“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertising regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week’s article is from the Santa Barbara Daily News (Santa Barbara, CA), dated October 15th, 1926[i].
The ad doesn’t mention Donna, but Page 13 does have a brief mention of the shows at the Mission; it says:
The Mission will offer a very entertaining and jazzy program today and Saturday, headed by “The Donna Darling Review.”
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.
Jessie Ellen Googins, circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Jessia Googins Wescott St., Portland #469.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Jessie Ellen Googins, circa 1936
The 1937 Portland City directory lists Jessie E Googins, an operator at 188 Middle, residing at 18 Wescott. Also living at 18 Wescott is Phoebe A Googins, the widow of Howard T Googins.
Maine Birth records include Jessie Ellen Googins, born 3 August 1915, the daughter of Howard T and Phebe A (Barker) Googins.
This photo is of Jessie about 1936 when she was about 21 years old.
Family Search identifies Jessie Ellen Googins as ID: KH44-SFS. Jessie Ellen Googins is found in 11 Ancestry trees.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Muriel Googins, 18 Wescott St, Portland #899.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Muriel Estelle Googins, circa 1937
This photo is of another of the Googins daughters. It has the same surname, same address, just a bit younger individual. The 1930 Census confirms Muriel E. Googins as the 10-year-old daughter of Howard S and Phebe A Googins (see above).
Maine birth records identify Muriel Estelle Googins, born 12 March 1920 to Howard T and Phebe (Barker) Googins.
This is a photo of Muriel about 1937 when she was about 17 years old.
Family Search identifies Muriel Estelle Googins as ID: GWYB-432. Nine Ancestry trees include Muriel Estelle Googins.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. F. J. Googins, 527 Brighton Ave, Portland #336.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Donald Freeman Googins, circa 1936 (Age 3)
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Freeman J and Carola F Googins living at 527 Brighton Ave.
The 1940 Census lists Freeman and Carola Googins living in Westbrook with their six-year-old son, Donald F. Googins. Also in the household are two daughters, Gloria & Glenna, both five years old.
Donald Freeman Googins was born 16 April 1933 to Freeman Jesse and Carola (Hobson) Googins.
I am sure this is Donald about 1935 when he was about 2.
Family Search identifies Donald F Googins as ID: LTH2-J13; he is also found in 8 Ancestry trees.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Howard Googins, 18 Westcott St, Portland #114.”
Phoebe Adelaide Googins (née Barker), circa 1934
After reviewing three other packets of the Googins family of 18 Wescott street, I am confident this is Phebe Adelaide (Barker) Googins (See above). Her husband, Howard Tyler Googins, died on 25 September 1934.
This is a photo of Phoebe Adelaide (Barker) Googins about 1934, when she was about 41 years old, probably shortly after her husband died.
Family Search identifies Phoebe A Barker as ID: G98D-K9Z; Additionally,
The Googins family of 18 Wescott was happy with the photos taken at the Ethel Wight studio in Portland, Maine, as three of the four family members had their photos taken there.
I was able to identify the photos in all five photo packages and post their pictures to Family Search Memories. Additionally, I had four additional images of the family members that I could post to my Flickr Photostream.
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.
(For all of the Ethel Wight Collection analysis, 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.
James Vincenzo Varone was born on 03 April 1889 in Rome, Italy as the first child of Antonio Varone5 and Giuseppa (Galluccio) Varone. He had five siblings, namely: Eleen, Celia6, Rose6, John6, and Mary6. When he was 27, he married Beatrice M Hennessey on 23 October 1916 in Rhode Island. James married Albertina C (LNU) sometime before 19345.
List of Grands
Maternal Grandfather – James Vincenzo Varone (1889-c. 1960)
James was born 03 April 1889 in Rome, Italy, the oldest child of Antonio and Giuseppa (Galluccio) Varone. Sometime before 02 June 1899, the Varone family moved to Galluccio, Caserta, Campania, Italy, which is the last place the family lived before going to Naples, Napoli, Campania, Italy4 where he departed aboard the Vincenzo Florio. On 02 June 18994. He arrived in New York, New York, USA4 on 18 June 1899.
James grew up with five younger siblings, all born in the United States.
Children of Antonio “Tony” and Giuseppa (Galluccio)[?] Varone
Name
Born
James Vincenzo Varone
3 Apr 1889, Rome, Italy
Eleen Varone
c. 1902, Rhode Island
Celia Varone
c. 1904, Rhode Island
Rose Varone
c. 1907, Rhode Island
John Varone
c. 1908, Rhode Island
Mary Varone
c. 1910, Rhode Island
The family located to Providence, Rhode Island, and lived at 118 Sutton Street by 1912.. James was described as 5′ 8″, 130 lbs, black hair, brown eyes, on 02 April 1912.
James became a naturalized citizen, taking his oath of allegiance to the United States on 29 January 1916 in Providence (Certificate #640045).
First Marriage
James Vincenzo Varone married Beatrice M. Hennessey on 23 October 1916. Together they had six children.
Name
Born
Married
Died
Albert Anthony
1916
Florence Josephine
1919
FNU Depasquale
1992
Anthony Frederick
1921
Eileen Moilo
1991
Dorothy Beatrice
1923
Lawrence Halcro
2008
Mildred C.
1926
Archie DiNucci
James V.
(Junior)
1930
In 1917, James worked as a machinist and later worked as a glassworker at New England Glass, 110 West Exchange St. He was described as medium height, medium build, dark brown eyes, black hair3 when he registered for the draft.
In 1924 he was a jitney driver living at 227 Unit in Providence. He moved to 60 Seymour, Providence, in 1925 and moved again to 1233 Westminster Street.
The couple lived at 306 Carpenter from 1928 to 1930, 37½ Almy om 1921, and James appears to have lived at 14 Zone in 1932 without Beatrice. It seems that James and Beatrice divorced in 1932 or 1933.
Second Marriage
In 1933, James married Albertina C Germani[?], and they lived at 448 Pleasant Valley Parkway, Providence, Rhode Island. James was a salesman. Albertina may have had two children from a previous marriage, Vilma and Camille, who were living with James and Albertina during the 1940 Census. They were identified as James’ children using the Varone surname in that census; however, they do not appear in other records I have found.
1940 Census showing the James V Varone household including Vilma and Camille.
He was employed as a Bus Driver at Valley Bus Line on 03 February 1936, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was the proprietor for the Bus Transportation Co. according to the 1940 census. He was educated to an 8th grade Education.
In 1942, Eddy M. Fisher of 6 Hay Street in Providence employed James. During his registration for the WWII draft, on 27 April 1942, he was described as 5’ 7½”, Brown eyes, Black & Gray hair, dark complexion in Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, USA2.
Death
I have been unable to find a death record for James Vincenzo Varone. He appears in the 1960 Providence City Directory, living at 165 Harold but doesn’t appear in the 1961 city directory. As such, I suspect he died about 1960.
Follow-up Research
Find Death information for James Vincenzo Varone.
Find vital records for James’ siblings; Eileen, Celia, Rose, John, and Mary.
Determine Death information for both of James’s wives.
Determine Death information for all of James and Beatrice’s children.
Determine if Vilma and Camille were step-children. If so, who was their father?
Look for school records for James, his siblings, and his children.
Sources:
1925 Rhode Island Census, Ancestry.com, 1925 Census – James Varone – Enumerated 22 April 1925. Accessed 25 September 2021. https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=RICensus&indiv=try&h=2452863.
1940 Census, Various, James V Varone – Rhode Island, Providence, Providence. Year: 1940; Census Place: Providence, Providence, Rhode Island; Roll: m-t0627-03775; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 6-72. Accessed 24 September 2021. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/110539562:2442.
Find a Grave, Find a Grave, Dorothy B. Varone Halcro. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95788599/dorothy-b-halcro : accessed 23 September 2021), memorial page for Dorothy B. Varone Halcro (10 February 1923–18 November 2008), Find a Grave Memorial ID 95788599, citing Scarborough Memorial Cemetery, Scarborough, Cumberland County, Maine, USA ; Maintained by NoraK (contributor 46838659). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95788599/dorothy-b-halcro.
Obituary: Dorothy B. Halcro, 85., Portland Press Herald, Portland, Maine, images on-line at the Scarborough Historical Society.
Rhode Island, U.S., Marriage Index, 1851-1920, Ancestry.com, Vincenzo Varone – Beatrice M Hennessey – 23 October 1916. (No Image). Ancestry.com. Rhode Island, U.S., Marriage Index, 1851-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/4263/records/211974/.
Rhode Island, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1802-1945, Ancestry.com, James Varone – b. 03 April 1889. National Archives At Boston; Waltham, Massachusetts; ARC Title: Petitions and Records of Naturalization, 2/1842 – Ca. 1991; NAI Number: 3432872; Record Group Title: Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685-2009; Record Group Number: Rg 21. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/61208/records/245604.
Rhode Island, U.S., State Censuses, 1865-1935, Ancestry.com, 1915 – Providence Ward 9 – Tony Varone. Ancestry.com. Rhode Island, U.S., State Censuses, 1865-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/4721/records/993783/.
Rhode Island, U.S., State Censuses, 1865-1935, Ancestry.com, 1935 – Providence – James Varone. Accessed 24 September 2021. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/4721/records/2434701.
Rhode Island, U.S., State Censuses, 1865-1935, Ancestry.com, 1935 – Providence – Florence Varone. Accessed 24 September 2021. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/4721/records/2434697.
Rhode Island, U.S., State Censuses, 1865-1935, Ancestry.com, 1935 – Providence – Anthony Varone. Accessed 24 September 2021. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/4721/records/2434688.
Rhode Island, U.S., State Censuses, 1865-1935, Ancestry.com, 1935 – Providence – Albert Varone. Accessed 24 September 2021. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/4721/records/2434686.
Rhode Island, U.S., State Censuses, 1865-1935, Ancestry.com, 1935 – Providence – James Varone (Jr.). Accessed 24 September 2021. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/4721/records/2434700.
Social Security Death Index, 1935-2012, Various, Dorothy B Halcro (No Image). “United States Social Security Death Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTKQ-VMG : 12 January 2021), Dorothy B Halcro, 18 November 2008; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing). https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTKQ-VMG.
S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com, Providence, Rhode Island, City Directory, 1934 (Ending April 1935) – Page 821 – Varone. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Accessed 28 September 2021. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/822174866:2469.
S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com, Providence, Rhode Island, City Directory, 1942 – Page 802. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/920767072:2469?.
S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com, Lawrence Denis Halcro (1917-1998). No image – Accessed 11 September 2020. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/60901/records/47733239.
S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com, Florence Josephine Depasquale – Death Apr 1992 (No Image). Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Ancestry.com, James Varone. Registration State: Rhode Island; Registration County: Providence. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/10913814:6482.
S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 (NARA), Ancestry.com, James Varone. The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Rhode Island; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Series Number: M1964
S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 (NARA), Ancestry.com, Albert Anthony Varone. National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Rhode Island, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 164. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/284490257:2238.
S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 (NARA), Ancestry.com, Anthony Frederick Varone. National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Rhode Island, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 164.
As part of my normal research process, I like to find the BMD (births, marriages, and death) for each of the Ancestor’s siblings. When I first looked at Edward William Matson’s family, I had very little information regarding Edward’s siblings. Here is an updated list
Children of Lars and Christine (Erickson) Mattson[i] All children were born in Wright County, Minnesota[ii].
[i] All the birth records I have found use Mattson. However, many of the children began to use Matson beginning about 1917. For them, various records may indicate Matson and others Mattson.
[ii] Various records indicate that all of the children were born in Wright County, however sometime Cokato and sometime French Lake are used interchangeably.
[iii] 1962 and 1963 were very bad years for the Mattson family. Five siblings died during the 13 months between January 1962 and February 1963.
According to the 1940 US Census, Edward “Eddie” Mattson completed eight years of school. Pursuing what his educational experience might have been, I began researching his likely school environment. In looking at schools in French Lake Township, I learned there were eight schools in the township over the years. So, I realized I needed to know precisely where the Mattson Family lived. I figured that the Mattson’s probably went to the nearest school.
Land Office Records
An excellent source for property records is the Bureau of Land Management records. A quick search for Mattson in Wright County, Minnesota, yielded Lars Mattson, who homesteaded 80 acres in 1876. His patent read, in part:
Lars Mattson, [settled] the West-half of the North East Quarter of Section twenty-eight in township one hundred and twenty of the range twenty-eight, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Benson Minnesota; containing eighty acres….
[Signed] the thirteenth day of December… one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
Section 28 is about a mile and a quarter north-northwest of Cokato and a mile and a half southwest of Annandale. By 1894, Lars only had 20 acres. Andrew Mattson had most of the land that Lars homesteaded in 1875.
The Mattson Property in Section 28 in 1894.
I think there is an error in the map legend. If Lars’ property is 20 acres, it appears that Andrew’s property should be 60 acres, not 80 acres, as the map key indicates.
Section 28 is bounded on the north by sections 20, 21, and 22, on the south by sections 32, 33, and 34. On the east by section 27 and on the west by section 29. I would expect the school the Mattson children attended to be on one of those sections.
According to Annandale Online, there were eight former schools in French Lake Township. Only one of them, Birch Lake School, was located in any of those sections. Additionally, the Swedish Free Church at North Crow River, that Lars Mattson was a trustee for was also known as Birch Lake Mission Church. As such, I’m pretty confident that the Mattson children attended Birch Lake School. The school operated from 1874 to 1971 as District 92. Harlan Nolan purchased the schoolhouse and now is a home at the same location. The oldest Mattson child was born in 1882, so he would have begun school about 1888. The youngest Mattson child was born in 1903; he probably attended school until he was 16, to about 1919. So, the Mattson’s probably had children attending Birch Lake School from 1888 until 1919.
I’ve contacted the Wright County Historical Society. Hopefully, they will have some materials available and of interest.
“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertising regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
