Bertha and Minna Ramseyer
My grandmother's aunts are two ancestors who I have great interest in. Minna Louise Ramseyer was born on February 3, 1861 and Bertha Ramseyer was born on June 26, 1865—both in Boston, MA. Their parents were Frederick Ramseyer, from Switzerland and Elizabeth (Haberstroh) Ramseyer, from France.
The first thing I think about in reference to my great-great aunts is "Aunt Bertha's Quick Cake," a family recipe that has been passed down through generations. I don't know if it's actually Bertha's own recipe, but that's what we call the cake recipe regardless. My Uncle Bill baked my Aunt Kristina this cake when they first began dating—Kris even wrote about it in The Concord Journal.
"This is a recipe of love in our family."
Kristina Joyce
I imagine Bertha did not begin making this infamous cake until later on in her life, as she seemed to be a very busy woman! At age 19, Minna was working for a dressmaker and later became a dressmaker herself. One census record has Bertha working as a bookkeeper. I am guessing that Minna made the dresses and Bertha kept the books, but I would like to find out more about their business.
I am always curious to where my ancestors lived, especially since they are Boston natives. According to an 1880 census, they lived with their parents and two brothers at 218 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. Years later, a 1900 census has her living at 18 Wyman Street in Jamaica Plain, MA.
On Saturday, Jan 18, 1908 The Boston Globe has Minna and Henrietta Ramseyer purchasing land on Lochstead Avenue in Jamaica Plain, MA. By 1910, Bertha and Minna were living at 61 Lochstead Avenue and their brother Charles T. Ramseyer and his wife Henrietta were living next door at 55 Lochstead Ave. The Ramseyer family had two houses built side-by-side with a shared garage in between the two houses. Back then, Jamaica Plain was part of West Roxbury. I do think it is interesting that the land was in Henrietta's name instead of her husband's.
Bertha lived at this address until May, 1922, when the house was sold and she moved to Hotel Hemenway.
After her sister Minna died, Bertha was living at Hotel Charlesgate East, according to a 1940 census. As reported by "What When How, this hotel is the most haunted location in Boston!
At the end of her life, Bertha Ramseyer was living at Hotel Braemore in Boston.
I am fascinated by my Aunts Bertha and Minna. They were successful single women who invested wisely and traveled extensively. I found some records of their travels together online. I also found a batch of postcards along with Minna's passport.
1921 Traveled on the ship S.S. Rochambeau from LeHavre, France on September 15, 1921, arriving in New York on September 24, 1921.
1923 Traveled on the ship S.S. Veendam from Rotterdam, South Holland on September 5, 1923, arriving in New York on September 15, 1923.
1925 Traveled on the ship S.S. Orbita from Southampton, England on August 22, 1925, arriving in New York
1927 Traveled on the ship S.S. Scythia from Liverpool, England on August 25, 1927, arriving in Boston on September 2, 1927.
1929 Traveled on the ship George Washington from Plymouth, England on May 1929, arriving in New York.
1929 Traveled on the ship S.S. George Washington from Cherbourg France on August 8, 1929, arriving in New York on August 16, 1929.
1931 Traveled on the ship M.S. Lafayette from LeHavre, France on July 3, 1931, arriving in New York on July 23, 1931.
My great-great aunts were also musically inclined, performing in various shows in Boston. One great write-up in The Boston Globe on Friday, March 29, 1901 even has an illustration of Minna! She was "Queen of the Moon" and described as a stately Queen. The comedy was put on by the Boylston Schul-Verein club in Boston. According the Jamaica Plain Historical Society, the club's original name was The Independent German Club of West Roxbury and was located at 45 Danforth Street, Jamaica Plain. I contacted the club (which is now located in Walpole) to see if they had any photos, but there are no records because the previous building was sadly destroyed in a fire in the 1980's.
They were involved with various types of fundraisers, benefitting such places as the Faulkner Hospital and the Neighborhood House. One article describes Bertha Ramseyer as a soprano.
The Ramseyer family was written about in the 1910 book Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts. Here is a section that focuses on Minna (Minnie) Ramseyer.
This book talks about how Minna frequently traveled to Switzerland, where her father was born. Below are some photos from her travels there. In the last photo, Minna is holding rope in her hand—I guess she really did go mountain climbing!
Career-oriented, smart with their money, homeowners, talented, and adventurous! My great-great aunts Bertha and Minna sound so extraordinary—I would love to know more about them.
Apparently, my great-great aunt Bertha was a poet! I found these poems that seem to have been written by her. (click to enlarge)
My grandmother's habit of saving things and writing names on the backs of some photos has helped me with my family research. I even have the death certificates for both Minna and Bertha. Minna L. Ramseyer died on December 15, 1939 at the age of 78 year, 10 months, and 12 days. Her place of residence at the time of her death was 535 Beacon Street, Boston, MA. The cause of death was lymphocytic leukemia, hypochromic anemia, and pyelonephritis (kidney infection). Bertha Ramseyer died on March 26, 1954 at the age of 88 years, 9 months. Her place of residence was Hotel Braemore, 464 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA. The cause of death was carcinoma of colon with metastases. Both sisters are buried at Forest Hills Cemetery, a beautiful garden cemetery located in Boston.
Without knowing Minna and Bertha personally, I can say based on what I've learned—they really enjoyed life—another reminder for me to do the same.
Update on 2/19/2021 With further research, I found another article that really makes me want to know my two great aunts. "The young women prepared and presented them with no assistance from the male members." You go, girls!!
