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Gross, Dorothy Bercu, 1917-2015

 Person

Biography

Naomi Dorothea (Dorothy) Bercu was born June 14, 1917 in Douglas, Wyoming. Her father George Bercu owned the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas and in Denver. He married Olive Mistachkin and the couple became parents of Dorothy (1917-2015), Harryette (1918), Robert (1919), Bernard (1921), and Berverly (1935). From 1925-1928, Dorothy and Harryette danced on the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit around the west. They were later joined by Bob and Bernard and the whole troupe performed from New York City to Juarez, Mexico. The sisters also danced from 1936 to 1939. Dorothy attended the University of Utah in Ogden, Utah beginning in 1930 at the age of sixteen. She started a theatrical booking agency in Salt Lake City and taught dancing. Dorothy married Norman Gross in 1941 after he had signed up for her dance class. They raised three children, Valerie (Schreiber), Gary, and Dennis in Dallas, Texas. She also taught fitness classes. She died in Dallas in 2015.

Found in 41 Collections and/or Records:

Accrual: Bercu Gross Family Collection, B356

 Unprocessed Material
Identifier: 2024.015
Dates: 1942 - 2002

Articles, Ads and Biographical Information, 1917-2015

 File
Identifier: B356.02.0005.0002
Abstract

The file contains newspaper articles and ads for the Chicago Hide, Fur, and Wool House. It also has biographical information on George D. Bercu and the Mistachkins and an obituary for Dorothy Bercu Gross. George Bercu married Olive Mistachkin, arranged probably through correspondence of the families.

Dates: 1917-2015

Bercu Gross Family Collection

 Collection
Identifier: B356
Abstract

The material in the collection includes items, photographs, and papers related to Dorothy Bercu Gross and her husband Norman Gross, her extended family, and her Vaudeville career in the 1920s and 1930s. Her father owned the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas, Wyoming and Denver, Colorado. The collection spans from the late 1800s to 2015 and illustrates an extended Jewish family and vaudeville performers.

Dates: 1904-2015

Bercu Mistachkin Family and Chicago Hide, between 1882-1945

 Series
Identifier: B356.02
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

The collection includes papers, records, correspondence, photographs, photograph albums, scrapbooks, newspapers and newspaper clippings, framed photographs, documents, quilts and needlework, Vaudeville costumes and instruments, books, and record albums.

Dates: between 1882-1945

Bercu Sisters Advertisements, 1925-1936

 File
Identifier: B356.01.0003.0016
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

The collection includes papers, records, correspondence, photographs, photograph albums, scrapbooks, newspapers and newspaper clippings, framed photographs, documents, quilts and needlework, Vaudeville costumes and instruments, books, and record albums.

Dates: 1925-1936

Bercu Sisters at The Gold Palace, 1925

 Item
Identifier: B356.01.0003.00001
Abstract

Photograph of the Bercu Sisters performing at the Gold Palace in Juarez, Mexico in 1925. Harryette Bercu is on the left wearing a tutu and Dorothy Bercu is wearing a costume with pants and a tall decorative helmet. Both girls are standing on their toes in ballet shoes. The sisters were part of the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit in the 1920s and 1930s.

Dates: 1925

Bercu Sisters Business Card, between 1925-1932

 Item
Identifier: B356.01.0003.0016.00001
Abstract

Business card of the Bercu Sisters: "Bercu Sisters Harryette and Dorothy, Toe and Acrobatic Dancers From the Orpheum Circuit.

Dates: between 1925-1932

Bercu Sisters in Acrobatic Pose, between 1932-1933

 Item
Identifier: B356.01.0003.0003.00001
Abstract

The glossy photograph shows Harryette bent over backwards on the floor and Dorothy kneeling behind her. The Bercu Sisters was an act on the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit.

Dates: between 1932-1933

Bercu Sisters in "Indian" Costumes, 1932 October

 Item
Identifier: B356.01.0003.0002.00001
Abstract

Photograph of the Bercu sisters in theatrical "Indian" costume by a house. Dorothy Bercu is standing behind her sister Harryette and one of their brothers can be seen kneeling in the backgroud . The sisters performed on the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit in the 1920s and 1930s.

Dates: 1932 October

Bercu Sisters in "Native" Costumes, between 1933-1935

 Item
Identifier: B3356.01.0003.0005.00001
Abstract

The Bercu sisters are on a stage with a backdrop. Dorothy is standing with her arms raised and Harryette is kneeling with her back arched so that he head is toward the audience. The Bercu sisters were vaudeville performers in the 1920s and 1930s.

Dates: between 1933-1935