For this week’s Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m looking at a scan (SCAN0180) of five photos from the Donna Darling Collection.
First, there is a photo of my uncle Russell Kees. In this photo, he appears to be in some sort of uniform. Additionally, his writing on the back suggests this is the first photo after leaving for the service. As such, I date this photo about 1951, when Russell would have been about 24 years old.
Next is a photo of me, probably about one year old. I had seen and remembered this photo from when I was a child.
Finally, there are three photos of my son, Matt, which I sent to Donna in 1974. I didn’t remember Matt’s picture at the beach, wearing the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) t-shirt. It had to have been San Diego, my ship’s home port.
As I began a second look at my great-grandfather, Hugh Ellis Roberts, I learned about my grand-aunt[i] (my grandfather’s sister), Mabel Ilean Roberts’ life. Wow; her life was filled with so much tragedy.
Mabel was born on 2 June 1908, the 4th child of Hugh Ellis and Clora Dell (Scott) Roberts. Before she was three months old, her father died at the age of 24.
Grand-aunt Mable Roberts (Photo courtesy of the Chris H. Bailey family photo collection.[ii])
Mabel’s mother, Clora, remarried later that year, on 1 December 1908, to Hosea Lee Adams. Life with her step-father must have been tough, as her mother divorced Hosea while Mabel was still a teenager. Meanwhile, Mable clearly wanted to get out of there because she married Olan Branson Hart on 3 January 1925, when she was still only 16 years old. Olan was 18.
Six months after her marriage, she had her son, Arthur Carlton, and two years after that, she had a daughter, Georgia C. Hart, on 2 August 1927.
By 1933, her marriage with Olan had collapsed, as Olan married Anna Mae Padget on 5 February 1934.
Mabel married Luke Marion Collins on 1 October 1938 in Shelby, Macomb County, Michigan.
On 22 September 1942, Mabel’s son Arthur married Virginia Lee Russell. They had a son, Arthur, the following year. Arthur died on 14 November 1943, before his first birthday. Joy came back into Mabel’s life as her second grandson, Randall Olan Hart, was born. Only to be crushed again when the accident happened.
Arthur (Sr.)’s wife, Virginia, was driving early Sunday morning (about 1 AM) on 25 June 1944 when the police were chasing a speeder. Trying to evade police, the speeder blew a stop and slammed into the car driven by Virginia. Virginia was pronounced dead when she was admitted to Highland Park General Hospital. In the car with them was Mabel’s daughter, Georgia. Six days later, Georgia died.
Luke and Mabel divorced on 13 September 1945.
Mabel married a third time to Nelson Raymond Webb on 8 December 1952.
Mabel died on 15 January 1964 at the age of 55.
Timeline
1908 Death of father, Hugh.
1934 Divorce from Olan after nine years.
1942 Death of first grandson, Arthur.
1944 Deaths of daughter and daughter-in-law.
1945 Death of mother, Clora & Luke Collins divorce after six years.
1964 Her death at age 55
I don’t typically spend a lot of time researching a grand-aunt’s life and certainly not the lives of first cousins, once removed (Arthur & Georgia), but the accident that killed Georgia and Arthur’s wife was just so horrific I just had to stop and look at their lives a bit more than usual.
I’ll add, seeing this reminded me of the importance of rules regarding police High-Speed Police Pursuits. To see two young women died due to a police pursuit of a traffic infraction is saddening.
[i] Some people say the sibling of a grandparent is a great-aunt or a great-uncle. Others call that sibling a grand-aunt or grand uncle. I prefer using “grand” as it makes it clear that aunt or uncle is the sibling of a grandparent.
[ii] Thank you so much, Chris, for the photo image!
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 of the individual who paid for the photograph session, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the photo and information to positively identify the photographs.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the pictures with family members who may have never seen the image.
Stanley, Robert, & Donald Brisson, circa 1937.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Leon Brisson, 1883 Washington Ave, Portland, #920.”
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Leon F. Brisson and his wife Merna J. living at 1887 Washington Ave. Leon was a fireman with the MC RR. The 1940 U.S. Census enumerated the Leon F. Brisson household consisting of Leon, his wife Myrna, three boys, Robert J (Age 12), Donald L (Age 11) and Stanley W. (Age 10), and a young daughter (age 2). The three boys in this photo are Robert, Donald, and Stanley.
Family Search identifies Robert Brisson (1928-___) as ID: LTTT-G8H, Donald L Brisson (1929-2006) as ID: LTTT-7NV, and Stanley (1930-___) as ID: LTTT-C84. I have uploaded a photo of the trio to their Family Search profiles. Forty-one trees on Ancestry refer to Leon Freeman Brisson.
Mary Broderick (1900-1950), circa 1937
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Mary Broderick, Exeter Hospital, Exeter, N.H., #539.” The photo appears to be of a woman in her mid-30s.
Mary Broderick of Exeter, NH
Mary A. Broderick, the 31-year-old single daughter of Daniel and Katherine Broderick, lived with her parents at 5 Cottage Street, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, during the 1930 Census. She was working as a stenographer for the Electric Company. The 1941 Exeter City Directory indicates that Daniel died March 1939. Mary Agnes Broderick was born on 18 June 1900 in Exeter. The 1940 Census finds “Agnes” still ling at 5 Cottage Street, now with her brother, Joseph T. Broderick. In 1940, Agnes was working as a stenographer at N.H. Gas & Electric, Co.
I am reasonably confident that Mary Agnes Broderick, the daughter of Daniel Patrick Broderick and Catherine Donahue, is the same Mary Broderick in the photo. However, I have been unable to find any connection between Mary and the Exeter Hospital, a Family Search profile, or a specific tree on Ancestry. As such, I have added her photo to Dead Fred.
Either Rena Ione (Redmond) Brown (1900-1992) or Constance L. (LNU) Brown (___-___), circa 1937
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Blanchard Brown, 166 Brentwood St., Portland, #771.”
This timeline is somewhat convoluted, but here goes:
1930 – Blanchard H. Brown married Rena Ione Redmond on 20 August 1919 in Portsmouth, NH. They were living together as husband and wife during the 1930 Census living at 28 Pleasant Ave. Blanchard was 37, and Rena was 29. They had been married for ten years.
1935 – The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that Blanchard and Rena are living at 166 Brentwood.
1936 – The 1936 Portland City Directory is missing pages 173 through 177, which are the pages I expect to find Blanchard and Constance on. I need to follow-up and view the 1936 Directory.
1937 – The 1937 Portland City Directory does not list a wife for Blanchard H. Brown. It does list Mrs. Rena I Brown living at 15 Rackleff.
1938 – It is the 1938 city directory that puts everything into chaos. It lists Blanchard Brown and Mrs. Constance L. Brown living at 166 Brentwood. Note that Constance Brown was not listed in the 1937 directory.
1939 – The 1939 Portland City Directory lists Blanchard H Brown and his wife, Constance L., living at 166 Brentwood. All would seem fine except that Blanchard married Philomena K. Curato on 2 October 1939 in Portland.
1940 – The 1940 U.S. Census lists Blanchard H. Brown, and his wife Philomena, living at 166 Brentwood.
So, who was Constance? I have not found any records of Blanchard H. Brown marrying someone named Constance. I suspect that Constance was a live-in significant other that was only reported as his wife to keep appearances. If that is the case, then who is the photo of. Based upon the number (771), the picture is likely to have been taken about 1937. If that is the case, I think it is likely a photo of Rena. However, If Blanchard married Constance about 1937, it could easily be a photo of his new wife at that time.
Maybe a family member of Rena can confirm it is a photo of her, or perhaps a family member of Blanchard can confirm his having another significant relationship.
Rena Ione Redmond has a profile on Family Search of LKR3-QBR. Over 40 Ancestry Family Trees refer to Rena Ione Redmond Brown Marshall. Without finding a marriage or divorce record for Constance L [Brown], I cannot find her on Family Search. Likewise, none of the 30-plus trees on Ancestry show Blanchard Hilchey Brown indicates a spouse name, “Constance.” As I believe this photo could be either Rena or Constance, I have not posted it to either place.
Orrin Richard “Dick” Brown (1929-1999), circa 1937
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. D. J. Brown, 8 Grand St., Portland, #151.”
I thought the name was D.J. Brown; however, a review of the 1933 Portland City Directory found Orrin J. Brown and his wife Irene living at 8 Grand, which convinced me it was “O. J. Brown.” They were still living at that address for the 1940 City Directory. The 1940 Census found “Arrin J.” and his wife Irene Brown living at 8 Grand Street in Portland. With him was his wife and two sons, Richard L and Robert, ages 11 and 8. As this photo was taken about 1937, and the boy in the photo appears to be more likely an eight-year-old than a five-year-old, I believe it to be Richard and not Robert.
Family Search identifies Orrin Richard Brown (1929-1999) as ID: LT6J-FFL. I have uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search profile. (I have a similar image of Richard; however, it is pretty blurry.) Three Ancestry trees also refer to Orrin Richard Brown.
Dorothy Brown (1926-___), circa 1936.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Dorothy Brown, 22 Paris St., Portland, #193.”
The 1938 Portland City Directory recorded Edward R. Brown, and his wife Ethel R., living at 22 Parris. The 1940 Census finds Edward R and Ethel living with their 14-year-old daughter, Dorothy E. Brown, living at 24 Mechanic Street, Portland. This photo was of Dorothy about 1936 when she was about ten years old.
Family Search identifies Dorothy E. Brown (1926-___) as ID: LT6X-H25. I have uploaded a photo of Dorothy to her Family Search profile. No Ancestry trees refer to Dorothy; however, nine trees identify her parents, Edward Russell and Ethel M (Denbow) Brown.
Conclusion
I had:
Five successful identifications where I could post to Family Search
One probable identification that I posted to Dead Fred and contacted other researchers for confirmation.
One inconclusive identification (two potential candidates).
Final Note
If any of these photos are of a family member, I would love to hear your reaction.
For this week’s Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m looking at a clipping from the Donna Darling Collection.
Clipping discovered to be from the Trenton Evening Times dated January 9, 1922.
SOUTH BROAD—“KAZAN”
Delightful screen and vaudeville entertainment will be provided at the South Broad Theatre for three days beginning today when the James Oliver Curwood drama, “Kazan” and a series of new acts will be presented, together with comedy films and other events.
Of course, there is a delightful man and woman romance in this refreshing Curwood story, but its greatest power lies in the parallel drawn between human and animal life, and without a remarkable dog to interpret the role of “Kazan” the production could not have been made. But such a remarkable dog was found, and Director Bertram Bracken was enabled to accomplish the so-called “impossible.” The result is declared to be one of the finest photoplays of the North country.
The new vaudeville will be headed by Doona Montram [sic] and Her Boys in a musical comedy review, called “As You Like,” supported by Thomas Doray and Edna Sarlini in “by Heck,” the Novilions, a comedy acrobatic team, and John and Dave Mills, musical comedy duo.
Tomorrow night will be “Ye Olde Country Store” night, when 25 presents will be given away free to members of the audience.
“Kazan,” written by James Oliver Curwood, was released in October 1921. Additionally, the two other clippings on the same page in Donna’s album related to the Stroud Theatre, Stroudsburg, PA, where she played on November 24th and 25th. See DCC-76
Donna didn’t begin using Darling until 1922, so this clipping is clearly from 1921.
Searching for “Thomas Doray” I found an article at Genealogy Bank that spoke of the delightful vaudeville card composed of Donna Montram [sic] and Her Boys in a musical comedy revue, called “As You Like.” Supported by Thomas Doray and Edna Sarlin, in “By Heck….” It was in the January 11, 1922, Trenton Evening Times.
Key features:
The venue is the Broad Theatre in Trenton, New Jersey.
The show is the “Donna Montran and Her Boys in “As You Like [It]”
Also, on the bill:
Thomas Doray and Edna Sarlini in “by Heck,”
Novilions, an acrobatic comedy team,
John and Dave Mills, a musical comedy duo.
The movie showing was the James Oliver Curwood story, “Kazan,” staring Jane Novak
Conclusion
I added a new venue for Donna’s vaudeville career:
January 9-11, 1922 – Trenton, NJ – South Broad Theatre – “Donna Montram [sic] and Her Boys in “As You Like” – DDC-80.
Following families in the early census records is always tricky. Finding children in pre-1850 Census records is particularly challenging. Such is the case of Joel Cruff Taft and the 1810 Census.
Expectations
Joel Cruff Taft was born 25 December 1800 the fourth child of Asa Taft (1774-1839)
I would expect the Asa Taft household of 1810 to include 9 year-old Joel, his two sisters, Lurancy (age 14) and Amanda (age 11), and three brothers, Asa (age 15), Seth (age 7), and John (age 5). Asa should be about 36 and his wife was 36 also. Joel and his younger siblings were born in New York, so Asa should be found in New York during the 1810 Census.
So, I would expect a household looking like: 3-1-0-1-0 || 0-1-0-1-0. There may be others in the household
An initial search for Asa Taft in the 1810 Census was unsuccessful.
A search for any Taft in New York during the 1810 Census yielded 11 results. None of the results were located in Broome County (established in 1807) or Tioga County that Broome County was split off from. A review of the enumerated Tafts failed to yield a viable candidate to be Asa.
Name
Location
Family
Comment
Robert Taft
Bloomfield, Ontario Co.
0-2-2-0-1|1-0-2-0-1
No males under 10
Dane Taft
Otsego Co.
3-1-1-1-1|1-2-1-0-0
No females 26-45
D Saft [Taft]
Otsego Co.
4-0-2-1-0|1-2-1-1-0
No males 10-16
Pitts Taft
Palmyra, Ontario Co.
0-0-1-0-0|0-0-1-0-0
No children
Matthew Taft
Hartford, Washington Co.
2-1-1-1-1|4-0-0-1-1
Not enough males under 10.
Josiah Taft
Bloomfield, Ontario Co.
2-0-1-1-0|1-0-0-1-0
Not enough males under 10.
Jesse Taft
Bloomfield, Ontario Co.
1-0-0-1-0|0-0-1-0-0
Not enough males under 10.
Eleazer Taft
Johnstown, Montgomery Co.
0-1-2-0-1|0-1-1-0-1
Not enough males under 10.
Grindall Taft
Pittstown, Rensselaer Co.
0-1-0-1-1|0-2-1-0-1
Not enough males under 10.
S Taft
Middlefield, Otsego Co.
1-1-0-1-1 | 0-1-0-1-1
Not enough males under 10.
Widow Toft
New York, New York Co.
0-0-2-1-0|0-1-2-0-1
Not enough males under 10.
It seems clear to me that Asa Taft doesn’t appear in New York during the 1810 Census, nor does it appear that he is living with any of his Taft family members in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Name
Location
Family
Lovet Taft (Sr.)
Sheffield, Berkshire Co.
1-2-2-0-1|2-1-1-0-2
Daniel Taft
Sheffield, Berkshire Co.
1-0-0-1-0|1-1-0-1-0
Lovett Taft (Jr.)
Sheffield, Berkshire Co.
2-?-3-0-0|0-0-1-0-0
I am going to cease my search for Asa & Joel in the 1810 Census for now. Also, Joel was born after the 1800 Census, so I wouldn’t find him there.
As I began a second look at my great-grandfather, Hugh Ellis Roberts, I learned about my grand-aunt
