The Bride Wore Gray

image courtesy The Graphics Fairy

When my daughter became engaged to her husband, I started researching his family line. What else is a good mother-in-law supposed to do? Lucky for me Lucas is very interested in genealogy, so this did not present a problem. It is rather nice to have someone in the family, who will talk about family trees and obituaries.

Marriage announcement, James S. Fraley & Cecilia G. Kreymborg

The Baltimore Sun Newspaper - June 08, 1910

Newspapers.com [1]

While researching, I discovered this wedding announcement for his 2nd great-grand aunt, Cecilia G. Kreymborg (daughter of Anthony Kreymorg and Anna M. Wissel). 

Cecilia wore a gray wedding gown and "picturesque" black hat. Further into the announcement, we learn the reason for this unusual wedding attire. The article tells us that both families are in mourning.

Heading back to my Ancestry database, I searched for relatives who passed away close to the date of Cecilia's marriage. That is when we discover a sad story, surrounding the couple.

Obituary, Anthony Kreymorg, 7/14/1909 The Baltimore Sun Newspapers.com [2]

Here we have the funeral announcement for Anthony Kreymborg, father of the bride. Anthony passed away July 10, 1909. Sadly, her father will not be there, to walk Cecilia down the aisle. 

Anna M. Kreymborg b. 03/16/1858-d. 03/06/1910 Holy Redeemer Cemetery Baltimore, MD. [3]

Once again, tragedy strikes our bride. Her mother, Anna Wissel Kreymborg, dies several months before the wedding. As Cecilia sees to final wedding details, she is planning the funeral of a beloved parent. The bride has become an orphan, just weeks before her marriage.

Obituary ~ Sarah E. Fraley ~ Baltimore Sun 05/13/1910 Newspapers.com [4]

 

Our couple encounters additional loss, weeks before the marriage. Here we have the obituary for mother of the groom, Sarah E. Fraley. 

Such sadness surrounding the combined families. Loss of three parents, as the couple planned for this happiest of days. 

If not for the engagement announcement, we may never have put this story together. The stories are what connects us to the past.

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Sources 

[1] "Fraley-Kreymborg", The Baltimore Sun Newspaper, 08 Jun 1910, Wed, p.8, col. 1; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://newspapers.com : accessed 20 Nov 2020)

[2] "Anthony Kreymborg", The Baltimore Sun Newspaper, 14 Jul 1909, Wed, p.7, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://newspapers.com : accessed 20 Nov 2020)

[3]  Find A Grave, database and images (https://findagrave.com : accessed 20 November, 2020), memorial page for Anna M. Kreymborg (16 Mar 1858-Mar 1910), Find A Grave Memorial no. 95925099, citing Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA; Maintained by Deborah R. (contributor 47066664)

[4] "Fraley", The Baltimore Sun Newspaper, 13 May 1910, Fri, p.6, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://newspapers.com : accessed 20 Nov 2020)