 'Trapp', who originated in Steiermark/Styria and Tyrol (today Austria), had moved to Hesse 200 years earlier during the Counter-Reformation to escape religious persecution for their Lutheran belief.
Music/Art: Accomplished amateur pianist with the ability to recall and play music from ear
Historic Merits: Under Admiral Tegethoff's command, August was an Officer Lieutenant on the screw frigate SMS Schwarzenberg at the 1866 'Battle of Lissa'; in 1874, he was knighted for saving his crew from a Mediterranean typhoon on the Goèlette SMS Saida.
Naval Service
After 1848 as part of the Austrian Empire's naval improvements, both the Austrian Imperial Naval Academy was moved from Venice to Trieste (today Trieste, Italy) and the new ship arsenal to Pola (today Pula, Croatia). The official language of command and study was changed from Italian to German, phasing out dependence on Italian officers. Then a call went out for young, able-bodied, German-speaking men throughout the German Confederation* to sign up. This new career opportunity offered young men from inland Europe a chance for employment and adventure.
In the mid-1850s, at age 14, August Trapp was part of a wave of young men from the Duchy of Hesse who enlisted into the Austrian Imperial Navy, based in the Adriatic Sea at Trieste. August's schooling was on wooden sailing ships (frigates, corvettes, and schooners) plying the waters of the Mediterranean Sea in defense of the Empire’s Adriatic coastline. He graduated Cadet 2. Class, moving through the ranks from Cadet 1. Class, Officer Cadet (Linienschiffsfaehnrich), Frigate Lieutenant (Fregattenleutnant), Officer Lieutenant (Linienschiffsleutnant) to Corvette Captain (Korvettenkapitaen) by 1866. From 1864-1866, August was Commandant of the Goèlette SMS Saida, an impressive schooner with state of the art rigging and sails. With her imposing presence, she was considered the pride of the Austrian navy. Under his command, she patrolled the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1864, the Austrian Imperial Navy's Commander-in-Chief, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, became Emperor of Mexico and sailed to South America. With this, the Navy lost its strongest advocate and the planned improvements to its fleet were interrupted. On July 20, 1866, under Admiral William Tegethoff's command of their multi-national navy, a hastily assembled fleet, consisting partly of wooden ships fortified with scrap metal, set off in defense of the island of Lissa. As an Officer Lieutenant of the converted sailing frigate SMS Schwarzenberg, August took part in the four-hour fierce wooden frigate ship-to-ship battle at the 'Battle of Lissa' between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austrian Empire. The Austrians were victorious, and August was awarded the Military Merit Cross II for his bravery. A year later, the navy became the Austro-Hungarian Navy after the formation of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary.
In 1874, August was knighted and awarded the hereditary title "Ritter von" (Knight) with a Coat-of-Arms as the result of saving his 73 person-crew during a deadly Mediterranean typhoon while commanding the SMS Saida near the Sicilian coast. The typhoon had destroyed 20 other ships with a heavy death toll. Tragically, ten years later, August died of typhoid fever leaving behind his young family.
from 1867–1918
Before WWI, under the Austro-Hungarian Empire (existed 1867-1918):
Born: Pola, Austro-Hungarian Empire (today Pula, Croatia)
Baron* Rupert Georg Gobertus Ritter von Trapp (1911–1992) / Musical: Friedrich
Baroness* Agathe Johanna Gobertina von Trapp (1913–2010) / Musical: Liesl
Lived in, but not citizens**
(1938–1940)
of, between WWI & WWII:
Austro-Hungarian Empire
United States
Died During WWII in:
of Hesse
from 1776–present
First seven von Trapp Children
existed from 1867–1918
Countess Agathe Gobertina von Breunner-Enkevoirth
1859–1945 (m. 1887)
Born: Schloss Grafenegg, Austrian Empire (today Grafenegg, Austria)
Talent: Accomplished amateur pianist, singer and architect/designer
WWI: During the War World I, family members including the von Trapps, lived with her in Zell am See, Austria
Mother of six: John Jr. Gobertus Whitehead (m. Suzanne Bechet de Balan), Frank Gobertus Whitehead (m. Countess Margarete Braida), Agathe Gobertina Whitehead—mother of von Trapp children (m. Captain Georg von Trapp—father of von Trapp children), Robert Jr. Gobertus Whitehead (m. Anne Morton), Mary Gobertina Whitehead (m. Baron Gioacchino Malfatti) and Joan Gobertina Whitehead
To learn more about Agathe, see the 'Historical Figure' section below.
from 1806–1918
Flag Key
Photo: In book In allen Häfen war Österreich
by Horst F. Meyer & Dieter Winkler
Baron* Captain Georg Johannes Ritter (Knight) von Trapp
1880–1947 (m. 1911)
Born: Zara, Austro-Hungarian Empire (after WWI: Zara, Kingdom
of Italy; after WWII: Zadar, Yugoslavia; since 1991: Zadar, Croatia)
Talent: Accomplished amateur violinist, guitarist, accordionist, and singer
Career: Submarine Captain in the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Navy for 20 yrs; Highly decorated including the Military Order of Leopold and Maria Theresa; from 1920-1930 founded two maritime companies; in 1935 authored and lectured on his WWI memoir, "To The Last Salute"; later, managed the Trapp Family Singers; in 1947, established Trapp Family Austrian Relief, Inc.
Marriages: 1st m. Agathe Gobertina Whitehead had seven children (reference Agathe's profile on right); five years after Agathe's passing, 2nd m. Maria Augusta Kutschera, had three children Rosmarie von Trapp, Eleonore von Trapp, and Johannes von Trapp
(1801–present)
Austrian Empire
from 1776–present
during & after WWII:
from 1861–1946
(1867–1918)
Austro-Hungarian
Cavaliere* 'Knight' John Whitehead
(today Austria), existed
Grand Duchy
Republic of
Kingdom of Italy
with east Adriatic Coast
The Kingdom of Italy was created in 1861. In 1918, after WWI, a large part of the east Adriatic coast was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, from the post Austro-Hungarian Empire lands. After WWII, these coastal areas changed hands once again, this time to newly formed Yugoslavia. After the collapse of communism, these coastal lands were ceded to Croatia and Slovenia in 1991.
von Trapp Italian citizenship
Zadar/Zara, Dalmatia
Georg was born in Zadar, Dalmatia on the east Adriatic coast under the Austro-Hungarian empire. When Dalmatia was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, after WWI, the family was given Italian citizenship. After WWII, this town was a part of Yugoslavia, and today it is Zara, Croatia. After WWII, the family received their American citizenship; however, Georg passed before the end of his application process.
existed from 1938–1940^
Kingdom of
United States of America
The 1776 Declaration of Independence formed the United States, formally seceding as a colony from Great Britain.
Died in:
State of Austria, part
Grandfather of the von Trapp children
John Whitehead, Austro-Hungarian Ritter (Knight) (1854-1902)
Engineer, Assisted with Invention of Torpedo
Multi-National: A citizen of Great Britain, but born in Trieste, Austrian Empire (today Trieste, Italy), as a youngster he moved and settled with his family to Fiume, Austro-Hungarian Empire (today Rijeka, Croatia). Later, he became known as "Cavaliere* John Whitehead of Fuime".
Music/Art: Accurate technical engineering draftsman, as well as carved wood for a hobby
Historic Merits: Engineer; assistant to his father, Robert Whitehead, with the invention of the first self-propelled, underwater torpedo; later added improvements granted a United States patent for a torpedo launching apparatus; and Ambassador to Argentina at Fiume.
Engineer
In 1854, John Whitehead was born to British engineer Robert Whitehead and Marie Johnson in Trieste, a port city of the Austrian Empire (today Trieste, Italy). Two years later, Robert moved his family to Fiume, an up and coming free port on the Adriatic Sea, under the Austrian Empire (today Rijeka, Croatia) to take on the Chief Engineer role at the metal foundry, Stabilmento Tecnico di Fiume.
Already at age 4, John could be found on the shop floor. At age 12, with his keen inherited engineering talent, he helped his father, along with their trusted mechanic Annibale Plöch, and day laborer Mr. Gonza, to develop the first prototype of a self-propelled, underwater torpedo. He went on to study at Zürich Hochschule (Zurich Highschool) and graduated in 1878 from the University of Leipzig in the Germany Confederation with a degree in engineering. In 1883, John Whitehead became Consul to the Republic of Argentina at Fiume. In 1887, he was awarded an Imperial Austrian Knighthood of the Franz Joseph Order. That same year he married Countess Agathe Gobertina von Breunner-Enkevoirth. Together they had six children: John Jr., Frank, Agathe, Robert Jr., Mary, and Joan.
His father made him Partner at the family-owned Whitehead Torpedo Factory in Fiume, together with Robert's son-in-law, Corvette Captian Count Georg Hoyos (who had married Alice Whitehead). Under John's direction, as head engineer, together with Tal Jones (the future technical director of their Whitehead Weymouth Torpedo Factory in England) and a young American engineer, Karl Hassenteufel, many experiments (acoustics and gas dynamics) and improvements to the torpedo (Gyroscope and its engine) were effected through the next 20 years. For his brother-in-law, Count Georg Hoyos, John drafted plans for a private sailboat. This 13-ton cutter was built in the Whitehead Torpedo Factory and christened: “Drache” (Dragon) named after the Austrian Imperial Navy ship that Count Georg Hoyos had served on in the 1866 'Battle of Lissa'.
Tragically, his life was cut short after his 2-year valiant battle with cancer; he passed away in Vienna, on April 9, 1902, at the age of 47, leaving behind his young family. His funeral was attended by many dignitaries, friends, family, and the extended Whitehead Torpedo Factory employees; he was buried with honors.
(1806–1918)
See Flag Key below for details
*Grand Duchy of Hesse was part of German Confederation of 67 independent States.
Austria
of the German Reich,
Federal State of Austria
(1804–1867)
of Hesse*, existed
Died in:
Historical Figure - Captain August Johann Ritter von Trapp
See flag key at end of page for more details
(1919–1934)
Confederation*,
United States, exists
Lived in:
Empire, 1867–1918
Grand Duchy
from 1919–1934
Kingdom of Italy
Maternal Grandparents of the von Trapp Children
See Flag Key below for details
See Flag Key below for details
from 1815–1848
First Republic,
(1945–1955)
o
Georg & Agathe FOUNDATION
Austria, existed
Photo: ©Georg & Agathe Foundation
from 1867–1918
^From 1940–1942, under the German Reich, 'Austria' was the Reichsgaue of the Ostmark and from 1942–1945 it was the Alpine and Danube Reichsgaue.
Austrian
existed 1918–1919
First Republic of Austria**
Austro-Hungary,
(1815–1848)
United
from 1867–1918
1801–present
Photo: ©Georg & Agathe Foundation
Republic
Photo: ©Georg & Agathe Foundation
Empire, existed
from 1801–present
Confederation
Federal State of
from 1867–1918
Born in:
from 1806–1918
from 1934–1938
from 1861–1946
*Hereditary Baron/Baroness title from Georg who was awarded it for his WWI naval service
Austro-Hungarian
FREE: Updates and history trivia
Lived in & citizens
Photo: © Bwag/Commons
Kingdom
Alpine and Danube
(1934-1938)
Austria
Austria has existed in many forms from 927–present. From 1526–1804, it was ruled by the Habsburg Monarchy. From 1804–1867, it was known as the Austrian Empire and then the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867–1918. Within its territory during this time, the free port of Fiume existed (today Rijeka, Croatia). At the end of WWI, the Austrian monarchy dissolved and a large portion of their territories lost, including their holdings on the Adriatic Coast which were annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. (Italy later lost the coastal areas to Yugoslavia after WWII; and after the collapse of communism, these coastal lands were ceded to Croatia and Slovenia in 1991.) Between 1918 and 1919, the remaining area became part of the Republic of German-Austria. In 1919 the First Austrian Republic was established, which was 1/5th of its original size. In 1934, internal political strive lead to the formation of the Federal State of Austria. From 1938-1940, Austria was annexed and became a State of the German Reich. From 1940–1942, under the German Reich, the area was the Reichsgaue of the Ostmark and from 1942–1945 it was the Alpine and Danube Reichsgaue. After WWII, it was Allied-occupied Austria for almost 10 years. In 1955, the modern Republic of Austria was established.
(1955-present)
Austrian
(1918–1946)
Empire, existed
Grandmother of the von Trapp children
Countess Agathe Gobertina von Breunner-Enkevoirth (1859–1945)
Austro-Hungarian Nobility
Multi-National: Her international heritage includes Austrian nobility and historic Croatian and Hungarian noble families of Széchenyi, Esterházy, Erdődy, Batthyány, Rákóczy, Pálffy, Zrínyi/Zrinska, and Frangepán/Frankopan. They include honored freedom fighters, patrons of the arts, Viceroys of Hungary and Croatia, and personal counsels to the Habsburg Monarchy.
Music/Art: Accomplished amateur pianist, singer, and architect/designer
Historic Merits: Part of the Austro-Hungarian nobility and she played a supporting role at the Whitehead Torpedo Factory as wife to John Whitehead, a Partner in the family-owned business.
Background
Countess Agathe von Breunner-Enkevoirth was born at the family seat, Castle Grafenegg, in the Austrian Empire, the third child and second daughter of Count August von Breunner-Enkevoirth and Countess Agathe Széchenyi. Her childhood was spent in the close embrace of her extended family, in which making music was a favorite past time. Some of these occasions were spent in Zselíz, Hungary (today Želiezovce, Slovakia) at her grandmother's estate, where she played on the piano that the composer Franz Schubert had tutored her grandmother and great-aunt on. In 1887 she married British engineer John Whitehead at the Votiv Church, in Vienna, Austria. They settled in Fiume, on the Austro-Hungarian Empire's Adriatic coastline (today Rijeka, Croatia), where she became instrumental in helping her husband in matters of business correspondence relating to the Whitehead Torpedo Factory. It is here she and John started their family. They had six children: John Jr., Frank, Agathe, Robert Jr, Mary, and Joan.
In her own right, she was an accomplished musician, amateur watercolorist, architect, and designer. She played an active role in the building and designing of three residences. Her love of music was passed on to her children, carrying on the family tradition of spending hours together making music. After 15 years of marriage, with the premature death of her husband in 1902 to cancer, she became a young widow. As a single parent, she raised their six children between her home in Fiume and her vacation house, 'Erlhof', in Zell am See, Austria. Agathe never remarried and continued to wear the English widow’s Whipple (head covering) for the remainder of her life. With her love, support, and guidance, she saw her children grow up, marry, and start families of their own.
In 1911, her daughter and namesake, Agathe Whitehead married Captain Georg von Trapp. In November of that year, Agathe became a grandmother to Georg and Agathe's first son Rupert; later she was affectionally known as 'Gromi' to all her grandchildren. In 1914 when Europe was plunged into World War I, their coastal homeland was emptied of civilians into inland Austria for their safety. Agathe offered a safe harbor to her family, including the von Trapps, at her 'Erlhof' home. The family was in the unique and unenviable position of holding different citizenships that placed their men fighting on opposite sides in the war. Agathe's eldest son John Jr. was a Second-Luitenent in the British Royal Flying Corps (Allied side) and her son-in-law Georg von Trapp was an Austro-Hungarian Submarine Captian (Central Powers side). It was a real testament to the closeness and love in her family, that they all were able to support each other and endure the war together, despite this fact.
Within the next 8 years, tragically, Agathe would lose two of her children too young. During the war years, her 27-year-old son, John, died in an airplane accident in England. A few years after the war, her 31-year-old daughter, Agathe passed way from Scarlett-fever contracted by taking care of her children who had been stricken with the disease. Countess von Breunner's life, lived with dignity, natural charm, inner-strengthen, and an independent spirit, spanned the height of the Habsburg Empire to the last days of World War II. She passed away near Vienna, Austria in 1945, only 11 months before WWII ended.
existed from 1919–1934
(1776–present)
Grand Duchy of Hesse
The Grand Duchy of Hesse was an independent country from 1806–1871 and a free member state of the German Confederation from 1815–1848. Hesse lost its independence when it joined the German Empire in 1871, but remained a Duchy. The Duchy ended in 1918 with the German Revolution and the end of the German monarchy. Today, Hesse is a federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Italy, existed
Died in:
Austrian Empire,
(1861–1946)
Italy, existed
from 1815–1848
United Kingdom,
John Whitehead's US Patent for Torpedo Launching Apparatus, 1 of 8 Figures, 1898
Reichsgaue under
Emigrated to:
Lived in, but not citizen:
Born in:
Citizens of,
Emigrated to:
First Austrian Republic
Hedwig Emilie Wepler
1855–1911 (m. 1876)
Born: Obersuhl, Grand Duchy of Hesse, an independent country
and state of the German Confederation (today Obersuhl, Germany)
Talent: Accomplished amateur folk artist and musician
Mother of three: Hedwig 'Hede' Saida von Trapp (m. 1st Robert Lutz, m. 2nd Gustav Wallascheck, m. 3rd Franz Girak), Baron Captain Georg Johannes Ritter (Knight) von Trapp—father of von Trapp children (1st m. Agathe Gobertina Whitehead—mother of seven von Trapp children; 2nd m. Maria Augusta Kutschera—mother of three von Trapp children), and Werner Ritter (Knight) von Trapp (m. Constance 'Connie' O'Mara)
with east Adriatic
from 1867–1918
of America, exists
Republic of
Empire, existed
Photo: From John Whitehead's US Patent application
Austro-Hungarian
Born in:
from 1804–1867
from 1804–1867
'Austria'
of America
Grand Duchy
Three more von Trapp children with Georg's second wife Maria Augusta Kutschera: Baroness* Rosmarie von Trapp (b. 1929), Baroness* Eleonore von Trapp (b. 1931) and Baron* Johannes von Trapp (b. 1939). For information on all ten von Trapp children, visit vonTrapp.org.
Photo: ©Georg & Agathe Foundation
of the German Reich
German-Austria
Lived in & citizens of,
from 1919–1934
from 1804–1867
Countess Agathe Gobertina von Breunner
with Archduke/Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand
1884 Ottensheim, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Born in:
the German Reich
of Austria, existed
Photo: Courtesy of Whitehead family
Born in:
Austro-Hungarian
During WWI, under the Austro-Hungarian Empire (existed 1867-1918):
Born: Zell am See, Austro-Hungarian Empire (today, Austria)
Baroness* Maria Franziska Gobertina von Trapp (1914–2014) / Musical: Louisa
Baron* Werner Gobertus Ritter von Trapp (1915–2007) / Musical: Kurt
Baroness*Hedwig Adolphine Gobertina von Trapp(1917–1972) / Musical: Brigitta
German-Austria,
Republic of Austria
Empire, existed
Citizen of:
Austro-Hungarian Empire,
United Kingdom
Britain, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland have been inhabited since prehistoric times. With the 1707 Acts of Union, The Kingdom of Great Britain was created, uniting the Kingdoms of England and Scotland. In 1801, Ireland was added, forming the United Kingdom.
First Republic
Castle Grafenegg, Austria
photo taken in 2018
Photo: Courtesy of the von Trapp family
Allied-occupied Austria
existed from 1919–1934
Austro-Hungarian
United
Historical Figure - Countess Agathe Gobertina von Breunner-Enkevoirth
*Italian for 'Knight'
after WWI:
Habsburg Monarchy
Countess von Breunner,
affectionally known as 'Gromi'
to her descendants
Paternal Grandparents of the von Trapp Children
Photo: Courtesy of von Trapp family
(1526-1804)
Empire, existed
Died in, but not citizen:
of Austria
Agathe Gobertina Whitehead (1st wife)
1891–1922 (m. 1911)
Born: Fiume, Austro-Hungarian Empire (after WWI: Fiume, Kingdom
of Italy; after WWII: Rijeka, Yugoslavia; since 1991: Rijeka, Croatia)
Talent: Accomplished amateur pianist, violinist, and singer
Mother of seven (the 'von Trapp children' portrayed in the play and film, The Sound of Music ): Baron Rupert Georg Gobertus von Trapp (m. 1st Henriette Lajoie; 2nd Janice Tyre), Baroness Agathe Johanna Gobertina von Trapp, Baroness Maria Franziska Gobertina von Trapp, Baron Werner Gobertus von Trapp (m. Erika Klambauer), Baroness Hedwig Aldophine Gobertina von Trapp, Baroness Johanna Karolina Gobertina von Trapp (m. Ernst Florian Winter),and Baroness Martina Alice Gobertina von Trapp (m. Jean Dupiere)
Hereditary von Trapp Coat-of-Arms
Awarded to August Ritter von Trapp 1874
Citizen of, after WWI:
Example of Mediterranean typhoon
Photo: Public Domain
from 1804–1867
Whitehead Torpedo Factory circa 1910
Fiume, Austro-Hungarian Empire (today Rijeka, Croatia)
*Hereditary title awarded to Georg for his WWI naval service
**Austria went through several governmental changes during their lifetime, see the 'von Trapp children' section above for more details.
Citizen of:
State of Austria, part
Background
United States
Photo: Courtesy of von Trapp family
CHAMPION THE ARTS PROMOTE PEACE ARCHIVE & EDUCATE
Died in:
John Whitehead, Austro-Hungarian Ritter (Knight)
1854–1902 (m. 1887)
Born: Trieste, Austrian Empire (today Trieste, Italy)
Talent: Engineer, draftsman, and amateur woodcarver
Career: A talented British engineer, already at 12 he assisted his father, Robert Whitehead, with inventing the self-propelled torpedo; he was educated at the Zurich Hochschule in Switzerland and received a degree in engineering from the University of Leipzig, Germany; later he became a partner of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory, in then Fuime, Astro-Hungary (today Rijeka, Croatia)
Knighted: In 1887, John received the Order of merit Imperial Austrian Knighthood of the Franz Joseph Order.
To learn more about John, see the 'Historical Figure' section below.
After WWI, under the Republic of German-Austria (existed from 1918-1919):
Born: Zell am See, Republic of German-Austria (today Zell am See, Austria)
Baroness* Johanna Karolina Gobertina von Trapp (1919–1994) / Musical: Marta
exists from
(1955-present)
FAMILY TREE: Children / Parents / Grandparents
Photo: Courtesy of von Trapp family
No longer lived in:**
Photo: NOAA, January 16, 1995
Citizen of, before WWI:
Honoring Baron Captain Georg von Trapp, Agathe Gobertina Whitehead, their heritage, and children
Honoring the von Trapp
and Whitehead Heritage