Donna and the Bathing Beauties: Uncovering My Grandmother’s Vaudeville Ties

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Don Taylor

A riverboat letter, a vaudeville memory, and two iconic photos help unravel my grandmother Donna’s ties to Mack Sennett’s Bathing Beauties — and her surprising connections to Helen Kane and Stuart Erwin. This piece combines family lore with fresh finds that bring Donna’s showbiz days back to life.

Family Connections in Show Business

I’ve long known that my grandmother, Donna, was one of Mack Sennett’s famous Bathing Beauties and that her connections in show business ran deep. For example, my uncle’s godparents were Helen Kane and Stuart Erwin — the latter best known as the star of The Stu Erwin Show.

Recently, I found a letter written by my uncle, Russell, nearly 20 years ago. Along with the letter were two printouts of photos and an article about Helen Kane.

Russell’s Letter

[Written on Delta Queen Steamboat Company stationery. Undated, but likely from 2007 when he and my mom took a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi.]

Letter from Russell Kees about 2007 regarding Donna's connections to Mack Sennett, Helen Kane, & Stu Erwin.

Hi Don —

I always knew about the Helen Kane godmother bit but was unsure about the “Erwin” origin, though I thought I had a small remembrance associated with Stu, Helen, and Donna at the Palace in New York. Found the enclosed literature — guess there really was a connection between my memories of these folks. Think I’ve cleared up another small question mark now. Sylvia and I sort of agree that Donna might be the 4th from the left in the color picture and 4th from the right in the black and white one. I sent another one to Sylvia that she said was almost certainly Donna on account of a special pair of boots she was wearing and used to talk about. I didn’t keep a copy of it, but maybe she can forward it to you.

Am still digging into vaudeville history literature trying to find out more. Was in Chicago a couple weeks ago — took some snaps of the tenement building we used to live in. (It gets torn down next spring.)

Best to y’all,
Russell

When Comedy Was King

One of the images was a lobby card from the 1960 documentary When Comedy Was King, which celebrated the great clowns of silent comedy and included the Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties.

Lobby card from “When Comedy Was King” (1960) — According to family memories, Donna is the fourth from the left.

Sennett Bathing Beauties

The second image Russell sent was another well-known photo of the Sennett Bathing Beauties, which is also available on Wikimedia Commons.

MackSennetBathingBeauties

Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Donna is believed to be the fifth girl from the left.

The Helen Kane Connection

The article Russell included was from Vaudeville Times (Volume VI, Issue 2, Summer 2008), written by Frank Cullen, covering the life of Helen Kane. I know that Donna played at Proctor’s Palace Theatre in Yonkers in 1922. That same year, Helen Schroeder — who later became famous as Helen Kane — landed a job in New York in On the Balcony.

The article also notes that Helen Kane co-starred with Stuart Erwin in the 1930 film Dangerous Nan McGrew. Both Helen and Stuart were from New York City, and Donna lived in New York on and off between 1919 and 1930, spending much of that time touring. She married Sammy Amsterdam, also of New York, in 1926. Given this overlap, it’s very likely that Sammy and Donna knew both Helen Kane and Stuart Erwin personally. So, having them as Russell’s (born in 1927) godparents make sense. Hopefully, further research will confirm these connections.

Posted in Family Photo Research, Donna Montran, Vaudeville | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five Portland High School Graduates of 1918.

Posted on July 11, 2025 by Don Taylor

Powers, Fagone, Witherington, Young

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 075)
By Don Taylor

This week, I looked at five Hanson Studio graduation photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. All five are imprinted with “Portland High School, ’18.”

Graduates Featured:

Bernice Young, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Bernice Young, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4×6”).
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine.
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: “Lest we forget,” Bernice Young.
  • Research Notes: Bernice Young Young Graduated in the P.H.S. Graduates list.[i] (Portland Evening Express, Jun 24, 1918, page 6)
    • She also appears in the list of “P.H.S. Graduates [who] chose Colleges.” She chose the University of Maine[ii]

FamilySearch has profile P3Q5-TQ1 for Bernice B. Young (1900-1976); I posted this photo to her profile.

Doris R. Witherington, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Doris Witherington, 1918
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4×6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: May you never have a wrinkle, Doris R. Witherington
  • Research Notes: Doris Rose Witherington graduated from P.H.S. in 1918.[iii]
    • This photo of her appears in the Portland Sunday Telegram, June 30, 1918, page 14.

FamilySearch has a profile, LK2R-7NV, for Doris R. Witherington (1899-1982); I posted this photo to her profile.

Francis A. Fagone, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Francis Fagone, 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4×6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: O dear Miss Sadie Holden, your notes forsooth are golden – To Miss “Ashford” – From Francis A Fagone.
  • Research Notes: Francis Fagone was a member of the Portland High School mandolin club.[iv]
    • Frances chose to go to Bowdoin College in the fall of 1918.[v]
    • He was a member of the affirmative team of the Portland High School Debaters.[vi]

FamilySearch has profile GQZ4-YPC for Francis Agippino Fagone (1898-1961); I posted this photo to his profile.

Marjorie _____, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Marjorie [LNU], PHS Class of 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4×6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: To the Orator, Marjorie.
  • Research Notes: There were three Marjories in the P.H.S. graduates in the class of 1918.[vii]
    • Marjorie Helena McGillicuddy
      • The photo of Marjorie H. McGillicuddy in the newspaper might be the same girl. The image is too muddy to be sure, although she appears to be wearing the same clothing.[viii]
      • A photo of Marjorie Helena McGillicuddy, the valedictorian, was also taken by Hanson, but it is unclear if it is of the same girl.[ix]
      • McGillicuddy, class valedictorian, applied to Wellesley.[x]
      • She lived on Sherman Street in Portland.[xi]
    • Marjorie Ann O’Brion
      • The photo of Marjorie A. O’Brion in the newspaper is clearly of a different girl.[xii]
    • Marjorie Strout Simonton
      • The photo of Marjorie S. Simonton in the newspaper could be of the same girl; however, she appears from a different angle and in different clothes.[xiii]

I am not convinced which of the three Marjories was a 1918 graduate of Portland High School. If you have additional information to help positively identify this photo, please contact me using the comments form below.

Philip Powers, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

Photo of Philip Powers, PHS Class of 1918.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4×6”)
  • Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
  • Inscription: Philip Powers
  • Research Notes: Philip Powers, P.H.S. Graduate, applied to the University of Maine.[xiv]
    • Philip R. Powers, age 9, appears in the 1910 Census living with his father, Robert, on 57 Wilmot Street.[xv]
    • He also appears as 18 years old in the 1920 Census with his father at 59 Wilmot. He was attending school.[xvi]

I am confident this is a photo of Philip R Powers, 1918.

FamilySearch has profile GD7W-LVZ for Phillip R. Powers (1901-2000); I posted this photo to his profile.

Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the people themselves more than 100 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit – Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

Endnotes

[i] Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, page 6 – “Record P. H. Class.”
[ii] Portland Evening Express, June 10, 1918, Page 2 – “P. H. Graduates Chose Colleges”
[iii] Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, page 6 – “Record P. H. Class.”
[iv] Portland Evening Express – June 6, 1908, Page 2 – “Portland High School Mandolin Club is Very Popular.”
[v] Portland Evening Express, June 10, 1918, Page 2 – “P. H. Graduates Chose Colleges”
[vi] Portland Evening Express, June 15, 1918, Page 13 – “Portland High Debaters have Bright Outlook for Next Year.”
[vii]Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, page 6 – “Record P. H. Class.”
[viii] Portland Sunday Telegram, June 30, 1918, page 14. “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.”
[ix] Portland Sunday Telegram, March 17, 1918, page 32 – Win Honors at Portland High.
[x] Portland Evening Express, June 10, 1918, Page 2 – “P. H. Graduates Chose Colleges”
[xi] Portland Evening Express, June 28, 1918, Page 20 – “Trefethen and Evergreen News.”
[xii] Portland Sunday Telegram, June 30, 1918, page 14. “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.”
[xiii] Portland Sunday Telegram, June 30, 1918, page 14. “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.”
[xiv] Portland Evening Express, June 10, 1918, Page 2 – “P. H. Graduates Chose Colleges”
[xv] “United States, Census, 1910”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MR3M-TRX : Mon Jan 13 23:50:29 UTC 2025), Entry for Robert B Powers and John B Powers, 1910.
[xvi] “United States, Census, 1920”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFZ6-ZGQ : Tue Jan 21 02:57:37 UTC 2025), Entry for Robert C Powers and Philip Powers, 1920.

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Biography of Frank H. Raidt (1851-1931)

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Don Taylor

Raidt Project 2025
By Don Taylor

Frank H. Raidt was born on August 25, 1851, in Watertown, Dodge County, Wisconsin. He was the fourth of twelve children by Thomas Raidt and Magdelena Wenker, both of whom were foreign-born.

By 1860, Frank was living with his family in Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he attended school. He remained in Watertown at least through 1870, and by the 1880 Census, he was married with a child and was recorded living on Cabbage Street in Watertown, working as a carpenter.

Around 1882, Frank moved to Minnesota, arriving there approximately thirteen years before the 1895 Minnesota State Census. Between 1884 and 1888, he worked as a carpenter in Minneapolis, Hennepin County.

Frank then built a long career as a building contractor in Minneapolis, an occupation he held from at least 1890 through 1930. Over the years, he resided at various addresses in Minneapolis, including:

  • 1116 S. 7th (1883)
  • 1505 S. 25th (1884)
  • 2424 9th Ave. S. (1888)
  • 1909 15th Ave. S. (1890)
  • 613 12th Ave. S. (1893)
  • 1621 11th Ave. South (1895)
  • 1949 Oliver Ave. North (1898-1900), where he owned his home.
  • 1623 Dupont Ave. North (1905–1920), owning his home free of mortgage.
  • 808 West 53rd Street (1926–1931), where his final home was valued at $10,000 in the 1930 Census. This home was built in 1922.[i]

Frank married Catherine Frances “Kate/Katie” Justin between 1875 and 1879. Together, they had at least six children:

  • Arthur Raidt (1880-1885)
  • Sarina Frances “Rena” Raidt (1884-1933)
  • Stella Catherine Raidt (1887-1962)
  • Lucy Helen Raidt (1889-1971)
  • Burns Beno Raidt (1891-1892)
  • Gilbert Frank Raidt (1894-1974)

Frank passed away at home at 808 West 53rd Street, Minneapolis, on November 9, 1931, at the age of 80. His funeral service was held at the Church of Annunciation, and he was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Minneapolis on November 11, 1931.

For sources and more information about Frank H Raidt’s (1851-1931) life, please see:

If you have photos of Frank H Raidt, I’d love to see them.

ENDNOTES

[i] Internet – Zillow – https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/808-W-53rd-St-Minneapolis-MN-55419/445837351_zpid/ accessed 4 July 2025.

Posted in Raidt-Langford Project, Ancestor Features | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Graduation Portraits: Deering HS (1917) & Portland HS (1917), and South Portland HS (1955 & 1967)

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Don Taylor

Allen, Clifford, Eames, & O’Reilly

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 074)
By Don Taylor

This week, I looked at my final three Adams Studio photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. I also return to look at two more modern pictures of South Portland students. Thanks to the wonderful folks at the South Portland Historical Society, identification was possible.

Graduates Featured:

Vaughan Clifford, Deering HS, Class of 1917.

1917 photo of Vaughan Clifford, Deering High School.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4¼ x 2¾”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Imprint: Deering High School – ’17 (on the cover).
  • Inscription: “Vaughan Clifford, “Lest You Forget.”
  • Research Notes:
    • The (Portland) Evening Express identifies S. Vaughan Clifford as a presenter at the senior class banquet.[I]
Newspaper clipping of Vaughan Clifford in 1917.

The Portland Sunday Telegram, Jan 24, 1917, Page 29, shows a thumbnail of this same photo of Vaughan Clifford.[ii]

Family Search has profile L7Q3-9WC for Steward Vaughn Clifford (1899-1981); I posted this photo to his profile.

Butler Mathews Eames, PHS Class of 1917.

1917 photo of Butler Eanes
  • Photo Type: (4” x 6”)
  • Studio: The photo holder is from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
  • Imprint: Portland High School, ’17.
  • Inscription: Butler M Eames. P.H.S. ’17 “Oh, Sadie ‘that ?? house-party.’
  • Research Notes:
    • The (Portland) Evening Press, dated June 21, 1917, page 6, lists the graduates of Portland High School, including Butler Matthews Eames.[iii]

FamilySearch has profile LQTH-JDF for Butler Mathews Eames (1898-1896); I posted this photo to his profile.

John Milford? John Wilford? 1918.

Photo of a young man who might be John Milford or John Wilford.
  • Photo Type: (4” x 6”) Graduation Photo
  • Studio: The photo holder is from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
  • Imprint: None.
  • Inscription: From John Lin Milford, Baron Friday Sysner – Peter – Patrick – Peter Pins Alliaceous Eames V.B.D.  ’18.
  • Research Notes:
    • The (Portland) Evening Press, dated June 24, 1918, page 6, does not include any person named John with a surname ending in “ford.”The Portland Evening Express, dated Jun 25, 1918, Page, does not include any person named John with a surname ending in “ford.”
Image of handwritten note with photo.

I was unsuccessful in finding anyone named John Milford or John Wilford.

I’m not confident about my transcription of the From line, the school, or the meaning of the inscription. As such, I only posted this photo here. If you have any information that can help identify this person, I’d love to hear from you.

Patricia O’Reilly, South Portland HS, Class of 1955.

1955 photo of Patricia O'Reilly
  • Photo Type: (3¾ x 5¾”) Graduation Photo
  • Studio: The photo holder is from Jackson-White, Portland, ME.
  • Cover: SPHS is printed in the bottom right corner.
    Inside Tag:     Class of 1955.
  • Inscription: To Miss Jackson and Mrs. Nissen,
      To two of the greatest people I have ever known.
      Your help in any matters as been greatly appreciated. It doesn’t seem possible that it is almost time for graduation, and that I  have been with you since the subprimary.
      The enjoyment that I have gotten from dancing out and all the wonderful friends I have made at Three Arts will never be forgotteon.
      Best of luck to you both, as you really deserve the best.
           Patty
  • Research Notes:
    • I didn’t have access to a South Portland High School yearbook. As such, I asked the staff at the South Portland Historical Society if they could review their materials and make an identification. They indicated it was Patricia O’Reilly.
    • The Portland Evening Express, dated Oct. 8, 1958, page 19, indicates that Miss Patricia Ann O’Reilly, daughter of Eugene Vincent O’Reilly, of Angell Ave., South Portland, had a kitchen shower. She will marry Marvin A Clifford, son of Mr. & Mrs. Guy I. Clifford of Beverly Terrace, Cape Elizabeth.
    • The Portland Press Herald, dated 30 March 1958, reported Mr. & Mrs. John V. O’Reilly of Angell Ave., announcing the marriage of Patricia to Marvin Arnold Clifford.

The 1956 Portland City Directory lists John V. (& Florence) O’Reilly living at 88 Angell Ave., South Portland. Patricia A O’Reilly, a clerk, is also residing at that address.

I am confident this graduation photo is of Patricia Ann O’Reilly of South Portland.

Linda Louise Allen, South Portland HS, Class of 1967.

1967 photo of Linda Louise Allen.
  • Photo Type: (3¾ x 5¾”) Graduation Photo
  • Studio: The photo holder is from Jackson-White, Portland, ME.
  • Cover: South Portland High School is printed on the bottom right corner.
  • Inside Tag: Class 67.
  • Inscription: Mrs. Nissen,
      I could never forget all the help you’ve given me through the years. The Experience in all the speaking engagements has been invaluable. Speech and dramatics lessons have been the greatest contribution to my life. I can’t thank you enough for the excellence of your instruction. You certainly have patience to put up with the three of the Allen Family! You’re a wonderful person to know. Fondest wishes always.
      Love,  Linda.
  • Research Notes:
    • I didn’t have access to a South Portland High School yearbook. As such, I asked the staff at the South Portland Historical Society if they could review their materials and make an identification. They indicated it was Linda Louise Allen.
    • The 1966 South Portland High School Yearbook shows the officers of the French Club. The photo there, identified as Linda Allen, appears to be of the same young woman,

I am confident this 1967 photo is of Linda Louise Allen of South Portland.

Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the people themselves more than 60 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit – Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

Endnotes

[i] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Jun 19, 1917 · Page 4 – “D. H. S. SENIORS TO HOLD THEIR BANQUET TOMORROW EVE’G.”
[ii] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 24, 1917, Page 29 – “Students Deering High School Graduating.”
[iii] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) – June 21, 1917, Page 6, AMERICA THEME P. H. S. EXERCISES – Class Graduated Is Second Largest In History.

Posted in Linwood Dyer Collection, Graduation Photos (LDC) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Preserving Legacies: Portland High School Students of 1918 & 1919.

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Don Taylor

Cook, Livingston, Trott, & Tucker

Linwood Dyer Collection (Part 073)
By Don Taylor

Two of the photos, from this group are 7” x 3” and bear an imprint reading “Portland High School – ’18.” The other three are a 4½” x 3” and bear an imprint reading “Portland High School – ’19” on the cover. A all taken at Adams Studio located at 515A Congress Street in Portland. Most feature handwritten notes identifying the individual.

For the two from 1918, the Portland Evening Express, dated June 24, 1918 provided names of all 230 seniors who received diplomas from Portland High School that year.

The Portland Sunday Telegram, dated 22 June, 1919, has thumbnail photos and the name of the 243 graduates from the first class to graduate from the new Portland High School.[i]

Graduates Featured:

Florence Neal Trott, PHS Class of 1918.

1918 Photo of Florence Trott.
Florence Trott
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “Yours in 1918, Florence N Trott.”
  • Research Notes:
    • The Evening Express’s list of 1918 graduates includes Florence Neal Trott.[ii]
    • FamilySearch has profile L5ZM-5TQ for Florence Neal Trott, (1902-1991)

I posted this photo to her FamilySearch profile.

Mary Elizabeth Cook, PHS Class of 1919.

Photo of Mary Cook, 1919
  • Photo Type: (4.5” x 3”)
  • Studio: The photo holder is from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
  • Inscription: “The actress of P.H.S. In memories of many hours to gather in Room 111, Mary Cook ’19.”
  • Research Notes:
    • Mary E. Cook appears in the second row of photos in the list of graduates in the Portland Sunday Telegram. That photo is at a different angle (face on rather than profile), but the girl in the photo appears to be wearing similar clothing.
    • There is only one Mary Cook in that graduating class.
    • FamilySearch has profile GS7V-JPV for Mary Elizabeth Cook (1901-?), the daughter of Harry C and Nellie Woodbury (Hodgdon) Cook.

I posted this photo to her FamilySearch profile.

Eli Charles Livingston, PHS Class of 1919.

Photo of Eli Livingston, 1919.
  • Photo Type: (4.5” x 3”)
  • Studio: The photo holder is from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
  • Inscription: “To the girl I always argue with, Eli C. Livingston”
  • Research Notes:
    • The (Portland) Evening Press, dated June 23, 1919, page 1[iii] includes an article “BOOM PORTLAND THE KEYNOTE OF P.H.S. PROGRAM – Graduation Feature is Presentation of Memorial Picture,” mentions the seniors of the class of 1919 who were awarded Brown medals. Among the 10 recipients was Eli Charles Livingston. He is mentioned again on page 12.
    • Family Search suggests that Eli C Livingston was born on 23 July 1901 to Samuel and Etta Livingston.
    • FamilySearch’s Family tree seems to be containing an error wherein his name there is Eli Silas Livingston, but several sources indicate his name as Eli Charles Livingston as well as Eli Silas Livingston.

Because of that, I decided to post this photo to Dead Fred rather than FamilySearch.

Ruth W Tucker, PHS Class of 1919.

Photo probably of Ruth Tucker, 1919.
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4.5” x 3”)
  • Studio: The photo holder is from Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME.
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’19.
  • Inscription: “To the girl who calls me a ‘modern sensationalist’ Sadie, Dear what are you.” Ruth
  • Research Notes:
    • Page 16 of the Sunday Portland Sun Telegram.[iv] identifies four Ruths in the class:
      • Ruth E Maw – 4th row, last person. Does not appear to be the same girl and is wearing different clothes.
      • Ruth M. Cook –  5th next to last person. Does not appear to be the same girl and is wearing different clothes.
      • Ruth Haley – 7th row, 1st person, Does not appear to be the same girl and is wearing different clothes.
      • Ruth M. Brandon – 7th row, 3rd from right. Does not appear to be the same girl and is wearing different clothes.
    • Page 17 of the Sunday Portland Sun Telegram.[v] identifies four more Ruths in the class:
      • Ruth Boynton – 2nd Row, 6th from left. . Does not appear to be the same girl and is wearing different clothes.
      • Ruth Allen – 2nd row, 8th from left. Does not appear to be the same girl and is wearing different clothes.
      • Ruth W Tucker, 5th row, 5th from left. Appears to be the same person and is wearing the same style of clothes.
      • Ruth Wilson, 6th row, 3rd from left. Does not appear to be the same girl and is wearing different clothes.

I believe this is very likely Ruth Whitmore Tucker, born on 6 Feb 1902 in Portland, Maine, to Frank Newton and Ellen L (Whitmore) Tucker. I am reasonably confident because the hair style, facial structure, eyebrows, eyes, and mouth are consistent. However, I am not 100% confident. As such, I will posted her photo to DeadFred and will ask several Ancestry members who have Ruth in their family tree if they have a higher quality photo of Ruth for comparison.

“K” – PHS Class of 1918.

Photo of a young woman, signed "K".
  • Photo Type: Graduation portrait (3” x 7”)
  • Studio: Adams Studio, 515 A Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Imprint: Portland High School – ’18.
  • Inscription: “To my friendly scrapper – ‘K.’”

There is insufficient information to have an opinion regarding the identification of the person in this photo.

Conclusion

This project is about more than photographs—it’s about restoring connections across generations. These portraits capture moments of pride and promise, and for many families, they may be the only formal photo of a loved one at that pivotal time.

If you recognize someone in these images or they are part of your family history, I welcome your contact. I’d be happy to share the personal inscriptions found inside the folders—words written by the people themselves more than 60 years ago.

These portraits are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit – Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

ENDNOTES

[i] Portland Sunday Telegram (Portland, Maine) – Sun, Jun 22, 1919, pages 16 & 17 – “First Class to Graduate from the New Portland High School | Sends Out Two Hundred Forty-Three Young Men and Women.”

[ii] Evening Express (Portland, Maine) · Mon, Jun 24, 1918 · Page 1, continued on page 6 – “Record Class Last to Graduate from Old P. H. S. Building.”

[iii] Portland Evening Express & Daily Advertiser, (Portland, ME), Page 1, “BOOM PORTLAND THE KEYNOTE OF P.H.S. PROGRAM – Graduation Feature is Presentation of Memorial Picture.”

[iv] Portland Sunday Telegram (Portland, Maine) – Sun, Jun 22, 1919, pages 16 & 17 – “First Class to Graduate from the New Portland High School | Sends Out Two Hundred Forty-Three Young Men and Women.”

[v] Portland Sunday Telegram (Portland, Maine) – Sun, Jun 22, 1919, pages 16 & 17 – “First Class to Graduate from the New Portland High School | Sends Out Two Hundred Forty-Three Young Men and Women.”

Posted in Portland History, Linwood Dyer Collection, Graduation Photos (LDC) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment