Ethel Wight Collection – Part 40

Posted on August 6, 2021 by Don Taylor

Fitzgerald, Flagg, Flaherty (2), & Fleming(?)

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
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 contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily 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.

Olive Gertrude Flagg, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Gertrude Flagg, 73 Melbourne St, Portland – #644.”

Olive Gertrude Flagg, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 Portland City Directory indicates that Olive G. Flagg lived at 73 Melbourne.
  • The 1940 U.S. Census enumerated Olive G. Flagg as a 55-year-old single school teacher.
  • The 1920 U.S. Census enumerated the 43-year-old school teacher living with her mother Lenora Flagg at 73 Melbourne.
  • I am sure this is Olive about 1936, when she was about 60 years old.

Family Search identifies Olive Gertrude Flagg, born 18 June 1876, as ID LHVN-C6P.

Olive does not seem to appear in any ancestry trees.

I have uploaded one photo of Olive to her Family Search Memories.

Hilda Cecile Fitzgerald (later Thibeault), circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Miss Hilda Fitzgerald, 66 Brown St, Portland #581.”

Hilda Cecile Fitzgerald (later Thibeault), circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The 1935 Portland High School yearbook shows the same photo associated with Hilda Cecile Fitzgerald.
    • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Hilda Fitzgerald living at 44 Brown. At the same address is Lottie Fitzgerald.
    • Hilda C Fitzgerald married Adrian R Thibeault in Portland on 29 June 1937.
    • S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, include a card for Adrian Robert Thibeault, born 28 July 1916, whose next of kin was Hilda Cecile Thibeault. They lived in New York in 1940. The Massachusetts Death Index indicates Adrian died on 11 November 1983.

I have been unsuccessful in finding Hilda in the 1920 or 1930 Census records. Also, I have been unsuccessful in finding Hilda (or Adrian) in the Family Search Family Tree. Likewise, I have been unsuccessful in finding Hilda in Ancestry family trees.

I have added two photos of her to Dead Fred.

I also uploaded one additional photo of Hilda Cecile Fitzgerald to my Flickr photostream.

Mary Patricia Flaherty, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Miss Patricia Flaherty – State St. Hospital – #653.”

Mary Patricia Flaherty, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1933 Portland City Directory lists Patricia M. Flaherty as a student nurse at 109 Emery, residing in the same place.
  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Patricia M. Flaherty as a nurse at 15 Mellen, residing at the same location. The 1943 Directory indicates she was still a nurse at15 Mellen. The ’43 directory also shows that 15 Mellen Street housed Russell-Altenburg Co dental supplies.
  • A fifteen-year-old Mary P Flaherty lives with her parents Edward A. and Mary A. Flaherty on Sheridan during the 1930 Census.
  • Further research in Ancestry Family Trees discovered Mary Patricia Flaherty, born 1 March 1915. She was a Nurse living in Boston in 1940 and lived with her parents, Edward Augustus and Mary Agnes (Lee) Flaherty, in Portland during the 1930 census. A further look at her in Ancestry Trees yielded a photo of Mary Patricia. That photo looks very much like the same person just a few years older.
  • I am confident that this is a photo of Mary Patricia Flaherty (later Feeney) about 1936.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Mary Patricia Flaherty; however, her father, Edward Augustus Flaherty, is GS1Y-997, and her mother, Mary Agnes Lee, is ID  GS1Y-ZL8. Seventeen Ancestry Trees refer to Mary Patricia Flaherty, later Feeney.

I have uploaded two photos of Mary Patricia to Dead Fred.

Stephen J. Flaherty, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Stephen Flaherty, 24 High St, Portland #664.”

Stephen J. Flaherty, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Stephen J and Pearl E Flaherty living at 24 High Street.
    • The 1940 U.S. Census lists Stephen J and Pearl E Flaherty living at 21 Grand Street in Portland. Stephen is 52 years old. Stephen was born in Maine.
    • New Hampshire Marriage records indicate Stephen J. Flaherty and Pearl E Caiazzo married on 25 October 1928 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His parents were John J and Mary (Foley) Flaherty. It was the second marriage for both of them. Pearl’s father’s name was Asa L. Smith
    • Maine Birth records indicate Stephen J. Flaherty was born on 26 December 1885.
    • I am sure this is Stephen J. Flaherty about 1935 when he was about 50 years old.

Family Search identifies Stephen J. Flaherty, born 26 December 1884 as ID GMT8-5VH.

Eighteen Ancestry trees refer to Stephen J. Flaherty.

I have uploaded one photo of Stephen to his Family Search Memories.

Unknown Child, possibly related to Mrs. George W. (Catherine E.) Fleming née Cockburn, circa 1936.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Geo W Flemming, 50 Bradley St, Portland # 1060 – DSCN3293PR.”

Unknown Child, possibly related to Mrs. George W. (Catherine E.) Fleming née Cockburn, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists George W. and Catherine E Fleming living at 50 Bradley St.
    • In 1930, there was a 33-year-old George W Fleming lodging at 37 Casco Street. He was a salesman in the radio industry. George was born in Massachusetts.
    • The 1932 Portland City directory indicated that George W Fleming was a salesman at 195 Forest Avenue. The various city directories suggest George and Catherine lived in Portland from 1932 until 1935.
    • George and Catherine E. Cockburn married on 6 June 1931 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. George was 34, and Catherine was 27. George was born in Manchester, and Catherine was born in Clinton, Mass. George’s parents were William K and Alice (Wiggins) Flemming. Catherine’s parents were William and Jessie (Spence) Cockburn.
    • The 1940 Census appears to find George W. Fleming, married, as a lodger in Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine. George’s wife and daughter do not appear on the page.
    • William Cockburn’s Naturalization Record indicates that Catherine E. Fleming was born in Clinton, Mass, on 13 July 1902 and resided in Bridgton, Maine, in 1937. Also living in Bridgton was her brother David H. Cockburn.
    • The 1940 Census enumerated Catherine Fleming living in Naples, Cumberland County, Maine. She was a teacher lodging with George and May Russell. No children were enumerated at that address.
    • I am very confident that Mrs. Geo. W. Flemming of 50 Bradley Street is Catherine Cockburn, daughter of William and Jessie (Spence) Cockburn. However, I can find no birth record for a child of George W. and Catherine E (Cockburn) Fleming. The child may be a niece or other close relative. Alternately, she could be their child who died young, but again, I can find no record of such a child.

In either event, without determining a name or relationship for the child, I am unable to post the photo to Family Search or Dead Fred. Besides this image, I also uploaded this image to my Flickr Photostream.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified two individuals whose photos I posted to Family Search
  • I identified two individuals without Family Search profiles, so I posted those photos to Dead Fred.
  • I failed to identify one child’s photo; consequently, I only posted her photo here and 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.

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.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Donna in the News – “Taflan’s Unique Review,” May 1930

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Don Taylor

 “Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertising regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and aka 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 clipping is from  The Evening Telegraph (North Platte, Nebraska), dated May 3, 1930.

Article

My knowledge of the twilight of Donna’s career is minimal, so it was exciting to find an article about her performing in May 1930. It is just a quick mention, but it provided the name of a new show she was in, a new venue, and information about one of her final performances. It reads:

The Evening Telegraph North Platte, NE – 3 May 1930

FOX OFFERS BIG VARIETY

Sunday and Monday the Fox theatre presents another great program on both stage and screen. The R-K-O vaudeville is headed by Taflan’s Unique Review, a company of six young men and women with special costumes and scenery, featuring Miss Dona Darling.

This clipping provides a hint regarding what Donna did after she returned from Panama. We know Donna was in Panama during her birthday, February 20, 1930. She also left Panama on March 27 and arrived in New York on April 8, 1930. Donna and Sammy had become estranged when they left Panama, so she no longer had a show with Sammy. Consequently, I’ve known nothing about her career from her return until she played in Terre Haute, Indiana, in September or October 1930, when she and Sammy were supposed to open a show again. (Although I have not been able to confirm they did perform together.) Now, I can further research “Taflan’s Unique Review” during 1930 and see where it and Donna may have appeared.

New information added to her career list:

May 4, 1930 – Fox Theatre – North Platte, NE – “…six young men and women…featuring Miss Dona Darling.

Posted in Taflan’s Unique Review, Vaudeville | Leave a comment

Ancestor Sketch – Albert S. Bodge

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Don Taylor

Blanchard-Bodge Line
By Don Taylor

Blanchard-Utterstrom Project – Ancestor #18

List of Grandparents

    • Grandfather: Edward Everett Blanchard
    • 1st Great-grandmother: Minnie M. Bodge(1872-1948)
    • 2nd Great-grandfather: Albert S Bodge (1838-1897)
    • 3rd Great-grandfather: John Bodge

Birth

Albert S. Bodge was born in South Windham, Cumberland County, Maine, on 2 August 1838[i]. He was the youngest of five children of John and Betsy (Mathew) Bodge. His four older siblings were:

    • Mary E Born 1828
    • John P Born 1831
    • Eunice Born 1834
    • Louisa Born 1836

Childhood

1840 Census – John Bodge, Head[ii]
    • Males Under 5 Appears to be Albert, age 1
    • Males 5 thru 9 Appears to be John (Jr.), age 9
    • Males 40 thru 49 John, Age 45
    • Females Under 5 Appears to be Louisa, age 4
    • Females 5 thru 9 Appears to be Eunice, age 6
    • Females 10 thru 14 Appears to be Mary, age 12
    • Females 40 thru 49 Appears to be Betsy, age 41
1850 Census – John Bodge, Head
    • John Bodge               M    55    Maine – Farmer, Real Estate Value: $2,000
    • Betsey Bodge           F     50    Maine
    • Mary E Bodge          F     22    Maine
    • John P Bodge          M     19    Maine     Attending School
    • Eunice Bodge          F     16    Maine     Attending School
    • Louisa Bodge          F     14    Maine     Attending School
    • Albert Bodge          M     11      Maine         Attending School
1860 Census – John Bodge, Head
    • John Bodge M    66    Maine     Farmer – Real Property Value: $3,000, Personal Property value: $500
    • Betsey Bodge        F     62    Maine
    • Eunice C Bodge        F     26    Maine     Teach Com School
    • Louiser Bodge        F     24    Maine     Teach Com School
    • Albert C Bodge        M     21    Maine     Farm Laborer

It is unclear what may have happened to Mary or John, but neither were enumerated here with the John Bodge household. Further research should determine where Mary and John lived.

1863 Civil War

Of the 348 young men who registered for the 14th Sub-District of Cumberland County draft, 107 names were drawn, and Albert Bodge’s name was one of them.  However, the law allowed for individuals to send a substitute in their place. The drafted person gave the substitute $300 (the equivalent of $5,000 today), and the substitute served in their place. Albert’s substitute was William Blake. William Blake of Portland mustered-in in August 1863 and mustered out on 1 September 1866.

After the end of the Civil War (1865) and 1877, Albert moved several times and had several different occupations. It doesn’t appear that marriage affected his trying different places or occupations.

Marriage

After the war, on 2 April 1867, Albert married Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mayberry. At the time, Albert was living in Portland, and Lizzie was living in Gorham. Shortly after their marriage their first child was born, Bertha.

Adulthood

1870 Census – Albert Bodge, Head

Westbrook, Cumberland County, Maine.

    • Albert S Bodge,     M      31     Maine       Teamster
    • Lizzie M Bodge      F       32     Maine
    • Berta A Bodge         F       1       Maine

By 1872, when daughter Minnie was born, the family had moved to Lewiston. They lived in a house on Bridge Street near Winter. Albert was an operative at the Androscoggin mill (a cotton mill). By 1876, they removed to Gray, Cumberland County, Maine. (He probably worked at the Mayall’s Mills.) He was also in Gray when he sold 200 acres of land he inherited from his father to his brother, John.[iii] He also sold an additional 7 acres to John.

The following year, 1877, Albert and his family moved to Westbrook, where he would live for the next 20 years. He worked for S. D. Warren & Co., a paper mill in Westbrook.

By 1880, the family appears to have broken up. I have not found either Albert’s wife, “Lizzie,” or his daughters, Berta or Minnie, during the 1880 Census. I suspect that “Lizzie” died, and the children were scattered. In 1880, Albert was living in a rooming house near the paper mill. The Census recorded him as single, so it may be that he and “Lizzie” had divorced. I may learn more when I research Lizzie.

Albert’s Second Marriage

By 1885, Albert and Emily Leighton got together. I am yet to find a marriage record for them; however, in 1886, they had a daughter, Hattie Louise Bodge.

Two of Albert’s Children Marry

On 12 June 1886, Albert’s oldest child, Bertha, married Charles A. Blanchard in Deering[iv], Maine.

On 14 December 1886, Albert’s middle child, Minnie Mabel, married Frederick W. Blanchard. Frederick’s older brother, Charles A Blanchard, is probably the same Charles that Bertha married. So, it appears to be another case of two sisters marrying two brothers.

Albert’s Third Marriage

Emily and Albert separated (or divorced). On 28 October 1894, Albert married Hattie Simpson.

Historical Event – Flood of Westbrook

S.D. Warren Mill following 1896 Flood – Photo Courtesy Walker Memorial Library via Maine Memory Network

In March 1896, Westbrook experienced a major flood. Melting snow caused the Presumpscot river to rise rapidly. Two bridges washed away, followed by the Westbrook electric light station washed away, causing Westbrook to lose lighting and power. The gatehouse at S. D. Warren (where Albert worked) and other damage threw 2500 people out of work. Other bridges and infrastructure were destroyed as well, including bridges in Gorham and Saco.

Death

Albert S. Bodge died at the age of 59 on 10 August 1897 in Westbrook, Cumberland County, Maine, of valvular heart disease. His funeral was held on 23 August 1987 at the Advent Church in Westbrook.

Event’s after Albert’s Death

Albert’s youngest daughter, Hattie, married on 9 May 1916, 19 years after Albert’s death. Hattie’s mother had also passed before Hattie’s marriage to Harry Eugene Maxim.

Events by Location

Albert is known to have lived in five locations, all within 35 miles of each other.

Location                                             Potential Residence Years[v].

    • Maine, Androscoggin, Lewiston        1870-1876
    • Maine, Cumberland, Gray                    1872-1877
    • Maine, Cumberland, Portland            1863-1870
    • Maine, Cumberland, Westbrook        1867-1872 & 1876-1897
    • Maine, Cumberland, Windham          1838-1767

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Research where Mary and John Bodge (Albert’s siblings) were during the 1860 Census.
  • The 1880 Census recorded Albert as single. It may be that he and “Lizzie” had divorced. Research Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bodge.
  • Research Emily Leighton, Albert’s 2nd wife and their daughter Hattie Louise Bodge.
  • Research Hattie Simpson, Albert’s 3rd wife
  • Perform a 2nd level research of Albert S. Bodge.

Sources

1840 Census
1840 Census, Various, John Bodge – Windham, Cumberland, Maine.

1850 Census [Source includes media item(s)]
1850 Census, Family Search, John Bodge, Head – Maine, Cumberland, Windham. United States Census, 1850. https://(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:M6JL-SLK.

1860 Census
1860 Census, Family Search, John Bodge. “United States Census, 1860”, database with images, FamilySearch : 18 February 2021), John Bodge, 1860. https:// familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDHJ-FT4.

1870 Census
1870 Census, Albert S Bodge, Head, Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine . “United States Census, 1870”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:M6DF-CTZ : 29 May 2021), Albert S Bodge, 1870.

1880 Census
1880 Census, Albert S Bodge – Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:MF3V-YQT : 19 February 2021), Albert S Bodge in household of Mary A Berry, Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district ED 64, sheet 529D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,478.

Cumberland County Register of Deeds Internet
Cumberland County Register of Deeds, Internet, Deed – Doc# 3143 – Albert S Bodge to John I Bodge – 27 June 1876.
Cumberland County Register of Deeds, Internet, Deed – Doc# 3143 – Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 June 1876.

Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Minnie M Bodge – 24 March 1972. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HVQ-8PJ.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Death – Albert S Bodge – 1897. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https:// familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ38-DTH : 2 March 2021), Albert S Bodge, 19 August 1897; citing Westbrook, , Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.

Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996
Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996, Family Search, Albert S Bodge – Hattie Simpson – No Image – 28 October 1894. Maine State Archives, Augusta, via Family Search. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCJN-TCJ.

Maine, U.S., Marriage Records, 1713-1922
Maine, U.S., Marriage Records, 1713-1922, Ancestry, Albert Bodge & Lizzie
Maybury . Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; Pre 1892 Delayed Returns; Roll Number: 10.

Portland Daily Press
Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine, ), Genealogy Bank, 1863-08-14 – Albert S. Bodge.
Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine, ), Genealogy Bank, 1897-08-24 – Westbrook – Funeral of Albert Bodge.

Portland Weekly Advertiser
Portland Weekly Advertiser (Portland, ME), Genealogy Bank, 1863-07-25 – The Draft – Windham.

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Lewiston, Maine – 1872 – Page 24 – Albert Bodge.

U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976
U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976, Ancestry, Page 23 – Windham – Albert S. Bodge.

U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865, Ancestry, Albert S Bodge

Endnotes

[i] Some records, such as his death recording,  indicate that Albert was born in Westbrook, however, earlier records indicate he was born in South Windham. Additionally, the Bodge family farm (over 200 acres) was in Windham.

[ii] Additional information regarding Albert Bodge & the 1840 Census was posted previously.

[iii] See: The Deed of Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 June 1876

[iv] Deering was a town in Cumberland County, incorporated 1871. Before 1871 it was a part of Saccarappa. In 1899, the town was annexed by the City of Portland and is today a neighborhood of Portland. (Ref: Wikipedia – Deering, Maine)

[v] Potential Residence Year begin in the year Albert is known to have lived before the location and ends the year Albert is known to have lived after the location. These are the years Albert could be found in the location described.

Posted in Blanchard-Utterstrom Project, Surname Projects, Ancestor Features | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parsons – Surname Saturday

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Don Taylor

Brown-Sanford-Parsons Line
By Don Taylor

Origin of the Parsons Surname

Ancestry indicates Parsons is an occupational name for the servant of a parish priest or parson, or possibly, the parson’s son. I ignored other meanings for Parsons, from Irish and Scottish origins, because my Parsons immigrant ancestor came from Dorset in the 1600s. According to Forebears, the surname is most common in Wiltshire, while it is also numerous in counties around Wiltshire, including Dorset.

Geographical

In World: Today, Parsons has the greatest incident in the United States, with over 86,000 people having the surname.

In Dorset, England, where my earliest ancestors lived, there are 881 people with the surname.

In the US, there is a greater incidence of Parsons living in California and Texas. In the 1880 Census, the most incidences of Parsons were in New York and Massachusetts. My Parson ancestors left New York in the 1820s and were in Michigan during the 1880 Census.

Direct Parsons Ancestors

51 – Mary Electa Parsons(1828-1888) – 3rd Great Grandmother
102 – Chester Parsons(1799-1887) – 4th Great-Grandfather
204 – John Parsons(1764-1813) – 5th Great-Grandfather
408 – John Parsons Sr. (1737/38-1821) – 6th Great-Grandfather
816 – Timothy Parsons (1695-1772) – 7th Great-Grandfather*
1632 – Samuel Parsons (1653-1734) – 8th Great-Grandfather*
3264 – Joseph Parsons (1620-1683) – 9th Great-Grandfather*
6528 – William Parsons (___-___) – 10th Great-Grandfather*

* Note: I have not fully reviewed or recearched ancestors #816 or higher.

Historical

In 1840, Chester Parsons was living in Saline, Washtenaw County, Michigan. His household included himself, his wife Deborah, and six children. There were eight Parsons families in Washtenaw County during the census. Chester and his brother lived in Saline.

In 1880, Chester’s father, John Parsons Jr,  was the head of the household in Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. His household included a wife and one child.  Chester’s Grandfather, John Parsons Sr., was also the head of a household. John’s household consisted of himself, five females and three males. They were two of the nine Parsons households in the county.

My earliest known Parsons immigrant ancestor is Joseph Parsons. He came to the colonies between 1629 and 1646. It isn’t clear whether he first came to Massachusetts (where he died) or Connecticut (where he married Mary Bliss in 1646).

Photographic History

Chester Parsons

A drawing of Chester Parsons was printed in the History of Washtenaw County, Michigan. His is one of the earliest ancestor images I have.

There is a copyrighted drawing of his home in: York, Saline, Ypsilanti, Lyndon, Sharon (Mich.) Township residences, ca. 1874; 1874. Page 105. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed: April 02, 2018.

There are photos of the Parsons family marker and Chester’s individual marker via Find-a-Grave.

Likewise, there is a photo of the marker of John Parsons, Jr., on Find-a-Grave.

Direct Parsons Descendants

My earliest known ancestor, William Parsons, married Margaret Hoskins sometime before 1620, probably in Beaminster, Dorset, England.  My records have identified 868 direct-line descendants of William and Margaret.

My most recent, known Parsons cousins are children of Alfred David Parsons (1830-1908) and Percia Tallmage (___-___). They had five children between 1861 and 1873, all were born in Saline, Washtenaw, Michigan. They are 1st cousins, 4x removed.

Sources:

  • Ancestry Surname Page: https://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts
  • Forebears Surnames Page: https://forebears.io/surnames
  • Ancestry – Don Taylor’s Roberts-Brown 2021 tree (Private) accessed 23 July 2021.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 39

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Don Taylor

Curry, Cutter, Fields, Fitts, & Todd

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
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 contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily 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.

Charles Nelson Cutter, circa 1936.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Chas Cutter, Union Mutual Insurance Co, Portland #505.”

Charles Nelson Cutter, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The Nashua Telegraph (Nashua, NH), dated 2 May 1961, page 13, had an article, “Cutter is Honored at Reception Here.” The article indicated that Charles N. Cutter was honored at a dinner for being the manager of the Nashua agency of the Union Mutual Life Insurance company. It also says that before taking over the Nashua agency for the company, he was with the Home Office in Portland, ME, as assistant to the president. This article confirms the spelling of his name and position with the firm.
    • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Charles N (Esther M) Cutter as the asst supt UMLICo 396 Congress, residing at Falmouth.
    • The 1935 Bowdoin College Alumni Directory indicates that Charles N Cutter, class of 1926, lived on Edgewater Rd., Falmouth Foreside. He worked in insurance in Portland, ME.
    • The 1940 US Census enumerated Charles N Cutter, age 36, born in Massachusetts, living with his wife, Esther N. Cutter, in Nashua, Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

Family Search identifies Charles Nelson Cutter, born 5 March 1904, and wife of Esther Mitchell as ID LK14-1K6. 21 Ancestry trees refer to Charles Nelson Cutter.

I have uploaded two photos of Charles Nelson Cutter to his Family Search Memories. I also uploaded three additional pictures to my Flickr photostream.

Update: Confirmed by a first cousin, once removed, to be Charles Nelson Cutter.

Confirmed by a grandson to be Charles Nelson Cutter. 

Richmond & Spencer Fitts, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Edith Fitts, 132 Bradley St, Portland.”

Richmond & Spencer Fitts, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Edith S. Fitts, a secretary at 602a Congress, room 204, residing at 132 Bradley.
    • The 1940 US Census enumerated Edith Fitts, the wife of Lyman R. Fitts, living at 132 Bradley Street with two sons, Richmond Fitts, age 14, and Spencer Fitts, age 9.
    • This photo does not have a number, so the relative date of the photo package is unknown; however, if it were taken about 1936, that would suggest Richmond as about ten and Spencer about 5. Those ages fit my interpretation of the ages of the two boys.
    • Richmond Osgood Fitts was born 14 June 1925; Spencer B. Fitts was born 6 June 1930.

Family Search identifies Richmond Fitts, born 15 June 1925 to Lyman and Edith (Briggs) Fitts, as ID LX37-295. Family Search also identifies Spencer B. Fitts as ID LJRF-C1J. Richmond Fitts is found in two Ancestry trees. Spencer B. Fitts is found in the same two Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded two photos of the two boys to their Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one additional photo to my Flickr photostream.

Emelia Fields, circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. J. H. Fields, 73 Federal St., Portland #732.”

Emelia Fields, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 Portland City Directory lists Joseph H. and Mary J. Fields living at 73 Federal.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Joseph H. and Mary J. Fields also living at 73 Federal. Living with them are five children, including 5-year-old Emelia Fields.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Emelia Fields. Ancestry Family Trees do not appear to include Emelia either. However, her father, Joseph Henry Fields, appears in 36 Ancestry trees.

The packages included this photo. There was a second photo of Emelia that I have uploaded to Dead Fred.

Confirmed by family members in Maine that this is Emelia/Amelia/”Great Aunt Mimi.”

Leda (Gallant) Curry, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Ralph Curry, 19 Sherman St, Portland #319.”

Ralph & Leda Curry, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • I reviewed Mr. Ralph Curry in Part 38 of this series. This photo set included one photo of Ralph and his wife. The other photo in this package was of his wife, Marie Leda Gallant. Leda was 28-years-old during the 1940 Census.

Leda (Gallant) Curry, circa 1936

Family Search identifies Leda Gallant, the daughter of Adolph and Alice (St. Pierre) Gallant, as ID G76Q-4C1. There are 49 Ancestry trees that refer to Marie Leda Gallant.

I have uploaded a photo of Ralph and Leda Curry and a single photo of Leda to her Family Search Memories.

Marilyn Lorraine Todd, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. William A. Field, 9 Cummingham St, Portland #504.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • Marilyn Lorraine Todd, circa 1934

      The 1935 Portland City Directory lists William A. and Florence Field living at 9 Cummings.

    • William and Florence may have had four children between 1913 and 1916. This child is an infant in a photo taken about 1935, so the image must be one of a grandchild.
    • The 1940 Census indicates that William and Florence were living at 54 Florida Ave. Living with them is their daughter Olive Todd and their six-year-old granddaughter, Marilyn L. Todd.
    • Marilyn Lorraine Todd’s marriage certificate indicates she lived at 54 Florida Ave, and her parents were Herold J. Todd and Olive LaVerne Field.
    • I am confident this is a photo of Marilyn about 1934 when she was about one year old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Marilyn Lorraine Todd (1933-2008). However, she appears in 12 Ancestry family trees.

I have added her photo to Dead Fred.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified four individuals that I could post their photos to Family Search
  • I also identified two individuals whose photos I posted to Dead Fred because they did not appear to have Family Search profiles.
  • Five of the individuals appear in Ancestry Family Trees.

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.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | 1 Comment