I consider free genealogy websites in three different categories. First are sites that have data that are sources for facts. The second are sites that provide links to sites that have the data. In other words, referrers to sites. Third are training and general information websites, which include Blogs. All three are essential but are used differently.
After searching for facts in my paid sites and the free sites I mentioned in Part 1, I begin looking for places that have facts I might not use regularly or don’t know about. By this time, I typically know about the individual I am researching’s vital records and where he or she lived. Referrer sites (or links sites) provide the ideas of where to look next. They are usually free and can be a significant help in providing insight into additional areas to research
The Ancestor Hunt – I find that newspapers provide texture to an ancestor’s life. The Ancestor Hunt has provided me with reliable links to such newspapers. Over the past few years, Kenneth R. Marks has added much to the website, including links to Directories, Yearbooks, and Obituaries. There is a Location feature available, so if I was looking for Maine Divorce Records, I could see an index to Cumberland County divorces before 1892. Likewise, you can learn that Family Search has Scarborough Town and Vital Records from 1681-1893 that are searchable.
Family Search Wiki – I find the Family Search Research Wiki to be incredibly useful and easy to use. For example, if you are researching ancestors who lived in Scarborough, Cumberland, Maine, just enter that in the search box. That will take you to the page that provides links to town records, histories, newspapers, and much more. By the way, I maintain the Scarborough Page and update it when I find new information about Scarborough of genealogical interest.
Cyndi’s List – Cyndi’s List is amazingly good for several reasons. First and foremost, she uses tags really well. In most referrer sites, you have to have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for. On Cyndi’s List, you can follow here categories to links that will help. For example, I can go to United States – Maine – Religion & Churches and learn there is a link to United Methodist Church, which has a search page to find what churches exist in Scarborough, Maine.
Family Tree Magazine – Every year, Family Tree magazine does an article about the 101 Best Genealogy Websites of the year. I might not know all 101 of the websites, but I look closely at the list every year to know what kinds of things I might be missing. When researching my ancestor’s military service, I might remember Fold 3 and the DAR websites, but forget the American Battle Monuments Commission site. It is a great site to help remind me of what sites exist that I should look at. If it is in the Family Tree Magazine 101 best sites, you should know about the site.
Other Sites – There are a plethora of websites that provide links for you to consider.
This week for Montran Monday[i], I found the following article:
This week’s entry is from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) 17 May 1933 via Newspapers.com
Midweek Junior Eagle
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle – May 17, 1933.
If you are planning a trip in the near future, do not be like the man in the ten-credit puzzle that appeared in the Junior Eagle on May 7, and at the last minute find you have mislaid something. The man is searching for his “wallet.” When he finds it, the family will start. The five-credit puzzle in which you had to piece out the linoleum was easy, for you just had to cut through the squares that were misfits and then turn your square around. In the picture to color, the maid’s feather duster was missing. Next Sunday you will find something new on the back page of the Junior Eagle with which to win credits. Work it out and mail you finished work to me for credits. In next Sunday’s Junior Eagle the pupils of Public School 55 will find their school Honor Roll. If your name appears in the list today, underline it, cut out the list and mail it to me for your credits.
Aunt Jean
….
20 CREDITS
… Charlotte Montran….
PUZZLE CLUB
… Charlotte Montran…
I learned:
There was a young girl nameed Charlotte Montran who lived in New York, probably Staten Island[ii], in 1933, and she may have attended Public School 55.
[i] Montran Monday – My grandmother’s father was John Montran. She used the surname, as a young child and again when she began in show business. The name is uncommon and most of the Montrans I see in the newspapers are my grandmother during her early vaudeville career. However, with the constant flow of newly digitized material, I often learn of new articles which contain the Montran name. I pay attention to the finding and try to determine a possible relationship of any Montrans to Donna’s father, John Montran.
This week for Photo Friday, I look at identifying five negatives from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera, and computer software.
This was an excellent week for my Photo Identification Project. I identified all six of the individuals in five photographs.
The 1940 Census shows 23-year-old Eleanor Adams, living with her father, Gregory Adams, and sister, Margaret, at 48 Danforth St. Portland. No doubt, this is the correct Eleanor Adams. Eleanor was a salesgirl at a retail novelty store. She was born in Maine; however, her father was born in Albania.[ii]
There were three other Eleanor Adams’ in Maine during the 1940 Census. Because of the identification due to address, I considered none of the others.
I could not find a profile on Family Search nor a memorial on Find a Grave for Eleanor. I found one tree in Ancestry, Squire Wilber Andrews Family Tree, that contained references to her.
I’ll post the image to Flikr, to my web site, and I’ll send a copy to the Squire Wilber Andrews Family Tree owner.
Louise Adams – #267
This negative envelope says, “Miss Louise Adams – 125 Grant St Portland – #267.”
In 1937, Charles W. Adams and his wife, Margaret E., lived at 125 Grant, Apt 12[iii].
The 1940 Census shows Charles W. Adams, his wife Margaret, his daughter Louise Oaks, and two grandchildren, Elizabeth Jean Oakes and Eleanor Louise Oakes living with him in Sanford, York County, Maine. However, Charles, Margaret, and Louise lived in Portland during 1935. Louise was divorced[iv].
Louise M. Adams married Durmond L. Oakes on 4 August 1934, suggesting that the “Miss Louise Adams” photo was taken before that[v].
So, I believe this photo to be of Louise M. Adams, daughter of Charles W. and Margaret Adams, who was born in Massachusetts about 1917 and the photo was taken before August 1934.
Family Search ID GSDC-P6B, Louise Mildred Adams (1917-1998), the daughter of Charles William and Margaret (McAvena) Adams, fits that criteria, so I’m confident these are photos of her.
Clifford L. and Edna I. Andreasen – #877
The envelope this negative was in said, “Mr. C. L. Andreasen – 10 Water St, E. Deering – Ethel Wight Collection – #877.”
The 1930 Census indicates that Clifford L Andreasen, his wife, Edna I., and daughter Betty D. were living with his wife’s father, William W. Wing (or Wrig), at 102 Presumpscot Street, Portland[vi].
In 1940, Clifford Andreasen lived with his wife Edna, daughter Betty (age 10), and son Clifford (age 7)[vii].
The 1937 Portland City Directory indicates that Clifford L. Andreasen and his wife Edna I lived at 10 Water Street, which confirms this is the correct family unit[viii].
Family Search ID LYQQ-35J, Clifford L. Andreasen (1932-2013), the son of Clifford Laurits Andreasen and Edna Isilda Wing fits that criteria, so I’m confident this photo is of him and his sister. Betty is not identified in Family Search.
Dorothy Mae Allan – #392
The envelope this negative was in said, “Mrs. Angie Allen – 47 Mayo St. Portland – Ethel Wight Collection – #392.”
Angie S C K Allan lived at 47 Mayo Street in Portland, per the 1933 and 1935 city directories.[ix],[x].
The 1940 Census indicated that Charles W. Allan lived at 61Veranda St, Portland, Maine, with his wife Angie S and 2-year-old son, Erik H[xi].
Charles W. Allen married Angie S. Taber in Gray, Maine, on 13 June 1932.
A review of Family Trees on Ancestry indicated that Charles Weldon and Angie Susan Collins (Taber) Allen had two children. Dorothy Mae Allan was born in 1932, and Erick “Buddy” Allan was born in 1938. This photo appears to be a girl about three years old, suggesting Dorothy’s picture about 1935. If it were taken after Erik’s birthday, I would have expected Erik to be included.
Dorothy Mae Allan (1932-2002) does not appear to have a profile on Family Search nor Find-a-Grave. She does appear in four Ancestry Public Trees.
I’ll post Dorothy’s photo to my website and Flickr and tell the owners of the above trees of the image.
Donna E Ames – #714
The envelope this negative was in said, “Mrs. Philip Annis – 92 Concord St. Portland – Ethel Wight Collection – #714.”
In 1938, Robert Gardenier lived at 92 Concord.
In 1937, Robert Gardenier and his wife Dorothy lived at 92 Concord. Also, Mrs. Louise J Dewolfe lived at 92 Concord.
In 1934, Philip Ames and his wife Madeline V. lived at 92 Concord. Clearly, what appeared to be Annis on the envelope was Ames.
In 1940, Philip L and Madeline Ames were living in Portland at 119 Leland Street with their three children, Donna E (age 7), Alan A (Age 4), and Dian P (age 8/12).
I believe this photo to be Donna (ca. 1935) and not Alan (ca. 1938). If the picture were taken in 1938, I would expect both children to be in the photo.
Consequently, I believe this photo to be of Donna E Ames, daughter of Philip Linwood and Madeleine Vivian (Marsh) Ames, ca. 1935.
There does not appear to be a profile for Donna on Family Search or Find-a-Grave. However, there are 27 public trees on Ancestry that include her parents, Philip and Madeleine.
I intend to post the image to Flikr and my website and then inform various tree owners of the picture.
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] “United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMM4-V1K : 28 February 2020), Eleanor Adams in household of Gregory Adams, Ward 5, Portland, Portland City, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 3-71, sheet 10B, line 62, family 157, 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 1475.
[iii] Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Portland, Maine, Cityy Directory, 1937, Page 100 – Adams, Charles W.
[iv] Year: 1940; Census Place: Sanford, York, Maine; Roll: m-t0627-01497; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 16-72 – Page 6B – Lines 48 through 52 – Charles W. Adams (and family).
[vi] United States Census, 1930, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM8P-T7T : accessed 23 October 2020), William W Wing, Portland, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 83, sheet 19B, line 61, family 453, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 831; FHL microfilm 2,340,566.
[vii] “United States Census, 1940, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMMW-MXQ : 28 February 2020), Clifford Andreasen in household of Clifford Andreasen, Falmouth Town, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 3-23, sheet 5A, line 15, family 77, 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.
[viii] Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 – Portland, Maine City Directory, 1937 – Page 113 – Andreasen, Clifford L.
[ix] Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Portland, Maine City Directory, 1935 – Page 116 – Allan Angie S C K Mrs. R 47 Mayo
[x] Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Portland, Maine City Directory 1933 – Page 144 – Allan, Angie S C K
[xi] United States Census, 1940, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMMC-XGW : 28 February 2020), Angie T Allan in household of Chas W Allan, Ward 9, Portland, Portland City, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 3-117, sheet 4A, line 33, family 79, 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 1476.
My 2nd great-grandfather, Franklin E. Barber, was born in Sheridan (Township) Calhoun County, Michigan His marriage record said he was 28 years old and when he married in Calhoun County in November 1869. Likewise, he lived in Calhoun County during the 1870 and 1880 Censuses.
1841 – Born in Sheridan Township, Calhoun County.
1869 – Married in Calhoun County.
1870 – Census lived in Sheridan Township, Calhoun County.
1880 – Census Lived in Albion, Calhoun County.
Because his known life events prior to 1897 all take place in Calhoun County, I am hypnotizing that he probably lived in Calhoun County during the 1860 and 1850 Censuses. Searches for him during these censuses have been unsuccessful, so I thought I’d take a closer look at Barber families in Calhoun County of the 1840s, 50s, and 60s. In the 1840 Census, there were two Barber households in Calhoun County, Orson and Thomas. First, I’ll look at Orson Barber and learn about him.
Orson Barber of Calhoun County, MI
1840 Census
Orson Barber’s household in Pinckney, Calhoun County consisted of:
1 Male, under 5 [Asa J] v. (b. 1835-1840)
1 Male, 20 thru 29 Orson b. (b. 1810-1820)
1 Female, Under 5 [Clarissa A.] (b. 1835-1840)
1 Female, 20 to 29 [Mary A.] (b. 1810-1820)
I was really confused by this entry. Pinckney is located in Putnam Township, Livingston County, Michigan, however, the 1840 Census apparently places Pinckney in Calhoun county, two counties away. Regardless of where Orson Barber and family were in 1840, they definitely moved to Calhoun county in 1843.
1843 – Land Purchase
On 1 February 1843, Orson Barber and Henry L. White of Calhoun County acquired 38.11 acres, the SE¼ of the NW¼ of Section 24 in township One (Clarence Township) South of Range 4 West.
Current map/view of Calhoun County showing where Orson Barber’s farm was in 1843.
1850 Census
The 1850 Census found Orson Barber and family living in Tekonsha Township:
Name Age Born Occupation Real Estate Value
Orson 37 New York Farmer (Blank)
Mary A. 35 Connecticut
Clarissa A. 14 New York
Asa J. 12 New York Attended School ¼
Harriet L. 5 Michigan Attended School
1860 Censuses
Orson Barber – The 1860 Census found Orson living in Clarence Township.
Name Age Born Occupation Real Estate Value
Orson 49 New York Farmer $900
Mary A. 46 Connecticut Housekeeper
Asa J. 22 New York Farmer Labour
Harriet L. 15 Michigan Domestic
Martha 20 Michigan Domestic
Frances A. 5 Michigan
It appears that Clarissa is no longer in the household (married, moved, or died).
It appears that Asa married Martha and had a daughter, Frances.
Orson’s farm value in 1860 was the second lowest of the five farms on the census page, which ranged from $800 to $4,000. Still, his farm had 120 acres, 80 of which was improved.
1870 Census
None of the Orson Barber family appear in the 1870 Census in Calhoun County, Michigan. Other researchers suggest he located to Ingham County, Michigan, and he died and was buried there in 1893.
Facts of Orson Barber’s Life
1813 – Orson Barber was born between 1810 and 1813 in New York.
1835 – He married Mary A. [LNU] about 1835.
1836 – His daughter Clarissa was born in New York.
1838 – His son Asa was born in New York.
1840 – He was enumerated in Calhoun County.
1843 – He purchased 38 acres in Clarence Township, Calhoun County, Michigan.
1845 – His daughter Harriet L. was born in Michigan.
1850 – He was farming in Tekonsha Township, Calhoun County, Michigan.
1860 – He was farming in Clarence Township, Calhoun County, Michigan.
1893 – He died in Ingham County, Michigan.
Orson Barber appears in the Agriculture Schedules for 1850 and 1860.
Items 1850 1860
Acres Improved 35 80
Acres Unimproved 20 40
Cash Value of Farm 400 900
Value Imp. & Mach. 40 60
Horses – 2
Asses & Mules –
Milch Cows 2 3
Working Oxen –
Other Cattle – 6
Sheep – 40
Swine – 6
Value of Live tock 25 252
Wheat 50 150
Rye –
Indian Corn 40 250
Oats 140
Rice –
Tobacco –
Cotton
Wool 130
Although it appears that Orson moved around, he seems to have improved with each move. Certainly, his original 38 acres in Clarence Township was unimproved in 1843. By 1850, he had 55 acres, 35 acres had been improved in Tekonsha Township. And by 1860 he had 80 improved acres out of 120 total back in Clarence Township. Without a doubt, Orson had a prosperous life.
This week for Photo Friday, I identify two more negatives from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera, and computer software.
Miss Connie Acito
The photo envelope, “Miss Connie Acito – 66 Cumberland Ave. Portland – #256.” The photo is by “Ethel Wight Studio, Portland, Maine.”
There was a Constantina Acito, born about 1914 in Italy, who lived at 240 Washington Ave., Portland, ME with her parents, Donato and Anna Acito. She had a sister Antoinette Acito.
Constantine F. Acito also appears in the 1943 Portland City Directory, living at 240 Washington Ave.
It would be nice to find Connie on Cumberland Ave sometime in the 1930s to confirm the identification. However, it appears that Constantina’s father, Donato, frequently moved, having lived at several locations during the 1930s.
I have not successfully found any other individual who could be called “Connie Acito” in Maine during the 1930s. So, I’m confident this photo is of Constantina F. Acito, daughter of Donato and Anna Acito.
Constantina, Donato, Anna, and Antoinette are not identified in Family Search. However, they do appear as a family unit in the Grant Family Tree on Ancestry.
I added her photo to her memorial on Find-a-Grave.
Children of Mrs. E. B. Adams
The back of this photo says, “Mrs. E. B. Adams – 12 Crosby St Portland – 2 Girls – #888.” The photo is by the “Ethel Wight Studio.”
The 1939 Portland City Directory shows Earle B. Adams living at 12 Crosby Street in Portland. His wife was Dorothea M. Adams.
Family Search indicates that an Earle Bishop and Dorothea M. (Thompson) Adams had two daughters, Earlene Ann Adams and Mary Ellen Adams, born in 1931 and 1934. The two girls in this photo appear to be about 3 and 5, and the photo was taken about 1936, so I’m confident these are Mary Ellen (younger) and Earlene.
Additional searches found no similar family units.
Earlene Ann Adams (1931-2014) – Family Search ID: LBPR-F1G
Mary Ellen Adams Coughlan (1934-2014) – Family Search ID: LBPR-5KB
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.
I consider free genealogy websites in three different categories. First are sites that have data that are sources for facts. The second are sites that provide links to sites that have the data. In other words, referrers to sites. Third are training and general information websites, which include Blogs. All three are essential but are used differently.
