family motto
Three Cedars
I wish to thank D. Spencer Hines and Gordon Fisher for their efforts in
trying to solve the meaning of my family motto with such flawed
information as "Portior in Argus" which should have been "Fortior in
Ardris" as near as I can tell from my poor copies of it. Mr. Gordon
came very close when he suggested "Fortior" as the first word; D.
Spencer Hines took a gigantic leap of logic to hit it dead on, jarring
loose a frament of memory from my early childhood, some 40+ years ago.
To you both, a hearty thank you, as I truly thought this bit of family
history may have been lost to the next generation. I must say that it
is gratifying to know that such people are willing to help others in
their personnal persuits of knowledge along the way. It is my hope you
will continue to be so generous with your expertise and insights.
Sincerely, Kate
D. Spencer Hines
What about, "Fortior in Arduis"---? This would be the ablative and the
translation would stand as: "Stronger In Adversity [Difficulties]."
Only one letter changes ['u' for 'r'] in Kate's reading of the
admittedly poor copy.
Another convenient factor in this reading is that the translation can be
either:
"Stronger In Adversity [Difficulties]" or
"Stronger From Adversity [Difficulties]"----which may tie in with the
Family History, which should be researched in detail.
The Family Motto of the House of Marlborough is, "Fiel Pero Desdichado"
["Faithful But Unfortunate"] for similar reasons.
--
D. Spencer Hines---"There was a time when reporters wanted information,
their questions directed to an underlying event....They might not agree
with you in the end, but it was a matter of pride that they could
accurately state your view, before rejecting it." Michael Crichton,
"Airframe" (1996); Alfred A. Knopf, New York, p. 109
D. Spencer Hines
Gordon Fisher wrote:
> word "ardor," meaning about the same as it does in English, whose genitive
> singular is "ardoris", which conceivably could have the contraction "ardris"
> in later Latin. But what would a genitive singular be doing after the
> preposition "in"? I said earlier that the motto might be "Fortior in
> arduus," but I regretted it soon after when I realized it should probably be
> "Fortior in arduum," or possibly "Fortior in arduo." These (whichever it
> might be) would have a translation of the sort suggested by D Spencer Hines,
> such as "Stronger in adversity" or "Braver when things get difficult" or
> maybe "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
>
> Gordon Fisher gfi...@shentel.net
What about, "Fortior in Arduis"---? This would be the ablative and the
translation would stand as: "Stronger In Adversity [Difficulties]."
Only one letter changes ['u' for 'r'] in Kate's reading of the
admittedly poor copy.
D. Spencer Hines
Three Cedars wrote:
>
> Brief history: Of origins of arms
>
> Baron Von der Riff of the Electorate of Brandenburgh 1420
> By the Elector Frederick I in 1474
> Baron John... was a leader in the Army of Elector Albert I
> Baron Anselom...was Prime Minister in 1599 to Elector Joachim Frederick
> 1708, another Baron John was Ambassador from FrederickI of Prussia to
> the Court of France and later Secretary of War.
> 1747, Baron John was Secretary of War to FrederickIII or II (unclear)
>
> The next in line came to New York...etc...
>
> Hope it helps add a little context to the mystery of the motto.
> Kate
Can someone who has *Europaeische Stammtafeln* tell Kate if this "Baron
von der Riff" and his family make an appearance there?
Three Cedars
D. Spencer Hines wrote:
>
> What about, "Fortior in Arduis"---? This would be the ablative and the
> translation would stand as: "Stronger In Adversity [Difficulties]."
> Only one letter changes ['u' for 'r'] in Kate's reading of the
> admittedly poor copy.
Possible 'Arduis' if they closed the tops of their 'u's in those days.
Might need to check on the lettering styles of the 15th century. Going
to check something I remember from Chaucer's era; see if it helps.
Kate
>
> Another convenient factor in this reading is that the translation can be
> either:
>
> "Stronger In Adversity [Difficulties]" or
>
> "Stronger From Adversity [Difficulties]"----which may tie in with the
> Family History, which should be researched in detail.
>
> The Family Motto of the House of Marlborough is, "Fiel Pero Desdichado"
> ["Faithful But Unfortunate"] for similar reasons.
Three Cedars
Just checked.-----
It appears that they did close the tops of their 'u'. Therefore the
rendition would read: "Fortior in Arduis"
Thanks, Kate
D. Spencer Hines
Three Cedars wrote:
>
> Just checked.-----
> It appears that they did close the tops of their 'u'. Therefore the
> rendition would read: "Fortior in Arduis"
> Thanks, Kate
You're quite welcome. I hope someone with ES----perhaps the Schwennicke
edition, can tell you about "Baron von der Riff"-----if he can be
identified and verified.
Cheers, [My Mother was a "Kate" [Mary Katherine] as were my GrandMother
and my Great-Grandmother and "perhaps" my 19th Great-Grandmother---as
well as some others---How could I not but help you?]
Gordon Fisher
Three Cedars
D. Spencer Hines wrote:
>
> What about, "Fortior in Arduis"---? This would be the ablative and the
> translation would stand as: "Stronger In Adversity [Difficulties]."
> Only one letter changes ['u' for 'r'] in Kate's reading of the
> admittedly poor copy.
>
> either:
>
> "Stronger In Adversity [Difficulties]" or
>
> "Stronger From Adversity [Difficulties]"----which may tie in with the
> Family History, which should be researched in detail.
>
> The Family Motto of the House of Marlborough is, "Fiel Pero Desdichado"
> ["Faithful But Unfortunate"] for similar reasons.
>
> D. Spencer Hines---"There was a time when reporters wanted information,
> their questions directed to an underlying event....They might not agree
> with you in the end, but it was a matter of pride that they could
> accurately state your view, before rejecting it." Michael Crichton,
> "Airframe" (1996); Alfred A. Knopf, New York, p. 109
Brief history: Of origins of arms
Three Cedars
D. Spencer Hines wrote:
>
> Three Cedars wrote:
> >
> > Just checked.-----
> > It appears that they did close the tops of their 'u'. Therefore the
> > rendition would read: "Fortior in Arduis"
> > Thanks, Kate
>
> You're quite welcome. I hope someone with ES----perhaps the Schwennicke
> edition, can tell you about "Baron von der Riff"-----if he can be
> identified and verified.
>
> Cheers, [My Mother was a "Kate" [Mary Katherine] as were my GrandMother
> and my Great-Grandmother and "perhaps" my 19th Great-Grandmother---as
> well as some others---How could I not but help you?]
> --
>
> D. Spencer Hines--
My sister's copy was distroyed by her children, alas. Have managed to
track down a relative on the east coast of Florida who has copy. It
will be in the mail tomorrow along with other info she has generously
offered to provide. Her color rendition and fine copy is in
Connecticut, however. She promised to send a copy of that in June when
she heads north for the summer. Needless to say, I am quite pleased
with the prospect of clearity.
Who or what is the Schwennicke? Pardon my ignorance.
Kate
Three Cedars
It was suggested that I include these facts, as I know them.
The Von-der Riff family name was modified in the early 18th century to
Von-der Riff von Parisen when the son of Baron John Von-der Riff, named
Otto Phillip Daniel, born in 1727, fled, under the cover of two nights
darkness (leaving his estates and possessions to be confiscated) taking
nothing but what was on his person, to Paris, because of religious
persecution in Prussia. When he feared detection, in Paris, and feared
being returned to Bradenburg, he went to Rochelle, a small town outside
of Paris, where he assumed the surname Von Parisen. Again, fearing
detection, he embarked with the Hugenots, (and joined this sect,) for
America.
When they landed here, he helped them found the town of New Rochelle
(New York) naming it after the town where most of these colonists had
lived and had just departed. He married a French Hugenot from
Connecticut Colony, dropped the "Von" from his name and went by Otto
Phillip Daniel Parisen, by which surname the family has been known ever
since.
Three Cedars
at the age of 84. His wife lived to be 94. Their remains lay beside
their four sons in Trinity Church Yard, New Rochelle, N.Y.
matthias e. storme
>I wish to thank D. Spencer Hines and Gordon Fisher for their efforts in
>trying to solve the meaning of my family motto with such flawed
>information as "Portior in Argus" which should have been "Fortior in
>Ardris"
Probably rather "Fortior in Arduis".
--
prof. Matthias E. Storme
Matthia...@rug.ac.be
frw.st...@ufsia.ac.be
fax +32-9-2362440
http://www.ufsia.ac.be/~estorme/index.html
recht : http://www.ufsia.ac.be/~estorme/legal.html
genealogie : http://www.ufsia.ac.be/~estorme/genealogy.html
spelling : http://www.ufsia.ac.be/~estorme/spelling.html
verbond van vlaamse academici : http://www.ufsia.ac.be/~estorme/vva.html
opiniepagina "diskriminatie" : http://www.ufsia.ac.be/~estorme/discrim.html
Three Cedars
Thank you, Professor, for the generousity of spirit with which you share
your work. It is much appreciated. Sincerely, Kate