Born in Boonville, Missouri, in 1869, her family arrived a year later in Los Angeles. Her father was a dentist. Her mother died in 1876, when Julia was seven years old. Julia's sister, Grace, died at age 14.[2] Ivers watched the film industry come into existence and establish itself in southern California. She participated in the new industry as writer, producer and director.
She and her husband, Franklin S. Van Trees (aka Frank Van Trees 1866-1914), a famed "society" architect best known for his