Markuszewski family

The family of Markuszewski was a family from the Lewart or Lepod Clan, created in the mid thirteenth through the early fourteenth century. The Lewart clan was small, and membership to the clan was closely guarded. The title of Count was adopted in the post partition era, due to the status of the family with its property holdings, and land being on the scale of an English county (or 'Earldom'). The title was legally ratified during this period, by the other noble families of Poland, because there was no monarch. The Markuszewski's land was mainly in the area of Novogrudek, and by the early 20th century, they still owned vast forests, land and a number of villages.

World War I, the Polish-Russian war and World War II took their toll with the family being almost wiped out, leaving only one surviving hier to the title, Countess Irena Markuszewski, the daughter of countess Sophia Tracewskia and Count Leon Markuszewski; who was murdered, because of his noble background in the Katyn massacre.^[1]

The title is hereditary, and was conferred upon both male and female progeny (meaning the title could be continued through a daughter).

The Markuszewski Branch - Lewart Clan

The Markuszewski Family Tree (along with the title) was inherited through the female as well as the male line. Counts of the area around Novogrudek exists in modern day Belarus.

References

1. ^ Katyn Memorial Wall