Gustav Grais was born Gustav Eichler in Marienburg West Prussia on the 1st December 1860, the son of Carl and Louise Eichler.
He was a circus artiste who lived in the USA for sometime and then eventually moved to England.
In the England Eichler changed his name to Grais and ran a circus of baboons and zebra. He was also an accomplished trapeze artist, juggler and an all round showman. A pioneer of the parachute, he undertook daredevil jumps from gas filled balloons all over the world.
The image above shows Grais riding a zebra along Brixton high street.
I am looking in to my family history and was told by my father Mr.Geoffrey Gustave Grais that one of our grand parents was linked to the circus and i am assuming that this is the person above? Could you possibly tell me of any children he may have had and who he was married too? I have also been told that one of our grandmothers was a slack rope walker i would greatly appreciate any information that you have.
Kind Regards Mr. Gary James Grais
Also Mr Geoffrey Gustave Grais’s Father was called George Grais and he was married to Miss Alice (nee Seckerson) Grais. He had one sister called Virgie which was short for Virginie (french pronunciation), and 2 other brothers whose names are unknown to me, i believe one left for Australia in 1920’s and the other left for USA/Canada.
Thank You G.Grais
Hello. Gustav grais was my great grandad. My cousins have been doing a family tree. How interesting is this. Regards Linda.
Hello James
Gustav grais was my great grandad too. It would be interesting to find out more. Kind regards Linda.
Hello, im also looking into my family history and my father has told me many stories about gustav and told me our last name prior to grais. Gustav was my fathers Grandfather. Hope to see a reply!
Hi
I live in Brixton and have done a bit more research on Gustav Grais. Seems he had 3 ‘wives’ and at least 10 children. A short story of his life here https://www.layersoflondon.org/map?record=17589
I have just seen this website. My grandfather was Charles George Grais and he lived here in Austalia until his death in 1974. He had a son, my father Victor Grais and a daughter Virgie Grais. Both now deceased.
Hi Virginia,
Just seen this post albeit a year ago.
My great grandfather was Gustav Grais. His son Frederick was my Grandfather changed his surname to Grace in WW1
Keith Grace
keith_grace@outlook.com
Hi Linda, Gustav Grais would have also been my great grandad. I’m wondering how your cousins got on with their family tree? I would love to know more about my ancestry
Kind regards Debbie
Good day, my name is Jennifer Grace, 54 years. Live in northeastern United States, Vermont. My Grandfather was William Grace. Not sure if his middle name was George.
Hello, my name is Jennifer Grace granddaughter of William Grace, left the UK to the US, he passed away at 84 years when I was 10, approximately 54 years ago.
I would like to learn more about your family, I only knew of the Grace family in the UK, but never: Grais family.
Hello everyone,
My great-grandfather was Gustav Grais, also. His first son, Gustav Clement Alexandar Grais is my grandfather. Keith and I met for the first time this summer (2024). He is now the Editor for the Eichler – Grais family tree on Ancestry. Please contact him at
keith _grace@outlook.com so he can invite you to view our tree! There are plenty of surprises!
I am Marilyn Virginia Beres (nee Grace) my grandfather and other family members in England changed the spelling.
My email is gracestoneprairie@yahoo.com
We hope you get in touch!