Donna at Hotel Brenton, Bass Point, Nahant, Mass. August 4, 1915.

Posted on August 2, 2025 by Don Taylor

By Don Taylor
In the News

I found an article from the Daily Evening Item (Lynn, Massachusetts) dated August 2, 1915,[i] which mentions that my grandmother performed at the Hotel Brenton, Bass Point, Nahant, Massachusetts.

Hotel Breton, Bass Point, Nahant, MA

The article mentions Donna being an “aeroplane girl.” I wrote about her flight over Revere Beach in July 1915.[ii]

The article also mentions that the show was directed by Thomas Rooney. Donna married Thomas three months later, on November 24, 1915.

Carnival at Brenton.

Image of clipping.

An innovation in carnivals will be that which is scheduled for August 4 at the Hotel Brenton. The management has arranged for a novel setting, with pretty illumination effects. The latter will be in the form of colored lights with Japanese lanterns, calcium arcs to give prominence to the performers and spotlights.

The principal salon will be utilized for much of the entertainment features. This will be decorated by a special committee and the result is expected to be charming.

A cabaret show will afford much of the amusement. This will be under the personal direction of Thomas V. Rooney and will include a program comprising professional talent.

Miss Donna Montram [sic], of fame as the aeroplane girl, will present a novel specialty. Bert and Effie Weston, whirlwind dancers, will present new and difficult steps which will delight the company. A musical number by the Four Harmony Boys of Chicago will be a pleasant feature.

The premier dancer of the Hoffman revue, Mlle. Arvette, will be a leader, and her performance is looked forward to with much interest. Dancing will wind up the evening in the pavilion.

Endnotes

[i] Daily Evening Item (Lynn, Massachusetts) · Mon, Aug 2, 1915 · Page 11 – via Newspapers.Com

[ii] Don Taylor Genealogy – “Donna Montran Biplane Flights – 1915”

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The Heer Surname: Origins & Ancestors

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Don Taylor

Darling-Huber-Trümy-Öertli-Vordermann-Müller-Heer Line
Darling-Huber-Trümy-Öertli-Heer-Vordermann-Heer Line
Darling-Huber-Trümy-Öertli-Heer Line
By Don Taylor

Name Origin

The surname Heer originates from a term historically used to denote respect or rank, similar to “lord” or “sir.” In some cases, it referred to someone of noble birth or a landholder. Etymologically, the word may trace to the Germanic root “hēr”, meaning “army,” and was possibly used to describe someone who served as a soldier.

Geographical

According to feedback I’ve received, Canton Glarus, Switzerland is home to many individuals, (close to 50 families) bearing the Heer surname. Data from Forebears.io indicates that worldwide, only an estimated 6,532 people bear the surname and reports it is most common in:

  • Pakistan
  • India
  • United States (approx. 46 individuals), primarily in:
      • California
      • Texas
    • New York

Direct Heer Ancestors

All known ancestors bearing the Heer surname in this line were born and lived in Canton Glarus, Switzerland. The lineage follows:

  • Florence Wilma Huber Darling (1908-1934) – Grandmother
  • Bertha Barbara Trümpi Huber (1884-1968) – Great grandmother
  • Bernhead Trumpi (1844-1913) – 2nd Great Grandfather
  • Anna Maria Öertli (1823–1896) 3rd Great-grandmother
  • Sarah Heer (1788–1843) – 4th Great-grandmother
  • Abraham Heer (1760–1807) – 5th Great-grandfather
  • Euphrosina Vordermann (1761–1807) – 5th Great-grandmother
  • Anna Vordermann (1739–1802) – 6th Great-grandmother
  • Felix Heer (1725–1878) – 6th Great-grandfather
  • Georg Vordermann (1730–1799) – 6th Great-grandfather
  • Regina Heer (1734–1766) – 6th Great-grandmother
  • Elisabeth Müller (1706–1765) – 7th Great-grandmother
  • Abraham Heer (1687–1767) – 7th Great-grandfather
  • Barbara Heer (1693–1759) – 7th Great-grandmother
  • Fridolin Heer (1693–1770) – 7th Great-grandfather
  • Anna Heer (1670–1748) – 8th Great-grandmother
  • Niklaus Heer (1648–1708) – 8th Great-grandfather
  • Andress Heer (1650–1712) – 8th Great-grandfather
  • Kaspar Heer (1669–1760) – 8th Great-grandfather

Heer Descendant Statistics:

In my Darling-Huber family tree, I’ve identified 174 Heer Descendants including:

  • 35 Trumpi/Trümpi
  • 11 Trumpie/Trumpe
  • 11 Fuchs
  • 11 Heer
  • 11 Howell
  • 10 Karch
  • and more.

Endnotes

  1. Heer surname etymology from public domain linguistic sources.
  2. Geographical statistics from Forebears.io, accessed July 2025.
  3. Genealogical data compiled from personal family tree records and Canton Glarus civil/church archives.

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Faces of Portland’s Graduates: Jack, Jackson, McCarthy, Roberts & Temple

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 077)
By Don Taylor

This week, I explored five more graduation portraits from the Linwood Dyer Collection, all taken at studios in Portland, Maine. Two of these beautiful keepsakes are imprinted “Portland High School, ’19,” one says “Deering High School, ’18,” and two others are identified by inscriptions for 1918 and 1923.

Graduates Featured

Elizabeth Jack — Portland High School, Class of 1919

Photo of Elizabeth Jack, 1919
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4″ x 5½”).
  • Studio: Hanson Studio, Portland, Maine.
  • Imprint: “Portland High School — ’19” (bottom of photo).
  • Inscription: “Yours in 1919, Elizabeth Jack.”
  • Research Notes:
    Elizabeth Jack was on the 1918–1919 Portland High School Girls’ Basketball Squad. She served on the committee for a sketch, A Day at Altamont, which followed the play Mrs. Oakley’s Telephone, coached by Sadie W. Holden. She also performed at the War Camp Community Services Club in September 1919.

FamilySearch ID: G9PK-TNQ — (portrait added).

Esther McCarthy — Deering High School, Class of 1918

Photo of Esther McCarthy, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4″ x 5½”).
  • Studio: Kennedy’s Studio, Portland, Maine.
  • Imprint: “Deering High School — ’18” (on cover).
  • Inscription: “??more speed, Esther McCarthy.”
  • Research Notes:
    Esther Evelyn McCarthy appears in Deering High School’s list of 1918 graduates.

FamilySearch ID: LK9B-LFP — (portrait added).

Helen Merrill Roberts — Portland High School, Class of 1918

Photo of Helen Roberts, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4″ x 6″).
  • Studio: None marked.
  • Imprint: None.
  • Inscription: “Yours in the class of ‘18, Helen Roberts.”
  • Research Notes:
    Helen Merrill Roberts graduated from Portland High School in 1918.

FamilySearch ID: GZKT-PYP (portrait added).

Helena Ruth Jackson — Portland High School, Class of 1923

Photo of Helena Ruth Jackson, 1923.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (2½” x 4½”).
  • Studio: C. R. Smith, Portland, Maine.
  • Imprint: None.
  • Inscription: “P.H.S. ’23 — Sincerely Helena.”
  • Research Notes:
    Helena Ruth Jackson appears in the 1923 Portland High School yearbook (page 36) — the same photo is printed there (reversed).

FamilySearch ID: L1K2-9T4 (portrait added).

Lillian Temple — Portland High School, Class of 1919

Photo of Lillian Temple, 1919.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4″ x 6″).
  • Studio: Hanson Studio, Portland, Maine.
  • Imprint: “Portland High School — ’19.”
  • Inscription: “Just to remember the happy days spent in Room 111 with Miss Doughty, Lillian Temple.”
  • Research Notes:
    Lillian Temple graduated from Portland High School and intended to attend Bates College in the fall.

Unfortunately, I haven’t found a FamilySearch or Ancestry profile for her yet.

Preserving Connections Across Generations

These portraits are more than photographs; they are bridges that connect us to moments of youthful optimism and accomplishment. For many families, these may be the only formal images of a loved one from that time.

If you recognize anyone pictured here — or can help solve an identification mystery — please share your insights in the comments below. I’m always glad to provide copies of inscriptions or additional details to family researchers.

All photos are available for personal genealogical use.
Please credit: Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

Sources:

[i] Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, Page 6 – “Record P. H. S. Class.”
[ii] 1923 Portland High School – The Totem – Page 36 (via Classmates.Com)
[iii] Portland Evening Express, June 10, 1918 – “P. H. S. Graduates Chose Colleges.

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Donna in the 1949 Documentary “Down Memory Lane” (?)

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Don Taylor

Last week, I looked at a letter from my Uncle Russ that included some photos of Donna during her Mack Sennett Bathing Beauty days. I came across another “Xerox copy photo” which I received from my mother. This image was later used as part of the publicity for Down Memory Lane, a nostalgic film compilation hosted by Steve Allen in 1949. The film featured clips from early silent movies, including Mack Sennett’s famous Bathing Beauties.

This photo shows nine of the Bathing Beauties from the 1910s.

This particular photo shows nine of the Bathing Beauties from the 1910s.
Photo Source: IMDB.com — “Down Memory Lane” (1949) IMDB link

Both my mother and Uncle Russ believed Donna is the woman front and center. I’ve seen other photos of Donna wearing a swim cap with feathers, similar to the one in this shot. She always liked being in the center, so her placement and demeanor fit — and it looks like her to me as well.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a complete copy of the original 1949 film. I did locate a version on YouTube, but it’s a shortened cut that doesn’t seem to include any scenes with the Bathing Beauties. (It runs about 18 minutes shorter than the original release.) Hopefully, the full version will surface someday and wasn’t lost like so many other films. I’ve added it to my IMDB watchlist and I’ll be notified it becomes available again in the future.

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Hanson Studio Graduation Portraits — Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 076)

Posted on July 18, 2025 by Don Taylor

Anderson, Goff, Tarbox, & Woodill

By Don Taylor

This week, I explored five more graduation portraits from the Linwood Dyer Collection, all taken at Hanson Studio in Portland, Maine. Four of these beautiful keepsakes are imprinted “Portland High School, ’18” and one is from “Deering High School, ’18.” Each image offers a glimpse into the pride and promise of the Class of 1918.

Graduates Featured:

Bertha M Tarbox, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Bertha Tarbox, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”).
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine.
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: “Memories of 1918, Bertha M. Tarbox.
  • Research Notes: Bertha Mae Tarbox graduated from Portland High School in 1918.[i] A photo of her appeared in the Portland Sunday Telegram on June 30, 1918.[ii]

Family Search ID: LR1H-X3X – I posted this photo to her profile.

Fran ___, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of a young woman named Fran. Portland High School 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: Will you be my Teddy B – Fran.
  • Research Notes: Despite searching, I was unable to positively identify this student. Several classmates named Frances did not match the photo:[iii]
    • Mary Frances Levecque – Not a match.[iv]
    • Bella Frances Rich – Not a match.[v]
    • Dorothy Frances Thuss – Not a match.

If you can help identify “Fran,” please let me know!

Possibly Hazel [Woodill], Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of a young woman named Hazel, Portland High School, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: Yours in those Happy School Days – Hazel
  • Research Notes: There were multiple Hazels in the PHS Class of 1918:[vi]
    • Hazel Goold Dyer, Hazel Jennie Kingston, Cora Hazel Letteney, Hazel Althea Speed, Dorothy Hazel Wheeler, and Dorothy Hazel Whitten do not match the photo.[vii]
    • Hazel Mae Woodill – A similar photo strongly suggests this is her, though I’m not 100% certain.

If you can confirm or refute this identification, please comment below.[viii]

Margaret Anderson, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Margaret Anderson, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: To remind you of Margaret Anderson.
  • Research Notes:
    • Margaret Alice Anderson graduated from Portland High School in 1918.[ix]
    •  A photo of her appeared in the Portland Sunday Telegram.[x]

FamilySearch ID: GQDW-21H — This portrait is now on her profile.

Robert F Goff, Deering HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Robert Goff, Portland High School, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Inscription: Robert F Goff
  • Research Notes:
    • Robert Fiske Goff is listed among Deering High School’s 1918 graduates.[xi]

FamilySearch ID: G7HY-8Z7 – This photo is now on his profile.

Preserving Connections Across Generations

These portraits are more than photographs; they are bridges that connect us to moments of youthful optimism and achievement. For many families, these may be the only formal images of a loved one from that time.

If you recognize anyone pictured here — or can help solve an identification mystery — please share your insight in the comments below. I’m always glad to provide copies of inscriptions or additional details to family researchers.

All photos are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit: Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

Endnotes

[i] Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, Page 6 – “Record P. H. S. Class.”
[ii] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[iii] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 24, 1917, Page 29 – “Students Deering High School Graduating.”
[iv] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 15 – “Nearly 250 Join alumni of Portland High School The Past Week.
[v] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[vi] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 24, 1917, Page 29 – “Students Deering High School Graduating.”
[vii] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 15 – “Nearly 250 Join alumni of Portland High School The Past Week.
[viii] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[ix] Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, Page 6 – “Record P. H. S. Class.”
[x] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[xi] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 25, 1918, Page 18 – “D. H. S. Graduation.”

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