Blanchard Project Photos – Part 1 of 2

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Don Taylor

Blanchard Project
Utterstrom/Halverson
Photo Friday

I recently received a group of 13 photos all relating to people in my Blanchard project—one Cassidy, four Utterstroms, seven Halversons, and 1 blurry photo. Today, I’ll look at the seven Halverson photos. I’ll look at the Cassidy and Utterstrom photos sometime in the near future. The last photo, the blurry one, I’ll use as a test photo when I review “Vivid Pix Restore,” software.

Blanchard Project

Alfred Halverson, Jr - ca. 1933“Alfred Halverson, Jr – ca. 1933” has the general appearance of a high school senior graduation photo. Alfred was born on 23 January 1915. If this is a graduation photo, I’d estimate his graduation to be about 1933. I added his photo to my project. I also created an entry for Alfred Halverson on Family Search (GQK7-D2G) and posted the photo (and photo back) there.

 

Alfred Halverson Jr - ca. 1917“Alfred Halverson Jr – ca. 1917” is a cute baby photo. The clarity of the face is excellent. There was no date associated with the photo, however, Alfred was born in 1915 and I estimate the child in the photo to be about two years old, so I’ve ascribed a date of ca. 1917. I added it to my project and a to Alfred Halverson on Family Search (GQK7-D2G).

 

Clarence Halverson - ca. 1890s“Clarence Halverson – ca. 1890s.” Besides his name, the back of the photo says, “Father of Clifford Leon Halverson and husband of Mabel Halverson.” Clarence died at the age of 33 in 1903, so the photo is definitely before that. I estimate the late 1890s. I added this photo to my project and to Clarence Halverson on Family Search (LLQB-JTH).

Clifford Halverson - ca. 1900“Clifford Halverson – ca. 1900.”  The back of this photo is filled with information. It reads, “Son of Clarence Halverson | Clifford Halverson| Phil’s Brother | Betty & Beverly’s Uncle | Died age 15 Blood Poison | Pimple nose got infected – Scratched pimple | Gardiner, Maine.” Oh my! Sometimes it is easy to forget just how fragile life was before the advent of antibiotics. The photo indicates Clifford died at age 15; however, the burial record with the Evangelical Lutheran Church indicates he died 15 September 1912 at the age of 17.[i] That suggests his birth was 1894 to 1895. My estimate is that the child in this photo is about 5 or six years old, making the photo ca. 1900. [Note: The photo was damaged (long ago). It appears to me that someone scribbled his face and body probably as a carry through from scribbling on a document on top of this one.] I added this photo to my project and to Clifford Leon Halverson on Family Search (LLQB-VLJ).

Hanna Mathilda Halverson - ca. 1885“Hanna Mathilda Halverson – ca. 1885.” This photo originally indicated the first name of “Hanna,” however, a secondary identification and all other records that I have indicate her name was Hannah. The back of the photo indicates “Al and Bill’s Grandmother.”  Also, the date “1885?” written in the secondary hand suggests the year was the estimate of someone. The photo type and appearance seem to be consistent with the mid-1800s, so I kept that date.   I added this photo to my project and to Hannah M. Halverson on Family Search (L1QQ-PCK).

Harold Halverson (Hannah's Brother) - ca 1880s“Harold Halverson (Hannah’s Brother) – ca 1880s.” Very faintly, the back of the photo appears to read “Little Harold.” In a later hand, it reads “Uncle Harold Halverson | Hanna’s Brother,” and in an even more recent hand it reads “Harold Haverson Hannah’s Brother.” Harold Theodore Halverson was born in Norway, probably in 1878. In 1883 the family immigrated to Boston where this photo had been taken. The family relocated to Deering [now Portland] Maine by 1889. So, this photo must have been taken between 1883 and 1889. The boy in this photo appears to me to be about 11 years old. If so, the photo would have been taken about early in 1889. I added this photo to my project and to Harold Theodore Halverson on Family Search (L5FG-7K3).

Mary Halverson - ca 1890s“Mary Halverson – ca 1890s.” The final photo in this Halverson collection is a photo of Mary Halverson. The back said, “Hannah’s sister | Mary Halverson.” In a newer pen, there is an entry that says, “died of TB” and “1890?”  My records didn’t have a Mary Halverson, however, I do have a Maren Halverson. Maren was born in 1868 and died in 1893. The Halverson’s moved to Maine in 1889.  The woman in this photo appears to be in her mid-‘20s. Consequently, I’m confident that is a photo of Mary Halverson taken between 1889 and 1893. I added this photo to my project and to Mary Halverson on Family Search (M69L-RVB).

Final Note

If you are related to the Halverson Family and have photos you can share, I’d love to hear from you. Please use the comment form below. Add “PRIVATE” to the subject line if you do NOT want your comment published to the website.

Continue reading →

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Chin Chin – Lyceum Theatre – Paterson, NJ – May 7th & 8th 1920.

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Don Taylor

Donna Montran and “Chin Chin” play at the Lyceum Theatre in Paterson, New Jersey on 7 & 8 May 1920.

Donna Montran
Chin Chin
Vaudeville

“Chin Chin” played in Wilkes-Barre, PA on May 4th.  I haven’t determined where the show was on May 5th or 6th. However, by the 7th, it had progressed the 110 miles east to Patterson.

Preshow Advertising

Advertising for the show began with a May 1st article:[i]

“Chin Chin” to Come to Lyceum

Manager Guggenheim of the Lyceum Theatre, Patterson, has secured Charles Dillingham’s only company presenting that wonderful spectacle of “Chin Chin”, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8, with a matinee Saturday. This riot of fun, feast of music and bevy of feminine beauty appeared at the Globe theatre in New York for two solid years and is heralded as the greatest musical comedy success emanating from the gay white way. In the leading comedy roles are Walter Wills and Roy Binder.

In this musically rich show spontaneous approval is always accorded such melodious turns as “Good-Bye Girls, I’m Through”, “Love Moon”, The Grey Moon”, “Go Gar Sig Gong-Jue”. The comedy song, and “The Ragging of the Rag of Rags”.-adv.

Show Advertising

The Morning Call – Sat, May 8, 1920

Advertising continued daily through the last ad in both the Patterson and the Passaic newspapers. The show played on May 7th and the May 8th issue of The Morning Call (Patterson, NY) had a call-out which mentioned Donna. It said, in part,

Interwoven into this sparkling comedy of melody is a fairy-tale romance, bringing into play Aladdin and his lamp. Donna Montran, impersonating Violet, meets Aladdin (Star Dunham) at a toy bazar. You all know the story of the mysterious lamp. Suffice it to say that whoever secures the lamp may have any wish granted as it is wished. Aladdin wished for Violet. He got her. Not until the lamp had brought many complications, however.

Post Show Info

I’m not sure where the show went from there, but five days later it had worked its way 175 miles north to Bennington, Vermont.

Lyceum Theatre – Patterson, NJ

The theater was located at 125 Van Houten St., next door to the local fire station, and had a seating capacity of 1,950.

Specifications for the Lyceum Theatre[ii]

The Lyceum is on the right beyond the fire station.

Front to back wall: 45 ft
Between side walls: 80 ft
Between fly girders: 10 ft
To rigging loft: 52 ft

Newspapers —”Chronicle,” “Call,” “News,” “Press,” “Passaic News,” “Herald.”  I haven’t found the “Chronicle” or the “Press” issues.

What Happened to the Theater

On March 22, 1931, the Paterson Lyceum theater burned to the ground.[iii]

Today

Today, the location the Paterson Lyceum theater occupied is a parking ramp.

Disclaimer

The ads and some of the links on this website are “affiliate links.” If you purchase after clicking on them, I will receive a small commission which will help me pay for this site. Please see my Disclaimer Page for more information.

Endnotes

[i] Passaic Daily Herald (Passaic, New Jersey) · Sat, May 1, 1920, · Page 4, Column 1.jpg

[ii] The Julius Cahn-Gus Hill Theatrical Guide And Moving Picture Directory. New York, N.Y.: Julius Cahn-Gus Hill, 1921. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/coo.31924063709764?urlappend=%3Bseq=300 accessed 12 March 2020.

[iii] “PATERSON FIRE JOURNAL & NORTH JERSEY FIRE HISTORY”. Patersonfirejournal.Blogspot.Com. Accessed March 12, 2020. https://patersonfirejournal.blogspot.com/2015/.

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The Waters Family of 1870 Patten, Maine

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Don Taylor

Blanchard Project

Blanchard/Utterstrom/Chase/Waters
By Don Taylor

During my ancestor sketch for Sadie Walters, I learned that Patten, Kennebec County, Maine, was settled about 1828, incorporated in 1841. Sadie was born in 1887 in Patten, and her parents were born in Patten as well. So, I wondered, when Sadie’s people came to Patten.  Sadie’s parents were William G. Waters and Laura M. Swett.

I looked previously at the Waters of 1880 Patten, Maine.

1870 Population Schedule

A search of the 1870 Census for “Waters” in Patten, Maine, had 13 results, plus 2 Rowe’s and 3 Grant’s.

  1. George Waters, Age 57 – Widower – Farmer – $1000, $500 Born New Castle, ME – Citizen.
    1. Mary E. Waters, Age 29 – Keeping House Born Palermo, ME – Clearly Elen M. Waters from 1880 Census.
    2. Clara M Waters, Age 27 – Domestic – (possibly a daughter). Born Patten, ME – NEW Person!
    3. William G. Waters, Age 12 – Farm Laborer. Born Patten, ME. Attending School.

      George Waters family in the 1870 Federal Census.

  1. Samuel Waters, age 55 – Farmer 2000 – 1000 – New Castle, ME – Citizen
    1. Frances E. Waters, Age 31 – Hartland, ME
    2. Emily Waters, age 4 – Patten, ME – – Attended School.
    3. Mary I. Waters, age 14 – Domestic – Masardis, ME – Attended School.
  2. Mary Waters – Age 81 – Invalid – Born Jefferson, ME – New Person (Likely William’s mother) NEW Person!
    1. William Waters, Age 50 – Farmer – Born Palermo, ME – Citizen
    2. Olive T. Waters, Age 23 – Born Masardis, ME
    3. George Rowe, Age 12 – Born Masardis, ME.
    4. Emily A. Rowe, Age 9 – Born Masardis, ME.
    5. Martha A. Waters, Age 2/12 – Born in March – Patten, ME (Appears to be Alice M. Waters from 1880 Census)
  3. Eunice W. Waters, Age 64 – Mother of Lonsen Grant – Born Westbrook, ME
    1. Lonson Grant, Age 37, farm Laborer 000 – 200 Born Patten, ME – Married previous October – Citizen
    2. Dora A. Grant, age 18, Born Crystal, ME – Married previous October – NEW Person!
    3. Fred Grant, Age 10 – Born Lincoln, ME – Attending School – Likely brother of Lonson – NEW Person!

Changes from the 1880 Census.

The George Waters household has a new person, Clara M. Waters. She is two years younger than George’s daughter Mary Ellen. I am tentatively assuming that Clara is the daughter of George. If so, Mary Ellen, who was born about 1841 in Palermo and Clara, who was born in Patten about 1843, would suggest that George came to Patten about 1842 or 3.

The William Waters household of 1880 has an 81-year-old invalid heading the household in the 1870 census. I am relatively confident that Mary Waters, born ca. 1789, is William’s mother. Olive and the two Rowe children are all born in Masardis, ME. As such, I believe they are likely siblings of Olive, suggesting her maiden name was also Rowe.

Lonson Grant and Dora A were married in October 1869. Dora would have been eight years old when Fred was born, so I’m confident that Fred is a brother of Lonson and the second son of Eunice W. Waters.

Non-population Schedules

The 1870 Mortality Schedule – William Waters died of cholera in October ed1869, at the age of 1.

The 1870 Agricultural Census Schedule lists the farm information regarding each of the Waters’ farms.[i]

Name of Agent, Owner or Manager George Waters Samuel Waters William Waters
Acres, Improved 50 50 40
Acres, Wooded 50 100 100
Value of Farm $1000 $1500 $1200
Value of Implements $75 $125 $100
Wages Paid 60 60 150
Horses 1 2 3
Milch Cows 3 5 3
Working Oxen 2 3 2
Other Cattle 4 3 6
Sheep 11 24 15
Swine 2 2 2
Value of livestock $350 $400 $200
Spring Wheat, bush. 32 14 –
Indian Corn 8 – —
Oats 110 260 200
Buckwheat 90 70 100
Wool 30 100 60
Peas & Beans 15 15
Irish Potatoes 200 300 300
Butter 500 400 100
Hay 20 25 20
Value of Animals Slaughtered 200 200 60
Total Value $500 $500 $300

George had 100 acres of land, 50 of which was tilled; he was able to till an additional 10 acres by 1880.  He had one horses, three milch (milk) cows, and 11 sheep. He grew wheat, oats, corn, buckwheat, peas, potatoes, and hay. The total value of George’s farm was $1,925.

Samuel and William’s farms were slightly larger at 150 and 140 acres and valued at $2,525 and $1,800, respectively.

Future Actions

Next – Review the 1860 Census records.

Sources:

  • U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 – Ancestry.com – William Waters
  • 1870 United States Federal Census – Ancestry.com – Eunice W Waters
  • 1870 United States Federal Census – Ancestry.com –  George Waters
  • 1870 United States Federal Census – Ancestry.com – Mary Waters
  • 1870 United States Federal Census – Ancestry.com – Samuel Waters
  • U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 – Ancestry.com – George Waters – 1870 Agriculture Schedule
  • U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 – Ancestry.com – Samuel Waters – 1870 Agriculture Schedule
  • U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 – Ancestry.com – William Waters – 1870 Agriculture Schedule

Endnotes

[i] Note: I deleted lines showing farm items that none of the Walters men possessed from the list. For example, Tobacco, which isn’t grown in Maine, was deleted.

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Hobbs – Surname Saturday

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Don Taylor

Name Origin

Hob is a “pet form of Robert” and Hobbs is a patronymic form for Son of Hob, as is Hobson.

Geographical

Worldwide there are approximately 99,273 people who bear the Hobbs surname. The vast majority, over 62,000 in the United States, with England and Australia being distant second and third (about 18,000 and 8,000 respectively). Interestingly, in terms of frequency, the little country of Vanuatu has the greatest proportion of the Hobbs surname, where one in 1,644 people have the surname.

Direct Hobbs Ancestors

5.  Mary Lillian Hobbs Howell (1885-1964) LVSF-NCZ
10.  James Ashley Hobbs (1843-1920) – Family Search: M4G8-BZX
20.  George W Hobbs (1805 – 1858) – Family Search: G3WN-FZC

Historical

1920

During the 1920 Census, my wife’s great-grandfather, James Ashley Hobbs was living in Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina. There were 303 Hobbs families in North Carolina during the 1920 Census, but James was the only Hobbs that lived in Martin County. The 75-year-old widower boarded in the household of James R. Hanell. James died later, in November, that year.

1880

According to an Ancestry search, there were 829 people with the Hobbs surname enumerated in North Carolina and one family in Martin County. That family was my wife’s great-grandfather, James Ashley Hobbs, his wife Delora, two sons, Roland and Charles, and two daughters, Annie and Emily. My wife’s grandmother, Mary Lillian Hobbs, was born in 1884. And her 2nd great-grandfather, George passed in 1859.

1840

According to Ancestry, there were 58 Hobbs families in North Carolina. My wife’s 2nd great-grandfather, George W Hobbs, and his wife Mary were married and were raising three children in Beaufort County. They were the only Hobbs family there during the 1840 Census.

Known Hobbs relatives.

My records have identified 145 direct-line descendants of George W. Hobbs (1801-1859) and 23 known Hobbs descendants.

Sources:

 

 

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Donna Darling Collection – Part 60 – Parkway Theatre

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Don Taylor

Donna Montran – Vaudeville
Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at eight images all relating to the Parkway Theatre. None of the clippings indicate what city the show is taking place in and none of the clippings provide a date. Donna’s 1924-1925 show went by many different names, Hollywood Bathing Beauties,” “California Bathing Beauties Revue,” and “Bathing Beauties Revue featuring Donna Darling. A film mentioned, “The Painted Flapper,” was released in October 1924, so Donna’s show most likely within the three months after the film’s release.

From other research, I knew that Donna played at the Parkway Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin from January 11 to the 15th. Could this be the Parkway Theatre of Donna’s Scrapbook?

A quick review said, yes, these clippings came from that show. Many of the clippings were identical to articles I found online so, I feel comfortable these clipping for the Parkway are from Donna’s Madison Show.

PARKWAY

Clipping from the Donna Darling Collection.

Clipping from newspapers.com

THE CALIFORNIA BATHING BEAUTIES REVUE

Direct from the Studios at Hollywood
In Person
featuring

DONNA DARLING
Creator of principal role in “Chin Chin” star of “Girl Behind the Gun;” winner of Madison Square beauty contest.
MR. MURRY EARLE Late feature dancer for George White Scandals
ALL ROSS & ALICE LOUISE Dances and Comedians
MISS BETTY BRYANT – Know for her comedy team work.
MISS MILDRED O’BRIEN – In Mack Sennett Comedies
MISS CLARICE ALLYN – Toe Dancer
MISS KATHERYN KOLLEEN – Dancer
MISS MYRTLE CARLSON – Dancer

PARKWAY
Same info as the previous ad, plus additional info about the accompanying motion picture, “The Painted Flapper: An Ultra Modern Jazzology” starring James Kirkwood and Pauline Garon.

(Note: Donna cut off the ads for coming attractions. )

Parkway

Clipping from the Donna Darling Collection.

The much heralded Bathing Girl Revue headed by Miss Donna Darling and her motion picture studio girls made it bow to Parkway Patrons yesterday and won applause. Their offering is fast, clean and colorful and thoroughly devoid of anything that smacks of the sensational often associated with the miniature revues.

Identical article in the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) · 12 Jan 1925, Page 7.

The plot, though not a new one, is unique in development. In a short half hour one is whipped through a mirage of singing and dancing numbers following in quick succession, telling a history of the bathing suit from Grandmother’s day down to the present time, with a side trip around the world including stop offs at various beach resorts. The costumes are elaborate, the setting pleasing and the lighting effects unusual.

Of the cast Miss Darling stand out by right of her personality, beauty and grace. She was ably assisted by Murry Earl, a dancer of accomplishment. Miss Betty Bryant, for her demon dancing in the Mars episode and dainty Clarice Allyn’s Chinese bathing girl number deserve special mention.

BATHING BEAUTIES OF MOVIES IN REVUE AT PARKWAY

Bathing girls from various California motion picture studios will make a personal appearance in a colorful Hollywood Revue at the Parkway this week, beginning today. This review is a clever musical and dancing number which will show the Parkway patrons that these versatile girls can do other things than merely pose before the camera.

Miss Donna Darling, who comes direct from the Mack Sennett studios, is the charming star who introduces the Bathing Beauties dressed in bathing costumes dating from 1860 to the present day. Betty Bryant is the “Miss America of 1925.” Bathing costumes of various countries and fashionable sea-shore centers are introduced. Chief among these numbers is Mildred O’Brian, who appear as the beauty from Palm Beach. Miss Darling’s life guards, Murry Earl and Al Ross, add comedy to the Egyptian dance while petite Clarice Allyn as the Chinese bathing girl enhances the offering with clever toe dancing.

Elaborate costumes have been selected for this sparkling revue. The music is snappy and the production has brilliant scenic and lighting effects.

There was a large ad that ran across two pages in Donna’s scrapbook. It shows Donna on the left and two of the other girls. I have not identified either of them yet. I suspect one of them is probably Betty Bryant, but the other could be Mildred O’Brian or Clarice Allyn or even one of the other two girls. I’ll need to research that further.

Conclusion

The Donna Darling Collection provided new information about her show at the Parkway Theatre, Madison Wisconsin on January 11 to the 15th, 1925.

Follow-up Actions

I’ll need to search for photos of the other individuals of the show that are in the advertising.

Sources

Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) · 12 Jan 1925 · Page 7.

Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) · 14 Jan 1925 · Page 15.

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