Ancestor Sketch – Laurance Louis Harmon

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Don Taylor

Howell-Welch-Harris-Harmon Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Paul, the husband of my wife’s niece, said he didn’t know much about his great-grandfather, Laurance Louis Harmon. I was invited to be the godfather to his children several years ago. As I believe it to be important for children to learn about their ancestors, I am excited to learn about Paul’s ancestors so I can help my godchildren to learn more about where they come from. Finally, Paul’s ancestor was born in Scarborough, to a family name long known to me as a volunteer at the historical society.  As I quickly learned, besides Paul’s great-grandfather, I learned of six more greats in his family tree, which means much more research in the future.

Howell-Welch Project – Ancestor #14

List of Greats

  • 1st Great-grandfather: Laurance Louis Harmon (1897-1941)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: Lewis Lunbard Harmon (1863-___)
  • 3rd Great-grandfather: Joseph Harmon
  • 4th Great-grandfather: John S. Harmon
  • 5th Great-grandfather: Joseph Harmon
  • 6th Great-grandfather: Nathanel Harmon
  • 7th Great-grandfather: John Harmon

Laurance Louis Harmon (1897-1941)

Birth

Although spring had arrived a few weeks earlier, the morning that Laurance[1] Louis Harmon was born, April 11, 1897, there was light snow and a temperature of 33.  Laurance was the third, and last, child born to Lewis and Lucille (Cousins) Harmon. Medical Doctor, Martin Coffin, attended the birth in Scarborough, Cumberland County, Maine.

Childhood

The 1900 Census found 3-year-old Laurance living with his father, a farmer, mother, and two siblings, Ernest (age 11) and Velma (age 8). They were at school and Laurance was too young to attend school yet.

The 1910 Census found 13-year-old Laurance attending school but his siblings were both working. Earnest was laboring at a sawmill and Velma was doing housework. His father was still a farmer.

Laurance followed his father into farming, as the 1915 Portland City directory reports. The 17-year-old was living with his father (L. L. Harmon). His mailing address was RFD 2, Gorham.

Marriage

Laurance married Mildred R. Swain on 1 October 1917. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John A. Ford in Gorham, Cumberland County, Maine.

Laurance and Mildred would have four children, a boy and three girls.

Military Service

On 5 June 1918 Laurance registered for the draft. He and his new wife were living at 7 Grace Street, Portland, Maine. He was employed as a machinist at Peterson Motor Company, 327 Forest Avenue, Portland. It was described as tall, with a slender build, blue eyes and brown hair.

Two months later, on 28 August 1918, John was inducted into the army as a private. He was assigned to the 43rd company, 11th Rec Batallion, 151st Depot Brigade at Camp Devens, Massachusetts.

The 43rd Company, 151st Depot Brigade – Camp Devens, Massachusett

Camp Devens was an epicenter for the Spanish Flu in 1918 where over 850 soldiers, mostly privates like Laurance, died.[2] The War ended on 11 November 1918. Laurance was discharged, three months after arriving, but a month after the war ended, on 5 December 1918 with an honorable discharge.

Adulthood

After his short time in the service, the young family located to Westbrook where Laurance worked as an auto mechanic until at least 1922.

The 1930 Census finds Laurance living with his wife and three oldest children in Gorham. He is still working as a mechanic in a garage. He is living on County Road in Gorham, near the Scarborough line.

The 1940 Census continues to find Laurance living with his wife and four children on County Road, and working as a mechanic at a machine shop

Death

Laurance Louis Harmon died 4 April 1941. He was buried in the South Gorham Cemetery, Gorham, Cumberland County Maine. He was survived by his wife and his four children.

Events by Location

  • Maine, Cumberland, Gorham                 – Residence 1915-1917, 1930-1941, Death, Burial
  • Maine, Cumberland, Portland                – Residence 1918.
  • Maine, Cumberland, Scarborough        – Birth, Residence 1900, 1910.
  • Maine, Cumberland, Westbrook            – Marriage, Residence 1917, 1919-1922.
  • Massachusetts, Camp Devens                – Military Service 1918.

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Try to find Laurance’s military record to see why he was discharged after only three months.
  • Determine the exact property he purchased along County Road in Gorham.

————–  Disclaimer  ————–

Sources

  • 1900 Census, Various, 1900 Census – Lewis L Harmon – Scarborough, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMLF-FL3 : accessed 20 December 2020), Lewis L Harmon, Scarborough town, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 78, sheet 18A, family 436, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,591.
  • 1910 Census (NARA, 1910), Various, 1910 – Lawrance C. Harmon – Scarboro, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MR3M-H97 : accessed 19 December 2020), Lawrance C Harmon in household of Lewis L Harmon, Scarboro, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 101, sheet 20A, family 467, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 538; FHL microfilm 1,374,551.
  • 1930 Census (FS), Laurence Harman – Head – Gorham, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM8L-7KP : accessed 19 December 2020), Laurence Harman, Gorham, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 17, sheet 7A, line 2, family 105, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 830; FHL microfilm 2,340,565.
  • 1940 Census (FS), Family Search, 1940 Census – Lawrence Harmon – Gorham, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMMW-WMH : 28 February 2020), Vyra A Harmon in household of Lawrence Harmon, Gorham Town, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 3-27, sheet 6A, line 37, family 92, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 – 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1474.
  • Find a Grave, Laurance L Harmon – Memorial #127906305. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 19 December 2020), memorial page for Laurance L Harmon (1897–1941), Find a Grave Memorial no. 127906305, citing South Gorham Cemetery, Gorham, Cumberland County, Maine, USA ; Maintained by Maine 101 (contributor 47130320).
  • Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Alton [No Name] Harmon – 11 May 1919. Citing this Record. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-7HYM : 16 December 2020), MM9.1.1/Q24N-7HYM:, Birth 11 May 1919; multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm 10,133.
  • Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Laurence L Harmon – 11 Apr 1897. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZQD-3P8 : 16 December 2020), Lawrence L Harmon, 11 Apr 1897; citing Scarboro, , Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
  • Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Ruth Marie Harmon – 19 Jul 1922. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-9GQ7 : 16 December 2020), Ruth Marie Harmon, Birth 19 Jul 1922; multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm 10,128. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-9GQ7.
  • Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Marriage – Laurence Harmon & Mildred R Swan – 1 Oct 1917. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-SHR3 : 16 December 2020), Laurence Harmon and Mildred R Swan, 01 Oct 1917; citing Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
  • Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996, Family Search, Marriage – Laurence Harmon & Mildred R Swan – 1 Oct 1917. “Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCN2-TRK : 27 November 2014), Laurence Harmon and Mildred R Swan, 01 Oct 1917; citing Marriage, Maine, United States, State Archives, Augusta.
  • Maine, State Archive Collections, 1718-1957, Family Search, Military Service – Laurance or Laurence Louis Harmon 1918. “Maine, State Archive Collections, 1718-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KG9Q-67X : 11 March 2018), Laurance Or Lawrence Louis Harmon, 28 Aug 1918; citing Military Service, United States, State Archives, Augusta.
  • Maine, World War I Draft Register Index, 1917-1919, Family Search, Draft Registration – Lawrence Louis Harmon – Inducted 28 Aug 1918. “Maine, World War I Draft Registration Index, 1917-1919,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HM-P1F5 : 15 March 2018), Lawrence Louis Harmon, 1917-1919; citing Draft Registration, Portland, Cumberland, Maine, United States, Maine State Archives, Augusta; FHL microfilm 005652220.
  • Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME, ), Genealogy Bank, Alton S. Harmon – Obituary 27 May 1998. Portland Press Herald (Maine) 27 May 1998, obit for ALTON S. HARMON CONSTRUCTION WORKER, WWII VETERAN, GenealogyBank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/0F9C33C5B8BC7A98 : accessed 19 December 2020). https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/0F9C33C5B8BC7A98.
  • S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Portland, Maine – 1915-’17 – Page 212 – Harmon – Portland, Maine – 1915-’17 – Page 213 – Harmon. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
  • S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Westbrook, ME – 1930 – Gorham Directory – Page 241 – Harmon. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
  • S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Westbrook, ME – 1934 – Gorham Directory – Page 178 – Harmon. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
  • S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 , Ancestry, Laurence L Harmon (1897-1941). National Archives at Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941; NAID: A1, 2110-C; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the O.
  • S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry, Alton Swain Harmon (1919-1998) – No Image. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/28283679:60901.
  • S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry, Lawrence Louis Harmon (1897-1941) – No Image. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/89437:60901.
  • United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Family Search, Draft Card – Laurence Louis Harmon – Registered 5 June 1918. “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZFY-BQX : 24 August 2019), Laurence Louis Harmon, 1917-1918.

Endnotes

[1] Laurence and Laurance are used interchangeably throughout many documents. His military service record even uses both on the same page. I have standardized by using “Laurance” because it is the spelling used on his tombstone and is likely the spelling he used later in life.

[2] Internet – Wikipedia – Fort Devens – Establishment during World War I

Posted in Welch-Harris Project | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 10

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Don Taylor

Dahlgren, Daigle, Dallachie Davenport, & Davis

Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more negative envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The names on the envelope are of the individual who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, I analyze the photo information and use my genealogical skills to positively identify the people in the photographs.[ii]

Eva Mae Dahlgren (1916-2007)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Eva Dahlgren – 24 Arsenal St, Portland

  • Miss Eva Dahlgren

    The 1938 Portland City Directory indicates Eva Dahlgren is a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital) and resides at the same place.

  • The 1939 Portland City Directory indicates Eva Dahlgren is a nurse at 763 Congress and resides at the same place, suggesting that Eva graduated from nurse’s school in 1938.
  • The 1930 Census lists an Eva M Dahlgren, age 13, living with her parents Godfrey E. and Grace H. Dahlgren at 193 Hines Street, Washburn, Aroostook County, Maine.
  • Social Security records indicate Eva was born on 18 December 1916 to Edwin G. Dahlgren and Grace H Wilson. She married Rodney D. Gurley and died 16 February 2007 as Eva Mae Gurley.

I found Godfrey and Grace on Family Search, but not their daughter Eva, so I created a profile for Eva Mae Dahlgren, born 18 December 1916, died 16 February 2007. It is L7SN-P92. I uploaded one photo of Eva in the collection to that profile. I also found her on Find-a-Grave (Memorial 40160600 and uploaded her photo there too.)

Carmen Daigle (1915-1985)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Carmen Daigle – St. Barnabas Hospital, Portland, #528.”

  • Carmen D’Aigle appears in the 1935 and 1936 Portland (Maine) City Directories. She was a student nurse at 231 Woodford and resided at 20 Norwood. It seems this to be the correct Carmen Daigle.
  • She appears again in the 1937 Portland City Directory as Carmen Daigle. She was still a student nurse at 231 Woodford and resided at 20 Norwood.
  • The 1938 Portland City directory has a new person, Rita Daigle, a student nurse at 218 State and residing at 681 Congress Street.
  • A review of the 1930 Census found a 15-year-old Carmen J. Dangle, who had a sister, Rita M., who lived in Limestone, Aroostook County, Maine. They were the daughters of Paul and Clara Daigle. I’m confident this is the correct Carmen Dangle.
  • Further research shows she was born on 24 February 1915 in Corinna, Penobscot County, Maine. Her mother’s name was Clara Thibodeau. And she died in 1985 and is buried in St. Louis Cemetery in Limestone, Aroostook County, Maine.
  • Another Carmen Daigle was born 19 April 1915 in Aroostook County. Sho married Leon Desjardins in 1935 and died in 1972. She should not be confused with Carmen (Daigle) Howard.

I am confident enough that Clara Daigle, daughter of Paul and Clara (Thibodeau) Daigle, born on 24 February 1915, is correct that I created a profile for her on Family Search. Her profile is GHQ9-9CM. I uploaded her photo there, plus I uploaded one of her photos to her memorial (#121577026) on Find a Grave.

Charles E. Dallachie (1930-2003) &
Sibling (?)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Chas. Dallachie, 99 Concord St., Portland #146.”

Charles & Robert Dallachie circa 1936

  • 1932, 33, and 34 Portland City Directories indicate Charles A. Dallachie and his wife Isabel lived at 99 Concord St.
  • This appears to be Charles Austin Dallachie, born 21 August 1896 in Massachusetts. His wife was Isabel McCulloch Allan. The boy then would be Charles E. Dallachie. Charles E. Dallachie was born 9 March 1930 in Maine. He died 28 September 2003 in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

I have not been successful in determining the baby in the photo with Charles. I have found several individuals who have Charles E. Dallachie in their family trees. I have contacted three of them to confirm or repute my identification.

[UPDATE:  A family member has confirmed the boy is Charles E. Dallachie and the baby is Robert Dallachie.] 

I posted the set of three photos to my Flickr account. See: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=57229592%40N03&view_all=1&text=Dallachi

Carolyn Davenport (1918-2014)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Caroline Davenport – Me. Gen. Hospital, Portland, #913.”

The 1937 and 1938 Portland (Maine) City Directories list Carolyn Davenport as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital). The photo is by “Studio Name and Printed info if present.”

The 1939 Portland City Directory indicates she is a nurse who works and lives at 261 Vaughan. That and the high negative number (#913) suggest the photo is from about 1938.

Further research found Carolyn in a 1935 yearbook for Canton High School, Canton, Oxford County, Maine. The photograph of her in the yearbook indicates the same young woman as the photos.

The 1930 Census finds Carolyn Davenport, 11 years old, living in her brother-in-law’s household and her 24-year-old sister Marjorie Lavorgna in Canton. The 1920 Census shows Carolyn residing with her parents, Frank R. and Helen M. Davenport, in Hartford, Oxford County. Her sister’s name in this census is Marcie.

A Birth record for Carolyn May Davenport indicates she was born, 5 May 1918 in Hartford, Oxford County, Maine. Her parents were Frank Davenport (GQL4-QJK) and May Shaw (LL96-G4Q). She was May’s third child.

Carolyn married Norman M. Tilbor and died 4 April 2014 in Barrington, RI.

I created an entry for Carolyn on Family Search, GHQ7-PLK, and have two uploaded photos of her there.

Donald William Davis (1907-1972).

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Donald Davis – 51 Jackson St, Portland #502.”

  • The 1940 Census lists 32-year-old Donald Davis living at 51 Jackson in Portland. His mother, Flora E. Davis, is living with him.” Also, Donald was born in Maine.
  • The 1930 Census shows Donald living on Jackson Street with his parents James W, and Flora E Davis.
  • Donald William Davis’ birth record indicates he was born on 23 May 1907 in Bethel, Oxford, Maine.  Donald died on 29 August 1972.

So, I am confident this photo is of Donald William Davis (1907-1972).

Donald William Davis has a profile on Family Search, LYT1-9JG. I have uploaded two photos of him there.

Conclusion

I had:

  • Four successful identifications where I could post the photos to Family Search.
  • One probable identification – I have contacted other researchers for confirmation.
  • One failed identification (the younger sibling of the probably identified person). Again, I’ve contacted other researchers for help in identification.

Final Note

If any of these photos are of a family member, I would love to hear your reaction.

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 (Photoshop Elements).

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | 3 Comments

Don Taylor Genealogy – 2020 Year in Review

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Don Taylor

The primary purpose of my blog is to help me understand my genealogical findings. It is like a diary or journal that helps me to focus on what I know. It helps me to stay focused not to become distracted. As time has passed, it has become more and more a vehicle for me to share some of what I’ve learned and what I am working on. I think both are important. I would like to remind readers that I do accept guest submissions. If you would like to write something, particularly of interest to readers in my six primary topics (Brown, Darling, Howell, and Roberts lines as well DNA discoveries or understanding and Donna Montran’s vaudeville career), I’ll be happy to consider your submission as a guest post.

What I do.

  1. I am the Historian and the “genealogy & technology guy” for the Scarborough Historical Society. As the “technology guy,” I manage their web page and regularly post to their website. Before Covid, I also recorded monthly presentations and edited them for uploading to You Tube. 
  2. I lead a genealogy group at the Scarborough Public Library. We meet on the 4th Monday of the month. Learn more about it on the SPL-GG Facebook Page.
  3. I am a past president and regularly participate with the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society,
  4. I attend meetings of the DNA Special Interest Group for the Maine Genealogical Society (Gray, ME).
  5. I also attend the South Portland Library Genealogy Group.

I am so looking forward to the elimination of Covid-19 protocols so that all these groups can return to normal meetings. I really miss the people.

I must mention, I am not selling genealogical services. (I gave that up.) I do, however,  participate in an affiliate program. I am phasing that feature out of my postings.  We’ll see how that goes over the coming year.

2020 Website Statistics.

I wrote 137 posts during the year, up from 122 in 2019.  My goal was to post, at a minimum, once every three days, so I made my goal.

The number of page views stayed virtually the same between 2018, 2019, and 2020, and the number of visitors and subscribers.

I currently have 524 followers/subscribers – up from 460 at the beginning of the year. Besides direct subscribers, other individuals follow my blog via Facebook, Twitter, and Google. If you do not subscribe to dontaylorgenealogy.com, please do so.

Referrals to my site are as I would expect; Google is, by far, the most significant referrer. Bing is a distant 2nd and third was Facebook. My old Blogspot site still referred individuals 24 times, so I guess I still can’t delete it.

My Top Five Postings for 2020

My number one post during 2020 has been #1 for five years in a row. “Why I’ll never do business with MyHeritage Again.” I guess people love reading rants.

My number 2 article was My Top Ten Free Genealogy Websites – Part 1. I think that article’s success and several of my other articles “website” articles have convinced me to do more of that type of essay.

Dropping to number 3 last year was the 2017 “OMG – Another Half-Sibling,” which spoke about learning of a half-sibling here-to-fore unknown for my mother—quite the surprise for my mother and my half-aunt, Barbara.

Staying at number 4 was my “Surname Saturday” article about the Howell surname. I am surprised that none of my other “Surname Saturday” articles have made it into the top 10. (“Swayze” did make it to number 11.)

Sliding into 5th place is another of those “Top Genealogy Websites” articles, this time “Top Fee-Based” websites.”

Next Year – 2021

I’m going to focus more next year on my activities. Being part of several societies, genealogy groups, I think I want to write a bit more about issues that arise through them. Also, some of my genealogical research is overlapping with other organizations and activities. For example, I was doing some research for my nephew, Paul, and learned he has family lines in Scarborough during the 1700s. That brings my genealogy research and my Historical Society activities together. I’m excited about that type of thin. Likewise, I expect to do more presentations, even if through Zoom. Those should provide some new and interesting postings.

I started a new project for “Photo Friday” to identify individuals who had pictures taken in the 1930s at the Ethel Wight Studio in Portland, Maine. I try to determine exactly who it is in the photo (name, child of Parents, birth and death dates) and then post the image to a profile for the person on Family Search or share the photo with others who know the family via Ancestry.  There are over 800 photo packets in the collection and I am trying to analyze about five packets each week. I truly love receiving a “Wow, thank you for the picture of my (relative) that I’ve never seen before” message. It makes the work worthwhile.

Have a happy, safe, and healthy new year.

Posted in General Help | Leave a comment

Don’s Genealogy News – December 29, 2020.

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Don’s Genealogy News includes genealogical activities I’m involved with as well as genealogical items that I’ve found interesting and would like to share with my genealaogical friends. I hope you find them interesting. 

Scarborough Historical Society

One second after midnight on January 1st, copyrighted works from 1925 will enter the US public domain. One of my favorite Scarborough history books, Grandfather Tales of Scarborough by Augustus F. Moulton, comes out of copyright. I have already digitized it and expect to upload it in the first few days of 2021 to Internet Archives and Digital Maine with links to it from the Scarborough Historical Society webpage. 

Scarborough Public Library

Ancestry has extended Library Edition access to Ancestry from home through your local library until March 31st. If you find the cost of an Ancestry subscription prohibitive and US records fit your needs, this is excellent news. To access the Library Edition of Ancestry, go to your public library’s research page, then select “Ancestry Library Edition” (In Scarborough, go to https://www.scarboroughlibrary.org/research.) But the process should work with most libraries in Maine.

Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society

The GPC-MGS will meet via Zoom at 1 PM on January 2nd, 2021. Members of the chapter should have received the Zoom link. If you did not, please contact me via the comment form below.

Blogs

Fred Moss has an excellent post on the Records Advocate “Closing Death Records is Just Dead Wrong!” Some states have used the “legislative fix” to close death records doesn’t stop identity theft and creates other problems. A good read.

Conferences

New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC) will be virtual this year and will be in April and May 2021. For the latest info, see their E-Zine at https://nergc.org/e-zines/

Services

American Ancestors announced that Volumes 64 through 68, for the years 2016 through 2020, were added to The Mayflower Descendant database. As I learned from Family Search’s “Family Search’s Famous Relatives,” I have several potential Mayflower passenger ancestors. It looks like I might have lots more fun. If you find you have Mayflower Descendants, you might find an American Ancestors (NEHGS) membership worthwhile.

Posted in In the news | Leave a comment

Relative Sketch – James Cooper Lamb

Posted on December 20, 2020 by Don Taylor

Darling-McAllister-Lamb
By Don Taylor

James Cooper Lamb was the brother of my wife’s 2nd great-grandmother, Margaret Mary Lamb (1860-1929). I researched him primarily to seek additional information regarding his mother Isabella (Atkinson) Lamb who appears to have vanished from the records about 1864. I may, or may not, have found her in am 1898 record.

Darling-McAllister-Lamb – Brother of #27

List of Greats & Grands

James Cooper Lamb (1862-1898).

Birth

James Cooper Lamb was baptized on 18 May 1862, He was nine years old during the 1871 Census, taken on 2 April) so I presumed he was born between 2 April 1862 and 17 May 1862.

James had a difficult childhood. His mother appears to have vanished from the records after the birth of his younger brother, Edward, in 1864. The 1871 Census shows the family has been broken up and nine-year-old James is living with his grandparents.

Adulthood

Photo courtesy of the New York Public Library, from their British Cigarette Cards collection.

The 1881 Census finds 19-year-old James working as a servant in the household of John Lancaster.

James may have become ill and entered the City Road Workhouse in London on 5 August 1886. He was transferred to the Highgate Workhouse the next day and was discharged from Highgate on 4 September 1886.[1]

James’ father, Edward Lamb, died November 1st. 1893. Edward’s estate was probated and James received the effects. James was a sergeant in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

Death

James died on 20 April 1898. His estate was also probated. The Isabella Lamb (a widow) was the administrator. It isn’t clear if this is Isabella, James’ widow, or Isabella, the widow of Edward Lamb. If the latter, that would prove James’ mother, Isabella, was living in 1898.

Events by Location

  • England, Westmorland, Soulby – 2 Apr 1871 – Residence.
  • England, Cumberland, Culgaith – 3 Apr 1881 – Residence.
  • England, Cumberland, Carlisle – 10 Jul 1894 – Probate of father.
  • England, Middlesex, Holborn – 5 Aug 1886 – Event.
  • England, Westmorland, Warcop – Between 2 Apr – 17 May 1862 (Birth)
  • England, Westmorland, Warcop – 18 May 1892 –  Christening,
  • Ireland, Kildare, Curragh – 20 Apr 1898 – Death.

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Find the probate record for James Cooper Lamb.
  • Find the military record for James Cooper Lamb.

————–  Disclaimer  ————–

Sources

  • Source Title: 1871 England Census (April 2)
    Repository: Ancestry
    Citation: 1871 England Census (April 2) (National Archives of the UK), Ancestry, John Atkerson – Soulby, Westmorland, England. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1871 England Census; Class: RG10; Piece: 5271; Folio: 88; Page: 7; GSU roll: 847454.
  • Source Title: 1881 England Census (April 3)
    Repository: Ancestry
    Citation: 1881 England Census (April 3) (National Archives of the UK), Ancestry, James Lamb – Age 19 – Culgaith, Cumberland, England. Class: RG11; Piece: 5143; Folio: 60; Page: 14; GSU roll: 1342241.
  • Source Title: England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
    Repository: Ancestry
    Citation: England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995, Ancestry, James Cooper Lamb – 20 Apr 1898. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/1904/records/571734/.
  • Source Title: England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957
    Repository: Family Search
    Citation: England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957, Family Search, LAMB, Edward of Sanford. Citing this Record. “England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7X3N-7DT2 : 27 August 2019), James Cooper Lamb in entry for Edward Lamb, 10 Jul 1894; citing Probate, Westmorland, England, United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Great Britain.
  • Source Title: England Births and Christenings, 1538-­1975
    Repository: Family Search
    Citation: England Births and Christenings, 1538-­1975, Family Search, James Cooper Lamb – Warcop, Westmorland, England. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NR9L-K8X : 11 February 2018, James Cooper Lamb, 18 May 1862); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 97,420. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NR9L-K8X.
  • Source Title: Letters
    Repository: Personal Files
    Citation: Letters, Letter – Betty Darling Kemon to Jerome Howell 30 Dec 1978.
  • Source Title: London, England, Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1764-1930
    Repository: Ancestry
    Citation: London, England, Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1764-1930 (London Metropolitan Archives), Ancestry, Lamb, James born 1862 – Page 284. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: HOBG/542/13.
  • Source Title: London, England, Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1764-1930
    Repository: Ancestry
    Citation: London, England, Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1764-1930 (London Metropolitan Archives), Ancestry, Lamb, James born 1862 – Page 285 . London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: HOBG/542/13
    City Road Workhouse (St Luke´s and Other Workhouses) Register, 1885-1886.

EEndnotes

[1] I am not positive this event related to James Cooper Lamb, the son of Edward and Isabella Lamb, however, I have accepted it tentatively and have entered it here.

Posted in Darling-Huber, Military History/Conflicts, Ancestor Features | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment