Ethel Wight Collection – Part 35

Coyne, & Cram(4)

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 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.

Phyllis Katherine Cram, circa 1936 (age 20)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Phylis Cram, 11 Wolcott St, Portland #763.”

Phyllis Katherine Cram, circa 1936 (age 20)

Why I believe this to be the individual.

• The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Phyllis K. Cram, a clerk working at 55 Forest Ave and residing at 11 Wolcott.
• The 1930 Census lists Phyllis K. Cram as the 13-year-old daughter of Harris W and Emily I Cram living at 11 Wolcott.
• Maine Birth Records show Phyllis Katherine Cram, daughter of Harris and Emily (Moses) Cram, was born on 9 July 1916.

This photo must be of Phyllis about 1936 when she was about 20 years old.

Family Search identifies Phyllis K Cram, the daughter of Harris W and Emily Isabella (Moses) Cram, as id LT9P-FGV. Three trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Phyllis Katherine Cram, who was born 9 July 1916.

I have uploaded her two photos to Family Search Memories.

Phyllis Clara Cram, circa 1937 (age 24)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Phyllis Cram, 219 Brackett St, Portland #640.”

Phyllis Clara Cram, circa 1937 (age 24)

Why I believe this to be the individual.

• • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Phillis C Cram as a teacher of expression at 219 Brackett and residing at the same address. The directory also shows Frank H Cram, and his wife Nellie, living at 219 Brackett.
  • The 1930 US Census enumerated Frank H and Nellie M Cram living at 219 Brackett Street. Their 17-year-old daughter, Phylis, is living with them.
  • Maine birth records indicate that Phyllis C. Cram was born 19 April 1913 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.

Family Search identifies Phyllis C. Cram, born 19 April 1913, as id G4T2-B92. I am sure this is Phyllis about 1937. Four trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Phyllis Clara Cram, born 19 April 1913 in Portland, Maine.

I have uploaded two photos of Phyllis to her Family Search Memories.

Sara “Sadie” A. Coyne, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Sadie Coyne, 269 Danforth St., Portland #521.”

Sara “Sadie” A. Coyne, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

• The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Sadie A Coyne residing at 269 Danforth.
• The 1930 US Census enumerated James B and his wife Delia A Coyne living at 269 Danforth. Living with them is their 20-year-old daughter, Sadie.
• The 1937 Portland City Directory reports that Sadie A Coyne married Charles Hannaford and moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut.

I am sure this is a photo of Sadie about 1936 before she married and moved to Bridgeport.

Family Search identifies Sara (aka Sadie) Coyne, daughter of James & Delia Coyne, as id GCMX-68K. Also, four trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Sadie A Coyne.

I have uploaded two photos of Sadie to her Family Search Memories.

Beatrice M. Cram, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. H. W. Cram, 11 Wolcott St, Portland #753.”

Beatrice M. Cram, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

• • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Harris W and Emily I Cram living at 11 Wolcott.
  • The 1930 US Census enumerated Harris and Emily living at 11 Wolcott with their two-year-old daughter, Beatrice M Cram.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Beatrice M Cram, the daughter of Harris William and Emily Isabella (Moses) Cram. Three trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Harris and Emily (Moses) Cram.

I have uploaded two photos of Beatrice to Dead Fred.

Emily Isabella (Moses) Cram, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. H. W. Cram, 11 Wolcott St, Portland #779.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

• The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Harris W and Emily I Cram living at 11 Wolcott.
• The 1930 US Census enumerated Harris and 37-year-old Emily living at 11 Wolcott.
• Emily Isabella Moses, the wife of Harris William Cram, is identified in 4 Ancestry Trees. According to them, she was born 24 April 1892 in Gorham, Cumberland County, Maine.

Family Search identifies Emily Isabella Moses, the wife of Harris W. Cram, as ID LTMJ-JBS. I am sure this is Emily about 1936.

I have uploaded two photos of Emily to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

I had:

• Four successful identifications which I posted to Family Search
• I posted one photo set to Dead Fred.

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.