The Scarborough Historical Society has an extensive collection of photos featuring various individuals. Today, I examine four pictures from the Linwood D. Dyer Photo collection. Loring Studios operated in Portland, Maine, from 1947 to 1973. Vantines’ Studio operated in Portland, Maine, from 1956 to 1973.
Harold Pendexter, Deering HS, 1962.
Harold Pendexter, Deering HS, 1962
Photographer: Loring Studio. Inscription: … Yours Sincerely, Harold. Description: An apparent high school graduation photo. Tag on inside cover says, “Class 1952.” Research:
The 1952 Deering High School yearbook shows this same photo as Harold E. Pendexter, Jr, “Penny.” Harold was involved in the DHS Band, dramatics, and playing the piano.
Harold was born in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, on 23 October 1934. He passed away on January 27, 2011, in Naperville, Illinois. He is buried in Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland, Maine.
Harold’s parents were Harold Earle and Annie Sarah (MacLean) Pendexter.
Photographer: Loring Studio. Inscription: Sincerely, Dick Mottram. Description: An apparent high school graduation photo – No date. Research:
The 1957 Portland High School yearbook shows this same photo as Richard A Mottram.” Richard was involved in track and was known as “P.H.S.’s Mr. Tap Toe.”
The 1950 US Census enumerated Richard A Mottram living with his parents, Herbert and Alice Mottram at 57 Weymouth, Portland.
Ancestry Family Trees suggest that Richard Allen Mottram was born 27 Feb 1939 in Portland, Maine, and died on 18 Feb 1981 in Barre, Vermont. His mother was Alice E (Bridge) Mottram.
Photographer: Loring Studio. Inscription: Love, Jeannie. Description: An apparent high school graduation photo – Class of 1968.
Research:
The 1968 Portland High School yearbook shows this same photo as Jean Goddard.” Jean was involved in swimming, Keyette Club, and the ski club.
I include her photo here.
Sally Jean Simpson, Westbrook HS, 1971.
Sally Jean Simpson, Westbrook HS, 1971.
Photographer: Vantine’s Portland, Maine. Inscription: … Love Sally. Description: Description: An apparent high school graduation photo – Class 1971. Research:
The 1971 Westbrook High School yearbook shows this same photo of Sally Jean Simpson. Sally was involved in the Dramatics Club and the planning board.
I include her photo here.
Conclusion
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before. Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the pictures with family members who may have never seen the image.
The Scarborough Historical Society has a large collection of photos featuring various individuals. Today, I look at four photos from the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.
Jean P McNally, Deering HS, 1956
Jean P McNally, Deering HS, 1956
Photographer: Vantines, Boston. Inscription: Signed Love Jeanie McNally ’56. Description: Apparent high school graduate photo of a young woman. A tag on the inside cover reads “Class of 1956.” Research:
The 1956 Deering High School yearbook, page 36, shows the same photo of Jean P. McNally “Jeanie”. Among her favorite things were Summers at Pine Point and dancing.
The 1950 US Census enumerated 12-year-old Jean P McNally, living with her parents, Frederick J and Marion E McNally.
Ancestry Family Trees indicate that Jean died on 19 Nov 2018.
Photographer: Vantines’ Boston – Portland Inscription: Signed, Joan. Description: Graduation photo of a young woman with a tag saying “Class of 1956. Research:
The 1956 Deering High School yearbook, page 22, shows the same photo of Joan Tereasa Aceto “Jo.” Her favorite things included camp at O.O.B.
The 1950 US Census enumerated 11-year-old Joan Aceto, living with her parents, Samuel A & Edith E Aceto at 62 Read Street, Portland, ME.
I present this photo here.
Judith Bliss, Portland HS Class of 1962.
Judith Bliss, Portland HS Class of 1962
Photographer: Vantines’ Boston – Portland. Inscription: “Giggles” Judy. Description: High school photo of a young woman; a tag on the photo says “Class of 1962.” Research:
The 1962 Portland High School yearbook, page 41, shows the same photo of Judith Bliss. Page 57 informs us that Judith A. Bliss with involved with Hi-Lights and Red Cross. She was a Majorette and a Library aid.
The 1950 US Census enumerated Judith living with her mother Anna M. Bliss (29, Canada) and her grandmother, Annabelle Johnson (52 Canada) at 106 Park Street, Portland.
The 1964 Portland City Directory indicates that Judith Bliss married Richard L Charette.
I present this photo here.
Anne Carolyn Bourgeois, St. Joseph’s Academy, Class of 1965.
Anne Carolyn Bourgeois, St. Joseph’s Academy, Class of 1965
Photographer: Vantines’ Boston – Portland. Inscription: Anne Carolyn Bourgeois. Description: High school photo of a young woman, tag indicates “Class 65.” Research:
The Portland Even Express, dated 26 June 1969, page 18, reported that Miss Anne Carolyn Bourgeois, St. John Street, announced engagement to David Allen Silvius, High Street. She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bourgeois, Millinocket. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, Class of 1965. A July wedding was planned.
The 1950 US Census enumerated the two-year-old Ann living with her parents, Clarence and Madeline Bourgeois in Millinocket.
I present this photo here.
Conclusion
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before. Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the pictures with family members who may have never seen the image.
Catherine Frances “Kate” Justin was born in August 1854 in Cazenovia, Richland County, Wisconsin, the eldest child of Joseph and Frances (Blatz) Justin. She married Frank H. Raidt in 1876 and, within a few years, the couple settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they raised their family and built a lifelong home. Known by several name variations—including Kate, Katie, and Katherine—she lived more than sixty years in the same Minneapolis neighborhood. Her long life, which stretched from the pioneer era into the mid-20th century, reflects the quiet resilience and family-centered values of Midwestern life.
Catherine Frances “Kate” Justin was born in August 1854 in Cazenovia, Richland County, Wisconsin, the eldest child of Joseph Justin and Frances (Blatz) Justin. She grew up in Wisconsin with three younger brothers: Charles, Joseph, and Henry. By 1860, the family was living in Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County, where Kate attended school.
Kate married Frank H. Raidt in 1876. Frank was the son of Thomas Raidt and Magdelena (Wenker) Raidt. The couple began their married life in Wisconsin but moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the early 1880s, where they raised their family.
Throughout her life, Kate was recorded under several name variations, including Kate, Katie, Katherine, Katy, and even Kathia.
Residences & Census Records
1860 & 1870 – Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.
1880 – Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin (Cabbage Street).
1885–1940 – Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, primarily at 1621 or 1623 Dupont Avenue and later at 4215 Stevens Avenue. The 1940 census indicates her education included completing the 8th grade.
Final Years
Kate remained in Minneapolis for the rest of her life. She passed away on 2 February 1949 at the age of 94. A funeral Mass was held on 5 February at the Church of St. Joan of Arc, with arrangements by Gleason Mortuary. She was laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Charlemagne Project Roberts-Barnes-Taft-Sutherland Line By Don Taylor
Several years ago, I discovered that Charlemagne might be my wife’s 34th great-grandfather (see my post of February 26, 2021). Earlier this year, I learned that Charlemagne might also be my 32nd great-grandfather. How fun, if true. I’ve heard that most people with Western European ancestry can trace their ancestry back to Charlemagne, but now that my wife and I might be cousins, I suppose I’ll examine that possible lineage a bit more closely.
Actually, it appears our most distant common ancestor might be Charlemagne’s granddaughter, Gisela Carolingian (Gisela from Cysoing), making my wife and me 32nd cousins, twice removed. My wife descended from Gisela’s son Berengar I (who became the King of Italy) and descended from Gisela’s daughter Heilwig (or Hatwige).
I get the sense that there may be a couple of Reuben Sutherlands being confused by different researchers. So, many of the “facts” I am finding about my 4th G-Grandfather, Reuben C. Taft, are confusing.
Birth
Ante 1755 – Horseneck, New York.
The History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan, has an excellent profile of Justus B. Sutherland.[1] Justus was the son of Reuben C. Sutherland and probably had direct knowledge of his father’s birthplace. He said Reuben “was born at Horse Neck, on the seacoast, in the State of New York.” Horseneck, New York, was a contested area that is now Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Although in a 1731 agreement, New York gave up its claim to the “Connecticut panhandle,” and New York was granted a strip of land known as “The Oblong” that consisted of Winchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, but it was still a source of disorder and local disputes between the two colonies in 1755. The final legal status of the land wouldn’t be fully settled until 1881.[2]
Ante 1755 – Greenwich, Fairfield, New York.
Several researchers indicate that he was born in Greenwich, Fairfield County, CT, which makes sense, as Horseneck was incorporated as the Borough of Greenwich in 1854.
c. 1768 – New York.
Some researchers suggest that Reuben was born in 1768, as a 71-year-old Reuben Sutherland died in Canandaigua, New York, on June 1, 1839. However, that would have made him eight years old when he enlisted in the 6th regiment in 1776. Also, Justus indicated his father lived at Horse Neck, where he “grew to manhood” and located to Dutchess County at his majority (age 21). His residing in Dutchess County when he enlisted on 1 April 1776 suggests he was born before 1755.
I prefer using the name of a location when an event took place, so I prefer Horse Neck, NY, as Reuben’s birthplace, and his birth is sometime before 1755.
A Minuteman (statue)
Military Service
Rufus enlisted on 1 April 1776 in the town of Dover, Dutchess County, N.Y., in Capt. Child’s Co., in the 6th regiment (commanded by Col. Henry Livingston), where he served until 1 January 1777.[3]
He enlisted again on 1 August 1781 at Dover, Dutchess County, N.Y., in Capt. Chepherd’s Co., 6th regiment (commanded by Col Weisenfelt) until 1 January 1782.
Marriage
Reuben C Sutherland married Mary Lewis (c. 1771-c. 1809) on 11 May 1788 at the First Stanford Baptist Church in Bangall (hamlet), Town of Washington (now Stanford[4]), Dutchess County, New York.[5]
Children of Reuben C and Mary (Lewis) Sutherland
Name
Born
Married
Died
David
1785*
Rachel Atwater
1841
Elizabeth
1787*
*
1831
Josiah
1789
Eunice Spencer
1875
Candice
1789
Jacob Fuller
1847
Phineas
1791
Dorcas (LNU)
1825
Lot John
1793
Lydia Bliss Sarah Wheeler Jakway
1866
Eliza
1795
David Brown
1866
Tamise (Fanny)
1796
Joel Cruff TaftManoah Sullivan
1864
Justus
1799
Elmira Bliss Esther Bliss
1880
Death/Burial, etc.
Reuben C. Sutherland died on 10 September 1799 in Broome County, New York.
Events by Location
New York, Broome County – Death 1799.
New York, Dutchess County, Dover – Military Enlistments 1776, 1781.
New York, Dutchess County, Washington Town, Bangall (hamlet) – Marriage 1788.
New York, Horse Neck, New York – Birth – ante 1755.
Conflicts
Need to confirm that David Sutherland (b. 1785) was born before Reuben and Mary were married in 1788.
Need to confirm that Elizabeth Sutherland (b. 1787) was born before Reuben and Mary were married in 1788.
Conclusion.
Reuben C. Sutherland lived a life that bridged the tumultuous era of colonial unrest and the birth of a new nation. Born before 1755 at Horse Neck—now Greenwich, Connecticut—he came of age amid frontier disputes and political uncertainty. His service as a militiaman in the 6th Regiment of the New York Line during the Revolutionary War reflects both his courage and commitment to independence. Following the war, he built a family with Mary Lewis in Dutchess County, raising children who would spread across the growing nation. His death in Broome County, New York, in 1799 marked the end of a man whose life mirrored the early American experience—rooted in perseverance, faith, and the promise of a new beginning.
His story adds another step along my path to Charlemagne.
Actions / Follow-up
Confirm the BMD information of Reuben’s children.
Find Reuben (& Mary) in the 1790 Census.
Do a deep dive into Reuben’s life (will, property, etc.).
Confirm Elizabeth never married.
Endnotes
[1]The History of Allegan and Barry counties, Michigan (Philadelphia, PA, D.W. Ensign & CO., 1880), Internet Archive, Page 236 – Justus B. Sutherland.
[3] New York in the Revolution as colony and state (Albany, N.Y., Press of Brandow Printing Co., 1898), Internet Archive, Page 247 & 251 – Dutchess County Militia (Land Bounty Rights) — Sixth Regiment – Sutherland, Reuben.
[5] Sutherland Records, Douglas Merritt (1918), Page 50 & 51Reuben Sutherland (Chapter: William Sutherland of Chatham, N. Y.).; Various, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=C01WAAAAMAAJ).
The Scarborough Historical Society has a large collection of photos featuring various individuals. Today, I look at five photos from that collection.
Mary Pederson, SHS Class of 1927.
Mary Pederson, SHS Class of 1927
Photographer: The Albert Studio, 463 Congress St., Portland, ME. Inscription: Beneath photo: Mary Pederson Campbell ’27. The ’27 is in a different hand and pen from the name.
SHS Accession: #2001.38.17 Description: A young woman in what appears to be a graduation photo. Research:
The Albert Studio was a well-known photography studio in Portland during the 1920s and 30s.
The Four Corners for 1927 lists Mary Pederson, as class valedictorian, and class president.
Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is Mary Libby Pederson, born on 23 May 1909 in Scarborough, Maine, to Selius Eleonard and Ruhamah “Amy” (Cook) Pederson.
Photographer: The Albert Studio, 463 Congress St., Portland, ME. Inscription: To Miss Pederson, Sincerely, Margaret Palladino. SHS Accession: #2001.38.09. Description: Research:
U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016 on Ancestry shows the same woman, Margaret Adele Palladino as a senior at Gorham Normal School, Gorham, Me., in 1933. Known as “Polly,” she attended Mansfield High School, Mansfield, Mass.
The 1930 US Census, lists Margaret Palladino living with her parents Patrick & Ida Palladino in Mansfield, Mass.
Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is Margaret Adele Palladino, born 31 August 1907 to Pasquale and Ida (Montelatici) Palladino.
Photographer: Jackson Studios Exclusive Portrait, Portland. Inscription: [Lengthy thank-you to Miss Nisson and Miss Jackson] Susan ’63. Description: Apparent high school photo of a young woman with short hair. Research:
A search of 1963 Portland High School Yearbooks found this exact photo identified as Susan J. Rosen in the Deering High School class of 1963. According to the yearbook, “Dramatics is Sue’s forte,” she was National Thespian Society and treasurer of the school’s Dramatic Club.
The 1950 US Census listed 4-year-old Susan J Rosen living with her parents Percival and Lillian Rosen at 283 Falmouth in Portland.
Jodi A Lerman, Deering HS, 1971.
Jodi A Lerman, Deering HS, 1971.
Photographer: Loring Studios. Inscription: To Miss Jackson, [thank you for all she taught] Jodi. Description: Young woman with curly hair. Research:
My Ancestry.com search for Jodi, born about 1953 living in Portland, Maine found the same photo of Jodi A Lerman, 1971 Deering High School whose interests included dancing and Theater East.
Sharon Michaud, Gorham HS, 1969.
Sharon Michaud, Gorham HS, 1969.
Photographer: Loring Studios Inscription: Mrs. Nissen & Miss Jackson, [a lengthy thank you for the teaching they did] Sharon. There is a “Class 1969” sticker on the inside cover. Description: Research:
I found a photo of the same person, Sharon Ann Michaud, a senior at Gorham HS, class of 1969. Her interests included Dramatics.
Conclusion
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before. Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the pictures with family members who may never have seen them.
