“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week from the Columbia Missourian (Columbia, MO) dated 25 Aug 1926, I learned that the “ Donna Darling Revue” played in Columbia, MO, in 1926. Also, her husband, Sammy Clark – the Juvenile Comic, played.
Columbia Missourian, 25 Aug 1926, via Newspapers.com.
I reviewed the Columbia Missourian for articles about Donna and Sammy but found nothing except advertisements for their show. They began on August 25th, 1926, and played for two days.
Because of those newly available online articles, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s exciting vaudeville career: August 25-26, 1926 – Hall Theater, Columbia, MO – “Donna Darling Revue.”
Endnotes
My thanks to Newspapers.com for providing access to this clipping.
This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. It is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Doris Mae Tucker, Student Nurse, circa 1936.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Doris Tucker, Me Gen Hospital #696.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Doris Tucker as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
The 1939 Portland City Directory lists Doris M Tucker as a nurse living at 261 Vaughan.
On 22 November 1938, Doris Mae Tucker, a registered nurse living at 261 Vaughan, Portland, Maine, married John Gosselin in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The 1940 US Census lists Doris and John Gosselin living at 19 Hill Street in Portland; Doris is a Registered Nurse.
I am confident this photo is of Doris Mae Tucker, born 25 February 1917, taken about 1935 while attending nursing school in Portland, Maine
Ancestry has 20 public trees that refer to Doris Mae Tucker. Family Search has profile GMZ2-WKK for Doris. I have uploaded a photo of Doris to her Family Search Memories.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Joan N Turner as a maid living and working at 45 Glenwood Ave.
I have not found Joan (or Joanne) Turner in other records.
I am sure this photo is of Joan (or Joanne) Turner, who lived in Portland, Maine, in 1935. However, without fully developing her identity, I cannot determine which of several Joan Turners this could be. As such, I uploaded a photo of her to Dead Fred.
Vera York, Student Nurse, 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Vera York, State St. Hospital #247.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Vera York, Student Nurse, 1934.
The 1936 and 1937 Portland City Directories list Vera Yorke as a student nurse at 62 State (State Street Hospital).
The Portland Evening Press, 13 November 1940, Page 6, indicates that Miss Vera L Yorke married Arthur K McDonald. Miss Yorke graduated from the State Stree Hospital School of Nursing. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Yorke of Wells Beach.
I am confident this photo is of Vera L Yorke when she was a student at State Street Hospital in Portland, Maine, in 1934. She married Arthur K. McDonald in 1940.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. W. J. Tucker, 68 Maine Ave. No Deering #992.”
Elizabeth and Beverley Tuck, circa 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Wallace J Tuck, Jr. as living at 68 Maine Avenue. His wife is Chorenia I Tuck.
The 1940 US Census lists Wallace J and Chorenia I Tuck living at 355 Woodfords Ave. They have two daughters, 11-year-old Beverly, and 10-year-old Elizabeth.
This photo, taken about 1935, shows Beverley Marie Tuck (born 27 May 1929) and Elizabeth Chorenia Tuck (born 24 April 1930) when they were about six and five years old.
Confirmed to be the Tuck sisters by a granddaughter.
Conclusion
I identified all six individuals in these photo packages. Five have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. One I did not fully identify, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred. I also uploaded three photos to my Flickr Photostream.
I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
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.
Ethel Wight Collection – Part 143 Photo Friday By Don Taylor
This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. It is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Caroline Travis, Student Nurse, 1936.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Caroline Travis, Me. Gen. Hospital #1059.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Caroline Travis, Student Nurse, 1936.
The 1935 and 1936 Portland City Directories list Caroline Travis, a student Nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
The 1939 Oakland section of Manning’s Waterville, Skowhegan, Fairfield, Oakland, and Winslow Main Directory for 1939 lists Caroline E Travis, a nurse in Sanford, residing on Wilson Ct.
Maine Marriage Index indicates that Caroline E Travis of Oakland, ME, married William F Coughlin, also of Oakland, ME, on 28 January 1940.
Ancestry Family Trees suggest that this is Caroline E Traviss, born in 1916 in Maine and married William F Coughlin in 1940. And this photo, taken in 1936, of Caroline when she was about 19 years old and attending nursing school.
Ancestry has four public trees that refer to Caroline E Traviss. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Caroline, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.
June Trider, 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Junnie Trider, 25 Jackson St #251.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
June Trider, 1934.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists June D Trider as a clerk at 532 Congress and residing at 21 Jackson.
The 1930 US Census lists 16-year-old June D Trider living at 25 Jackson with her parents, Ralph and Alice E Trider.
This is a photo of June D Trider, who was born on 12 June 1913 in Newton, Massachusetts, taken in 1934, when she was about 20 years old.
Confirmed to be June Trider by a 1st cousin 3X removed.
George Trevalis, circa 1934.
George Trevalis, circa 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. Geo. Trevalis #349.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists George Trevalis residing at 6 Tolman Place. He does not appear in the 1935 or 1937 City Directories.
A George Trevallis (two l’s) appears in the 1931 Portland City Directory. Also in the 1931 directory is George Trouvalis, so it is important not to confuse the two individuals.
I have not found George in Ancestry Trees nor on Family Search. I uploaded a photo of George photo to Dead Fred.
John Trapaldi, circa 1935.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. John Trifaldi, 65 Newbury St #672 – DSCN5056.”
John Trapaldi, circa 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Antoinette, widow of Louis Tripaldi, living at 65 Newbury.
The 1940 US Census lists 21-year-old, Maine-born John S Tripaldi living with his mother at 65 Newbury.
This photo, taken in 1935, must be of John S Tripaldi when he was 16 or 17 years old.
Confirmed to be John Stephano Tripaldi by a niece of his wife.
James Trew, circa 1934 (age 2).
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Chas A Trew, 33 Runnells St #126.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
James Trew, circa 1934 (age 2).
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Charles A and Violet L Trew living at 33 Runnells.
The 1935 Portland City Directory notes that Charles A Trew is a major with the Salvation Army.
The 1940 US Census lists Charles & Violet Trew living at 1704 Cherry, Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Charles works for the Salvation Army. Living with them is their 8-year-old son, James.
I am sure this is a photo of James Trew circa 1934, when he was about a year old.
I have not found James in Ancestry trees. However, I have found his father, Capt Charles Augustus Trew, in 17 Ancestry public trees. Also, Family Search does not appear to have a profile for James, so I uploaded a photo of him to Dead Fred.
Conclusion
Although I identified all five individuals, only two of them have Family Search profiles that I could upload their images to. The other three images I uploaded to Dead Fred.
I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
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.
Pocahontas Project Brown-Mannin(g)-Fugate Line By Don Taylor
Last March, I learned that I may have Pocahontas as an Ancestor. I was comfortable that Rachel Fugate was my 4th great-grandmother, but I needed to confirm the line from her to my possible 12th great-grandmother, Pocahontas. I am now confident that Rachel’s father was Reuben Fugate, thanks to Kentucky marriage records and Reuben Fugate’s will. I also tentatively believe Reuben’s father was Josiah Fugate. I’ll review his life in a future post.
Reuben was born in 1780[1] in Virginia. Some researchers suggest he was born in Wythe County. However, Wythe County, Virginia, was formed from Montgomery County in 1790.[2] It becomes confusing because he later lived in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Also, I have not found a definitive document indicating his birthplace. I think further research is needed to confirm his birthplace. If Reuben was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, he probably moved sometime to Montgomery County, Kentucky as a child. My researching Josiah Fugate should answer this question.
At this point, I believe he had five siblings:
Tentative Children of Josiah and Elizabeth (Smithers) Fugate
Name
Born
Married
Died
Randal F.
1762
Eleanor Bond
1836
Sarah Martha
1763
FNU Prater
1832
Mary
1770
George Belcher
1822
Reuben
1780
Mary [LNU]
1833
John*
?
?
?
Elizabeth*
?
?
?
(Siblings of Reuben Fugate)
There is a gap of 7 years between Sarah and Mary and a 10-year gap between Mary and Reuben. It is likely John and Elizabeth were born between those gaps. Research on Josiah should provide insight into their lives.
Marriage 1
Some researchers indicate that Reuben married Mary [LNU] in 1800. I haven’t found a record supporting that marriage yet, but I will continue that search.
Children of Reuben and Mary [LNU] Fugate
Name
Born
Married
Died
Rachael
1803
Meridith Mannin
1870
Grizzela
1806
Levi Prince
1861
1800s
On 8 August 1809, Reuben’s father, Josiah, gave Reuben 100 acres.[3]
On 5 October 1809, Reuben’s father, Josiah, gave Reuben power of attorney.[4]
1810s
Flat Creek flows between Owingsville and Sharpsburg in Bath County, Kentucky.
The 1810 Census finds Reuben in Montgomery County, Kentucky, apparently with Mary and his two daughters.
On 15 January 1811, Bath County was created from Montgomery County.
Kentucky Tax Books 1811-1831 show Reuben owned 100 acres and paid taxes on it from 1812 thru 1822. Many of the books indicate his property was on Flat Creek.[5]
It appears as though Reuben’s wife, Mary, died on 18 December 1814. He then married Catherine Smallwood on 28 February 1816, 14 months later.
1820s
The 1820 Census found Reuben living in Bath County, apparently with his wife, Catherine, and two daughters.
The 1822 Kentucky Tax Books still show Reuben living in Bath County on 100 acres.
1830s
I’m still uncomfortable with the Reuben Fugate in the 1830 census record. The census shows two children from 5 to 10 years of age and the oldest female being 30 to 40 years old. Catherine should be 49 or 50 in 1830. It is possible that Catherine left him, and another woman moved in with two young children. I hope to unravel this conflict when I further research the family.
Death 1833
Some records indicate that Reuben Fugate died on 13 June 1833; however, it appears that he signed his will on 19 June 1833, and the will was proved on 6 August 1833. As such, I’m confident he died sometime between 13 June and 5 August 1833 in Ralls County, Missouri.
Events by Location
Kentucky, Bath County – Lived (after county creation in 1811) until 1830.
Census Sunday Brown Research Brown-Mannin(g)-Fugate Line By Don Taylor
Following families in the early census records is always tricky. However, when a census’s information is as expected, it gives a great sense of correctness. Such is the case concerning Reuben Fugate and the 1810 and 1820 Censuses.
In Reuben Fugate & the 1830 Census, I found Reuben’s apparent household completely wrong. It concerned me that I might have everything mixed up. However, Reuben’s household is what I would expect in the 1810 and 1820 Censuses–him, his wife, and two children, Rachael and Grizzie.
In 1820, I expected Reuben’s household to include Reuben (born 1780), his wife, Catherine (born c. 1780), and two daughters, Rachael (age 17) and Grizzie (age 14).
The Census Record for Bloomfield, Bath County, Kentucky, enumerated on 7 August 1820, recorded:
The 1810 Census for Montgomery County finds the household of Reuben Fugate as follows:
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44 1 – Obviously Reuben – Age 30
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10 2 – Apparently Rachael & Grizzie – Ages 7 & 4
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44 1 – Apparently Mary (first 1wife) – Age 30
Conclusion
I’m very comfortable that I found Reuben Fugate living in Montgomery/Bath Counties in 1810 and 1820. I am still uncomfortable that the Reuben Fugate I’ve found in the 1830 Census is the correct Reuben Fugate.
Endnotes:
[i] 1820 Census, Reuben Fugate – Bloomfield, Bath, Kentucky – Page 166 – 4th from the bottom; Census Place: Bloomfield, Bath, Kentucky; Page: 166; NARA Roll: M33_16; Image: 93 via Ancestry.com. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[ii] The bolded items are my interpretation of my records’ expectations as they relate to the Census records.
[iii] 1810 Census, Reuben Fugate – Montgomery County, Kentucky – Image 8 of 37 – 20th name from top. Year: 1810; Census Place: Montgomery, Kentucky; Roll: 7; Page: 354; Image: Kym252_7-0370; FHL Roll: 0181352 via Ancestry.com. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
