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Grunsky Family Papers
BANC MSS C-B 557  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
The Grunsky Family Papers consist of correspondence, documents, diaries, notebooks, and professional papers. Correspondence from German immigrant Charles (Carl) Grunsky and his first wife, Clotilde Camerer, describes California during and after the gold rush to family in Germany (written in German). Correspondence continues with Charles' children, Carl Ewald, Charlotte (Lottie), Otto, and Anna as well as Carl Ewald's wife Martha Kate Powers, her father Aaron Powers, and their children Eugene Lucius and Clotilde. The materials include descriptions of family life, the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and World War I Germany. Also documented is Carl Ewald Grunsky's professional life as an engineer in California, serving as San Francisco City Engineer and on the Isthmian Canal Commission (Panama Canal). The materials provide an overview of a successful California family from the gold rush to the mid-twentieth century.
Background
1823 Charles (Carl) Albert Leopold Grunsky born, Maichingen, Germany (d. 1891) 1844 Charles Grunsky immigrates to America 1849 Charles Grunsky moves to California 1852 Charles Grunsky marries Clotilde Camerer (1830-1864) 1853 Charlotte (Lottie) Fredricka born (d. 1920) 1855 Carl Ewald born (d. 1934) 1857 Otto Maximilian born (d. 1922) 1866 Charles Grunsky's second marriage, to Fredrika (Charlotte Louise) Camerer (1838-1874) 1876 Charles Grunsky's third marriage, to Anna Marie Follert Wurster (1836-1903) 1879 Anna Pauline born (d. 1935) to Charles and Anna Marie Grunsky 1883 Carl Ewald Grunsky marries Martha Kate Powers (1858-1921) 1886 Eugene Lucius born (d.1946) to Carl Ewald and Martha Kate Grunsky 1891 Clotilde born (d. 1994) to Carl Ewald and Martha Kate Grunsky Note: This limited family chronology lists only family members included in the collection. For additional genealogical materials, see Series 3.7, Clotilde Grunsky Taylor. Charles (Carl) Grunsky left Wurttenberg, Germany in 1844 to immigrate to America. Dissatisfied with his prospects in Saint Louis and Alabama, he came west to California in 1849. After a brief experience in the mines, Charles established a successful transport business in Copperopolis. Charles went home to Wurttenberg in 1852, returning to California with his bride, Clotilde Camerer Grunsky. The Grunsky family settled on a ranch near Stockton. Clotilde Grunsky had seven children from 1853-1863. After Clotilde's death in 1864, Charles married Frederika (Charlotte Louise) Camerer in 1866. Fredricka had three children before her death in 1874. Charles married a third time, to Anna Marie Follert Wurster in 1876. Anna had the last of Charles' eleven children. Charles died in 1891.
Extent
8.5 linear feet (8 boxes, 4 Cartons, 4 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder)
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
Collection is open for research.