Photo Friday – Mathews, Matthews, Maybury, Meddes, & Meloon

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 89

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 contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily 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.

Dr. Robert Maybury, Dec. 1950.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Dr. Robert Maybury – Dec 1950 – DSCN4116.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Dr. Robert Maybury, Dec. 1950.

    A Death Notice for “Dr. Robert Maybury – Retired Maine Physician Who Became a Railroader” appeared in the September 11, 1951 edition of the Boston Globe. The article indicated he died on 8 September at Hampton, N.H. He was a native of Springvale, ME, and interned at Mass. General Hospital. He retired about 1941 to pursue railroading. He had a son, Richard D. Maybury, and a daughter, Mrs. Leavitt Emmons. He was 63 when he died (born circa 1888).

  • Robert Lincoln Maybury, born 27 November 1887, died 8 September 1951. There are several Ancestry trees that indicate he was born on 27 March 1887. That date appears to have been taken from a SAR application; however, it is difficult to read and could be “Nov” as easily as “Mar.” His WWI Draft Registration clearly reads Nov 27, 1887.

This photo is of Dr. Robert Lincoln Maybury in December 1950.

Ancestry has 16 public trees that refer to Robert Lincoln Maybury. Family Search has profile KCXX-K18 for Robert Lincoln Maybury. I have uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search Memories. 

Bertha Mathews, Student Nurse, circa 1934

This negative envelope says, “Miss Bertha Mathews, Me Gen Hospital #316.”

  • Bertha Mathews, Student Nurse, circa 1934

    A Bertha Matthews married Frederick F Hellier on 14 October 1938. Both were from Portland, Maine.

  • Bertha does not appear in any Portland City Directories from 1934 through 1937.
  • Additionally, I have not found any person named Bertha Mathews that is a nurse.

Alternate Individuals.

The 1930 Census appears to have three Bertha Matthews in Maine.

  • The 53-year-old wife of John P Matthews.
  • The 29-year-old daughter of John P Matthews.
  • Bertha Babcock is the 15-year-old step-daughter of Harold Matthews.

None of these appear to be the correct Bertha Matthews.

Because I am not sure of the identity of this person, I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred as Bertha Mathews, the name on the photo envelope.

Florence Matthews, circa 1934

This negative envelope says, “Miss Florence Mathews, 3 Park Place #268.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Florence Matthews, circa 1934

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Florence L Matthews living at 3 Park Place. Also in the directory is Florence D Matthews, the widow of Elbridge Matthews.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that Florence L Matthews married Bartley P Flaherty.
  • Florence Matthews is the daughter of John Graham and Ellen (Coyne) Matthews. She was born on 21 Aug 1914 and married Bartley P Flaherty on 18 April 1934.

This is a photo of Florence in about 1934.

Ancestry has 18 public trees that refer to Florence Louise Matthews. Family Search has profile LTXY-BKW for Florence Matthews Garland. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Florence Louise Matthews by a granddaughter.

Frances Meloon, Nursing Student, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Francis McLoon, Me Gen Hospital #973.”

Frances Meloon, Nursing Student, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Frances Meloon as a Student Nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
  • The 1930 US Census lists Frances Meloon living with her parents in Kezar Falls, Oxford County, Maine. She was born about 1918 in New Hampshire to Ernest and H Louise Meloon.

I believe this is Frances Louise Meloon, born 14 Jul 1917 in Effingham County, New Hampshire, about 1936, while she was a nursing student.

Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Frances L Meloon, born in New Hampshire to Ernest and Helen Louise (Cutting) Meloon. Family Search has profile LT3W-269 for Frances Meloon. I have uploaded a photo of her to her Family Search Memories.

Sally Meddes (possibly Celina S. Bouchard) circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Sally Meddes, 305 Pine St #248.”

This identification has been one of my more confusing projects.

  • Envelope identifying Sally Meddes.

    I cannot find any references for Sally Meddes or Sarah[iii]

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory finds Theodore Meddes, a chef, living at 1 Shepley. He does not appear in the 1933 Directory. He appears in the 1935 Directory residing at 570½ Congress. The 1936 Directory indicates he moved to Bangor.
  • There doesn’t appear to be a 305 Pine Street in Portland, nor is there any other street in Portland that ends in “_ine,” so doing a reverse lookup isn’t possible.
  • The “Maine Marriage Index, 1892-1996” indicates that Celina Meddes married Stanton E Bartol on 2 September 1935. The confusing part is that the “Maine Marriage Index, 1892-1996” also reports Stanton E Bartol married Celina Bouchard on 2 September 1935. The 1940 Census indicates that Celina was 32 in 1940; thus, she would be about 26 in 1934 when the photo was probably taken.

Sally Meddes (possibly Celina S. Bouchard) circa 1934.

I suspect that Celina S. Bouchard also went by “Sally.” My review of the sources provided in 5 Ancestry Public Trees indicated the following:

  • Celina Bouchard was born on 6 September 1907 to Joseph and Anna (Regan) Bouchard in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
  • Celine Bouchard appears in the 1910 Census as the 3-year-old daughter of Joseph and Annie Bouchard.
  • Two trees report Celina’s name as Celina S Bouchard (Meddes). (One of them is a private tree.) The public tree doesn’t have any sources listed for the source of the “Meddes” surname, but possibly they or the private tree person have references for the Meddes surname.

Possibly, Celina married Theodore Meddes for a short time, divorced him then married Stanton Bartol in 1935. In any event, I will need confirmation regarding this possible scenario from family members.

Ancestry has eight trees that refer to Celina S Bouchard (Meddes). Because I am not certain of the identity of this person, I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred as Sally Meddes, the name on the photo envelope.

Conclusion

  • I identified three of the individuals. They have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. One I
  • I failed to identify two individuals adequately, 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.

[iii] Sally is a common nickname for Sarah.

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Bert Allen Roberts (1903-1949) – Date of Birth Proof

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Don Taylor

Roberts Research
Roberts Line
Birth
By Don Taylor

Today I examine the conflict in Bert Allen Roberts’ birthdate. Some documents and researchers report he was born on 20 Sep 1902, some on 20 Sep 1903, and others on 7 Sep 1903.

Ancestor #4

Sources

1922 – Marriage License – 20 Sep 1902[i]

The earliest birth record I’ve found regarding Bert’s birthdate is his marriage license. It clearly indicates that his birthdate is 20 Sep. This record appears to have been copied by a clerk into a set form, because the signatures of Bert, Essie, and the clerk appear to be of the same hand, with the same pen.

Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007 – Bert Allen Roberts, Date of Birth (via FamilySearch.org)

1941 – Birth Certificate – 7 Sep 1903[ii]

Bert’s Birth Certificate clearly indicates he was born on 7 Sep 1903. Generally, a birth certificate is the best document, however, although not identified as “delayed,” it was not reported until 8 Jul 1941. The information was provided by William Alonzo Scott (Uncle). William Alonzo was not Bert’s uncle, rather he was Bert’s great-uncle (Clora’s uncle).

1942 – Draft Registration – 7 Sep 1903[iii]

Bert completed his Draft Registration. As I understand it, a Birth Certificate was required to register for the draft. That would be the likely reason a “delayed” certificate was created. It is possible that Bert used the same date as his Birth Certificate to eliminate registration problems.

1949 – Death Certificate – 9-7-1903[iv]

The informant for Bert’s Death Certificate was his wife, “Mrs. Bert Roberts – Detroit, Mich” (Essie). She supplied 7 Sep 1903 as his birthdate also.

Census Records

Because there is a year difference between the documents Census Records might provide further insight into his birth year and consequently his birth date.

    • 1910 – Age 6 – Suggesting birth in 1903 (presuming a September birth).
    • 1920 – Age 16 – Suggesting birth in 1903.
    • 1930 – Age 26 – Suggesting birth in 1903.
    • 1940 – Age 36 – Suggesting birth in 1903.

So, all of the Census records are consistent with the birthdate of 7 September 1903 and not 1902 (20 September)

Conclusion

Bert Allen Roberts was born 7 September 1903. I have set that date as my preferred birth date.

ENDNOTES

[i] Indiana Marriage, 1811-2019, Family Search, Bert Allen Roberts – Essie Pansy Barnes – Marriage License. citing: Sullivan, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170594. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXF1-HZN.
Source: Derivative, Transcribed by a clerk.
Clarity: Clear, Item 4, clearly readable, “When born September 20, 1902.”
Information: Primary, The document indicates Bert Allen Roberts provided the information.
Evidence: Direct, Date is clearly stated.

[ii] Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940, Family Search, Bert Allen Roberts – Birth 7 Sep 1903. See Image 970 of 1538. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9FF-PCT2.
Source: Original, Information was entered by a clerk, however it is clear William signed it.
Clarity: Clear, Item 7, clearly readable, “Date of Birth Sept 7, 1903.”
Information: Secondary, Although the certificate indicates William was “the Attendant at this Birth,” I just don’t find that likely. That was a prefilled statement required by all who reported birth information
Evidence: Direct, Date is clearly stated.

[iii] U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Ancestry.Com, Bert Allen Roberts – Born 7 Sep 1903 – Registe3red 16 Feb 1942.
Source: Original, Information may have been entered by the registrar, but it is clear that Bert signed the card.
Clarity: Clear, Item 5, clearly readable, “Date of Birth Sept 7 1903.”
Information: Primary, The document indicates Bert Allen Roberts provided the information.

[iv] Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011 (Indiana Archives & Records Administration), Ancestry, Bert Roberts – Death 1 May 1949. Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1949; Roll: 06. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29390250?h=dae87f.
Source: Original.
Clarity: Clear, Item 8, clearly readable, “9-7-1903.”
Information: Secondary, the information was provided by his wife.
Evidence: Direct, Date is clearly stated.

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My Paternal Grandfather’s Matrilineal Line

Posted on July 9, 2022 by Don Taylor

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Recently, Randy Seaver, in his “Saturday Night Genealogy Fun” post, suggested folks document “Their paternal grandfather’s matrilineal line (i.e., the mother of your paternal grandfather, and her mother, etc.).”

Here’s mine.

My paternal grandfather is Bert Allen Roberts (1903-1949)

His mother was  Clora Dell Scott (1883-1945), who married Hugh Ellis Roberts (1882-1908) on 7 Oct 1900 in Jefferson County, Illinois.

Drawing of Amanda Jane (Haley) Scott

Amanda Jane Haley Scott – From the Chris H. Bailey photo collection.

Her mother was Amanda Jane Haley (1861-1889), who married Samuel Vaden Scott (1862-1931) on 24 May 1879 in Goode, Franklin County, Illinois.

Her mother was Martha Melinda Montgomery (1841-1914), who married Andrew J. Haley (1836-1905) on 20 Aug 1857 in Manchester, Coffee County, Tennessee.

Her mother was Syrena Meadows (1815-___), who married Leonard L Montgomery (1814-___).

I do not know the parents of Syrena Meadows, her marriage date to Leonard Montgomery, or her death date. With so many ancestors (127 to 4th great-grandparents), I just haven’t had time to research Syrena’s life. She is currently #20 on my “Roberts-Barnes Ancestors to Research” list.

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Photo Friday – Martelle & Martin

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 88

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
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 contain the names 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.

Cora Martin, Nurse, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Cora Martin, St. Barnabus Hospital #522.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Cora Martin, Nurse, circa 1935.

    The 1940 US Census lists 35-year-old Cora E Martin, a Trained Nurse, living with her parents, Wilbur L and Mame W Martin at 94 Cottage Street, Westbrook.

  • The 1938 Westbrook City Directory lists Cora E Martin employed in Portland, and residing at 94 Cottage.
  • Cora married Charles M Austin, of Bethel, ME, on 21 September 1940.

This is a photo of Cora taken about 1935 when Cora was about 30 years old.

Alternate Individuals.

Ancestry has 15 public trees that refer to Cora Martin, daughter of Wilbur and Mimie (Clemons) Martin. Family Search has profile GQ8R-1B7 for Cora Martin. I  have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories. 

Memorial, 121383629 for Cora Martin Austin on Find-a-Grave includes a high school photo.

Eva Martin, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Eva Martin, 84 Clark St #420.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Eva Martin, circa 1935.

    The 1930 US Census lists Maine-born, 14-year-old, Eva B Martin, the daughter of Charles W and Dora M Martin living at 84 Clark Street, Portland.

  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is Eva Beverly Martin, born 10 December 1915.

This photo is of Eva Martin, about 1935 when she was about 20 years old.

Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Eva Martin, born on 10 December 1915. Family Search has profile LK1Y-8QZ for Eva. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories.

Ida Martelle, Nursing Student, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Ida Martelle, 195 Holm Ave, #249.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Ida Martelle, Nursing Student, circa 1934.

    The 1930 US Census lists 16-year-old Ida Martella living with her parents Peter P and Rosie Martella at 195 Holm Ave. Ida was born in Colorado.

  • Ancestry family trees suggest that this is Ida Martelle, born 1 April 1914 in Pueblo, Colorado. She is the daughter of Pietro Paul “Peter” and Rosina (Petrill) Martelle.

I believe this photo is of Ida Martelle, circa 1934, while she was a nursing student.

Ida Martelle is found in 25 Ancestry public trees. Family Search has profile G9V3-C4V for Ida Martel, daughter of Peter and Rosina (Petrille) Martella. I uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories.

Millicent Martin, Nursing Student, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Millicent Martin, ME Gen Hospital #324.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Millicent Martin, Nursing Student, circa 1934.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Millicent Martin as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).

  • The 1940 US Census lists Millicent Martin, a 25-year-old registered nurse at the Maine General Hospital.
  • The 1930 US Census lists Millicent M. Martin, as the 15-year-old daughter of Carrol R and Charlotte B Martin, living in Caratunk, Maine.

Ancestry has 14 public trees that refer to Millicent Mae “Millie” Martin, born 13 November 1914 in West Forks, Maine. Family Search has profile LKWX-QHC for Millicent. I  uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories.

Millicent Martin, circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Millicent Martin, ME. Gen. Hospital #1052.”

  • Millicent Martin, circa 1936.

    This is the same woman as above about two years later with the same name, and same location as in 1934.

Ancestry has 14 public trees that refer to Millicent Mae “Millie” Martin, born 13 November 1914 in West Forks, Maine. Family Search has profile for LKWX-QHC. I uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

I fully identified all four individuals in five different photo packages. All of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories.

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 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.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged | 1 Comment

Donna Darling – Lincoln Theatre, Belleville, IL – 6 October 1925

Posted on July 3, 2022 by Don Taylor

Donna in the News
by Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited to find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.

This week from the Belleville Daily News-Democrat (Belleville, IL) newspaper dated 6 October 1925, I learned that Donna played at the Lincoln Theater in October 1925

Excellent Bill at the Lincoln

Ad for Donna Darling and Girls. 

… In Vaudeville are Meyer & Nolan in Lyrics of Laughter, Padgett & Harmon “Two Sunflowers from Dixie” and Donna Darling and girls in their “Song and Dance Revue.”

Also, the were display ads showing her bill.

Because of those newly available online articles at Newspapers.com, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s exciting vaudeville career.

October 5-7, 1925 – Belleville, Illinois – Lincoln Theatre – Donna Darling & Girls in “Her Little Revue.”

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