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Berthe Ida Girola, called "Berthy," was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland on October 25, 1902. Her father, Natale Girola, owned a stone quarry in Hauterieve, a village in western Switzerland.
Berthe Ida Girola, called "Berthy," was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland on October 25, 1902. Her father, Natale Girola, owned a stone quarry in Hauterieve, a village in western Switzerland.
At age 24, Berthy emigrated to the United States to work as a governess and French tutor for young Mary Bradley, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Bradley of Rosemont Farm in Rockville, Maryland.
At age 24, Berthy emigrated to the United States to work as a governess and French tutor for young Mary Bradley, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Bradley of Rosemont Farm in Rockville, Maryland.
Pictured above: the Girola family in 1916
Below:
1 - Berthy in Hauterieve at age 13
2 - Natale Girola's business stationery, used to send a letter to his daughter in 1932 (All images from the Anderson Family collection, Montgomery History)
Pictured:
1 - Berthy and Tom on their wedding day, February 23, 1929
2 - Certificate of Citizenship granted to Berthe Girola Anderson in 1930
Shortly after Berthy's arrival as their au pair, the Bradley family suffered the loss of their patriarch, Joe Bradley. However, she remained at her post, teaching young Mary and assisting Mrs. Bradley for the next few years.
Shortly after Berthy's arrival as their au pair, the Bradley family suffered the loss of their patriarch, Joe Bradley. However, she remained at her post, teaching young Mary and assisting Mrs. Bradley for the next few years.
Eventually she was introduced to a lawyer named Thomas Anderson, who visited the Bradley home socially. The two fell in love. Tom Anderson and Berthy Girola were married in 1929, and Berthy applied for her U.S. citizenship the following year.
Eventually she was introduced to a lawyer named Thomas Anderson, who visited the Bradley home socially. The two fell in love. Tom Anderson and Berthy Girola were married in 1929, and Berthy applied for her U.S. citizenship the following year.
Berthy moved into Thomas Anderson's Victorian home on West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville where Tom could walk to his work at the courthouse. They soon had two sons: Thomas Anderson, Jr. in 1930 (named for his father) and a few years later, George Minor Anderson, Jr. (named for his grandfather). In addition to raising her sons and maintaining the household, Berthy spent her time volunteering for various clubs and charitable organizations. She was an active member of the Montgomery County Historical Society (whose headquarters were across the street from her house), a member of the Gray Ladies, and a member of the Ladies Board for Montgomery General Hospital. She and her husband attended Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville.
Berthy moved into Thomas Anderson's Victorian home on West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville where Tom could walk to his work at the courthouse. They soon had two sons: Thomas Anderson, Jr. in 1930 (named for his father) and a few years later, George Minor Anderson, Jr. (named for his grandfather). In addition to raising her sons and maintaining the household, Berthy spent her time volunteering for various clubs and charitable organizations. She was an active member of the Montgomery County Historical Society (whose headquarters were across the street from her house), a member of the Gray Ladies, and a member of the Ladies Board for Montgomery General Hospital. She and her husband attended Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville.
Pictured:
1 - The Anderson home at 39 W. Montgomery Ave., as it appeared in the 1930s
2 - Berthy Anderson, wife of lawyer Thomas M. Anderson, 1931
The Anderson Family Collection, housed in Montgomery History's Jane C. Sween Research Library and Special Collections, contains a recipe book kept by Berthy throughout her adult life. The handwritten recipes and clippings reveal her progression from a young Swiss governess to an American wife and homemaker.
The Anderson Family Collection, housed in Montgomery History's Jane C. Sween Research Library and Special Collections, contains a recipe book kept by Berthy throughout her adult life. The handwritten recipes and clippings reveal her progression from a young Swiss governess to an American wife and homemaker.
In 1954, Berthy's husband was appointed by Governor Thomas McKeldin to the Montgomery County Circuit Court Bench, and two years later won the election to serve a 15-year term. In 1967 he was appointed and later elected to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, where he served until his retirement in 1972. Tom and Berthy's son Tom Anderson also entered politics, serving in the Maryland House of Delegates and the State Senate; their son George was ordained as a Jesuit priest, assigned to St. Aloysius parish in Washington, D.C.
In 1954, Berthy's husband was appointed by Governor Thomas McKeldin to the Montgomery County Circuit Court Bench, and two years later won the election to serve a 15-year term. In 1967 he was appointed and later elected to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, where he served until his retirement in 1972. Tom and Berthy's son Tom Anderson also entered politics, serving in the Maryland House of Delegates and the State Senate; their son George was ordained as a Jesuit priest, assigned to St. Aloysius parish in Washington, D.C.
Berthy Girola Anderson lived in Rockville for the rest of her life, though she returned to Switzerland several times to visit her family. She kept correspondence with her parents and siblings for decades, all in French and preserved as part of the Anderson Family collection later donated to Montgomery History by her son George.
Berthy Girola Anderson lived in Rockville for the rest of her life, though she returned to Switzerland several times to visit her family. She kept correspondence with her parents and siblings for decades, all in French and preserved as part of the Anderson Family collection later donated to Montgomery History by her son George.
Berthy died of a stroke in November1980. Her husband of more than 50 years soon followed her, dying only two months later in January 1981.
Berthy died of a stroke in November1980. Her husband of more than 50 years soon followed her, dying only two months later in January 1981.
Pictured:
1 - Berthy G. and Thomas M. Anderson in their Rockville home, c.1955
2 - The Anderson family plot in Rockville Cemetery
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