52 Ancestors: Brick Wall

We all have them, right?  You know, brick wall ancestors who don't want to be found.  I have more than a few but the ancestor who haunts me the most is my paternal great grandfather, Herman Levy.  I've connected with some Levy cousins and I'm hoping we can figure it out but for now, he's a mystery.  It could be that he was known as Herman Levi before coming to America but for now, he's staying hidden.

I have so many brick wall ancestors who are staring me in the face but I have no idea who they are or even if they are MY ancestors.  Why, why, why did my grandmother not label these beautiful photos?  Even one might have led to a new discovery but no, nothing.  So I scan them and file them in my "unidentified" folder.

What makes it even more challenging is that my great grandfather, Abraham Gunzendorfer, was a photographer so I can't even be sure that these people were anything more than a subject for Abe.  And while I believe those who are related to me are either Gunzendorfer, Schwartz, or Steen ancestors because they were in the same box as some identified by those names, it's a crap shoot.

So here I'll post some of these unidentified characters in the hope that maybe, just maybe, someone can help me out.

I love seeing photos of children - there is so much promise in their eyes and I can just imagine the lives they had ahead of them.  But who are they?

I think these two might be Gunzendorfer boys since the photographer was J.B. Johnson in Gilroy, California.  The four boys were Gustave (b. 1864), Adolph (b. 1866), Abraham (b. 1869) and Jacob (b. 1871) and the family lived in Gilroy in 1870.  Clearly taken on the same day but who are they?

I don't know - the top could be Gustave and the bottom could be Adolph but for all I know, they don't even belong to me.

And until today I thought this gentleman might be my 2x great grandfather, Louis Schwartz, but now I've noticed that it was also taken by J.B. Johnson in Gilroy - and to my knowledge, Louis never lived in Gilroy.  So maybe it was the father of the two boys.  And maybe, just maybe, it was their father, Ferdinand Gunzendorfer.

It sort of looks like Ferdinand as an older man but maybe it's just because I want it to be him that I think that.

Ferdinand Gunzendorfer

And then there's this cutie.  Since the photographer was in Santa Cruz and my Steen and Schwartz ancestors lived there, it could be one of them.  Joseph Schwartz?  Milton Schwartz?  Colman Schwartz?  All brothers of my great grandmother, Bertha Schwartz.  They were born in 1867, 1878, and 1884 so maybe?

And what about this family?  Who are they?

Taken in San Francisco - that's no help since just about every one of my ancestors lived or worked in San Francisco at some point in their life.  

And these dapper young men could be Milton Harry Schwartz, younger brother of my great grandmother, Bertha Schwartz.  He was born in 1878 and lived in Santa Cruz, Berkeley, and San Francisco so it could be him.  Or not.

Could this also be the same boy?  It's the same Santa Cruz photographer.

I have a photo that I know is him - same guy?

Milton Harry Schwartz

Since it's the same photography studio I vote yes.  But I could be wrong.

And how about this lady?  Who is she?

Or this lady?  Oh boy, she looks stern!

And another stern lady in San Francisco.  Who are you?

I could go on and on and on.  I know so many people would just love to have the photos I have inherited but geez, it boggles my mind to not know who these people are.  Please, will one of you come forward and tell me who you are?

The house built for Louis Schwartz

I last wrote here about the home of my 2nd great grandparents, Ferdinand and Fannie (Goldstein) Gunzendorfer.  What fun it is to see the homes our ancestors lived in and imagine what life was like for them.

So to continue on with the house theme, here is the home of another set of 2nd great grandparents, Louis and Rebecca (Steen) Schwartz. 



The Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture, by John Leighton Chase, described the house in Santa Cruz in about 1970:  “Schwartz lived in the symmetrical clapboarded, story-and-a-half house at 222 Mission Street.  The main feature of the design is a steep central gable, containing a pedimented window inset with carving, and a crisp sawn-wood Gothic bargeboard.  The original portico has been removed.  The front door is similar to that of 207 Mission Street, and there are box cornices above the windows.”

Sounds like the house!  If you look closely at the house above, you can see Louis standing in the front behind the fence.  And I’m fairly certain the girl on the left is my great grandmother, Bertha “Birdie” Schwartz Gunzendorfer. 



Again from The Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture, I also learned a little bit about the two houses next door.  “214 and 218 Mission Street are two clapboarded, storey-and-a-half cottages built for Louis Schwartz in 1867.  They have Chinese-railed porches across the front and sawn-wood brackets in their gables.” 

And look at this, I have pictures of those houses, too!  I believe one or more of the three sons lived in those houses at one time.



And a close up to see Louis and the kids again.



This home had some special moments throughout the years, many of which I know about for certain and some that I can only assume.

In 1872, Birdie was born and since the family was living in the home at that time, I would bet she was born in that home.  Several, if not all, of the other children were also probably born in that home.

In 1880, Louis and Rebecca celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary and just four years later, they held a party celebrating Birdie’s 12th birthday.

By 1888, the house was enlarged when two rooms were added.

Another anniversary party for Louis and Rebecca was held in 1890 – this time for their silver wedding anniversary.

After Louis’ death in 1893, Rebecca lived alone while the youngest children completed high school at Santa Cruz High School.  And a year later, the grand event of the marriage of Birdie Schwartz and Abraham Gunzendorfer was held.  I sure wish there were some photos of that day!

The December 29, 1895 edition of the Santa Cruz Sentinel describes Birdie traveling from Monterey to Santa Cruz to visit her mother.  Since my grandmother, Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer, was born on January 20, 1896  in Santa Cruz, I like to think that Birdie was visiting while she waited for the birth of her first child and that my grandmother was also born in that home.  It seems like it would make sense that Birdie would want her mother to be with her to help.

By 1897, Rebecca had moved to Oakland and the house on Mission Street was rented and later sold. 

Fortunately, the house still stands today.  During a trip to Santa Cruz a few years ago, we were able to take a drive down busy Mission Street and so that I could see it for myself!



My mother was with us and had always remembered that there was a little studio in the back of the house where Birdie did her art work.  I wish I’d had the guts to knock on the door that day.  

Last year I finally got up my courage and sent a letter to the current occupants of the   house - imagine my surprise when an e-mail arrived from them just a few days later!  They told me that the lot had been subdivided into four smaller lots and modern homes had been built on the lots in 1990.  And, sadly, the little art studio was no longer standing.  I shared the photos above and they graciously shared some photos with me of the painting project they had recently completed.

It is so much fun to see where our ancestors lived, especially when the homes are still standing.  I still have a few more to share – stay tuned!

Playful Days

I love seeing my grandmother, Loraine Gunzendorfer, as a young woman with her friends.  They seemed to have so much fun together and went so many places! 

I have no idea where they were in most of these pictures, or even who they are, but it is fun to see them ‘playing’ together.  I especially love looking at their clothes – they sure dressed differently 100 years ago!

Tennis, anyone?  Can you imagine playing tennis dressed like this?  I knew my grandfather played a lot of tennis as a young man (I even rescued a few of his tennis racquets years ago) but until recently I never knew my grandmother played, too.



Looks like this was either before or after the match based on how she’s dressed.  I love how she wore her hair up in this little bun – very stylish!  It looks like she’s pointing at something here but I can’t be sure.



Here’s a couple of her friends starting a pyramid.  I have no idea who they are, though.  Check out those bathing suits!



Thankfully she labeled at least one photo – here’s Earle in a canoe.  I’ve seen him mentioned many times in the scrapbook – he must have been a special friend.



She had this written on the page that included this picture but no other photos had two men in it. 

Gene and Earle in Santa Cruz.  Look as ‘tho they expect to have a good time.

Could that be Gene and Earle walking behind these three lovely ladies?  And who are the ladies?  I would venture to say that is, indeed, Santa Cruz in the background.



Here’s Grandma with her girlfriends.  She’s second from the left but I don’t know who the others are.  I’m pretty sure none of these are her BFF, Hallie Hitchcock.  Wonder where she was that day?



And here’s the whole gang.  I think Hallie might be second from the right and Grandma is on the right holding her hat.  They look like they’re being silly!



And one final shot of Grandma by herself – interesting hat she has on.  She looks very thoughtful!



I'm so glad she saved these photos - just wish I had more information about her friends and the places she went.

Happy birthday, Grandma!

Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer
1896

I’ve learned a lot about my grandmother, Loraine Gunzendorfer, over the past year but I have no idea why she’s posing in a wash basin for this photo!

Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer was born in Santa Cruz on January 20, 1896 in Santa Cruz, California.  And I have this to prove it!



A few years ago I requested her birth certificate from Santa Cruz County and the response was “no record found”.  So between that response and this document, I’m assuming she was born at home and my guess is that her mother, Birdie Schwartz, came home to her mother’s house to give birth.  Which would mean that Birdie and her daughter were born in the same house, the home of her parents, Louis and Rebecca (Steen) Schwartz which was built in about 1870.

Louis Schwartz home
Santa Cruz, California

Louis Schwartz is standing on the grass in the front yard but I’m not sure who the kids in front are.  If you enlarge the photo you can see an adult and a baby peering out of the window on the left!

Loraine grew up in Monterey and I’ve written a lot about her over the last year as I’ve gone through her scrapbook.  I like to think about her being a young girl and what life was like for her over 100 years ago.  This letter gives me a glimpse into what she was like.



San Francisco
Monday, Oct 10, 1905
My dear papa
I am feeling alright to-day except I have a swollen glands but I am allright otherwise brother sends his love to you Papa I herd you shaved off your moustache I think you look funny are you busy in the store in Monterey I am lonesone. for you papa brother says his lonesone for you to we are having a good time here.
Mama is writing to to you.  We are both writing to you papa I am writing any-old thing.
I dont know any more things to tell you.
but I am going to close my letter.
but I have to say good-by.
Your loving daughter
Loraine & Wilton Gunzendorfer

What a sweet letter!  And even sweeter that her father, Abe Gunzendorfer, made a note at the end to “answer this letter”.

I was fortunate to have my grandmother in my life until my late 20’s and it seems like just yesterday that she was here with us.  How can 30 years have passed so quickly?  Here’s some things I remember about her:

She was always dressed very stylish, as evidenced in this picture.  



I remember the last time I saw her she was sitting in her wheelchair at the nursing home dressed in a beautiful silk suit from Saks Fifth Avenue with bright red lipstick fresh on her lips.

Grandma had a lot of sayings that I still think about today.  When she wasn’t particularly impressed with something she’d say “I couldn’t give it much” and if something didn’t work out the way she liked she’d proclaim “that was bunk!”.

Grandma wasn’t the best driver, as I recall, and even as a young child it was a little unnerving to ride in the car with her.  She must have realized she wasn’t a great driver – as she approached an intersection she’d always beep her horn to let others know she was coming through.  Even today if I hear a little beep while a car goes through an intersection I think of Loraine and smile.

Loraine’s mind was sharp as a tack and she loved to hear my oldest daughter, and her only great-grandchild at the time, say her name.  The two of them would be together and she’d say to my 3 year old daughter “who am I?” and she would exclaim “Great Grandma Loraine”.  Grandma would beam and then after a few minutes she’d ask again “who am I?” and the answer would be repeated.  One day my daughter said to me “doesn’t she know her own name?”  Ah, Grandma, you were one of a kind.



Grandma loved to go out to dinner and she was only too happy to pay.  We still laugh at the memory of her telling us to order whatever we like and as we each placed our order she’d immediately look at the menu as she said “where’s that?” so she could check out the price.  And when we’d go to the Country Club with my parents, Dad had to sign for the bill and it would be added to his monthly total.  Of course Grandma wanted to pay so right there in the restaurant she’d get out her checkbook and write Dad a check to reimburse him for the total.  It must have made quite an impact on me because I even took a picture of the event.

Mildred Loraine (Gunzendorfer) Levy
Gordon Levy
approximately 1981

Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer Levy died on my oldest daughter’s 7th birthday, which was Mother’s Day that year, May 8, 1982, in Santa Clara County.  She joined her husband of nearly 50 years in Fresno, their home for their entire married life, at Chapel of the Light.



While I feel so fortunate to have so many of her belongings which helps me learn more about her, I sure wish she were here so we could share in this journey of her life together.

Happy 117th birthday, Grandma!

Speaking of weddings

Look at this - the printing plate for the wedding invitation for my great grandparents, Bertha Schwartz and Abraham Gunzendorfer!

It needs to be cleaned (118 years will do that) but I'm afraid to touch it. 

Mrs. R. Schwartz

invites you to be present

at the marriage of her daughter

Bertha

to

Mr. A.B. Gunzendorfer

Sunday evening September ninth

Eighteen hundred and ninety four

at eight o'clock

at her residence

99 Mission Street

Santa Cruz

California

RSVP

I originally wrote about Bertha and Abe's wedding here.

And then there was this little tidbit.

It's hard to read but it shows Santa Cruz, September 9, 1894.  Subscription:  Free, Gratis, Nix, Nothing.

Under the Editor's Introduction it says:

THE GUN is published daily, except on Sundays, Week Days and Holidays, and is fired on this festive occasion with a right royal salute in honor of the two principals

Bertha (nee Schwartz) and Abe Gunzendorfer

whose union adds lustre to this glorious California day, and which gives our Golden State another reason to make this forever a gala day in its history.  The Editors hope that those who have been so unfortunate as to have been within range and hit by the shots fired from THE GUN are not seriously wounded, and we believe that if they will but consider, they will soon realize that the ammunition used was with the intention of striking, if possible, the bulls-eye of their risibilities, rather than for the purpose of inflicting pain.  To those, however, suffering more than others, we recommend the salve of geniality of our hostess or balm of a bewitching smile from the fair bride.

The last page (of four) is pretty clever.

On the right side there are some 'telegrams' - here are a few:

Pekin, September 9th, 1894
I regret I cannot be with you today. I lost my only little yellow jacket and have nothing else to wear suitable for the Chassne. Seit mir gebenscht Kinder. Li Hung Chang, Viceroy to China                           

Balmoral Castle, September 9th, 1894
My last Great Grandchild has cost me all my Milchding Silver.  I can only send you my blessing.
Pruh, Urvuh
Queen Victoria

St. Petersburg, September 9th, 1894
For this day and your special benefit I cast aside all my Risches and say with the Rabbi Jevorechecho.
Alexander III, Czar of Russia

Washington, September 9th, 1894
We extend to you our best wishes.  We hope you will do your duty to your country as we have always tried to do ours.
Grover and Frances

Someone had quite a sense of humor! 

May I have your autograph?

Remember autograph books?  I remember my kids taking one throughout Disneyland hoping for that perfect "person" to come around so they could get their autograph.  What a thrill to have Ariel or Mickey sign the book!  And then there were yearbooks where we had all of our friends sign and tell us to be cool, have a nice summer and see you next year.

But I never thought about autograph books in the late 19th century.  Of course that would make sense since people didn't have the communication methods we have today but who knew I would actually run across one?  But there it was, in the boxes of things from my mother's storage unit.

It looked pretty beat up and I almost missed it but when I opened it up, I saw this...

And on the next page.....

Yes, this little gem was the autograph book of Bertha "Birdie" Schwartz, my great grandmother.  I've written about Birdie here and here and have found her to be quite an interesting woman. 

So what else was in Birdie's autograph book? 

Did you know there were dudes in 1888?  I was surprised to see the word here on the first page.

I'm a dandy but I'm no dude.
Yours respectfully, Who?

Santa Cruz, Cal.  Jan 12, 1888

Lillian A. Howard was quite an artist.

I wonder if Birdie was a dancer because L. Folk suggested she keepadancing.

There are lots of different autographs, although none as creative as those above.  But nothing, NOTHING compares to this page which was written by Abe Gunzendorfer, Birdie's future husband.  I wonder if this was when they first met as Birdie was just 17 years old when Abe wrote this.

To Bird:

Always remember the pleasant times spent during my sejourn in Santa Cruz.

Yours Respectfully,

Abe Gunzendorfer

Santa Cruz

Aug. 14 - 89

Is that not the sweetest thing ever?

Stay tuned for more treasures around Birdie and Abe's courtship and wedding.

Black Sheep Sunday: Does this look like a nice man?

Fresno Morning Republican
Tuesday, January 13, 1925
Page two

I don't think so.  But he's my 2nd great grandfather, William Warren McAboy.  I've had this photo from William's obituary for about a year.  And every time I've looked at it I thought he must have not been a nice man.  Sadly, I think I'm right.

William was born in DeWitt County, Illinois on December 12, 1842 and was the oldest child of James Robert McAboy and Sarah Mann.  The family seemed to move a bit, from DeWitt County to McLean County and back again, before William mustered into army service in Battery F, Second Regiment of Voluntary Light Artillery in 1861.  At some point I believe he also served in Company F, 4th Cavalry Regiment Illinois.  I think I see another pension record in my future.

William was married to Rebecca Moriah Waller on January 10, 1864 in DeWitt County and life seemed good.  Together they had six children, the youngest of which was my great grandmother, Mabel McAboy (1883-1966).  William was a florist and gardener and in 1881 established a business (cost of $3,000) located in block 21, four blocks south of the Clinton public square.  It had three green houses, each 50 feet in length.  Either $5,000 or 5,000 plants were raised annually (conflicting information), and the business employed three people.

In 1883, one of the greenhouses caught fire.  The Clinton Public Newspaper reported on January 5, 1883:

At two o'clock last Saturday morning Mrs. W. W. McABOY was awakened from a sense of suffocation, and she awakened her husband. The bedroom was full of smoke, and when Mr. McABOY opened the door leading to the office of his green-house he was driven back by the smoke and flames. Mr. McAboy got out in the street and gave the alarm of fire, and then went back and tried to quench the flames. It seemed an age to Mr. McAboy before help came to him, but during the interval he did effective work in fighting the fire. After hard work the flames were subdued, but the wreck of flowers and glass in the green-house was great. One of the green-houses was nearly destroyed and the others were badly damaged. Mr. McAboy estimates his loss at between $400 and $500, and on flowers and seeds about $300. A kind friend went among the business men on Saturday and raised about $100 to help Mr. McAboy repair his losses. The fire caught in a barrel of soot that was in the cellar under the office. It is supposed to be a case of spontaneous combustion.

What a sad time that must have been and William was obviously well respected for his friend to raise $100 to help with his losses. 

But things changed and on September 13, 1889, the Clinton Public Newspaper had the following report:

A Brutal Father.

W. W. McABOY, the proprietor of the nursery, made a brutal assault on his son Emery on Tuesday about noon. The boy came uptown in the forenoon and went to see the game of baseball, and on his return home he had a racket with his father. McAboy threw some tomatoes at the boy and then picked up a chair and struck him on the head, cutting a bad gash. Mrs. McABOY was sick in bed and hearing the racket she screamed and fainted. The boy ran to his mother at once and seeing her condition he started out to get a doctor. As the boy was going out of the door, McAboy threw a tumbler at him, which struck him on the arm and cut an artery. The boy went over for Dr. HYDE to go and see his mother, and not finding him at home he came uptown for Dr. WILCOX. By the time he reached the square he was faint from loss of blood, and the consequences might have been dangerous had his wounds not been bound up at once. From his home up to the square he could be tracked by the blood spots on the sidewalk. Marshal MOFFET saw the boy and as soon as he learned the cause of his wounds he went to McAboy’s house and arrested him. McAboy not being ready for trial, his case was postponed till next Tuesday. The boy Emery is very industrious and attentive to his father’s business, working day and night. He is a perfect young gentleman and he has the sympathy of everybody. He is yet nursing his wounds, carrying his arm in a sling and his head is bandaged. For such a brutal assault on his own boy McAboy should be made to suffer the full penalty of the law to teach him a lesson. A fine would be no punishment as he is well able to pay it.


Uh-oh, looks like I was right and William wasn't a nice man after all.  Young Emery was 19 years old and his father assaulted him, over and over again with tomatoes, a chair, and a tumbler.  In the court papers I was able to obtain while in DeWitt County, the records show he was charged with "assault with a deadly weapon" and "the sheriff will hold the defendant to bail in the sum of one hundred dollars".  I cannot determine the outcome of the proceedings but I do see that not only was James "Emery" commanded to appear as a witness, but also his sister, Lilly.  Can you imagine the horror of witnessing your father assault your younger brother?

Things didn't get much better for William and Rebecca.  On January 10, 1890 the Clinton Public Newspaper reported that "W.W. McAboy left for California this week.  He has left his family in almost destitute circumstances.  Mrs. McAboy has been confined to her bed for several months, which is almost unendurable for her to bear.  The family has the sympathy of the community".  And then on March 7, 1890 "W.B. McAboy has returned from California.  He does not think that the land of climate is a perfect paradise, though a man might live there if there was not such a State of Illinois".   Now I'm not sure that the W.B. McAboy referenced on March 7 was really W.W. McAboy but I'm going to assume that it was because I know that William and Rebecca did end up in Fresno, California.  I like to think that William arrived in Fresno and realized he couldn't go on without his family and, thus, returned in March for them.  And in my positive world I believe they found a fresh start and lived happily in California.  But then I always like to see the positive in things.

William died in Santa Cruz on January 12, 1925 while living there with Rebecca.  What were they doing in Santa Cruz?  Was his health poor and he was hopeful that the cool ocean breeze would be a better climate than the heat of Fresno?  After his death, his body was brought back to Fresno for burial and, apparently, Rebecca remained there until her death almost 4 years later.  William's memorial. 

So while it seems that my gut was right in thinking William wasn't a nice man, he was still my 2nd great grandfather and another piece to my puzzle.  And we have to take the good with the bad.

Rebecca Steen

Rebecca Steen Schwartz

I should carry on in some organized fashion by staying with the 'Rebecca' theme and getting back to my paternal California ancestors by focusing on Rebecca Steen.  I want so badly to believe that the photo above is Rebecca but I will admit that I'm not 100% sure that it is.  I found this photo in some belongings given to my dad that Rebecca's grandson had when he passed away in 1989.  Wilton Gunzendorfer was my dad's uncle and since he had no children of his own, my dad and his brother were the only 'family' he had once his sister died. 

Last year my sister found some things tucked away at my mom's home and sent them to me (thank you, sis!).  In the envelope was a wallet with Wilton's card in it and a few itsy bitsy photos.  I could identify all but one of the photos - there was my dad and his brother when they were young boys/men, Wilton's parents (Bertha and Abe Gunzendorfer), Bertha's father (Louis), and this unidentified woman.  So my best guess is that this is Rebecca Steen, wife of Louis Schwartz and my great great grandmother.  I will, however, admit I've made a mistake if I find something in the stash of old photos at my mom's house that proves otherwise.

Rebecca was the daughter of Joseph Steen and Hannah Plotzky.  She was born February 8, 1848 (whoa, I just realized that my other 2nd great grandmother, Rebecca Waller, was born on February 7) in Poland.  The first record I found for Rebecca was in Liverpool in March, 1851 where she shows up on the census as Rebecca STAIN with her parents Joseph, Anna (Hannah), and a 6 month old sibling, Dina (a female born in Liverpool).

Since the next record I found was arrival in New York from Liverpool in 1851, I'm guessing they were just temporarily in Liverpool while they waited to make their way to America.  I found a passenger list with arrival October 15, 1851 and it shows Joseph, Hannah, Emily Stam (or Stein, hard to read) with Joseph and Hannah's ages correct.  I'm not sure who Emily might be, though.  And with them are Robina (age 2, which would be about right for Rebecca) and a son Denis (age 9 months).  I'm guessing this is them but there's still a few questions, although the 1910 census shows that Rebecca did arrive in 1851.

After arrival in New York another child, Samuel, was born in 1855 and then the family must have moved to California as the next child, Meyer, was born in about 1856 in California.  The 1860 census shows them in Santa Cruz, next door to Louis Schwartz, Rebecca's future husband (and my 2nd great grandfather).

The 1910 census shows that Rebecca had 8 children, 4 of whom were living in 1910.  I can account for those alive in 1910 but have only found mention of two other children.  So I'll have to keep my eyes and ears peeled for two more children.  Maybe Dina or Denis is one of those?

I don't know too many details about Rebecca's life as Mrs. Schwartz but I know they lived together in Santa Cruz until shortly before Louis' death in 1893 (more on Louis in a future post - he was quite a guy).  The balance of her life was spent in Oakland where she lived with either her brother, Samuel, or one of her children until her death on January 7, 1918.  Rebecca's Memorial

Wait - the story doesn't end there.  I did find another jewel in the package my sister sent to me!  In the package was this little book.

Since this was with my great uncle's things and I know nothing about fraternal organizations, I assumed this was from some organization he'd been a member of.  Hmm, I thought, must have been Eastern Star based on the ES on the front.  

So after a few days, I finally opened the book and found a paper folded up inside.  I took it to work to show my genealogy pal and when I opened it up (expecting it to say Wilton Gunzendorfer on it), I found something else altogether. 

Tune in next time to see what I found!

Bertha Schwartz

Bertha Schwartz Gunzendorfer
date unknown

There is so much to say about Bertha Schwartz that I'll have to put it in two posts.  Let's start at the beginning.

Bertha, or Birdie as her friends and family lovingly called her, was born in January, 1872 (exact date unknown) in California.  Her parents, Louis Schwartz and Rebecca Steen Schwartz, lived in Santa Cruz prior to and after her birth so my best guess is that she was born there.  In fact, Louis had a home built at 222 Mission Street in 1867 so Bertha may have entered the world in this home.  She was the third of six children and it appears she was the only daughter to live into adulthood. 

222 Mission Street, Santa Cruz
Photo by Eugene Zelenko

I'd love to know more about Birdie's early years but I do know that she graduated from high school in June, 1890.  I know this because I am the proud owner of her bracelet which is engraved with the inscription B S Graduated June, 1890.  Birdie passed this bracelet on to her daugher (my grandmother Loraine) and when Loraine died, it was passed on to me.  What a treasure!  I remember receiving the bracelet in 1982 and thinking about the young girl who received it as a gift almost 100 years before.  And here it is!  (not a great picture but you get the idea). 

My mother recalls that Birdie was an artist of some kind because at the back of the home on Mission Street was a small studio that Louis built for her to use.  The house still stands today - next time I'm anywhere near Santa Cruz I'm going to try to get to that house and if I'm brave, I'll even knock on the door!

Bertha and Abe Gunzendorfer were married on September 9, 1894 at the home on Mission Street.  The San Francisco Chronicle described it as "one of the prettiest weddings of the season" and went on to say

"The residence and adjacent grounds were bedecked with Chinese lanterns and myriads of incandescent lights, which shone beautifully among clusters of flowers and palms.  The nuptial knot was tied beneath a huge floral bell, which was suspended from the alcove of the parlors, the decorations of which were potted palms ferns and floral pieces, intermingled with numerous bulbs of electric lights, which cast a softening glow upon the bridal party, whose silken robes of white formed a pleasing contrast to the bright-hued decorations." 

The procession was led by Birdie's "small" niece and nephew and the bridesmaids were Dena, Bella, and Jennie Steen, sister and cousins of her mother.  The newspaper described the bride as "a stately and  handsome brunette who appeared lovely in a court gown of white faille silk and ornaments of diamonds, gifts from the groom".  Someday I'd love to stumble upon a photo of this beautiful bride.

Note:  Dena Steen, Birdie's aunt, died less than one month later on October 2, 1894 in San Francisco.  I have been unsuccessful in locating any death records, other than the obituary from the San Francisco Chronicle, since most San Francisco vital records were destroyed in the earthquake/fire.  It saddens me to think that this 28 year old woman participated in such a beautiful wedding and just a few weeks later was gone.  I wonder what happened.  If anyone has any suggestions on locating records, I'd love your suggestions.

Birdie and Abe honeymooned in Southern California and Mexico for four weeks and then settled in Monterey.  Once in Monterey, Birdie joined the rest of the Gunzendorfers as one of the prominent citizens of the town.  When I contacted the Monterey County Historical Society, the gentleman knew instantly of the Gunzendorfer family and was happy to share material with me.  The photo below is of Birdie and Abe, date unknown, in the front seat of the buggy.




Courtesy of Montery County Historical Society



 Birdie and Abe were the proud parents of my grandmother, Mildred Loraine, and her brother, Wilton.  I just love all old family photos but one of my absolute favorites is this photo of Birdie and Loraine which was taken some time in 1896.

Birdie & Loraine

During her residence in Monterey, Birdie was a popular member of the community.  She was active in many clubs including the Monterey Civic Club as a charter member, Monday Afternoon Club, Native Daughters and the Pythian Sisters.

Next up - Murder on the Orient Express.