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The
Families von Platen |
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are
descendants from a very old line of German gentry and nobility
in two independent families with different coats of arms.
One of the families has roots from the Prignitz/Mark Brandenburg,
the other from the Isle of Rügen in the Baltic Sea. |
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For
both families, the genealogical tree can be traced back to the 14th century.
A common ancestor of both families is presumed,
but there is no hard evidence. |
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Both
families have, over the centuries, an expansive family tree,
together over 1700 name bearers, which contains all male
descendants with identified lineage. Many family members have lived
or now live in different parts of the world. Especially in Sweden and
Denmark, there are flourishing branches of the family. Among the
extinct sidebranches of the family are the Bevernest and the Counts
Brahe from Sweden. In addition to scientists and engineers,
amoung which is most notably the Swedish builder of the Götacanal
Count Balzer von Platen, the families produced several artists.
Most notably are the distinguished poet August Count von
Platen-Hallermund, the writer Leontine von Winterfeld-Platen and
the actress Flockina von Platen. |
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However,
the foundations of the families through the centuries had been
estates. Thus, there existed large estates especially in the
Prignitz, the Isle of Rügen and Sweden, but also in Mecklenburg
and East Prussia. All but one no longer exist today, for several
reasons. Some were lost because there were no male heirs and the last
ones had to be given up after World War I or II. |
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The
first Family history was published in 1907, further editions
followed in 1966 and 1989. They are expanded and improved by
constant revisions and updating. At the end of 1990, a
computerized database was created which now comprise over
4,500 persons. The archives von Platen consist nowadays of
over 5,000 files, papers and documents from recent times,
but also much of what has survived the troubles of war
and expulsions of the last century. |
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The
members of the families joined in 1886 into one von Platens’ Family
Association, which exists till to-day. The objective of this Association
is to cherish the kindred ties. This is accomplished by family-
reunions every two years and a Family Newsletter. Additionally,
here are youth and regional meetings. |
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