The ancestors of Dr. Ipscher - Salzburg exiles
War Medal Certificate. Text of the certificate: I hereby certify, under the imprint of the regimental seal, that the presenter, Grenadier Heinrich Ipscher of the 2nd Guards Regiment of Foot, 3rd Company, is entitled to wear the War Medal with the year 1813 and 1814 for his loyal and brave participation in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814, and that he has actually received it. Berlin, August 25, 1814. - His Royal Majesty of Prussia, Most Highly Appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of the 2nd Guards Regiment of Foot
Johann Heinrich Ipscher's CV
Starting in the autumn of 1731, approximately 20,000 Protestants were forced to leave their homeland in the Archbishopric of Salzburg following a decree by Archbishop Leopold Anton von Firmian. The majority of these exiles were taken in by Prussia, following a "Prussian Invitation Patent" issued by the Soldier King. They were settled in East Prussia, where they reached the region on foot, passing through Perleberg. Among these refugees were the ancestors of Dr. Georg Ipscher.
His grandfather Johann Heinrich (9.10.1791–11.12.1871) fought in the Wars of Liberation and received the War Medal 1813/14.
Johann Heinrich Ipscher applied to the post office with a CV.
He was accepted and received his appointment as a postal official in 1825. He concluded his career in 1871 as Senior Postal Packing Master, a title awarded to him on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of service.
He lived in Berlin.
The ancestors of Dr. Ipscher - Huguenots
The Citizen’s Letter (Lettres de Bourgeoisie) of Frederique – Guillaume Boursault Pailleux (?) is evidence of the Boursault family’s affiliation to the Huguenot colony in Berlin.
Dr. Georg Ipscher's mother, Julie Wilhelmine Boursault (1833-1893), was a descendant of the Huguenots.
Huguenots were French Reformed Protestants (Calvinists) who fled to Germany in the late 17th century after their religious freedom was ended by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by King Louis XIV in 1685. Many German princes welcomed the well-educated Huguenots, including weavers, dyers, and artisans.
Through the Edict of Potsdam in 1685, the Elector of Brandenburg attracted a large number of Huguenots. Prussia thus became the most important refuge for those persecuted for their faith. Of the approximately 43,000 Huguenots who migrated to German territories, approximately 20,000 settled in Brandenburg-Prussia.
The edict offered not only protection, but also support and the security to live one's own faith.
In Berlin, a French-speaking community developed with a special status, its own administrative status and judicial system, which existed until 1809.