Picard Family Genealogy & History

Jean-Luc Picard is a renowned fictional character in the Star Trek franchise, famously portrayed by Patrick Stewart. As the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), Picard has been a central figure in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and several feature films, including Star Trek: Generations and Star Trek: First Contact. Stewart's Shakespearean background and powerful voice brought depth to Picard, making him a beloved figure among science fiction fans. The character's influence extends beyond the screen, with Stewart noting how Picard has even impacted his own listening skills.

Irving H. Picard is a prominent lawyer and partner at BakerHostetler, renowned for his role as the trustee in the Bernie Madoff investment scandal. Appointed by U.S. District Judge Lawrence McKenna in 2008, Picard has successfully led the recovery of over $13 billion from the Madoff scheme. His strategic efforts in liquidating Madoff's firm and pursuing profits from investors, spouses, and estates have resulted in an extraordinary recovery rate of 76 percent of approved claims. His work includes a landmark $7.2 billion settlement with the estate of Jeffry Picower, marking the largest civil forfeiture in U.S. history.

Irving Picard was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Jewish parents Julius Picard and Claire Dreyfuss, who immigrated from Nazi Germany in 1938. His father, Julius, was a doctor born in Lauterbourg, France, while his mother, Claire, hailed from Kaiserslautern, Germany. Tragically, Picard's uncle, Moritz Cahn, a lawyer in Frankfurt/Main, committed suicide with his wife in 1941 to evade the concentration camps. This family history underscores the resilience and strength that have shaped Picard's own life and career.

Rosalind Wright Picard, born in 1962, is a renowned American scholar and inventor, holding the position of Grover M. Hermann Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at MIT. She is celebrated for pioneering the field of affective computing with her 1997 book, a cornerstone in understanding the integration of emotion in artificial intelligence. Picard is the founder and director of the Affective Computing Research Group at MIT Media Lab and co-founded the influential startups Affectiva and Empatica. Her accolades include election to the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors, as well as the prestigious International Lombardy Prize for Computer Science Research.

The disappearance of Pauline Picard, a toddler from Saint-Rivoal, Brittany, in 1922, remains a mysterious case that captivated France. After vanishing from her family farm, a girl resembling Pauline was found in Cherbourg. Despite initial identification by her parents, doubts arose due to her mutism and inability to understand Breton. The discovery of a mutilated body near the farm, identified as Pauline's, added to the intrigue, sparking debate about her true identity and the circumstances of her disappearance.

Pauline Picard was born around 1919/1920, living on a family farm in Goas-al-Ludu, Brittany. The Picard family included her father François, mother Marianne, and eight siblings, all of whom, except François, spoke Breton, highlighting their deep regional roots.