tigray7

ETHIOPIA

Tigray

GENEALOGY

continued from the previous page.

1921 - 1932 H.H. Le'ul Ras Gugsa Araya Selassie. b. 1886, son of H.H. Negus Araya Selassie [Sahle Selassie], King of Tigray, by Nagast, educ. privately. Governor of Eastern Tigray (Mekelle) 1921-1933. Granted the personal title of Ras May 1921, and prom. to Le'ul Ras 1^st November 1930. Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon. m. (first) … m. (second) at Addis Ababa, 1913, H.H. Princess (Le'ult) Yeshash Worq (b. 1902; m. second, H.E. Bitwodad Makonnen Damessaw. m. third, 1936, H.E. Ras Bitwodad Makonnen Endalkachew, OBE), rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Queen of Sheba of Ethiopia, and the Beneficence of Greece (x.4.1959), eldest daughter of H.E. Dejazmatch Yilma Makonnen, Governor of Harar, by his wife, Woizero Assalafetch, daughter of Dejazmatch Wolde Hanna, Jantirar of Ambasel. He d. at Adigrat, 28^th April 1932, having had issue, a son and daughter:

1) H.H. Prince (Le'ul) Haile Selassie Gugsa, Prince of Tigray (s/o the first wife) - see below.
1) Woizero Kiros. m. a son of Dejazmatch Ayyalaw Birru, sometime Governor of Semien, by his wife, Woizerit-Hoy Manyahilush, second daughter of Field Marshal H.H. Le'ul Ras Kassa Hailu ze-Darge, GCVO, GBE, sometime Presdt. Imperial Crown Council. She had issue, an only daughter:
- a) Woizerit Gabriella Ayyalaw.

1933 - 1935 H.H. Prince (Le'ul) Haile Selassie Gugsa, CBE (c 8.7.1924). b. 1907, son of Le'ul Ras Gugsa Araya, Prince of Tigray, by his first wife, educ. privately. Granted the title of Dejazmatch and Le'ul by Emperor Haile Selassie I and that of Ras by King-Emperor Victor Emmanual II in 1935 (not recognised after the liberation). Governor of Eastern Tigray (Mekelle) 1932-1933, and of Tigray 1933-1935. Imprisoned by the Itialians after the conquest but later released and co-operated with them. Placed in confinement after the return of Emperor Haile Sellassie, 1941. Imprisoned in the Seychelles, at Jimma and Gore, before being released by the Derg in March 1974. m. at Addis Ababa, 14^th July 1932, H.I.H. Princess (Le'ult) Zannaba Worq (b. at Addis Ababa, 25^th July 1918; d. in childbirth at Mekelle, 24^th March 1933), third daughter of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie, by his second wife, H.I.M. Empress Menen, daughter of Jantirar Asfa Mikael, of Ambassel. He d.s.p. at Ambo, 1985.

1935 - 1941 Italian occupation.

1906-1921 &1941-1960 Field Marshal H.H. Le’ul Ras Seyum Mangasha, Prince of Tigray, KBE (c 8.7.1924), only son of H.H. Ras Mangasha Yohannes, Prince of Tigray, by his second wife, Woizero Kafay Wale, educ. privately. Field Marshal 1934, Governor-General of Tigray 1906-1921 and of Western Tigray (Adowa) 1921-1936, C-in-C Tigray forces in 1935-1936, Senator 1936, Governor of Tigray, Lasta, Wag, Yajju, Walqayet & Seggada under the Italians 1940-1941, then submitted to the British in 1941 and served as C-in-C Tigray forces. Granted the personal titles of Ras 31^stMarch 1914, and prom. to Le’ul Ras 1^stNovember 1930. Recognised as hereditary Prince of Tigray 1941. Governor-General of Tigray 1947-1960. Rcvd: the Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon, GC of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon and Star of Ethiopia, GO of the Orders of Menelik II and the Holy Trinity, GC of the Orders of the Black Star of Benin of France (16.5.1924), St Gregory the Great of the Vatican (19.5.1924), Adolph of Nassau of Luxembourg (24.5.1924), Polar Star of Sweden (10.6.1924), Leopold of Belgium (1924), and the Redeemer of Greece, GO of the Order of the Legion of Honour of France. m. (first) after 31^st May 1914, Woizero Tewabech, third daughter of H.H. Negus Mikael of Wollo, by his first wife, Woizero Fantaye. m. (second) 1926, H.H. Princess (Le’ult) Adada, rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba, former wife of H.E. Ras Kabbada Mangasha, and daughter of Dejazmatch Asfa Darge, sometime Governor of Salala. m. (a) Gambare Barhe. He was k. in the “masacre of the Green Salon”, at Addis Ababa, 15^th December 1960, having had issue, two sons and two daughters:

1) Dejazmatch Kassa Seyum. Rebelled against his father, was arrested and imprisoned, but later escaped and rebelled against the government. He was k. in battle, at Adaberga, in Falle, 25^th December 1918.
2) H.H. Le'ul Ras Mangasha Seyum, Prince of Tigray - see below.
1) Woizero Kabbadech. m. 1922, Dejazmatch Aberra Kassa, KBE (b. 1905; k. by the Italians, at Fiché, 21^st December 1936), second son of Field Marshal H.H. Le'ul Ras Kassa Hailu, GCVO, GBE, by his wife, H.H. Princess (Le'ult) Tsige Mariam Beshah, daughter of Dejazmatch Beshah Bita, of Wagda. She was k. by the Italians, at Addis Ababa, June 1936, having had issue, three sons - see Ethiopia (Shoa).
2) Woizero Walatta Israel [H.I.H. Princess Walatta Israel]. b. at Maqala, 23^rd January 1914 (d/o Woizero Debretu), educ. privately. Permitted to retain the title of Princess (Le’ult) and style of Her Imperial Highness after her divorce in 1943. She later became an ascetic, devoting her time to religious practices, scholarship, painting religious pictures and iconography. Rcvd: the Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon (9.5.1932). m. (first) at Addis Ababa, 1925 (when she was aged 11), H.E. Dejazmatch Gabre Selassie Baria Gebir [Aba Kibed], CBE (c 8.7.1924) (b. 1873; d. at the Holy water of Mitaq Amanuel, 16^thOctober 1930, aged 57 years), Governor of Akkala Guzay and Nibure Id of Axun, son of Dejazmatch Baria Gebir Farus, of Hahale, Adowa, sometime Governor of Akkala Guzay, and a descendant of Shum Agame Wolde Leu’l [Woldu]. m. (second) at Addis Ababa, 9^th May 1932 (div. 1943), H.I.H. Meridazmatch Asfa Wosen Haile Selassie (later H.I.M. Emperor Amha Selassie I), by whom she had issue, an only daughter – see Ethiopia (Shoa). She d. 1988, aged 74 years, having had issue, two children by her first husband, including:

a) H.E. Dejazmatch Zewde Gabre Selassie. b. at Jeldu, Jibat Ena Mecha, 12^thOctober 1927 (when his mother was aged 13 yrs, 9 months), educ. Haile Selassie I High Sch., Addis Ababa; Coll. des Frerés, St George’s Sch, Jerusalem, Palestine, the American Mission Sch, Cairo, Egypt, Emperor Haile Selassie I High Sch, Addis Ababa, Univ of Exeter (Dipl English Lit), St Anthony’s Coll, Oxford (MA, Ph.D. 1971), and Lincoln’s Inn, London. Governor of Shere 1940-1942, Head of Press & Information Dvsn of the MOFA 1951-1953, Dir-Gen Maritime Affairs 1954-1955, Deputy Minister for Public Works, Transport & Civil Aviation 1955-1957, Chair & Presdt Ethiopian Airlines 1957-1958, Governor and Mayor of Addis Ababa 1958-1960, Ambassador to Somalia 1960-1961, Minister for Justice 1961-1963, Senior Member St Anthony’s Coll Oxford 1963-1971, Minister for the Interior March-May 1974, and Foreign Affairs May-Dec 1974, Permanent Representative at the UN 1972-1974, Deputy Prime Minister May-Sept 1974, Fellow of United Nations Training and Research (UNITAR) 1975, Fellow Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, Smithsonian Inst 1975-1976. Author of “Yohannes IV of Ethiopia: A Political Biography” (1975), “Eritrea and Ethiopia in the Context of the Red Sea and Africa” (1976), “Historical Perspective of Drought and Famine in Africa” (1976), etc. Granted the personal title of Dejazmatch by his maternal grandfather, 1940. Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Holy Trinity, and Star of Ethiopia, Phoenix of Greece (28.2.1959), Independence of Jordan (12.5.1960), and Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (20.10.1963), Cdr of the Orders of Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands (7.11.1953), and St Olav of Norway (10.1.1966), and the Order of the Yugoslav Flag 1^st class (21.7.1954), Jubilee Medal (1955), etc. m. (first) Woizero Alem Tsahai, daughter of Tsahai Abraha. m. (second?) Woizero Sahay (Tsahai) Arya. He d. at Addis Ababa, 15^th December 2008 (bur. there at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Cemetery), having had issue, one son and two daughters:

i) Lij Ezana Zewde Gabre Sellassie. b. 9^th January 1964. He was k. in an accident, at New York, USA, 9^thApril 1998. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
i) Woizerit Elizabeth Zewde Gabre Sellassie. b. 2^1stSeptember 1962 (sister of Rebecca), educ. Hackley Sch, Tarrytown, Columbia Coll (BA 1989), and New York Univ (JD 1993), New York, USA. Assoc Kelley Drye & Warren LLP 1992-1996, Snr Partner Designer Loft LLC since 2001, Designer Loft Productions LLC since 2003, and Designer Loft West since 2008.
ii) Woizerit Rebecca Zewde Gabre Sellassie. b. 1966, educ. Hackley Sch, Tarrytown, New York, the American Univ, Washington DC, and Fordham Univ, New York, USA. IT Training & Compliance Mngr at TBS Shipping Services Inc in New York, USA. m. Girma. She had issue, a daughter:

(1) Sarah Girma, educ. Yonkers High Sch, New York, USA.

1960 - [1974] H.H. Le’ul Ras Mangasha Seyum, Prince of Tigray, GCVO (1.2.1965). b. at Dengolat, Enderta, Tigray, 7^th December 1927, second son of Field Marshal H.H. Le’ul Ras Seyum Mangasha, Prince of Tigray, KBE, by his second wife, H.H. Princess Adada, educ. privately. Governor of Ambo 1949-1952, Arussi 1952-1955, and Sidamo 1955-1958, Minister for Public Works 1958-1961. Recognised as hereditary Prince of Tigray after the death of his father, January 1961. Went into exile 1974. Founder and Presdt Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU). Hon Chair The African Services Cttee (New York). Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Holy Trinity. m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa, 30^thJanuary 1949, H.H. Princess (Le’ult) Aida Desta [Bisrate Gabriel] (b. 8^thApril 1927; d. at Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 15^th January 2013, bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), educ. the Bolitho Sch of St Clair, Penzance, Cornwall, Clarendon Sch, Abergale, North Wales, and Newnham Coll, Oxford (BA 1948, MA 1970), imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1988, Presdt Ethiopian Women’s Welfare Assoc, Hon Chair The African Services Cttee (New York), rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Queen of Sheba, and the Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966), GC of the Orders of Beneficience of Greece (28.2.1959), Crown of Belgium (17.7.1959), Southern Cross of Brazil (29.11.1962), and Defender of the Realm (SMN) of Malaysia (21.5.1968), Order of the Virtues 1^st class of the Republic of Egypt (24.6.1959), Cdr of the Order of the Volta of Ghana (1970), etc, eldest daughter of Lieutenant-General H.H. Ras Desta Damtew, KBE, C-in-C Southern Army, by his wife H.I.H. Princess Tenagne Worq [Fikirte Mariam], DBE, second daughter of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I. He had issue, five sons and two daughters:

1) Lij Mikael Sehul Mengesha. b. 1950.
2) Lij Yohannes Mengesha. b. 27^th July 1951, educ. General Wingate Sch, Addis Ababa, and Queens’ Coll, Cambridge (BA Law 1974, MA 1984). Joined UN civil service 1976, Project Officer World Food Programme (WFP) Eastern Caribbean Office in Trinidad & Tobago 1976-1980, then in WFP East and Southern Africa Bureau 1980-1992, Regional Mngr WFP Eastern & Southern Africa 1994-1996, Snr Adviser UN Dept of Humanitarian Affairs 1992-1994, Dir Iraq Programme UN Dept of Humanitarian Affairs 1996-1998, Principal Officer in Office of the Deputy Sec-Gen of the UN 1998-2005, Dir Office of the Deputy Sec-Gen 2005-2006, Assist Secr-Gen for General Assembly & Conference Management 2006-2008, Independent Consultant since 2009. Chair UN Alternative Investigation Panel 2010-2011, and Abuja Brd of Inquiry 2012. Co-ordinator UN-Expo 2015 Team since 2012.
3) Lij Estifanos Mengesha [Prince Stephen Mengesha Seyoum]. b. at the Haile Selassie I Hospital, Addis Ababa, 24^th October 1952, educ. Univ of Toronto, Canada. International Business Consultant. Deputy Grand Master of the Ethiopian Order of Baronets (Grazmatch), the Order of Saint Mary of Zion and the Solomonic Order of Merit, Patron The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Priory of the Mountain of the House of the Lord), Dir The Canadian Royal Heritage Trust. m. and has issue, one son:

a) Lij Araya Estifanos Mengesha. Copyright© Christopher Buyers

Lij Estifanos, has also adopted a further son and daughter:

b) Kaleb (m).
a) Meron (f).

4) Lij Jalyee Mengesha. b. 1955, educ. Simon Fraser Univ, Toronto. Mngr Risk Management at Royal Bank of Canada. m. Woizero Meselu Gebrehiwot. He has issue, one daughter:

a) Woizerit Weyni Jalyee.

5) Lij Seyoum Mengesha. b. 1957. m. at Racine, Wisconsin, USA, 25^th August 1991, Jill Jeralyn Nilles (b. 1956). He has issue, two daughters:

a) Woizerit Zena Mariam Seyum Mengesha, educ. St. Catherine's High Sch, Racine, Wisconsin, and Harvard Univ, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
b) Woizerit Isabelle Seyum Mengesha.

1) Woizero Rupta Mengesha.
2) Woizero Menen Mengesha. b. 1962, educ. Clayton Valley High Sch, Concord, and San Francisco State Univ (SFSU), San Francisco, California, USA. Escaped from confinement 1977. Settled in California, USA. Naturalized as a US citizen 1985. m. (first) at Reno Nevada, USA, 3^rdNovember 1984, Ato Salomon Tsegaye. m. (second) Courtlandt Brown, educ. Friendly High Sch, Fort Washington, and Morgan State Univ (B. 1983), Baltimore, Maryland, She had issue, one son by her first husband, and a second son by her second husband:

a) Alexander Makonnen Salomon. b. at San Francisco, California, USA, 18^th April 1987.
b) Zecharias Brown.

END.

TIGRAY 1	TIGRAY 2	TIGRAY 3	TIGRAY 4
TIGRAY 5	TIGRAY 6	BEGAMEDER	GOJJAM
HARRAR	SHOA	SOLOMON	TEWODROS
ZAGWE	ORDERS & DECORATIONS		MAIN

I would be grateful to hear from anyone who may have changes, corrections or additions to contribute. If you do, please be kind enough to send me an e-mail using the contact details at:

CONTACT