Joseph would enter the Russian Imperial Army at an early age and by the time of Napolean's 1812 Russian Campaign Joseph K. would be leading a cadre of troops in Estonia, helping to ensure Napolean's demise at Waterloo. In time O'Rourke would eventually become the Commander In Chief of the Russian Army and have among his entourage two of his younger brothers, Maurice and Cornelius Jr.

By the time of Joseph‘s death in 1849 all of his sons would themselves have thriving military careers. The volume 'Titled Nobility of Europe' lists the officers Major Alexander P. O'Rourke, Lt. Patrick A. O'Rourke and Lt. Constantine M. O'Rourke as serving in the Russian Imperial Army at this time. It was apparently Lt. Patrick O'Rourke to whom John 0`Donovan was referring when he wrote, "It is curious to see how this fallen Irish family has found its proud level in the present Prince O'Rourke of Russia."

Descendants of these Russian O`Rourke families survive to this day, a recent Russian count being one Igor O'Rourke. Documents regarding their military service can be found in the famed Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Also at the Hermitage is series of portraits of these military leaders, including one of the grand patriarch Joseph K.

Other documents regarding the O'Rourke families of Europe can be found in Vienna and a self-published manuscript about their escapades was compiled in Poland in 1920 by the Bishop of Danzig, Count Eduard O`Rourke

1772-1849

If your surname is O'Rourke or one of its' variants or if you are friends with an O'Rourke, you owe it to yourself to buy this unique book.

Written, researched and edited by Irish-American Stephen Vincent O'Rourke this book is the first history of the family written by one of it's own.Higginson Books of Salem, MA is offering this title on a print-to order book as a softcover or hardcover.