Laura-Henrietta Grosch (abt. 1845)

Born about 1845 in At sea [uncertain]

Wife of Edwin E Lowrie — married about 1865 in Louisiana [uncertain]

Descendants

Died [date unknown] in Louisiana [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jillaine Smith [send private message]

Biography

We know very little about this woman who gave birth to Henrietta Lowrie in 1866. Her daughter's birth record implies that she was married to Edwin Lowrie, but no record of their marriage is found. (It may be in New Orleans Catholic parish records which are neither online nor microfilmed.) She may have been been born at sea per the 1900 census record of her daughter. She either died by 1876 or her husband left her by that time (as he marries someone else that year). In any case, our only direct evidence of her is the 1866 birth record of her daughter. Outside of that record, she appears no where.

Researching her Origins

She is identified with at least three different names on the vital records of her daughter Henrietta Lowrie Albert:

1. New Orleans, Louisiana birth record indicates Henrietta’s mother's maiden name was Laura GROSCH.^[1][2]
2. Wedding record of Henrietta names her mother Henrietta GROCH.^[3]
3. Henrietta's death record calls her "Portense GROSCH;" the informant was Henrietta's husband.^[4]

Family legend refer to her as "Nettie Gooch". Kate (Albert) Bachmann claimed that her maternal great-grandfather (i.e., father of Henrietta) was a Van Grooch, sea captain. But Henrietta, sister of Kate, disagreed (not sure about what-- the name or the occupation?). There are GROSCH and GROCEs in New Orleans in 1850.^[5]

Her birth location is also variedly reported:

• On census records, Henrietta's mother's birth place is listed as "at sea"
• On Henrietta's death certificate, her mother's birth place is listed as "Germany"

There were two GROSCH families (possibly related) in New Orleans area at the time, part of a German emigre group that settled initially in Texas in an intentional community. But removed to Louisiana. NONE of these has a female family member of right age and name to be Henrietta/Laura/Hortense Grosch.

See:

1. Alexander Grosch, b 4 Dec 1845 in New Orleans, Louisiana, son of Alexander Grosch and Eva Marie Zeil^[6]

The Grosches may have belonged to the Catholic church (St. Louis Cathedral?) in French Quarter.

1851 New Orleans city directory:

Groetch William boots & shoes 202 Tchoupitoulas

Grosch Alexander 72 New Levee

1861 New Orleans city directory:

Groetsch B. clothg. New Levee c. Triangle

Grosch Alexander 10 Girod

Grosch D. carpenter St. Charles n. Delord

Grosch George 186 St. Thomas

Grosch Henry acct. 22 Magazine d. 10 Girod

Grosch Philipina, Mrs. dressmaker, Thalia n. Rampart

Golche Wm. ship carpenter Monroe c. Decatur, .

Grotte John W. ship carpt. Alex, Algiers

CENSUS POSSIBILITIES

1860 - New Orleans, ward 1:

Living with Mary Stelanz (35, Hamburg, seamstress) and her daughter Mary (4) is:

Phillipinae Grosch (45, Baden, seamstress) and supposedly her own children:

Caroline (15, Texas)

Auguste (11, Texas)

Frank (17, Baden, printer apprentice)

1860 - New Orleans, ward 2

Daniel Grosch (46, carpenter, Baden) - living by himself apparently

1860 - New Orleans, ward 1

C.A. Gotcher, 40, comm. merchant, France

Eliza, 34, Louisiana

Henrietta, 14, "

George, 11, "

Eliza, 9, "

1860 - New Orleans, ward 7 (image 143):

B. Groushe, 44, m, Baden, Germany

Hina?, 17, f, Strasbourg, Germany

[next page]:

Adam Grousse, 11, m, New Orleans

Catholic Diocese for New Orleans requires addresses of bride for marriages conducted after 1845. Grosch addresses during this time frame include:

Can’t find them in the 1860 census

1861: (city directory)

10 Girod (Alexander, no occupation; Henry, acct.)

St. Charles n. Delord (D., carpenter)

186 St. Thomas (George, no occupation)

Thalia n. Rampart (Mrs. Philipina, dressmaker)

1866 City Directory, New Orleans (including Jefferson)

Grosh, Henry, acct. 93 Magazine, d 30 Girod

Bigot, Theo F. Jr. Magazine n. Toledano Jefferson City

1867:

30 Girod corner of Fulton (Alexander, clothing; Alix Jr., clerk; Henry, acct.)

323 Poydras (Frank, printer)

325 Poydras (Robert, jeweler)

114 Exchange place (G.W. Groetsch)

1870 census:

Examination of the same city directory finds on GROSCH family living in the 12th district, namely Robert Grosch, jeweler, at 42 Laurel. He is married to Dora Grosch, and they have a 1 year old daughter “Nettie.”

Sources

1. ↑ State of Louisiana, Division of Archives, Records Mgt and History, New Orleans, Louisiana Birth Records Index Page: Volume: 40, Page: 374
2. ↑ Birth Record - Henriette Lowrie; digital image of certified true copy from Louisiana Archives (see attached image)
3. ↑ Marriage Record - George Albert & Henrietta Lourie, New Orleans, Louisiana, Book #21, Folio 44
4. ↑ Certificate of Death - Henrietta Lowrie Albert, 5 Feb 1912, Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, 8725, 724, digital image, familysearch.org. (see attached image)
5. ↑ Eleanore Sess Dye Interview (by Jillaine Smith) Date: Summer 1999
6. ↑ New Orleans, Louisiana Birth Records Index, 1790-1899; Volume: 16; Page #: 138