Nicolaus III Gercken (1555 – 1610) was a lawyer from Salzwedel who served as legal counsel of the Cathedral Chapter of Magdeburg.  He and his wife Margaretha had no children. In his will he dedicated his fortune to supporting the academic education of all descendants of his grandfather through a foundation, once his wife passed away. Since 1648 the foundation has used income from leasing agricultural lands to support young family members. The founder’s grandfather had 40 grandchildren. From 1610 until today, more than 8300 family members have been registered in the foundation. German late renaissance humansim. Fidelity and infidelity. Loyalty and treason. War and peace. Destruction and restoration of the foundation. This website tells her fascinating story.