Ethel Wight Collection – Part 110

Posted on December 9, 2022 by Don Taylor

Photo Friday –O’Toole, Paige (née Guilbault), Paquette, & Paradis.

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.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. As such, 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.

John O’Toole, circa 1934 (age 12).

This negative envelope says, “Mr. John O’Toole, 37 Pleasant St #110.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Frank (Helen) as a longshoreman living at 37 Pleasant. Also at that address is Francis O’Toole residing at 37 Pleasant.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Frank, his wife Ellen, 17-year-old son John, and two other children, including Francis, living at 22 High Street.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is John Joseph O’Toole, born on 10 October 1922 in Portland, Maine, to Frank and Ellen Flaherty (Coyne) O’Toole.

I believe this photo is of John Joseph O’Toole, circa 1934, when he was about 12 years old.

Ancestry has 15 public trees that refer to John Joseph O’Toole. Family Search has profile LBZN-JX8 for John Joseph O’Toole I. I have uploaded a photo of John to his Family Search Memories. I uploaded a second photo of him to my Flickr PhotoStream.

Anna Paige (née Guilbault) circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Anna Paige, 1124 Forest Ave #726.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Anna Paige (née Guilbault) circa 1935.

    Anna Paige (née Guilbault) circa 1935.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Leslie E and Anna M Paige living at 1111 Forest Ave. Also at that address is Frank E Lane. At 1124 are Napoleon Wentworth and Alonzo Holmes. There is no other “Mrs. Anna Paige” listed in the directory.
  • New Hampshire Marriage records indicate that 21-year-old Anna M Guilbault married Leslie E Paige in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on 2 September 1933. Her parents were Mitchell and Philomena (Marcotte) Guilbault.

I’m sure this is a photo of Anna Paige (née Guilbault) circa 1935.

Ancestry has 14 public trees that refer to Anna Marie Guilbeault, the wife of Leslie Everett Paige. Family Search has profile GS7F-3X7 for Anna Marie Guilbault. I have uploaded two photos of Anna to her Family Search Memories.

Yvette Paquette, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Yvette Paquette, circa 1935.

    Yvette Paquette, circa 1935.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Yvette K Paquette residing at 72 Waterville. At the same address is Mathew J Paquette, a superintendent at 585 Congress.
  • The 1930 Census reports Yvette Paquette, the 19-year-old daughter of Matthew J Paquette, living at 72 Waterville.

Based upon FamilySearch, I believe this is Catherine Yvette Antoinette Paquette, daughter of Mathew J and Mary (Coughlin) Paquette. She was born on 19 February 1911.

Ancestry has six public trees that refer to Catherine Yvette Antoinette Paquette. Family Search has profile LRYC-38J for Catherine Yvette Antoinette Paquette.

I have uploaded two photos of Yvette to her Family Search Memories.

Anna Paradis, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Anna Paradis, 35 Woodmont St #138.”

What I have discovered about several Anna Paradis.

A photo of Anna Paradis, circa 1934.

Anna Paradis, circa 1934.

The 1934 Portland City Directory does not list an Anna Paradis. At 35 Woodmont lives Philip M Libby. Likewise, the 1935 Portland City Directory does not list an Anna Paradis and has Philip M Libby living at 35 Woodmont St.

The 1940 Census lists an Anna Paradis, the 27-year-old wife of Herbert Paradis, Living in Skowhegan, Maine. Although the age is about right, the Anna in this photograph is identified as “Miss,” so this is probably not the correct Anna Paradis. The 1932 Waterville City Directory list Anna and Herbert as married, living in Waterville.

The 1940 Census lists a 51-year-old Marie Anna Paradis living with her husband Ferdinand in Winslow, Maine.

On 16 January 1933, an Anna Paradis, of Presque Isle, ME, married Cyrille Boutote of Ft. Kent. Because the photo was taken about 1934, this is unlikely the same Anna Paradis. Anna was 25 during the 1940 Census and lived in Fort Kent in both 1935 and 1940.

On 20 October 1936, an Anna Paradis married Louis Coulomb. Anna lived in Ft. Kent and Louis in New Canada, Maine. Twenty-five-year-old Anna and her husband Louis lived in New Canada in 1940, and Anna lived in Fort Kent in 1935.

On 16 February 1937, an Anna Paradis, of Caribou, ME, married Reuben Saunders, also of Caribou. In 1940, Rubin and 25-year-old Anna Saunders lived in Caribou and lived in the same place in 1935.

The 1930 US Census lists Philip M Libby living with his wife, Florence Libby, at 35 Woodmont. Living with him is a servant, Julia Hall, and a nurse, Dorothy Haskell. The 1938 Westbrook City directory indicates that Philip and Florence lived in Westbrook but wintered in Portland.

My speculation

I believe this photo is of Anna Paradis, taken about 1934. I think she was likely either a servant or nurse in the household of Philip M and Florence Libby. Based on this photo package, I cannot determine which of several Anna Paradis women she is.

I uploaded a photo of Anna Paradis to Dead Fred and another picture of her to my Flickr Photostream.

Anna Paradis, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Anna Paradis, 35 Woodmont St #821.”

Photo of Anna Paradis, circa 1935.

Anna Paradis, circa 1935.

What I discovered about Anna Paradis.

  • This photo is clearly of the same Anna Paradis as I researched before and was unable to fully identify about a year later.

I have uploaded Anna’s photo to Dead Fred and a second photo of her to my Flickr PhotoStream.

Conclusion

  • Although there were five photo-negative packets, there were only four individuals. I believe I’ve identified all four individuals. Three of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • I identified one individual only by name, so I uploaded two photos of her to Dead Fred.

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. 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 a higher image quality than the images 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.

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Ancestor Sketch – Julia Anne Daley [Welch]

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Don Taylor

Welch-Harris Project
Welch-Daley Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Julia Anne Daley was born on April 7, 1890, in Biddeford, Maine, the daughter of Mary and Timothy. She married Francis Asbury Welch on June 11, 1917, in Maine. They had three children during their marriage. She died on November 20, 1973, in Saco, Maine, at the age of 83 and was buried in her hometown.

Julia A Daley is found in 11 Ancestry Public Trees and is FamilySearch profile KGCH-PWS

Welch/Harris Ancestor #009

List of Grandparents

  • Grandfather: Robert Anthony Welch
  • 1st Great-grandmother: Julia Anna Daley
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: Thomas Daley

Julia Anna Daley (1890-1973)

Birth

It is unclear if Julia’s middle name was Anne or Anna. Julia’s birth record indicates she was born on 7 April 1890 and her middle name is Anne. However, it is a typewritten “Copy of an Old Record of a Birth.” Alternately, Julia’s Record of Marriage indicates her middle name is Anna. I find either name equally possible.

Additionally, her obituary indicates she was born on 17 April 1890 rather than 7 April. Death records are often incorrect and are very distant from the birth of a person. In either event, she is the oldest daughter of Timothy and Mary (Lyons) Daley living in 1900. Mary had five children, two of whom were living in 1900, so Julia had three siblings who died (or were stillborn) before 1900. I consider Julia’s middle name of Anna and birth date of 17 April 1890 as preferred.

Children of Timothy and Mary (Lyons) Daley (Julia’s Siblings)

Name Born Married Died
Unknown Bef. 1900 Bef. 1900
Unknown Bef. 1900 Bef. 1900
Unknown Bef. 1900 Bef 1900
Julia Anna 1890 Francis A Welch 1973
Mary 1893 Unknown Unknown
Anora 1902 Joseph F Smith Unknown

1900 Census

Timothy Daley and his wife Mary are Irish immigrants. They are renting a house at 51 Water St., Biddeford. Timothy is a day laborer and the head of the household. Ten-year-old Julia is attending school, and her six-year-old sister, Mary, hasn’t begun school yet.

1910 Census

The Daley family is renting a home at 17 Clifford. Timothy is still a laborer. Julia is working as a clerk at a fancy goods store. Sister Mary is attending school, but nine-year-old Anora doesn’t appear to be attending school

Marriage

Julia married Francis Asbury Welch on 11 June 1917. Rev. Timothy P Linehan, St. Mary’s Church pastor in Biddeford, performed the ceremony.

Children of Francis and Julia (Daley) Welch

Name Born Married Died
Francis W 1918 Emma Ricci 1977
Robert Anthony 1920 Margaret Hazelton 2007
Margaret Ann 1925 William O’Neill 2019

1920’s – Census & Death of Francis.

During the 1920 Census, the Welch family are living at 17 Clifford. Francis is a baker. Julia and one-year-old Francis are at home.

In 1929, disaster struck with Francis (senior) passing, leaving Julia a widow with three children, 11, 9, and 4 years old.

1930s – Census & Directory

The 1930 Census finds the widow Julia as the head of the household owning a home at 93 May Street, Biddeford. The house is valued at $3,500. She is working as a maid at a hospital. All the children attend school.

The 1936 Biddeford City Directory indicates that Julia is a clerk at 9 Washington and lived at 38 Amherst. Her 18-year-old son, Francis W, works as a Clerk at S L S.

1940 Census

The 1940 Census reports Julia and her family are renting at 38 Amherst. That appears odd—that she’d be renting where she seems to have owned the property during the 1930 Census. Also interesting, it appears that her mother and two sisters live upstairs at 38 Amherst. Julia is working as a clerk at a retail shoe & clothing store. Her sons, Francis and Robert, are living with her and are working as Clerks in the accountant’s office at a machine shop. Daughter Margaret is attending school.

1950 Census

The 1950 Census finds Julia still at 38 Amherst. Upstairs her daughter Nora Smith and grandson Anthony live.

Death/Burial

Julia died on 20 November 1973 at the age of 83. She is buried in the Welch/O’Neill plot at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Biddeford, Maine.

Welch – O’Neill Marker

Julia Welch Marker

[Photos are in the Public Domain.]

Events by Location

  • Maine, York County – Julia was born, lived, and died in Biddeford and Saco, Maine.

Known Conflicts

  • Birth 7 or 17 April 1890
  • Middle name Anne or Anna

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Determine if Julia’s sister Mary ever married.
  • Determine the date Anora married Joseph F Smith.
  • Determine death dates for sisters Mary & Anora.
  • Research into Julia’s parents may result in the determination of the three unknown children of her mother born before 1900.

Sources

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Chin-Chin in the News – 21 Apr 1920

Posted on December 4, 2022 by Don Taylor

Martinsburg Evening Journal (Martinsburg, WV)

Empire Theatre
Vaudeville/Chin-Chin
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.

My grandmother was a vaudeville star. I am following her career and learning about her many performances. In October 1919, she joined the cast of the Charles Dillingham production of “Chin-Chin” “Chin-Chin” played in the US and Canada until June 1920. I monitor several newspaper services watching for new venues that the show played at while she was a cast member.

This week’s entry is from the Martinsburg Evening Journal dated 20 April 1920 via Newspapers.Com (/image/889875055).

This ad fills in a gap I had between April 20th and April 22nd (Cumberland, MD – Maryland Theatre) & (Frederick, MD – Frederick City Opera House).

New Venue Added:

April 21, 1920 – Winchester, WV – Empire Theatre

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 109

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Don Taylor

Photo Friday – Gow, Nutting, O’Donnell (née Cook), Ohl, & Oldham

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.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. As such, 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.

Betty Oldham, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Betty Oldham, 33 Eastern Prom. #222 – DSCN4472.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Betty Oldham, circa 1934.

    Betty Oldham, circa 1934.

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists A Elizabeth Oldham, residing at 33 E prom. Also listed is Mrs. Myrtle M Oldham residing at 120 Free.

  • The 1933 Deering High School yearbook includes a photo of A. Elizabeth Oldham. That appears to be the same young woman as in this photo.
  • The 1920 US Census lists the six-year-old A Elizabeth Oldham living with her grandparents, Charles and Annie Tribon, and her mother, Maude S Oldham (age 33).

This photo appears to be of Annie Elizabeth Oldham, born 18 December 1913, the daughter of Maude Stubbs (Tribou) and Frank Bertrum Oldham.

Ancestry has 16 public trees that refer to Ann Elizabeth “Betty” Oldham, born 18 Dec 1913 in Auburn, Maine. Family Search has profile LTRC-BN1 for Annie Elizabeth Oldham. I uploaded one photo of Betty to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Betty Oldham by a granddaughter.
 

Kenneth Nutting, circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Kenneth Nutting, 19 Hill St. #1114.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Kenneth Nutting, circa 1936.

    Kenneth Nutting, circa 1936.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Kenneth W Nutting living at 19 Hill with his wife, Helen.

  • The 1940 US Census lists the 28-year-old Kenneth and Helen living at 55 Westminster Ave.

This photo appears to be of Kenneth Willard Nutting, born 29 Jun 1911, who married Helen F Farmer.

Ancestry has 18 public trees that refer to Kenneth Willard Nutting. Family Search has profile 9VQG-PJK for Kenneth Willard Nutting. I have uploaded two photos of Kenneth to his Family Search Memories. 

Virginia Irene Ohl, circa 1934. 

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Louis Ohl, 195 Falmouth St #283.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Virginia Irene Ohl, circa 1934. 

    Virginia Irene Ohl, circa 1934.

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Louis E and his wife Dorothy I Ohl, living at 195 Falmouth.

  • The 1940 US Census lists 42-year-old Louis Ohl and his wife, Dorothy, living at 195 Falmouth St. with their 10-year-old daughter, Virginia Ohl.
  • New Hampshire Marriage Records indicate that 20-year-old Virginia Irene Ohl married Harry Gilbert Rollins on 7 May 1950. Her mother is listed as Dorothy E. Whittaker.

I’m sure this photo is of Virginia Irene Ohl about 1934. She is the daughter of Louis and Dorothy (Whittaker) Ohl and later married Harry Gilbert Rollins.

I have not found Virginia Irene Ohl in Ancestry trees, nor have I found her in Family Search. I uploaded a photo of Virginia to Dead Fred.

Stanley Roger Gow, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. W. I. Omar #13 Lennox St #422.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Stanley Roger Gow, circa 1935.

    Stanley Roger Gow, circa 1935.

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Walter I (Helen R) Omar living at 15 Shepley, Apt 12.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Walter I (Helen R) Omar living at 525 Wash Ave.
  • The 1936 Bath City Directory lists Walter I (Helen R) Omar living at 32 South in Bath.
  • The 1940 US Census places Walter and Helen in Jersey City, New Jersey. Living with them is his 11-year-old son, Stanley Gow, and two daughters, Antoinette and Emily Omar. They lived in Portland, Maine, in 1935.
  • Walter Ivory Omar was born on 7 July 1903 in North Lubec, Maine; Helen Ruth “Nellie” Johnson was born on 2 March 1900 in Bath, Maine. Walter and Helen were married on 2 Jul 1933 in Newmarket, New Hampshire.
  • Find-a-Grave lists Helen R. Johnson Gow Omar (March 2, 1900-September 19, 1975), the sister of Richard Johnson. That marker established she had the surname Gow
  • The child in the photo appears to be a young boy, aged 6 to 10, in 1935, which fits his being Stanley.
  • Stanley R Gow appears in the 1930 Census as the one-year, six-month-old grandson of John M and Nellie M Johnson, living in Bath, Maine.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest Helen married William George Gow, Jr., about 1927 and divorced before 1930 when she married Walter Omar. Stanley R Gow was born on 15 June 1928.

This photo is of Stanley Gow, born on 15 June 1928, in 1935, when he was about seven years old.

I have not found Stanley Roger Gow in Ancestry trees, nor does he appear in Family Search profiles. I uploaded a photo of Stanley photo to Dead Fred. 

Helen O’Donnell (née Cook), circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Helen O’Donnell, 18 Haven Rd #1010.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Helen O'Donnell (née Cook), circa 1936

    Helen O’Donnell (née Cook), circa 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Patrick F and Helen C O’Donnell living at 18 Haven Road, South Portland.

  • The 1940 Census indicates Helen was 38 years old during the 1940 Census, suggesting her birth was about 1902. Patrick was 45 years old. Both were born in Maine.
  • Family Search Identifies Patrick F O’Donnell, born 1894 in Portland, Maine, and his wife, Helen (née Cook), born about 1903.

I am sure this is Helen O’Donnell (Née Cook), the wife of Patrick F O’Donnell and daughter of Michael Matthew Cook and Annie Elizabeth Coyne, about 1936 when she was 34 years old.

I have not found Helen Cook in Ancestry trees. However, Family Search has profile L1V3-YFD for Helen Cook, the wife of Patrick F O’Donnell. I have uploaded a photo of Helen to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I identified all five Three of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • Two individuals did not have Family Search profiles and did not appear in any Ancestry trees, so I posted their images to Dead Fred.

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. 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 a higher image quality than the images 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.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 108

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Don Taylor

Photo Friday – Nides, Niles, Norton, Nugent, & Nutter.

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.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. As such, 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 Niles (later Strout), circa 1934

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Doris Niles, 78 Anderson St #241.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Doris Niles, circa 1934

    Doris Niles (later Strout), circa 1934

    The 1934 and 1935 Portland City Directories list Doris I Niles as a cashier at 570 Congress and residing at 78 Anderson.

  • The 1930 US Census lists Doris Niles, the 14-year-old, Canadian-born daughter of Orrie & Sadie Niles.
  • In 1938 Doris married Glenwood Wilson Strout.

I believe this photo to be of Doris I Niles, born on 12 Jun 1912 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Ancestry has 16 public trees that refer to Doris Niles. Family Search has profile GSJ3-SSV for Doris Iva Niles. I have uploaded a photo of Doris to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Doris Niles Strout by a great-grandchild. 

 

Margaret Nugent circa 1934

The negative envelope says, “Miss Margaret Nugent, 8 Bradford St #209.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Margaret Nugent circa 1934.

    Margaret Nugent circa 1934

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Margaret G Nugent as a stenographer at 199 Kennebec, residing at 8 Bradford. Also at 8 Bradford is Martha Nugent, the widow of Richard J.

This photo is of Margaret Gertrude Nugent, daughter of Richard Joseph and Martha Tamar (Fyles) Nugent, born on 23 Jan 1914. This photo was taken in early 1934, before she married John William Casey on 11 Feb 1934.

Ancestry has 17 public trees that refer to Margaret Gertrude Nugent. Family Search has profile GQ63-8R3 for Margaret G Nugent. I uploaded two photos of Margaret to her Family Search Memories. 

Confirmed to be Margaret (“Nana”) by a granddaughter.

Nurse Nellie Norton, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Nellie Norton, 139 Coyle St #612.”

What I found regarding this individual.

  • Photo of Nurse Nellie Norton, circa 1935.

    Nurse Nellie Norton, circa 1935.

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Nellie Norton as a nurse employed at 231 Woodford and residing at 20 Norwood. There is also a Nellie C Norton living at 64 Danforth.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Nellie I Norton as a dental assistant at 156 Free, room 49, residing at 92 High. The directory also lists Mrs. Lucretia W Spofford living at 139 Coyle St.
  • The 1941 Portland City Directory lists Nellie Norton as a dental assistant residing at 92 High.
  • The 1940 US Census does not appear to list Nellie. Living at 92 High is 51-year-old Nellie Naughton. Living with her is a sister, Mary (61), and a niece, Ann (20). Nellie is a receptionist at a doctor’s office.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Nellie La Bonte, a 53-year-old Practical Nurse, living with her father, Harry H Norton, on Ridge Road in York, Maine. The 1930 Census also lists her married to Alfred, living in York, Maine.

Going back to the 1934 Portland City Directory entry, 20 Norwood is the St. Barnabas Nurses’ Home.

Alternate Individuals.

The Nellie La Bonte (née Norton) of York was 43 years old in 1930.

Nellie Naughton, of 92 High Street, was 41 years old in 1930.

The question arises if the woman in this photo, taken about 1935 in her mid to late 40s. I see the woman in the picture as being in her 20s. As such, I don’t believe it is either Nellie La Bonte or Nellie Naughton.

Conclusion

The 1930 Portland City directory does not include a Norton listed as a nurse. This photo could be of Nellie I Norton, a dental assistant in 1935; however, I’m not convinced. I believe this is Nellie Norton, a nurse at St. Barnabas Hospital in 1934; however, I’ve found no other information to identify Nellie. I have uploaded her photo to Dead Fred and to my Flickr Photostream. 

Virginia Nutter, (later Reedy, later Gierman) circa 1934

This negative envelope says, “Virginia Nutter #177.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Photo of Virginia Nutter, (later Reedy, later Gierman) circa 1934.

    Virginia Nutter, circa 1934.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Virginia Nutter, a hairdresser who married Chauncey D Reedy.

  • The 1930 US Census lists Chancey Reedy, a 24-year-old Army private, born in Tennessee and stationed at Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth.
  • New Hampshire Marriage Records indicate Chauncy Reedy and Virginia M Nutter married on 21 September 1934. Virginia was 27 years old and born in Gorham, ME. She lived in Portland, and Chauncy lived at Ft. Williams. Her father was Herman H Nutter of Rumford Falls, ME, who was 54 years old and born in Gray, Maine. Her mother, Ethel Mills of Portland, Maine, was 55 years old and born in Portland, ME.

I have not found Virginia nor her parents in Ancestry trees. Chauncy D Reedy is found in six public trees; however, none of them indicate a marriage to Virginia Nutter. Likewise, I have not found Virginia’s parents in Ancestry trees, either.

On 16 Mar 1940, Virginia Nutter Reedy of Portland, ME, married George T Gierman of Ayer, MA, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland. The 1950 US Census indicates they lived at Fort Belvoir, Fairfax, Virginia. George was 36 and born in New York.

Family Search has profile GC6W-22S for Ethel L Mills circa 1879 in Maine. Also, there is a potential duplicate profile, MR9M-VJ5, for Ethel Louise Mills, born about 1878 in Portland, Maine. However, neither profile include a spouse, any children, or parents. Likewise, George Gierman, born c. 1914 in New York, appears in FamilySearch as profile GS5H-FQW. No spouse is associated with his profile.

I uploaded a photo of Virginia Nutter (later Reedy, later Gierman) circa 1934 to Dead Fred. I also uploaded two additional images of Virginia to my Flickr photostream. 

Private Nildes, USA, circa 1935.

(Possibly – Private Nields)

This negative envelope says, “Nildes.”

I could not find anyone with the Nildes surname in the Portland City Directories for 1934-1936.

Private Nildes, USA

There was a Harry C Nields, Jr, of Pasadena, California, in Army during 1943. He was born on 15 April 1907 in Pasadena. I haven’t found any info that would connect this person to the person in the photo.

I have not identified this individual, so I only include the individual’s photo here.

Conclusion

I fully identified four of the five individuals. Two of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Two individuals did not have a Family Search profile and did not appear in any Ancestry trees. Still, I feel comfortable with the identification, so I uploaded those photos to Dead Fred. One photo was not identifiable.

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. 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 a higher image quality than the images 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.

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