Booker, Bouk, Bourne (2), & Bowdish
Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor
This week for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is important 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.
Mary Josephine Bowdish (1909-1997), ca. 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Mary Bowdish, 68 High Street, Portland #430.”
Mary Bowdish, circa 1936
The 1933, 34, 35, and 36 Portland City Directories listed Mary J Bowdish, a dietitian at 68 High street residing at 59 High street.
On 19 September 1937, Mary Josephine Bowdish married Robert Carleton Mansfield. According to the Rutland Daily Herald (Rutland, VT), “For some time, she was a dietitian at the Children’s
Family Search identifies Mary Josephine (1909-1997) as ID: LXRX-6YM. I have uploaded two photos of Mary to her Family Search ID. I have also uploaded one more picture to my Flickr PhotoStream. Mary Josephine (Bowfish) Mansfield is found in 17 trees on Ancestry.
Harriette Blanche Bourne (1909-1998), ca. 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Harriet Bourne, 135 Bracket St. Portland, #835.”
Harriett Bourne, circa 1936
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Harriet B Bourne, a piano teacher at 135 Brackett. At the same address is Barbara Bourne.
The 1930 Census identifies Harriett B Bourne and her sister Barbara H Bourne as the 21-year-old daughter of George W. Bourne. So circa 1936, she would have been approximately 27 years old.
Family Search identifies Harriette Blanche Bourne (1909-1998) as ID: LY2N-VKH. I have uploaded a photo of Harriette to her Family Search ID. Harriette Blanche Bourne appears in nine trees on Ancestry.
Barbara H (Bourne) Huey (1910-1986), circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, Miss Barbara Bourne, 135 Brackett St, Portland #889.”
Barbara Bourne, circa 1936
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Barbara H Bourne, a “sub clk PO” residing at 135 Brackett. At the same address is Harriett Bourne.
The 1930 Census identifies Barbara H Bourne and her sister Harriett B. Bourne as the 19-year-old daughter of George W. and Mary E. Bourne. So circa 1936, she would have been approximately 25 years old.
Family Search identifies Barbara H. Bourne (1910-1985) as ID: Y28-J3Z. I have uploaded a photo of Barbara to her Family Search ID. Barbara H. (Bourne) Huey is found in 12 trees on Ancestry.
Miss Leonne Bouk , circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Leonne Bouk – Y.W.C.A. #486.” [Although it might say Leonne Bonk.]
Miss Leonne Bouk, circa 1036
Searching every way I can think of, I can’t seem to identify Miss Bouk or place her into a family group. Leonne is a rare enough name that I thought I might find her by looking for Leonne only with most any surname. No such luck.
I have added her photo to Dead Fred.
Ronald Booker (1934-1992), circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Laura Booker, 200 Spring St. Portland #1031.”
Ronald Booker, circa1936
The 1936 Portland City Directory indicates that Stanley J. and Laura E. Booker made their home at 200 Spring.
The 1937 Portland City Directory indicates Stanley resides at 20 Pine; however, Laura isn’t mentioned in the listing.
The 1938 Portland City Directory reported Stanley and Laura living at 44 Holly.
During the 1940 Census, Stanley and Laura lived with Laura’s mother and stepfather on Douglas Street in Portland. With them is their six-year-old son, Ronald. Ronald was born on 25 February 1934. He died in 1992 in Santa Barbara, California.
In this photo, the child appears to be about two or three, which confirms a likely photo date of 1936.
Family Search identifies Ronald Eugene Booker as ID M3Q2-R19. There were two photos of Ronald. I uploaded them to his Family Search profile. Ronald appears in four ancestry trees.
Conclusion
This week I had:
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- Four successful identifications that I could post images to Family Search
- One named individual but not otherwise identifiable that I posted to Dead Fred.
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Final Note
If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
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.
