Donna Darling with Murray Walker & Jack Finney – 1922
The searching, the hunt to understand a page, a photo from the Donna Darling Collection is always fun. Item #7 of the collection is a photograph of Donna with two men. Accompanying newspaper clippings suggest that the photo is of her with Murray Walker and Jack Finney. Donna did a show with Walker and Finney in 1922 called, “As You Like It” although I have also seen it referred to as “Donna Darling and The Boys.”
With just a little touching up, it provided a great photo of Donna and one showing Murray Walker and Jack Finney. Also, with it is a clipping of an ad showing them as the headliner at the Majestic. Sadly, the ad doesn’t show which Majestic theater it was – and there are several.
So, I searched for shows where Donna where and when this Majestic show might have taken place. I quickly found where Donna and the Boys played the Majestic in Harrisburg, PA on April 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1822. Then I realized the accompanying acts weren’t the same as the clipping from the Donna Collection. I continued searching but still haven’t found the Majestic and show from Donna’s scrapbook.
The two new venues I did find for Donna and the Boys are:
March 27, 28, 29, 1922 – Pittsburgh, PA – Sheridan Square – Donna Darling assisted by Murray Walker & Jack Finney in “As You Like It.”[i]
April 6, 7, 8, 1922 – Harrisburg, PA – Majestic ([ii]Keith Vaudeville) with Murray Walker & Jack Finney in “As You Like It.”
Also, I found a brief note in the New York Clipper about Donna playing
July 1, 2, 1923- Keokuk, IA – Regent – Donna Darling & Co.[iii]
So, three new venues for Donna and a great photo touched up. It is a great day.
FOLLOWUP
Search further for the Donna and the Boys show at another Majestic Theater that included the accompanying acts above.
Research the show in March 1922, in Pittsburgh, PA and research the Sheridan Square theater
Research the show in April 1922 in Harrisburg, PA and the Majestic Theater.
Research the show in July 1923 in Keokuk, IA and the Regent Theater.
A few years ago, I wrote a post about my wife’s 4th great-grandfather, Lewis Bryan (1755-1830) and that he had purchased his land from Robert Bryan. That post received several comments. One included a clue from Gloria Knight who said, “I have found where a “Patent” was issued on 10 Dec 1760 to a Robert Bryan. Source: Halifax County N.C. Land Grants – Secretary of State – Land Grants Record Books 1693-1960. Grant # was 82; File # 14. 520 acres on Conotoe Creek.”
I had meant to find that reference and incorporate it into my information regarding Robert Bryan. I just hadn’t gotten around to it. Her comment/clue reminded me of three significant resources matters.
Networking
So many of us want to be self-sufficient we tend to forget many researchers have been there before and we can and should build upon their work. For example, Gloria’s clue provided enough information that I could easily, and quickly build upon her work. Not just accept what she said but use it as a hint as a beginning point. I know that professional genealogists want every source to be quoted in a fashion identified in Evidence Explained. Sure, that is THE standard for citing sources. However, rather than getting all twisted around the citation standards, I am most interested in having enough information about the source that I can find it for myself. In this case, a Google search for Gloria’s clue, “Halifax County N.C. Land Grants ” brought me immediately to North Carolina Land Grant Images and Data. Seeing Search Query on the page, I searched for Name: “Bryan” and County: Halifax. Six entries were returned, one the 520 Acres of Robert Bryan. The page also had a link to an image in Book 14, Pages 114-115. There it was, an image of the original patent book. The key to me is Gloria had provided enough information regarding her source that I was able to find the source in less than a minute myself. To me that is the ultimate reason for citations and building upon or confirming her research is the ultimate purpose of networking.
Wikipedia
I knew from previous research with this family line that Martin County was previously Halifax County. There are many sites to learn that kind of information. However, I have found that Wikipedia is possibly the best and easiest way to confirm such information. On Wikipedia, just search <NAME> County, <STATE> and you get the appropriate wiki page. In this case. I entered “Martin County, North Carolina” In the History section of the page returned said,
The county was formed in 1774 from the southeastern part of Halifax County and the western part of Tyrrell County.
I could have just as easily gone to the Halifax County, North Carolina page and learned that,
In 1774 the southeastern part of Halifax County was combined with part of Tyrrell County to form Martin County.
I think every county page on Wikipedia has a “History” section. I find that the County entries in Wikipedia to be a great asset. Besides quick history, there is a Communities section which shows the cities, towns, unincorporated communities, and townships within the county. Great information to have handy when reviewing Census and other records. I can be a real help in understanding that an incorporated community in your genealogy is near town that may have been their post office which may have been in a township. So, when you see the names change in different documents, you can understand that your ancestors may have been in the same place even though multiple names were used.
Google
Finally, I wanted to transcribe the patent information from the document. I’ll admit, I don’t like transcribing 18th century handwriting very much. I mean, I can do it, I just don’t like doing it. In this case, I could easily read the document started out “Robert Bryan Five hundred and twenty acres.” A Google search of those exact words led to one result. A quick review of the result showed it was a transcript of the document I wanted to transcribe. Dated the 10th day of December 1760. Then, rather than transcribe the original text, all I needed to do is to read the transcription and see if I agreed with the transcription. Much faster – much easier. Then, I added the transcript to my source documents identifying it:
Transcription by <Unknown> found on site, BMGEN.COM “Genealogy data relating to the Brian and Mitchell families.”
So, I have my copy of the original image, and I have my source for that image documented. I also have a transcription of the information, confirmed and reviewed by me. I am good with that and can move on to the next project.
ROBERT BRYAN five hundred and twenty acres of land in Halifax County.
Beginning at a Pine, his corner on Conneto Swamp running thence up said swamp to a Maple at the mouth of Wild Cat Branch; then up said branch to a Poplar in said branch; then W 62 poles to a Red Oak; then S 160 poles to a Pine; then W 40 poles to two Sweet Gums in a branch; then S 280 poles to a Pine; then W 88 poles to a pine in MOSES HORN’s line; then along his line S 23 E 174 poles to a White Oak, his corner on Conneto Creek; then down said creek to a Pine, JOHN HORN’s corner on said creek; then along his line N 17 E 142 poles to a Pine, his corner in said BRYAN’s line; then along his line W 16 poles to a Pine, his corner; then along his line N 270 poles to a Pine, his corner on a branch; then down the branch, his line, to the first station.
Dated 10th day of December, 1760
Conclusion
Pay attention to hints from anywhere – check them out for yourself.
The scope of the project exploded last time, when I learned that there was apparently a pedigree collapse in my notional Morgan-Hemsworth research to attempt to learn Glennis’ father’s identity. I knew the project had gotten bigger; however, I didn’t realize how much bigger. Nathan Smith Morgan and Belinda Odell Morgan probably had a dozen children. Their oldest, Francis Marion Morgan married Fannie R. McGregor in 1862 and they had a dozen children also. With so many large families, it is possible I have several hundred more individuals to research.
Morgan/Morgan/Hemsworth
The oldest child of Francis & Fannie Morgan was Clara. Clara married Gilbert Hemsworth in 1882. (This is probably another point for pedigree collapse as Clara’s Aunt Mary married James Hemsworth. So, I’ll bet Gilbert was somehow related to James.) It appears that Clara and Gilbert only had had two children. The two children were both girls, Gail and Naomi Hemsworth.
Morgan/Morgan/Hemsworth/Luzader
Gail married Everett Ainsley Luzader about 1914. Following them through the 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses, it appears that they only had four children.
Brooks Luzader – Born 1915.
Morgan Luzader – Born 1916
Ralph Eugend Luzader – Born 1919
Beatrice Joe Luzader – Born 1925-1926.
All four children appear to be too young to have had a child that could be a candidate to be Glennis’ biological father. Likewise, I believe all three boys are too old to be a candidate to be the “baby daddy.” It is my belief that Glennis’s biological father was born between 1922 and 1935. (Ten years older to three years younger than her mother.)
Morgan/Morgan/Hemsworth/Deem
Next, I looked at Gilbert and Clara’s younger daughter, Naomi. Naomi married Earl Sanford Deem.
They had seven children. Four were daughters and would be too young to have had sons that could be considered as candidates. Three were boys; Earl (Junior) and two others who may still be living. All three are possible candidates and should be investigated as potential candidates. A quick look at their lives indicated no immediately discernable evidence that any of them migrated to Minnesota or Michigan, so I consider them very low potential candidates and will investigate further as required.
Morgan/Morgan 2
Clara’s oldest brother was Henry Clifford Morgan. Henry was born in 1869 and died in 1884 at the age of 15. I presume he died without issue.
GEDMatch Update
I looked at Glennis’ results on GEDCOM. There was a new match. This time with someone with the surname JC. There was a tree associated with JC and that led back to a common ancestor with my notional tree. Now I have three people related genetically with my half sister, all of whom go back to a common ancestor of Nathan and Belinda (Odell) Morgan. I’m sure I’m on the right track. I just wish I had a closer match to chase down.
Conclusion
Following the descendants of Nathan and Belinda (Odell) Morgan is a tiresome task. I can really appreciate the genealogists of old and their creating decadency charts and tables.
Next time, I’ll investigate the descendants of Lewis V. P. Morgan (1871-1953).
Descendants of Nathan and Belinda (Odell) Morgan
I am researching.
1- Nathan Smith Morgan – Belinda Odell
1.1 Francis Marion Morgan – Fannie R. McGregor
1.1.1 Clara Morgan – Gilbert M. Hemsworth
1.1.1.1 Gail Hemsworth – Everett Ainsley Luzader
1.1.1.1.1 Brooks Luzader Unlikely – Too old.
1.1.1.1.2 Morgan Luzader Unlikely – Too old.
1.1.1.1.3 Ralph Eugene Luzader Unlikely – Too old.
1.1.1.1.4 Living Female Luzader Female
1.1.1.2 Naomi Hemsworth – Earl S. Deem
1.1.1.2.1 Living Female Deem Female
1.1.1.2.2 Earl Deem, Jr. b. 1924 – Low – Further Research?
1.1.1.2.3 Living Male Deem b. 1925 – Low – Further Research?
1.1.1.2.4 Betty Lu Deem Female
1.1.1.2.5 Living Male Deem b. 1929 – Low – Further Research?
1.1.1.2.6 Alice Frances Deem Female
1.1.1.2.7 Noretta Naomi Deem Female
1.1.2 Henry Clifford Morgan Without Issue.
1.1.3 Lewis V. P Morgan
1.1.4 Rosa Virginia Morgan
1.1.5 Dora D. Morgan
1.1.6 Ephraim Stokeley Morgan
1.1.7 Nathan Spencer Morgan
1.1.8 John A. Morgan
1.1.9 Sarah D. Morgan
1.1.10 Unnamed Morgan
1.1.11 Orien E Morgan
1.1.12 Jame Cyrus Morgan
1.2 Samson
1.3 Asceneth
1.4 Jacob
1.5 Elizabeth
1.6 Eli
1.7 Mary D Morgan – James Luther Hemsworth
1.7.1 Stella Belinda Hemsworth – Joseph Franklin Stewart
1.7.1.1 Naomi Stewart – John Clifford Huber
1.7.1.1.1 Living Male Huber b. 1930 – Medium – In Mich 1940 & 1988.
1.7.1.1.2 Roy L. Huber b. 1932 – Medium – In Mich 1940 & 1958.
1.7.1.2 Ivan Willard Stewart – Mary Eloise [unknown]
1.7.1.2.1 Alice Ann Stewart
1.7.1.2.2 Stella Stewart
1.7.1.2.3 Ivan W Stewart
1.7.1.3 Harry Stewart – (No Known Issue)
1.7.1.4 Franklin James Stewart – (No Known Issue) Unlikely.
1.7.1.5 Donald Dean Stewart – Joanne Ruark – m. 1959 Low – Unlikely but possible.
1.7.1.6 Ronald Eugene Stewart (No Known Issue) Low – Unlikely but possible.
Records about Donna’s early vaudeville years are sparse. For example, I know that the January 31,, 1919, issue of Variety, under New Acts mentions, “Donna Montran and Trixie Bressler in a new sketch by Roland West.”[i] We also see an ad for them in the same issue of “Variety.” From that issue of Variety, we have no idea what the show was about, where it played, nor who Trixie Bressler and Roland West are.
Variety Weekly, Jan 31, 1919, Page 59
In the February 28th issue, we learn that Donna and Trixie are “Two Girls with a Single Thought: TO ENTERTAIN YOU. [ii]
Variety Magazine, Feb 28, 1919, Page 67
Two weeks later, we learn that Trixie appears to have been replaced. Donna Montran and Jessie Kennison are now the “Two Girls with a Single Thought: To ENTERTAIN YOU.” We also learn the show is playing at Keeney’s, Newark, and Keeney’s Brooklyn for the week beginning March 17th.[iii]
Variety Magazine, March 14, 1919
A month later, things seem confusing because Trixie is back. They are still playing at Keeney’s Newark but only doing four shows.[iv] Was Trixie gone for a couple weeks or was the ad showing Jessie Kennison a mistake.
Variety Magazine, April 14, 1919
Finally, a week later, on April 21, Variety runs one final ad for Donna Montran and Trixie Bressler that doesn’t have any dates or places for the two.
Roland West
Roland West became known as a Hollywood director. Born in 1885, he began acting in vaudeville productions as a teenager. In his early 20s, he was writing and directing Vaudeville productions. He went to California and in 1925 he directed the classic silent film, The Monster, with Lon Chaney, Sr.[v] He also directed the 1929 film Alibi which was nominated for three Academy Awards.[vi]
Trixie Bressler
I know very little about Trixie. I do know that she was a young dancer. In May 1918, she presented a dance revue at the Ithaca Star[vii]. Trixie was probably either 19 or 20 years old. Omaha Marriages indicates that Trixie Bressler married George D. Schwartz on 20 Jul 1919. [viii] and that Trixie was 20 when they married. Trixie’s vaudeville career appears to end with her marriage.
Jessie Kennison
I have been unsuccessful learning anything about Jessie Kennison.
Further Research
Find Trixie Bressler Schwartz’s descendants and see if they have any memorabilia from Trixie’s vaudeville days.
Find advertisements and write-ups about the shows at Keeney’s Newark and Keeney’s Brooklyn and determine if I can learn more about the “Roland West” show with Donna and Trixie.
Learn more about Jessie Kennison.
Endnotes
[i] 1919-01-31 – Variety Weekly, New York, NY, Vol 53-Page 20.jpg
[ii] 1919-03-14 – Variety, Motion Pictures, Vaudeville, Theater, Film Industry, Trade Magazine, New York, NY, March 14, 1919.
[iii] 1919-03-14 – Variety, Motion Pictures, Vaudeville, Theater, Film Industry, Trade Magazine, New York, NY, 1919, March 14, 1919.
[iv] 1919-04-14 – Variety Magazine (New York, NY) Page 75.
One of the benefits of using Ancestry DNA for Genetic Testing is their vast database. Because there are so many people in their system, you are much more likely to have a DNA match. Sure enough, it happened again. This time, a previously unknown person, Debra contacted me via Ancestry Messages with the simple message, “My DNA results says that you are my 1st cousin.”
Oh my, here we go again.
I clicked on View the Match, then clicked on the little “Info icon” to see how much DNA we shared. Debra and I share 621 centimorgans across 25 segments. According to the chart I use, that amount of shared DNA put us in an overlapping range of first cousin and first cousin one removed. I then clicked on “Shared Matches” and saw that she also matched with my Roberts half-siblings. Because I can view my half-sister’s matches, I looked at her results and saw that she and Debra share 893 centimorgans of DNA across 37 segments. Solidly in the first cousin range. For sure, Debra is a first cousin and now I knew that we share a common grandparent on my paternal side.
My grandparents, Bert Allen Roberts and Essie Pansy Barnes, had five children. The amount of DNA shared was not enough for Debra to be my half-sibling, so that ruled out my biological father, Hugh Eugene Roberts, from being involved. In subsequent messages, she indicated she knew who her mother was, so that eliminated Pansy and Helen, leaving only two potential sources for her to be a first cousin – Uncle Bert and Uncle John. Between the two, Uncle Bert was, by far, the likely candidate.
Bert Allen Roberts, Jr. and two unknown women, c. 1947.
Then, Debra let us know that her sister told her that her father’s name was Bert, but never knew his last name. Debra also sent a photo of Bert, her supposed father, from the late 1940s. My half-brother Tom knew Bert and was able to identify Uncle Bert from the picture. Mystery solved!
So, welcome cousin Debra Edwards to the growing Roberts clan. I am so pleased you were able to identify who your father is after so many years.
So far, DNA test results have led to my learning about:
Note: I wish Family Tree Maker had a better way to indicate offspring producing relationships. Creating a “spouse” and then set the relationship set to “Friend” or set to “Other” is cumbersome at best but doesn’t describe the relationship. Sigh….
The two new venues I did find for Donna and the Boys are:
A few years ago, I wrote a post about my wife’s 4th great-grandfather, 
