In the News
Blanchard Project
Blanchard-Bodge
By Don Taylor
“In the News” is my reporting of discovered newspapers articles and advertising regarding ancestors I am researching. Albert S. Bodge is a 2nd great-grandfather in my Blanchard-Utterstrom Project. The information found in newspapers invariably provides fresh texture to understanding the life of an ancestor.
This week I look at five articles I found through the website Genealogy Bank.
The Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine) dated 24 Aug 1897, page 5.
WESTBROOK
The Funeral of Albert S. Bodge was held at the Advent church yesterday afternoon. Mr. Bodge had been an employe of S. D. Warren & Co. for the past twenty years. His age was 59 years. He leaves a widow and three daughters.
What I learned:
Albert died before 24 Aug 1897
Albert worked for S. D. Warren & Co. 1877-1897 and (probably lived in Westbrook during that time.
Albert was (probably) an Adventist.
It was confirmed that Albert was born about 1838.
It was confirmed that Albert left a widow (Emily ?) & three daughters; Berta, Minnie, & Hattie.
In the Post Office at Portland, State of Maine, 30th day of April 1866.
To obtain any of these letters, the applicant must call for “Advertised Letters,” give the date on this list and pay ONE CENT for advertising. If not called for within ONE MONTH, they will be sent to the Dead Letter Office….
GENTLEMEN’S LIST.
…Bodge Albert…
What I learned:
Albert lived in Windham in 1863, during the draft, and lived in Portland in April 1867 when he married Lizzie Maybury. In 1866 his residence may have been fluid as he apparently received mail in Portland but wasn’t picking it up.
… Mrs. Albert Bodge and daughter Hattie from Cumberland Mills, are visiting at Mr. Wm. Smith’s;…
What I learned:
The Bodge’s were living in Cumberland Mills in June 1896.
Cumberland Mills was a neighborhood in Westbrook, Maine. Duck Pond was a village about five miles north of Cumberland Mills, still within the township.
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.
Florence Margaret Curran, 1936
This negative envelope says, “Miss Florence Curran, 41 Park St, Portland #1080.”
Miss Florence Curran, 41 Park St, Portland, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
This photo was used in the 1936 Portland High School Yearbook as the photo for Florence Margaret Curran “Floss.”
Maine Birth Records indicates that Florence Margaret Curran was born 29 July 1917, the daughter of William and Ruth Curran.
Family Search identifies Florence Curran, the daughter of William Francis and Ruth Annie (Blanchard) Curran, as ID LY9Q-WMX. Florence Margaret Curran Michaud is also found in 14 trees at Ancestry.Com.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Frances Currie, 323 Spring St, Portland #255.”
Miss Frances Currie, Circa 1935
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Frank E and Alice Currie living at 323 Spring.
The 1940 US Census lists Frank E and Alyce B Currie living in Gorham with their 15-year old daughter Frances L Currie.
This photo was taken about 1935 when Frances was about nine years old.
Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Frances Currie, the daughter of Frank and Alice Currie. However, Frances L. Currie is found in six trees at Ancestry.Com.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Mary Currie, 128 Brentwood St, Portland #199.”
iss-Mary-Currie-128-Brentwood-St-Portland-199-
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists James E and Alice M, living at 128 Brentwood.
The 1940 US Census enumerated James E and Alice Curie living at 55 Whitney Ave, in Portland. With them is their 23-year-old daughter Mary, who was born in New Hampshire.
Based upon the negative number, this photo was taken in 1934 or 1935. So, I’m sure this is a photo of Mary Currie about 1934 when she was about 17 years old.
Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Mary Edith Currie. Mary Edith Currie, the daughter of James E. and Alice M. (Clemons) Currie, does appear in 17 Ancestry trees.
I have added a different photo of her photo to Dead Fred.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. Ralph Curry, 19 Sherman St, Portland #320.”
Mr. Ralph Curry, circa 1935
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory listed J. Ralph (and Leda) Curry living at 19 Sherman.
The 1938 Portland City Directory listed Ralph J. (and Leda) Curry living at 163 Frances.
The 1940 US Census enumerated the 29-year-old Ralph and his wife Leda living at 1542 Congress Street. Ralph was born in Massachusetts.
James Ralph Curry, born in Massachusetts and married to Marie Leda Gallant, appears in 25 family trees at Ancestry. Ralph James Curry, born 18 January 1911 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, is LYD7-L4R on Family Search.
I fully identified three individuals and was able to post their photos to Family Search
I identified two individuals that didn’t have Family Search profiles, so I posted those photos 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 from negatives to positive images using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.
Amanuensis[i] Monday
Blanchard Project
Blanchard-Bodge
By Don Taylor
As I begin looking more closely at the life of Albert S. Bodge, I find his life seems to have fallen apart sometime between 1872 and 1880. Looking at his property transactions might shed light upon this period in his life.
Document Image
Deed of Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 Jun 1876
Transcription
I Albert S Bodge of Gray in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine
In consideration of two hundred dollars paid by John J. Bodge of Windham in the County and State aforesaid the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby remise, release, bargain, sell and convey, and forever quit-claim unto the said John J. Bodge and his heirs and assigns forever all my right, title and interest in and to a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings therein situated in Windham and being the homestead farm formerly owned and occupied by John Bodge late of said Windham deceased containing about sixty acres more or less. Meaning and intending hereby to convey all my right, title and interest as an heir at law to the homestead farm formerly owned and occupied by the late John Bodge and to all the real estate of which he died seized and possessed in said town of Windham.
To have and to hold the same, together with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said John J. Bodge and his heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof, I the said Albert S. Bodge and Lizzie M. Bodge wife of the said Albert S in testimony her relinquishment of her right of dower and all claims in the above described premises, have hereunto set our hands and seals this ninth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six.
Witness: Jacob Clark Albert S Bodge (Seal) L M. Webb to A. S. B. Lizzie M. Bodge (Seal)
Jacob Clark, Justice of the Peace, Henry (?) Houston, Register
New Facts
Albert lived in Gray in 1876.
Lizzie was alive in 1876.
Albert’s father, John Bodge, died before June 1876.
Albert’s father, John Bodge, had a 60-acre homestead in Windham, plus buildings.
There was a John J. Bodge living in Windham in 1876 who purchased the land for $200.
Albert had a brother, John P. Bodge who was eight years older than Albert. This may have been Albert selling his share of the inherited property to his brother. The difference between “P” and “J” might be attributed to penmanship.
Alternately, it may have been a sale to another heretofore unknown Bodge.
[i] John Newmark started the “Amanuensis Monday” category in 2009 on his Blog, Transylvanian Dutch and many bloggers have followed suit using the tag. Google provides the following meaning for amanuensis: “A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.”
Census Sunday
Blanchard Project
Blanchard-Bodge
By Don Taylor
One of my first process activities in reviewing an ancestor’s life is to follow the individual through all of the available census records. Often this can be difficult, but in the case of Albert Bodge, it was pretty easy.
Albert was born 2 Aug 1838 and died 19 Aug 1897 at the age of 58. The 1890 Census isn’t available, and I found him in the 1880 and 1870 Censuses living in Westbrook. During the 1860 and 1850 Censuses, he lived with his parents, John and Betsey Bodge, in Windham. Other records have indicated he had four siblings, a brother and three sisters.
Searching for the John Bodge family in the 1840 Census was quick and easy.
So, the 1840 Census enumerated all of John and Betsy’s children.
Of interest, there were eight Bodge households in Windham, Cumberland County, Maine, during the 1840 Census – Andrew, two Johns, two Thomas’, Josiah, Olive, and William.
John A. Bodge was a single, white male, age 20 to 29, who was apparently married to a female 20 to 29. It will be essential to note the second John Bodge to avoid confusion in future research.
Endnotes:
[i] “United States Census, 1840,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHT6-498 : 8 December 2020), John Bodge, Windham, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing p. 447, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .
[ii] Because the 1840 Census does not provide relationship information, the relationships identified here are tentative and only “apparent” based upon age and household.
Croteau, Crowell, Crowley, & Crozier – Also, the Cumberland Club
Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor
This week for Photo Friday, I identify the people in four more envelopes and a building 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.
Florence Crowell, circa 1936 (age 25)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Florence Crowell, 42 Fernald St., Portland #674.”
Florence Crowell, circa 1936 (age 25)
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Florence S Crowell as a clerk at 419 Congress street who resided at 42 Fernald.
The 1930 US Census enumerated the 18-year-old Florence Crowell living at 26 Fernald with her mother, Susie Crowell.
The 1920 US Census enumerated the 8-year-old Florence Crowell living at 26 Fernald with her parents George M. and Susie Crowell.)
This photo must be of Florence Crowell, the daughter of George Milford and Susie Batchelder (Cummings) Crowell, about 1936 when she was about 25 years old.
Family Search does not have a profile for Florence; however, Family Search identifies her parents as LWG5-5PY and 9V68-116 (George and Susan). Also, 19 Ancestry trees refer to Florence Sybil Crowell (1911-1968).
Besides this photo, I have added one additional photo of Florence to Dead Fred.
Comment: One of Florence’s children confirmed this to be a photo of Florence.
Mary Crowley, circa 1936
The negative envelope says, “Miss Mary Crowley, 18 Summer St., Portland #618.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Bartley J Crowley living at 18 Summer with his wife, Mary.
The 1930 US Census enumerated Bartley and Mary Crowley living 18 Summer with their four children. Patrick, Mark, Mary, and Martin. Mary, the daughter, was 20 years old, which fits the apparent age of the woman in the photograph.
Mary Crowley was born on 8 December 1909 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. The third child of Bartley and Mary (Concannon) Crowley.
Family Search identifies Mary Crowley, born 8 December 1909, and the daughter of Bartley J. and Mary (Quincannon) Crowley, as ID L1ZP-3K6. Also, 9 public Ancestry trees refer to Mary Concannon/Quincannon.
I have uploaded two photos of Mary to her Family Search Memories.
Willis, Phyllis, and Herbert Croteau, circa 1936.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. James Crotean (or Croteau), 186 Washington Ave, Portland #1007.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
I was not able to find James Croteau in the Portland City Directories. The 1938 directory indicates that Frances E Croteau, a seamstress at 155 Brackett, lived at 115 Washington Ave. Another Croteau listed was Willard J, an agent at 477 Congress, room 903, who apparently resided in Skowhegan.
The 1937 Portland City directory lists Croteau, Wilfred L (Frances F), employed by the City of Portland who lived at 115 Wash Av.
The 1936 Portland City Directory is missing page 256, the page that Croteau should be on.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Wilfred L (and Frances F) living at 186 Washington Ave.
The 1930 US Census lists Wilfred L. and Frances M Croteau living at 218 Presumpscot Street with their two children, Phyllis (age 1) and Herbert (age 0). The 22-year-old Wilfred was born in Canada, and his 17-year-old wife, Francis, and the children were all born in Maine.
The 1940 Census lists Frances Croteau, living at 115 Washington Ave with her daughter Phyllis and sons Herbert and Willis. With them is Frances’ 62-year-old mother, Maude Merrill. Frances is listed as divorced.
I’m convinced this photo is of Phyllis, Herbert, and Willis Croteau about 1936. Phyllis would have been about 8, Herbert about 6, and Willis about 3. I am not sure who James Croteau is that ordered/paid for the photograph.
Family Search does not appear to have profiles for any of the children of Frances E (Merrill) Croteau.
Phyllis M. Croteau, born 29 December 1928, is found in 3 Ancestry Trees
Herbert J. Croteau, born in 1930 to Wilfred and Frances E (Merrill) Croteau, is found in two Ancestry trees.
Update: According to another researcher, Wilfred liked to be called “Uncle Jimmy.” Additionally, his obituary indicated his wife was Annie Sue. Her Find-a-Grave memorial mentions her husband’s name as Jim Croteau. That researcher indicated that James Croteau of Washington Ave was Wilfred L. Croteau.
Joseph, Margaret, Robert, Katherine, and Philip Crozier, circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “ Mrs. J. B., Crozier, 31 Taylor St., Portland #497.”
Joseph, Margaret, Robert, Katherine, and Philip Crozier, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Joseph B. Crozier and his wife, Mary H., living at 31 Taylor.
The 1940 US Census lists Joseph and Mary Crozier living at 31 Taylor Street with their five children
Joseph 18
Margaret 18
Robert 17
Catherine 15
Philip 14
This photo was taken about 1936 when the children were about four years younger.
Family Search does not appear to have profiles for any of the children nor either parent (Joseph or Mary).
The children of Joseph Francis Benedict and Mary Harriet (Faye) Crozier include:
Besides this photo, I have uploaded a second photo of the five children to Dead Fred. I’ve uploaded two more photos of the five children to my Flickr photostream. Additionally, I’ve uploaded one photo of Margaret and Katherine to Flickr. It is somewhat damaged, but Katherine’s image in the photo is really nice.
The Cumberland Club – 116 High Street, Portland, ME, circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “ The Cumberland Club – High St. Portland #344 – Taken for Miss Noyes, The Sherwood, Park St.”
As a change from researching people, it was fun to see a building and see how much it hasn’t changed in the past 85 years.
The Cumberland Club is a private social club in Portland, Maine. It was built in 1800 as a private residence and organized as a club in 1877. This photo was taken about 1936.
The 1940 Portland City Directory indicates that The Cumberland Club was at 116 High Street. A look at that address on Google Maps proves that the building still stands.
I uploaded a second photo of the building to my Flickr photostream. This photo is a bit clearer, but it is damaged on the right side.
Conclusion
I identified one individual whose photo I posted to Family Search
I identified nine individuals whose photos I posted to Dead Fred.
One photo was of a building. I did identify the structure and posted two images of it 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.
“In the News” is my reporting of discovered newspapers articles and advertising regarding ancestors I am researching. Albert S. Bodge is a 2nd great-grandfather in my Blanchard-Utterstrom Project. The information found in newspapers invariably provides fresh texture to understanding the life of an ancestor.
WESTBROOK
The Draft
List of persons who furnished substitutes:
Letters Remaining Unclaimed
WESTBROOK
This week for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection
