Isabella Atkinson & the Censuses.

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Don Taylor

Darling-McAllister-Lamb-Atkinson
Census Sunday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Following families in the early census records is always difficult and I find English Census records particularly difficult to follow.

To the best of my research, Isabella Atkinson (my wife’s 3rd great-grandmother on her maternal line) was born between 1834 and 1835 in Long Marton, Westmorland, England. She married Edward Lamb in 1853. So, during the 1851 Census, she should have been sixteen or seventeen years old and, hopefully, living with her parents. But alas, no such luck.

Isabella in the Censuses

1851 Census[i]

There is one Isabella Atkinson, born about 1835 in Long Marton, Westmorland, England.

She is living with the widow Elizabeth Wade at Church Stile House. Isabella is a 16-year-old “General Servant.”

1841 Census[ii]

Again, there is one Isabella Atkinson, born about 1834 in Long Marton, Westmorland, England. However, this census appears to have Isabella’s parents and siblings included. The 1841 Census does not provide relationships, however, this appears to be a nuclear family.

  • John Atkinson, 40 – Head – John’s occupation is “Husbandman” (aka farmer).
  • Elizabeth,        35 – Apparent Wife
  • Thomas,          16 – Apparent Son
  • Richard,           11 – Apparent Son
  • George,           9   – Apparent Son
  • Isabella            6   – Apparent Daughter
  • Ann                 3   – Apparent Daughter

Living in Township of Knock in the parish of Long Marton.
Superintendent Registrar’s District of East Ward.
Registar’s District of Appleby
Enumeration District 10.

Marriage

Isabella married Edward Lamb on 27 November 1853. Following her after her marriage we find.

1861 Census[iii]

We find Isabella enumerated with her husband in Warcop, Westmorland, England.

The family unit consists of:

  • Edward Lamb     29     Head    Mar      29     Victualler[iv]   Warcop,
  • Isabella Lamb     26     Wife     Mar      26                       Long Marton,
  • Margaret Lamb   11/12 Dau.    N/A      11 mos.              Warcop,
  • Dorathy Bradley  77     Visitor  Widow  77     Landed Proprietor  Warcop,

(Note: All were Westmorland.)

1871

I have been unsuccessful finding Isabella in the 1871 England Census. It appears that Edward may be living with his mother and two sisters in Sanford during the 1871 Census.[v] Margaret does not appear to be enumerated with Edward.

 1881

Again, I have been unsuccessful in finding Isabella in the 1881 England Census. Edward is enumerated as married, owns his house, and is a landed proprietor. He is also an annuitant. There is no evidence of Isabella with him. Edward and Isabella’s Daughter, Margaret Mary Lamb (1860-1929), has married and is living in Workington with her husband, Peter McAllister (1852-1941).

Conclusion

Edward and Isabella had two other children that were christened after Margaret. James Cooper in 1863 and Edward in 1864. I have been unable to find any records or references to Isabella after 1864.  Consequently, I believe she may have passed between 1864 and the 1871 Census.

Although I feel a sense of frustration not determining Isabella whereabouts after 1864, I am really happy to have determined the names of Isaballa’s parents and four of her siblings.  Maybe researching Isabella’s parents or her siblings will result in a greater understanding of Isabella’s life.

Endnotes & Source Citations:

[i] 1851 England and Wales Census – March 30, Ancestry, Isabella Atkinson (Servent) – Elizabeth Wade (Head) – Bongate, Westmorland, England. Class: HO107; Piece: 2439; Folio: 125; Page: 20; GSU roll: 87120. Description: Enumeration District: 7.

[ii] 1841 England and Wales Census – June 6, Various, John Atkinson – Knock, Parish of Long Marton, Westmorland. Class: HO107; Piece: 1158; Book: 1; Civil Parish: Long Marton; County: Westmorland; Enumeration District: 10a; Page: 1; Line: 1; GSU roll: 464189.

[iii] 1861 England and Wales Census – April 7, Ancestry, Edward Lamb – Class: RG 9; Piece: 3958; Folio: 8; Page: 9; GSU roll: 543213. Ancestry.com. 1861 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
Original data: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Oice (PRO), 1861. Data imaged from The National Archives, London, England. The National Archives gives no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided. Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/8767/records/13303817.

[iv] A victualler is traditionally a person who supplies food, beverages and other provisions for the crew of a vessel at sea, but also may be the landlord of a public house. | Retrieved 29 November 2020, from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victualler

[v] 1871 England Census – April 2, Ancestry, Ann Lamb – Head – Sanford, Westmorland, England. “England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-7BQ : 28 September 2019), Mary Lamb in the entry for Ann Lamb, 1871. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-7B9.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 7

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Don Taylor

Basford, Batura, Bearce, Belyea, & Benn

Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week for Photo Friday, I identify five more negatives 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, it is vital to analyze the photo and information to identify the photographs positively.[ii]

Flora Basford (1916-1970)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Flora Bassford – Me Gen Hospital, Portland, #695.”

The 1940 Census indicates one Flora Bassford and two Flora Basford’s (one “s”) in Portland.

  1. Flora Bassford – Age 72, Widow. Cannot possibly be this Flora, who is much younger.
  2. Flora E Basford, Age 24, Daughter of May M. Basford, living at 84 Carleton. Occupation-Nurse at a Hospital.
  3. Flora Basford, Age 23, Living at Maine General Hospital, Occupation Nurse.

So, are there two different Flora Basford’s or is there only one who was enumerated twice?

The 1940 Portland City Directory lists two Flora Basford’s; one was Flora A, the widow of clarence, the other a nurse employed at 22 Arsenal and living at 82 Carleton, Apt 17. No second, young nurse.

The 1939 Portland City Directory – Ditto.

The 1938 Portland City Directory reports Flora Basford as Student Nurse at 22 Arsenal, residing at 22 Arsenal.

Flora E Basford married Raymond C Aja on 27 April 1940.

The 1941 Portland City Directory shows Flora Basford the nurse that married Raymond C Aja. No other Flora Basford’s are identified.

In the 1930 Census, Flora E Basford, age 13, lives with her mother May, and a sister Vera L Basford, in Detroit, Somerset County, Maine. (Vera also went into nursing.)

Looking at all the documents, I believe that Flora Basford was enumerated twice during the 1940 Census – Once at her mother’s home and once at the hospital housing facility. Other than the census, I can find no other evidence there was another Flora Basford in the Portland area (The Widow Basford excepted). So, I believe this to be Flora Basford, daughter of Willie P and Maggie Mary (Fulton) Basford and wife of Raymond C Aja.

She is Family Search Profile LL2M-921. The photos I have probably came from about 1938, when Flora was about 22 years old.

Jane Mary Batura (1918-2016)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Jane Batura – 40 Brackett St, Portland – #1073.”

The 1938 Portland City Directory reported Jane Batura, an employee at LDCo, 148 Middle and resided at 40 Brackett. The other Batura individuals also lived at that address, suggesting no other Batura families in 1938 Portland.

Additionally, Jane Batura was born on 28 January 1918 to John and Malvina (Blaska) Batura in Portland, Cumberland, Maine.

There is not a profile for Jane Mary Batura on Family Search. There was one public family tree on Ancestry that included Jane Mary Batura. I’ve messaged that person with information about the images.

Ralph Bearce (one of three candidates)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Ralph Bearce #448 – Copy.”

It is unusual for the negative envelope to not include any address for the individual. Also, the quality of the image is quite poor and somewhat damaged. The word “Copy” following the name suggests that this negative was a copy of another photo, probably using a different camera or process.

The 1940 census records indicate there were nine Ralph Bearce’s enumerated; three of them lived in Maine.

  1. Ralph R. Bearce – Age 54, Living with his wife, Lou H, in Ashland, Aroostook County.
    Ralph R Beane – Age 44, living with wife, H Lou, in Ashland, Aroostook County.
  2. Ralph Bearce, Jr – Age 17, living with father above.
    Ralph Bearce, Jr – Age 17, living with father above.
  3. Ralph H. Bearce – Age 48, living with wife, Mattie, in Dover-Foxcroft in 1940.
    Ralph K Bearce – Age 38, living with wife, Mattie, in Dover Foxcroft in 1930.

Further research was unsuccessful in finding Ralph Bearce in any of the City Directories I have access to.

The photo was taken in about 1937. Ralph Brice of Ashland would have been 51 years old then. Ralph Bearce of Dover-Foxcroft would have been about 45. I think the man in the photo looks more like 51 than 45; however, there isn’t enough age difference to be sure. As such, I don’t believe I can determine which Ralph Bearce this is a photo of.

Note: There was a third Ralph Brice, Born in Turner, Maine in 1875, lived in New Hampshire in 1930, and died in New Hampshire in 1935. This photo may be of that Ralph King Brice, but I don’t think so.

Hopefully, someone in Aroostook County or Piscataquis County who knew one of the two Ralph Bearce’s can confirm this image’s identity.

Posted to Dead Fred

Ralph Bearce – ca. 1937

There were three Ralph Bearce’s of Maine; this image could be any of them.

  1. Ralph R. Bearce – b. ca. 1886 – wife, Lou H, of Ashland, Aroostook County, Maine.
  2. Ralph H. Bearce – b. ca 1892 – wife, Mattie, of Dover-Foxcroft, Piscataquis County, Maine.
  3. Ralph K. Bearce – b. 1874 – wife Ellen Mary, of Turner, Androscoggin County, Maine.

Helen Vaughn Belyea (1925-1991) and Frederick N. Belyea (1931-1991)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Harry Belyea – 41 Wolcott St. Portland #169.”

The 1937 Portland City directory lists Harry A. Belyea and his wife Pauline C living at 41 Wolcott.

The 1940 Census lists Harry Belyea living with his wife, Pauline, and two children, Helen (age 14) and Frederick (age 8). This photo was taken about 1935, so Frederick would be about four and Helen about 10 in the photo. I am convinced this is them.

  • On Family Search, Helen Vaughn Belyea (1925-1991) is ID LYCV-8K4.
  • On Family Search, Frederick N. Belyea (1931-1991) is ID GQD2-PTR.

I have uploaded two of the images to Family Search.

Greta Benn (1916-2012)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Greta Benn – Me. Gen Hospital, Portland #621.”

1937 Portland City Directory lists Greta Benn as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal, residing at 22 Arsenal. Twenty-two Arsenal was the address for the Maine General Hospital in1937.

The 1940 Census finds Greta Alma Benn, age 23, as a “general duty nurse” residing at Guion Place, in New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York, but having been born in Maine and having lived in Portland, Maine in 1935.

Further research indicated that Greta was born 4 August 1916 to Melvin Leroy and Edith Jane (Warman) Benn in Aroostook County, Maine. I am convinced this is an image of Greta.

Greta Alma Benn has a profile on Family Search — LBDW-MKC. I have uploaded her image there.

Final Note

Four out of five photos is pretty good for identifying. Again, if you know any of the Ralph Bearce’s, I’d love to hear if you can either confirm or eliminate any of the candidates.

Finally, 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 Photoshop Elements.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Leave a comment

Ethel Wright Collection – Part 6

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Don Taylor

Baker, Baldwin, Bangs, Barry, & Bassett

Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

This week for Photo Friday, I look at identifying five more negatives 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, it is important to analyze the photo and information to positively identify the photographs.[ii]

Child of Mrs. Leroy Baker
(Probably) Richard Baker (1933-2018)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Leroy Baker – 684 Forest Ave., Portland.”

Child of Mrs LeRoy Baker ()

The 1936 Portland City Directory reports Leroy R. (Alice A) Baker living at 684 Forest Ave., Portland.

The 1940 Census reports Leroy R. Baker at the Maine State Prison.

The 1940 Census also reports Alice A. Baker living with her mother, Isabell Boyle, a brother, Lawrence, and Alice’s three children; Richard L., Barbara J., & Isabell R. ages 6, 5, and 2 respectively.

I believe this child is either Richard or Barbara. I believe that because the photo is of a single child it was taken about 1934 of Richard. If it had been taken in 1935/6, I believe the photo would have been taken of the two children together. I see the bonnet and the sweater, however, the dress at that time is not sufficient to persuade me to believe it is a photo of Barbara.

I found a person online (at Ancestry.Com) in who appears is a grandchild of Leroy and Alice. I’ve asked that person if they can identify the apparent uncle/aunt in the photograph.

I created a profile for Richard Baker (1933-2018) on Family Search but have not uploaded the images to that profile, however, I have uploaded them to my Flickr Account – See Photo 1 & Photo 2. I hope that the descendant of LeRoy and Alice can confirm the identity of the child in the photo.

Nancy Baldwin (1934-2012)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Wm Baldwin – 51 Morning St, Portland #679”

Nancy Baldwin ca. 1934

The 1937 Portland City Directory shows William G. Baldwin and his wife Gertrude J. residing at 51 Morning in Portland.

The 1940 Census shows William and Gertrude living on Morning with their five-year-old daughter, Nancy.

Family Search suggests this couple is William George Baldwin (1910-1970) and Gertrude J. Quinn (1916-Deceased)

Several Ancestry Trees suggest that Nancy Baldwin is the child of William and Gertrude and that she was born 25 May 1934 and died 7 May 2012. As such, I’ve created a profile on FamilySearch, LYWL-4K3 and uploaded one of the images to that profile.

Mrs. Blanche Bangs

The envelope this negative was in says, Mrs. Blanch Bangs – 92 Vesper St., Portland.”

Mrs. Blanche Bangs

The 1920 Census shows Blanche Bangs, wife of H. John Banks, living at 92 Vesper Street, Portland. Blanche was born circa 1893 in Canada.

The 1930 Census shows Blanche living at 92 Vesper, but she was a widow.

The 1940 Census shows Blanche still living at 92 Vesper, and still a widow.

In 1935, about when this photo was taken, Blanch would have been about 43. The woman in this photo appears to be in her 40s to me, so I believe it to be Blanch.

A quick search for Blanche on Family Search failed to yield a clear result, so I took a closer look.

1930 Census – Blanche Bangs Age 37 Widow, Married at age 27. She was born in Canada. Her father was born in England and her mother was also born in Canada. She came to the states in 1911.

Looking back on the 1920 Census, Blanche’s mother, Roxanna M. Bangs was living with the family. That helps confirm a Record of Marriage that indicates H. John Bangs married Blanch Halstead on 26 November 1919. H. John’s mother was Roxanna Bangs. Blanche’s parents were Joseph Halstead and Julia A. Noble, who were living in Portland at the time.

Blanche Halstead, the daughter of Joseph and Julia (Noble) Halstead, has a profile on FamilySearch, LYL4-KL1.

Alice M. Barry

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Alice M Barry – 407 Chapman Bldg, Portland #79.“

Alice M. Berry – ca. 1934

First, the Chapman Building is the original name for the Time and Temperature building in downtown Portland, Maine. It is a fourteen-story building at 477 Congress Street.

The 1940 Census indicated three “Alice M Barry’s” in Cumberland.

  • Alice M. Berry, Age 55, Wife of Edward C. Berry. She lived with her husband at 174 Edwards Street in Portland.
  • Alice M. Barry, Age 38, Daughter of Thomas E. & Nellie T. Barry. She was a clerk typist for the Government in 1940. She lived with her parents at 218 Pine in South Portland.
  • Alice M. Berry, Age 45, wife of Norris J. Berry, lived at 277 Maine Street, Westbrook.

The Portland, Maine, City Directories for 1933 through 1937 complete the identification.  reports

  • 1933 – Alice M Barry – Sten[iii] r 218 Pine SP
  • 1934 – Alice M Barry – Sten 477 Cong Room 407 – R 218 Pine SP.
  • 1935 – Alice M Barry – Sten r 218 Pine SP
  • 1936 – Alice M Barry – Sten 317 Cong r 218 Pine SP

From the city directories, we can be certain the photo was taken in 1934 or 1935. From the directories and the 1940 census record, we can be certain this Alice M Barry is the daughter of Thomas E. & Nellie T. Barry. In 1940, Alice was 38 which suggests she was about 32 in this photo. The woman in the photo seems to be in her early 30s, so I’m confident this is her.

Family Search has an Alice M Barry, born 3 September 1902 to Thomas Edward and Nellie “Ellen” T (O’Donnell) Barry. Her profile on FamilySearch is G9F3-LM4.

Hope Cleone (Bassett) Shedin (or Sheddin)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Hope Bassett – Me Gen Hospital City #318.”

Hope Bassett ca. 1934

A search on Ancestry quickly found a high school yearbook photo of Hope Cleone Bassett in the 1932 Augusta, Maine yearbook. That photo is clearly of the same young woman who was born October 9, 1914.

In 1935 Hope was working in Augusta as a nurse and in 1938 she had moved to Portland where she was a nurse employed at 22 Arsenal which was the Maine General Hospital, the predecessor of the Maine Medical Center.

The 1930 Census indicates that Hope C Bassett, of Augusta, Maine was the daughter of Jacob P. H and Anna E. Bassett.

Hope died on 13 September 1977.

Hope did not have a profile on Family Search, however, her parents did. Because I learned that Hope died, I created a profile for her on Family Search – ID 27VJ-8CT and uploaded the images of her that I have.

Final Note

If any of these photos are of a family member of yours, I would love to hear your reaction. Have you seen the photo before. Do you disagree with my assessment?

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.

[iii] “Sten” is the abbreviation for Stenographer used in these directories.

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Donna Darling Collection – Part 76

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Don Taylor

The Stroud Theatre

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at another clipping from the Donna Darling Collection

First, we know the show took place during Thanksgiving week at the Stroud.

  • 1919    We know Donna was part of the “Chin Chin” company and played in Salt Lake City during Thanksgiving, so it can’t be 1919.
  • 1920    Donna played as Donna Montran and Her Bathing Beauties, so we know it can’t be 1920.
  • 1921    Donna was playing with Murray Walker and Walter Davis as Donna Montran. By January 1922, her shows all featured “Donna Darling,” never Donna Montran. So it makes sense that “Dona Montrim” could be 1921.
  • 1922 – However, in November 1922, Donna was showing as Donna Darling and Company. It is possible Donna could have done some kind of throwback to using Montrim (Montran) in 1922.
  • 1923 – Thanksgiving Donna was appearing in the Donna Darling Revue during November 1923.
  • 1924 – In 1924, Donna’s show was again a Bathing Beauty show.
  • 1925 – In 1925, Donna was doing the “Little Jewel Revue.”
  • 1926 – Donna was showing with Sammy in 1926.
  • 1927 – Donna appears to have dropped out of show business during the summer of 1927. I have no record of her appearing in 1927 or 1928.

A search for the Stroud Theatre at Cinetreasures found only one Stroud Theatre open during the 1920s. That was in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Likewise, the 1921 The Julius Cahn-Gus Hill Theatrical Guide And Moving Picture Directory. Indicates there was only one Stroud Theatre, and it was in Stroudsburg.

I know very little about Donna’s shows in the fall of 1921. Indeed, she played in New York in October and played in Philadelphia in December, so her playing in Stroudsburg, PA in November 1921 makes sense. On the other hand, Donna played in Elmira, New York, in  November 1922 and Paterson, NJ, in December, so 1922 is possible.

The critical fact that illuminates the date is an accompanying article that mentions the feature “Inside the Cup” adapted from the story of Winston Churchill was also playing. Wikipedia indicates that the film adaptation of Churchill’s book was titled “Inside of the Cup” and was released in January of 1921. As such, I’m confident that the show had to have played at the Stroud Theater in Stroudsburg, PA in 1921.  Thanksgiving in 1921 was November 24th.

Additionally, a Newspapers.Com search for “Dona Montrim” yielded a match to her playing at Reade’s Savoy Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on October 13th and October 14th. That confirms her playing in the area using that unusual spelling. Thanks to Newspapers.Com, I was able to add another venue to her schedule.

Key features

  • The venue is the Stroud Theatre in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
  • At least two days between November 24th and November 25th, 1921.
  • The show is “Dona Montrim & Co. – Singing and Dancing.”
  • Also, on the bill
    • The Barry Jazzers
    • Three Walceys – Acrobatic Novelty
    • Whynot & Brady – Musical Act
    • Phil Davis – Southern Songster
    • Features: “Inside the Cup”

Analysis

Another note is her name in the article is “Dora Montrim.” A search for “Dora Montrim” at Newspapers.Com, Genealogy Bank, and Chronicling America did not yield any results. This show should be added to Donna’s Schedule:

Conclusion

  • November 24-25, 1921 – Stroud Theatre – Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania – Dona Montrim & Co. – DDC-76.
  • October 13-14, 1921 – Reade’s Savoy Theatre – Asbury Park, New Jersey – Dona Montrim & Co.

Posted in Treasure Chest, Donna Darling & Co., Donna Montran, Vaudeville | 2 Comments

Budgar in the News – Body Found

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Don Taylor

“Budgar” found a body – 28 April 1959

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.My mom met my stepfather, Edgar (aka “Bud” and “Budgar”) in 1961. He used to tell the story of when he found a body on the railroad tracks down along the river in Minneapolis, only a few hundred yards from where I had a store in the 1990s at St. Anthony Main. He used to say reporting the body was a real regret. The police questioned him for hours and kept him from getting to work. He lost half a day’s pay for doing the right thing. He said if he ever saw a body again, he’d just keep going and swear he didn’t see a thing. It is a sad commentary that doing the right thing can cost the Samaritan.

Anyway, I found the Minneapolis Star article, dated 28 April 1959, thanks to Newspapers.com, which describes the story and Budgar’s role in finding the body and reporting the incident.

Body Found on Rail Spur; Gang Violence Feared

….

The first report of the shooting came shortly after 6 a.m. when Edgar J. Matson, 33, 181 NE. 41st Av., Columbia Heights spotted the body while driving to his St. Paul job.

Matson told police he had first thought the man was either sick or drunk.

The tire tracks….

From the article I learned:

My stepfather lived at 181 NE 41st Ave, Columbia Heights, in 1959.

—– Disclosure —–

 

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