Ancestor Sketch – Bernhart Trumpi (1817-1879)

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Don Taylor

Howell/Darling Research
Darling-Huber-Trümpi Line
By Don Taylor

Darling Ancestor #60

Following Bernhard Trümpi of Glarus, Switzerland, is somewhat difficult.

  • First, there is Bernhard (1891-1961), the brother of my wife’s great-grandmother, Bertha Barbara Trumpi (1884-1968).
  • Next is Bernhard (1844-1913), my wife’s 2nd great-grandfather.
  • Then there is Bernhard (1817-1879), my wife’s 3rd great-grandfather.
  • And Bernhard (1776-1848), my wife’s 4th great-grandfather.

Finally, there are many other Bernhard Trümpi who lived in Glarus, including:

  • Bernhard (1800-1806)
  • Bernhard (1871-1941)
  • Bernhard (1878-1947)
  • Bernhard (1911-____)

Disentangling them is always tricky. Additionally, I don’t read Swiss-German, making it difficult to find and follow my wife’s Trümpi ancestors. But here is what I think I know.

List of Grandparents

  • Grandmother: 7.  Florence Wilma Huber Darling (1908-1934)
  • 1st Great-grandmother: 15,  Bertha Barbara Trümpi Huber (1884-1968)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: 30.  Bernhead Trumpi (1844-1913)
  • 3rd Great-grandfather: 60.  Bernhart Trumpi (1817-1879)
  • 4th Great-grandfather: 120. Bernhard Trümpi (1776-1848)
  • 5th Great-grandfather: 240. Fridolin Trümpy (1732-1801)
  • 6th Great-grandfather: 480. Johan Heinrich Trümpy (1704-1779)
  • 7th Great-grandfather: 960. Fridolin Trümpy (1658-1714)
  • 8th Great-grandfather: 1920. Hans Thomas Trümpy (1626-1694)

Bernhard Trümpy (1817-1879) is found in 27 Ancestry Public Trees[1] and is Family Search profile LTQV-JFS.

Birth

Arial photo of Glarus, Switzerland (today).
Arial view of Glarus, Canton Glarus, Switzerland Photo by Samuel Trümpy Photography
[CC 2.0]. No changes made.

Bernhard Trümpi was born on 9 February 1817 in Ennetbühls, Glarus Canton, Switzerland.  He was the youngest of five children of Bernhard and Anna Maria (Dürst) Trümpi. Bernhard was born during a time of unrest. The Swiss Civil War ended the Helvetic Republic, and a loose confederacy was reestablished with 22 cantons. An emigration of thousands of Swiss to the Americas occurred in 1817 as well. But the Trümpi family stayed in Glarus.

Children of Bernhard and Anna Maria (Dürst) Trümpi

NameBornMarriedDied
Fridolin1806Magdalena Trümpi1868
Rosin1808Status Unknown[2]1877
Tochter1811N/A1811
Joachim1814Status Unknown1892
Bernhard1817Anna Maria Oertli1879

Marriage of Bernhard Trümpi and Anna Marie Oertli[3]

Bernhard and Anna Maria Oertli married on 13 January 1844 in Enneda, Glarus Canton, Switzerland.

Children of Bernhard and Anna Maria (Oertli) Trümpi.

NameBornMarriedDied
Bernhard1844Regula Stüssi
Bertha Koch		1913
Maria Margaretha1846N/A1847
John Frederick1852Katherine Eubley1917

Adulthood

Bernhard was a textile printer in the Heinrich Brunner textile factory.

Death.

Bernhard drowned on 20 Mar 1879 in Ennetbühls, Glarus, Switzerland. The story about his death is that out of grief over an unjust dismissal from the Brunner factory due to a minor cause, he threw himself into the factory canal of Johannes Heer and drowned.

Events by Location

Ennenda is a former municipality in the canton of Glarus in Switzerland. In 2011, it became part of the municipality of Glarus. Ennetbühls is a hamlet in Ennenda. So, Ennetbühls, Ennenda, and Glarus are all now Glarus in the Canton of Glarus.

  • Switzerland, Glarus Canton, Glarus Birth (1817), Marriage (1844), and Death (1879).

I have found no records suggesting that Bernard ever left Glarus.

Conflicts

The Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820-1872 (Ancestry.Com) indicates that a Bernhard Trumpe arrived in Baltimore on 8 Jun 1843 aboard the ship Marianne. It indicates that Bernhard’s place of Origin was Forden. Wikipedia shows a Forden, Wales, but not any other places. (Except förden is the German word for fjord.) It also indicates that Bernhard is 21 years old, indicating his birthdate of 1821 or 1822, which is 4-5 years younger than my Bernhard. Finally, it showed his destination was Cincinnati. My Bernhard doesn’t have any known connections to Cincinnati. So, I do not believe this Bernhard Trümpi (1817-1879) is mine.

Some researchers suggest that Bernd Hinr Trimpe, who was baptized on 31 Mar 1823 in Bersengrück, Hannover, Germany, is this same Bernhard. However, the source record suggests his mother is Cathr Eisabein Trimpe. My Bernhard’s mother was Anna Maria (Dürst) Trümpi. This is probably an excellent candidate for the Bernard who went to Baltimore in 1843.

New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., Passenger Lists, 1813-1963 lists a 28-year-old Bernh Trumpe who arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana on 6 Nov 1854 aboard the Heamann. Again, this Bernhard would be seven years too young to be my Bernhard.

Comments:

Geneanet Community Trees Index. Paris, France: Geneanet concurs with my findings regarding Bernhard Trümpi, which include the following:

  • He was born 9 Feb 1817 in Ennethbühis, Glarus, Switzerland.
  • His parents were Bernhard Trümpy and Anna Marie Dürst.
  • He married Anna Maria Oertli, and they had three children.
    • Bernhard
    • Fridolin (Fredrick)
    • Maria Magdalene
  • He died 20 Mar 1879 in Glarus, Glarus, Switzerland.

Sources

  • Patrick A. Wild, Descent of Mary-Alice Darling Howell from Charlemangne (Zurich, Switzerland, , 2021), Files, Page 13 – Bernhard Trümpy, Bernhard Trümpy, Anna Maria Dürst, & Joachim Dürst.
  • Family Search. Org, Family Group Record – Bernhard Truempy (LTQV-JFS)) Accessed 15 Dec 2018. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LTQV-JFS.
  • Internet, Heather’s Ancestor Hunt –  Descendants of Benhart TRUMPE [LKWX-DPP]. https://heathersancestorhunt.weebly.com/trumpie.html Descendants of Benhart TRUMPE [LKWX-DPP].
  • Pennsylvania Death Certificate, Pennsylvania Death Certificate #109868 – Frederick Trumpe. Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1965; Certificate Number Range: 107801-111110
  • Patrick A. Wild, Pedigree Chart for Shirley Elizabeth Darling: Following the Trümpy line in Glarus (, 2021), Page 002 – Bernhard Trümpy and 14 Ancestors, Including Anna Magdalena Becker.. Don Taylor Files.

Endnotes

[1] As of the date of this posting.

[2] Status Unknown means I have no record of a marriage, however, they did live to adulthood.

[3] Bernhard Trümpi’s mother was Anna Maria Dürst; his wife was Anna Maria Oertli. It is easy to confuse Bernard and Anna Maria with his parents, Bernard and Anna Maria.

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Photo Friday – Shuft & Silke

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 132
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. It is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Alicia Silke, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Alicia Silke, 37 Smith St #293.”

Photo of Alicia Silke, circa 1934.

Alicia Silke, circa 1934

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Alicia J Silke living at 37 Smith. Also at that address was Catherine, Widow of John W Silkie (who died 8 Aug 1934). Kathleen M Smith was also at that address. She was a clerk at the same place as Alicia (518 Congress).
  • The 1930 US Census listed the John W and Catherine Silke family living at 37 Smith Street. With them are three children; John E, age 24; Kathleen, age 20; and Alicia Silke, age 16.

I am confident this is a photo of Alicia J Silke (later McCarthy) taken in 1934 when she was about 21 years old. Alicia was born in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, on 16 Jun 1913.

Ancestry has 11 public trees that refer to Alicia. Family Search has profile LY9W-Z83 for her. I have uploaded two photos of Alicia J Silke to her Family Search Memories.

Kathleen M Silke, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Kathleen Silke, 37 Smith St #291.”

Photo of Kathleen M Silke, circa 1934.

Kathleen M Silke, circa 1934.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Kathleen M Silke living at 37 Smith. Also at that address was Catherine, widow of John W Silkie (who died 8 Aug 1934). Kathleen M Silke was also at that address. She was a clerk at the same place as her sister Alicia (at 518 Congress).
  • The 1930 US Census listed the John W and Catherine Silke family living at 37 Smith Street. With them are three children; John E, age 24; Kathleen, age 20; and Alicia Silke, age 16.

I am sure this is a photo of Kathleen M Silke (later Murray) taken in 1934 when she was about 25 years old. Kathleen was born in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, on 25 Aug 1909.

Ancestry has five public trees that refer to Kathleen M Silke, daughter of John and Catherine (Fitzpatrick) Silke. Family Search has profile G667-JP3 for Kathleen. I have uploaded a photo of Kathleen to her Family Search Memories.

Donald Silke, circa 1935 (age 1).

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. John B Silke, 112 Sheridan St (Donald) #682.”

Photo of Donald Silke, circa 1935 (age 1).

Donald Silke, circa 1935 (age 1).

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists John B and Doris E Silke living at 112 Sheridan.
  • The 1940 US Census shows John and Doris Silke living at 131 Bolton. With them are three children, Mary F (age 7), Donald H (age 5), and Robert B (age 9/12). The three children were all born in Maine, and the family lived in the “Same Place” in 1935.

Because the envelope said “Donald” and that a child of the right age was in the household, I am confident this is a photo of Donald. Donald Herman Silke, the son of John Bernard and Doris (Anderson) Silke, was born in Portland, Maine, in 1934.

I have not found Donald in Ancestry trees. However, I have found his father, John B Silke, in 20 public Ancestry trees. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Donald either, so I uploaded this photo of him to Dead Fred.

Mary Frances Silke, circa 1935 (age 3).

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. John B Silke, 112 Sheridan St (Mary Frances) #681.” Note: This photo was taken on the same day as the photo of Donald Silke (above).

Photo of Mary Frances Silke, circa 1935 (age 3).

Mary Frances Silke, circa 1935 (age 3).

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • This photo envelope indicates the photo is of Mary Frances.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists John B and Doris E Silke living at 112 Sheridan.
  • The 1940 US Census shows John and Doris Silke living at 131 Bolton. With them are three children, Mary F (age 7), Donald H (age 5), and Robert B (age 9/12). The three children were all born in Maine, and the family lived in the “Same Place” in 1935.

I am confident this photo is of Mary Frances Silke, born 20 May 1932 in Portland, Maine, to John B and Doris (Anderson) Silke about 1935, when she was about three years old.

Ancestry has eight public trees that refer to Mary Frances Silke (later Core). Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Mary Frances, so I uploaded this photo of her to Dead Fred.

Daughter of Ruth Shuft (?), circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Ruth Shuft, 207 Congress St #299.”

A Photo probably of the Daughter of Ruth Shuft, circa 1934.

(Probably the) daughter of Ruth Shuft, circa 1934.

What I learned.

  • The 1933, 1934, and 1935 Portland City Directories do not list a Ruth Shuft or any similar name I’ve found.
  • Also, the 1933 and 1934 Portland city directories list Charles Leventhal, Mrs. Anna Knudsen, and Walter Horne living at 207 Congress Street—No Ruth.

I have failed to identify her or this child; although the photo is likely Ruth’s daughter, I’ve included a copy of the envelope text. If your view of the name differs from mine, I’ll be happy to look at whatever name you suggest it might be.

Scan of negative envelope showing the name of the person who ordered the photos.

Negative envelope showing name & address. Can you help me read this? 

Conclusion

  • I identified four of the five individuals in this photo set. Two have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Two did not, so I uploaded their photos to Dead Fred.
  • I could not identify the mother or child in the fifth photo set. As such, I only uploaded the image here.

I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.

For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

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Selberg, Semple, Severence, & Severino

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 131
Photo Friday 
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. It is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Nurse Josephine Severino, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Josephine Severino, ME Gn Hospital #843.”

Photo of Miss Josephine Severino, circa 1935.

Nurse Josephine Severino, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 and 1936 Portland City Directories list Josephine Severino as a student Nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
  • The 1934 Portland High School Directory lists Josephine “Jo” Nancy Severino as a Senior whose college preference was Maine General Hospital School of Nursing. The photo appears to be of the same young woman.
  • The 1939 Portland City Directory lists Josephine Severino as a nurse who married James A Maiorano.
  • Ancestry Trees indicate that Josephine Nancy Severino was born on 30 October 1916 and married James Anthony Maiorano on 18 September 1938.

Ancestry has 16 public trees that refer to Josephine Nancy Severino, daughter of Agrippino and Maria (Olivetta) Severino. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Josephine. I uploaded a photo of Josephine to Dead Fred.

Phyllis Semple, circa 1935 (high school photo).

This negative envelope says, “Miss Phyllis Semple, 31 Kellogg St (P. H. S.) #1094.”

Photo of Phyllis Semple, circa 1935 (high school photo).

Phyllis Semple, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1936 Portland High School Yearbook shows the same photo of this girl as Phyllis Mae Semple “Jimmie.”
  • New Hampshire Certificate of Marriage shows that Phyllis Mae Semple, of South Portland,” married Russell Alfred Oates on 30 September 1938. Phyllis was 20 years old, the daughter of Samuel James and Ethel (Thornton) Semple.
  • Ancestry Public Trees indicate this is Phyllis Mae Semple, born on 20 January 1918 in Portland, Maine.

Ancestry has six public trees that refer to Phyllis Mae Semple (later Oates). Family Search has profile LVHC-B1Q for Phyllis. I have uploaded a photo of Phyllis to her Family Search Memories. I also uploaded three additional pictures of Phyllis to my Flickr PhotoStream.

Inga Selberg, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Inga Selberg, 66 Devon St #162.”

Photo of Inga Selberg, circa 1934.

Inga Selberg, circa 1934.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Inga E Selberg living at 62 Devon. Also at 62 Devon are Hilda E, Peter G, and Robert W Selberg. Ernest and Katherine Selverg live at 66 Devon.
  • The 1935 Deering High School Yearbook lists Inga E Selberg. The school photo appears to be of the same young woman as is in this photo.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest this in Inga Fredericka Selberg, born 31 March 1917 in Portland, Maine. Note that although the yearbook and city directory indicate her middle initial is “E,” it appears her middle name was Fredericka.

Ancestry has 18 public trees that refer to Inga Fredericka Selberg. Family Search has profile LYQB-8XR for Inga. I have uploaded two photos of Inga to her Family Search Memories.

Eileen Severence, circa 1936 (age 5)

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. C. I. Severance, 176 Danforth St, #1013.”

Photo of Eileen Severence, circa 1936 (age 5)

Eileen Severence, circa 1936 (age 5)

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Charles F and Helen L Severance living at 176 Danforth. Also at that address is Harry J. Severance.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Charles and Helen D Severence living at 12 Gray. No other Severances are listed living at 12 Gray (or Danforth).
  • The 1939 and 1940 Portland City Directories list Charles F and Helen B Severance as living at 24 May. A Charlie L and Mary E Severance are residing at 12 Wescott.
  • The 1934 Bangor City Directory lists Charles F and Helen D Severance living at 16 Broadway, Bangor. Also at 16 Broadway are Harry J and Ethel L Severance.
  • Eileen Severance was born on 2 December 1931 in Lincoln, Penobscot County, Maine. Her parents were Charles F and Helen D (Lunt) Severance.
  • This photo was taken in 1936 when Eileen would have been about five years old. The girl in the picture also appears to be between four and six years old, so I believe this photo is of Eileen Helen Severance (1931-2000).

Ancestry has two public trees that refer to _Eileen Severance, born 2 Dec 1931. Family Search has profile KW84-7GL for Eileen. I have uploaded one photo of Eileen to her Family Search Memories.

Three unidentified women.

Photo of the back of the envelope showing "Mrs. Sherman - July 1941 - Mrs. L.E. Sherman, 317 Jostram St, Providence R I."

Crop of envelope information.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Sherman – July 1941 – Mrs. L.E. Sherman, 317 Jostram St, Providence R I.”

What I learned.

My search for a Jostram or similarly named street in Providence failed to find such an address. The closest I could find was a Joslin street. The written address provided doesn’t fit that street.

Photo of three unidentified women.

Three unidentified women.

I did not find a Mr. L. E. Sherman in Providence from 1940 to 1942. There was a Loretta E Sherman, wife of Herbert W Sherman. In 1940 and 1942, they lived at 29 Desoto. Loretta was born about 1907, making her only 33 years old in 1940. Much younger than any of the women in this photograph.

So, I have not identified the individuals in this photos, so I only include the image here.

Conclusion

  • I identified the people in four of the five photographs. Three have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. One did not have a Family Search profile, so I uploaded her photos to Dead Fred.
  • I was unable to identify the three individuals in one photo. I uploaded that photo only here

I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.

For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

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Sawyer, Schofield, Sedgley, & Selberg

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 130
Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Beatrice Sedgley, Student Nurse, Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary, circa 1934

The envelope this negative was in says, “Beatrice Sedgley, Me Eye & Ear Infirmary #53.”

Photo of Beatrice Sedgley, Student Nurse, Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary, Portland, ME

Beatrice Sedgley, Student Nurse, Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary, Portland, ME

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Beatrice Sedgley as a student nurse at 79 Bramhall (Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary)
  • The 1940 US Census lists Beatrice Sedley, the 23-year-old daughter of Pearl & Florence Sedley living in Brunswick, Maine. Beatrice is a trained nurse.
  • Later in 1940, Beatrice married Hugo Joseph Sandelin.

I am confident this photo is of Beatrice Arlene Sedgley, born 30 Sep 1916, taken about 1934, when she attended nursing school at the Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary.

Ancestry has 15 public trees that refer to Beatrice Arlene Sedgley. Family Search has profile GZ63-GSP for Beatrice Sedley, daughter of Pearl and Florence (Loon) Sedgley. I have uploaded a photo of Beatrice to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Beatrice by a grandchild.

Ernestine Selberg, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. E. S. Selberg, 66 Devon St # 752.”

Photo of Ernestine Selberg, circa 1935 (age 2)

Ernestine Selberg, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Ernest L and Katherine E Selberg living at 66 Devon. Also at that address is Philip G Selberg. Several other Selbergs are living nearby at 62 Devon.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Earnest L and Katherine E Selberg living at 82 Devon Street. With them are two children, six-year-old Ernestine and three-year-old Ernest.
  • The S. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947 show Ernestine Marie Selberg, daughter of Ernest Selberg, was born on 18 Dec 1934.
  • If Ernestine had been born in December 1934, she would have been five during the 1940 Census. However, other records indicate she was born in 1933.

I am sure this photo was taken of Ernestine Marie Selberg, born 18 Dec 1933, when she was about two years old.

I have not found Earnestine in any Ancestry public trees. However, her father, Ernest L Selberg, is in 20 public Ancestry trees. Family Search has profile GCPV-8S4 for Ernestine M Selberg. I uploaded a photo of Ernestine to her Family Search Memories.

Gladys E Sawyer (née Pride), circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Gladys E Sawyer, 20 Pennell Ave #769.”

Photo of Gladys E Sawyer (née Pride), circa 1935.

Gladys E Sawyer (née Pride), circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 US Census Lists Stephen and Gladys Sawyer living at 20 Pennell Ave. With them is their 14-year-old daughter Florence.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest this would be Gladys Eola Sawyer (née Pride), born on 4 July 1897.

The woman in this photo appears to be in her mid-30s, suggesting it is Gladys. As such, I believe this photo to be of Gladys Eola Sawyer (née Pride) taken about 1935.

Ancestry has 23 public trees that refer to Gladys Eola Pride. Family Search has profile M585-G7F  or Gladys. I uploaded a photo of Gladys to her Family Search Memories.

Lawrence Sawyer, Jr., circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Lawrence Sawyer, 74 Woodmont Ave #155.”

Photo of Lawrence Sawyer, Jr., circa 1934 (age 1)

Lawrence Sawyer, Jr., circa 1934.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Lawrence W and Alice E Lawrence living at 74 Woodmont.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Lawrence and Alice Sawyer living at 106 Parsons Rd. Living with them is their seven-year-old son, Lawrence, Jr.
  • The S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, indicates that Lawrence White Sawyer, Jr. was born on 19 Dec 1932, to Lawrence W and Alice (Crosby) Sawyer in Portland, Maine.

I am confident this photo is of Lawrence taken in 1934 when he was about a year old.

Ancestry has five public trees that refer to Lawrence White Sawyer (1932-2007). Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Lawrence Junior, but his parents are listed. I uploaded a photo of Lawrence, Jr., to Dead Fred.

Virginia Schofield, circa 1936. 

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Margaret Scofield, 59 Maine Ave, #1047.”

Photo of Virginia Schofield, circa 1936 (age 8)

Virginia Schofield, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Louis and Margaret E Schofield living at 59 Maine Ave, Portland, Maine. Two daughters, Margaret A (age 20) and Virginia E (age 12), live with them.

Based on the Photo Number (#1047), this photo was taken in 1936. Margaret would be about 16, and Virginia about eight. This photo appears to be of a young girl eight to 10 years old; as such, I believe this to be Virginia.

Ancestry has five public trees that refer to Virginia E Schofield (1927-1999). Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Virginia, so I uploaded a photo of Virginia to Dead Fred.

One Researcher indicates this is not Virginia E “Betty” Schofield. I will revisit this identification in the future.

Conclusion

  • I identified all five Three have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Two did not have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their photos to Dead Fred.

I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.

For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

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Nelson Barnes in Elmira?

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Don Taylor

Is he my Nelson Barnes?

Roberts Research
Roberts-Barnes Line
In the News
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.“In the News” is my reporting of discovered newspaper articles and advertising regarding ancestors I am researching. NYS Historic Newspapers is one of my favorite websites. I am trying to see if my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran, Donna Darling, Donna Clark, & Donna Kees), has a new article posted from her time in New York. I also like to occasionally find out if another ancestor of mine might be in the NYS Historic Newspapers. Today, I took a look for Nelson Barnes, my 2nd great-grandfather.

Nelson was born in 1816 in Broome County, New York. He married Mercy Elizabeth Taft on 31 October 1939 in New York. He and Mercy moved to Sullivan County, Indiana, before 1842. So my search criteria were Nelson Barnes (words within five words of each other), after 1815, and before 1843.

My Search of NYS Historic newspapers found 18 results. Fourteen of them were false hits, but four were of interest. They related to two instances of letters remaining in the post office.

The first was on 14 October 1823. My Nelson was only about seven years old in 1823. It is unlikely he was in Monroe County. The second instance was a Nelson Barnes, whose mail was at Elmira, NY. My Nelson was 22 when the mail went undelivered. He married shortly after that, so the idea that Nelson was in or near Elmira is possible.

The information found in newspapers often raises questions and more areas for research areas, and this is no exception. Indeed, I’ve known there were other Nelson Barneses, one in Steuben County, NY, and another in Delaware County. Does this mean there was another Nelson Barnes in Tioga County, or did my Nelson live there for a while? I still haven’t found Nelson in the 1840 Census. Finding him possibly in Tioga County could lead to greater understanding of his migration to Indiana.

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