Książ Castle in Wałbrzych, Poland, is actively searching for relatives of the former Hochberg household staff to preserve their histories before memories fade.
Searching the Legacy of the Hochberg Household
Książ Castle in Wałbrzych is calling on families and relatives of former Hochberg household staff to document their lineage. The estate’s museum staff estimate that a five‑person family in the early twentieth century employed roughly 500 workers, ranging from servants and gardeners to archivists and musketeers.
A Thousand‑Image Archive
Over 1,000 photographs taken by French head chef Louis Hardouin form the core of the search. Compiled in the album “Książ od kuchni,” the images were transferred to the castle in 2016 by Hardouin’s granddaughter, now resident in Canada.
First Confirmed Connections
Press officer Mateusz Mykytyszyn reports that 12 individuals have been identified. Recipients of the photographs include Dorothea Huhn of Hanover, who traced her grandmother Anna Biller, a cook for Prince Jan Henryk XV and Princess Daisy. Biller, originally from Peilau, left the estate in 1924 upon marriage and received a crystal and silver salt shaker from Daisy as a farewell.
Other contacts include the great‑grandson of the prince’s coachman, the great‑grandniece of Princess Daisy’s servant, and Mauricio Hardouin from Mexico, a great‑great‑grandson of Louis Hardouin and the photo collection’s creator.
Verification Process
Individuals who recognize relatives or possess related documents should contact the castle. Submission of photographs or supporting papers will be verified before inclusion, with the objective of restoring personal identity and preserving distinct family stories.
Historical Context and WWII Legacy
The castle, together with the city of Wałbrzych, has been uncovering the German heritage of these lands since the post‑war period. The Hochbergs were not allies of Hitler; during World War II their middle son Alexander joined the Polish army and served near Monte Cassino, albeit away from the main conflict zones.
