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Gerwitz Family Tree

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This group is for anyone who is researching the Gerwitz family from Onsbach, Baden, Germany. Currently there are branches in Germany and the U.S.

Members: 5
Latest Activity: Jul 10, 2012

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Barbara Magdalena (Lena) died as a result of a fire in her cousin's bakery and hotel.

Buffalo Evening Republic - Friday Evening, July 11, 1884: Fourth Edition, Five O'Clock

BURNED ALIVE - A Fire in Bradford in which Four People Perish - Special Dispatch to the Republic.

Bradford, PA - July 11

The shrill tones of a fire alarm aroused the city at 2 o'clock this morning and the fire department and a crowd of citizens hurried to the source of the lurid glare on Washington Street. Flames and a volume of black smoke were seen pouring out the second story windows of Mrs. Chas Riebly's bakery and hotel. Two or three men stood in the windows shouting. One was heard to distinctly call above the roar of the flames "Help! Help! For God sake. A woman and some children are burning up!" Then female shrieks were heard fromwithin the burning building. The effect on the crowd was startling. A rush was made for a ladder and though the house was all aflame it was reared and two fireman mounted it. One of the men reached into a window and tugged at something several times. At length after much labor he pulled out the limp and almost nude form of a woman. The woman was lowered to the ground and restoratives were applied. By this time the house was a red hot mass, and though it was known that other persons were in the building it was plain they were past all help. They soon perished. They were Mrs. Riebly, the owner of the house and two children aged two and six years and a servant girl. Meanwhile the fire had spread and consumed seven buildings near by and an old derrick.

Patrick Mulqueen an eye witness said "I was standing in front of Cross' store eating some fruit when I heard somebody cry fire and saw flames shooting out of the windows of the Riebly place. It was blazing at an awful rate. Men in their night clothing jumped out of the windows and shrieks were heard from the upper story. Two women in their night dresses appeared at the window crying for help. I stretched out my arms and told them to jump. One threw up her arms and plunged out head first. She slipped through my arms and struck the ground but I broke her fall and do not think she was hurt much. The other woman fell out head first and there was no one to catch her, she must have hurt herself badly. I heard some one say that Mrs. Riebly, her two children, and a servant girl were still in the building. The fire was going at an awful rate and the screaming of the woman was heart-rending. We searched for a ladder as there was no such thing as attempting to go up stairs, but we were unable to find one. May I never see such an awful sight again." The loss is $15,000; the insurance partial.

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gerwitz.com

Started by Hans Gerwitz. Last reply by sharon lee Atkins Denzien Jun 13, 2012. 2 Replies 0 Likes

(It's exciting to find some active members!)If anyone wants a "first name@gerwitz.com" email address, let me know.I've also been using that domain to consolidate the records I've found, which Ellen's…Continue

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Comment by Ellen Gerwitz on March 2, 2012 at 12:41pm: I've added three photo albums of Gerwitz family photos. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions. :-)

Comment by Ellen Gerwitz on March 2, 2012 at 11:15am: MrsRiebly%2C%20daughter%20of%20Lorenz%2C%20Dies%20In%20Fire.doc

Daughter of Lorenz Gerwitz

Comment by Ellen Gerwitz on March 2, 2012 at 11:13am: http://www.genealogywise.com/photo/albums/gerwitz-family-photos

Comment by Ellen Gerwitz on March 2, 2012 at 10:27am: Okay, I have a break from work now. First of all, I sent you a friend request on FB. Second, you do have a lot of stuff!

I have a complete copy of the history by Amelia Werner in 1961. Thanks.

I've seen the photo of Lorenz in 1900 taken by Edward. I also have pictures of Edward and his wife Katherine.

I've never seen the photo of Edie.

Thanks for the death notice of Gerhard. I have copies of the photos of Gerhard and Sophia.

I have Gerhard's complete Civil War pension packet. It had lots of great info in it!

I believe I had the record of Gerhard's immigration on the ship Advance.

I have a ton of stuff, but not all of it is digitized. I have the rest of the afternoon off, so I'll see what I can do. We'll be leaving on a week long vacation next Tuesday, so it will be quiet for a while.

By the way, I see that you are a fellow believer! Both my husband and I are also born-again Christians. In fact, he is the pastor of a small church here in Rochester, NY. How cool is the fact that not only are we related through family, but also through Jesus?! :-)

Comment by Ellen Gerwitz on March 2, 2012 at 9:45am: Blain,

Thanks. I have some of these documents. I'll add the ones I don't have.

It does bring up a few questions though.

1) If Lorenz and Scholastica were both from Germany and eloped, why is he the only one on the passenger list?

2) Where was the crest acquired? Do you have any documentation authenticating it?

Ellen

Comment by Blain James Mercer on March 2, 2012 at 9:06am: Lorenz Gerwitz New York Passenger List 5 May 1848 Ship Mortimer Liv...

Lorenz Gerwitz written byAmelia (Emma) Mahl Werner Sep 1961 page 1

Lorenz Gerwitz New York Passenger Lists 1820-1957

Lorenz Gerwitz Transcript Of Death

Lorenz Gerwitz @ 1900 taken by Edward Gerwitz Gerwitz,,Edie (Hammer) daughter of Lorenz & Scholastica

Gerwitz, Gerhardt Death Notice Gerwitz,Gerhardt.jpg

Schumacher,Maria Sophia wife of Gerhardt Gerwitz.jpg

Gerwitz,Gerhardt Civil War Pension Files, 1861-1934

Gerwitz, Gerhardt Passenger List

Naturalization Certificate of Lorenz Gerwitz.jpg

Gerwitz family crest.jpg

I hope these may be of interest and some new to you. I have many more photos and documents of other Gerwitz family members. Just let me know whom you would be interested in

Comment by Ellen Gerwitz on March 1, 2012 at 10:10am: Check out this legend from German fairy tales - http://www.uncommon-travel-germany.com/rosstrappe.html

Comment by Ellen Gerwitz on March 1, 2012 at 9:06am: Love the photo of Lorenz on his porch. Never seen it before!

And I really like the other one - never seen that either.

Comment by Blain James Mercer on March 1, 2012 at 8:19am: Headstone Lorenz Gerwitz St. Johns WV, NY Lorenz Gerwitz on porch of his cabin West Valley Catt NY Lorenz Gerwitz

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