“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.”
Today, I remember my great-grandfather, Hugh Ellis Roberts. He was born on 2 July 1884 in Spring Garden, Jefferson County, Illinois. Hugh married Clora Dell Scott on 6 October 1900 in Jefferson County, Illinois.
He died on 30 August 1908 (of consumption) in Ina, Jefferson County, IL, at the age of 24, and was buried at Hammond Cemetery, Sesser, Franklin County Illinois. He left behind four children, twins Harry & Carrie, my grandfather Bert, and a daughter Mabel.
If you have an image of Hugh or know more about his life, I would love to hear from you. If Hugh Ellis Roberts is your ancestor, I would love to share information with you. Please let me know how we are related.
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.
Irene Maheu, Student Nurse, circa 1934.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Irene Maheu, Me Eye & Ear Infirmary #233.”
Irene Maheu, Student Nurse, circa 1934.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Irene Maheu, a student nurse at 79 Bramhall (Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary).
The 1940 US Census lists Irene [Annette] Maheu, the 27-year-old daughter of Alfred and Julia Maheu, living with her parents in Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine. She is a Dentist-Assistant and was born in Maine. She married Frank Siviski, (Siwicki) Jr., in 1942.
I believe this is the correct Irene Maheu; however, I cannot prove it to my satisfaction because a dental assistant is not a regular transition from the Eye & Ear Infirmary, and there are alternate individuals possible.
Alternate Individuals.
There was another Irene Maheu, the 31-year-old wife of Andrew Maheu, living in Waterville, Maine. In 1940, this Irene had five children and worked as a marker in the laundry industry and is not likely the woman in this photo.
There was an Irene M Maheu who married Alfred F Nadeau on 24 October 1938. In 1940 she was living with her husband, Antonio Nadeau, and 4-year-old daughter in Lewiston.
I have added a photo of Irene Maheu to Dead Fred and a second photo of her to my Flickr Photostream. Hopefully, a family member will find her picture and confirm her identity.
Charles and Zilla Maddox, circa 1936.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. A. E. Maddox, 14 Caldwell St #461.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Charles and Zilla Maddox, circa 1936.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Arthur E and Verna I Maddox living at 14 Caldwell.
Ancestry Trees suggest that Arthur Elmer Maddox had three children. Charles, Carol, and Zilla. Carol died about 1931, which means the two children in the photo must be Charles and Zilla
Charles Arthur Maddox was born on 27 January 1929 in Portland, and Zilla Jean Maddox was born on 18 April 1932. Based on the Photo Number (#461), this photo was taken about 1936, when Charles was about seven, and Zella was about four.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Geo Magelas, 8 Catherine St #190.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Richard & William Magelas, circa 1936.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists George and Marie A Magelas living at 12 Catherine.
George and Marie were difficult to find in the 1940 Census. I finally found George and Marie McGiles still living at 12 Catherine. With them are their daughter and two sons, Pheodra (10), William (9), and Richard (6).
William was born on 2 March 1931 to George and Marie (Macarrick) Magelas. Richard was born in November 1934.
This is a photo of William and Richard Magelas, the two sons of George and Marie (Macarrick) Mageles, about 1936 when William was about five and Richard about three.
Ancestry does not appear to have any public trees that refer to William, Richard, or their parents. Family Search has a profile L2YQ-CK1 for William but does not appear to have a profile for Richard. I have uploaded a photo of the two boys to William’s Family Search Memories.
Gloria Frances Marrone, circa 1936
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. John Marrone, 163 Cumberland Ave #532.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Gloria Frances Marrone, circa 1936
The 1940 Census lists John Marrone and his wife, Irene, living at 163 Cumberland. With them are their nine-year-old daughter, Gloria, and their three-year-old son, John.
Ancestry trees suggest Gloria Frances Marrone was born on 1 December 1930 to Giovanni (John) and Irene (Blake) Marrone.
This photo is of Gloria about 1936 when she was about five years old.
Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Gloria Marrone, daughter of John and Irene Marrone. Although John and Irene are found in Family Search, Gloria does not appear to have a profile, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.
Lillian (Small) Mansfield, circa 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Roy Mansfield, 390 Cumberland #127.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Lillian (Small) Mansfield, circa 1934.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Roy D and Lillian C Mansfield living at 384 Cumberland.
The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates Roy was living at 97 Elm, and Lillian is not listed.
However, the 1936 Portland City Directory lists Roy and Lillian residing at 150b Free. Lillian is working as a maid.
Ancestry Public trees suggest this is Lillian Coombe Small, born 30 January 1912 and married Roy Daniel Mansfield on 22 April 1934.
This photo was taken about 1934, while Lillian and Roy lived on Cumberland Ave.
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.
Donna In the News – Evansville, IN – 27 September 1922
Donna in the News
by Don Taylor
“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 Evansville Journal (Evansville, IN), dated 27 September 1922, on Page 12, I learned that Donna was coming to the Victory Theater and opening on Thursday (28 September).
VICTORY VAUDEVILLE BILL CHANGES THURSDAY
Ad showing Dona Darling & Co. playing at the Victory Theatre – The Evansville Courier, 28 September 1922, via Newspapers.Com
— A new bill opening Thursday consists of “The Runaways”; Twyman and Vincent, “Pancakes and Flapjacks”; Casson and Clem, “Mirth Melody and Song”; Dona Darling Co., “As You Like it”; Cantwell and Walker, “Vou vez vous”; and Carl Emmy’s “Mad Wags.” Trained pets.
The following day, September 28th, the advertisement for the show included Dona Darling & Co.
Because of those newly available online articles available through Newspapers.com, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s exciting vaudeville career.
New information added to her career list:
September 28-30, 1922 – Evansville, Indiana – Victory Theatre “As You Like It.”
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.
Eula S. MacWilliam, circa 1934.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Eula McWilliam, 492 St. John St, #168.”
Eula S. MacWilliam, circa 1934
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1940 Portland City Directory list Eula S MacWilliam, a mail, living at 492 St. John. Also living at 492 St John are John F, Edna A, and Norman D. MacWilliam.
Eula MacWilliam, daughter of John Franklin and Edna Amy (Ellis) MacWilliam, was born on 28 April 1913 in New Hampshire.
This photo is of Eula in 1934 when she was about 21.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Theda Maddocks, ME Gen Hospital #915.”
Theda Maddocks, Student Nurse, circa 1936.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Theda Maddocks as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal and residing at the same place.
The 1934 Wilton Academy yearbook shows Theda Mae Maddocks. The photo of her there suggests this photo is of her a couple of years older.
A review of Ancestry Public Trees suggests that this is Theda M Maddocks, daughter of Harry Anderson and Etta (Springer) Maddocks, born 21 Jul 1917.
She married Herbert Alonzo Marble on 11 July 1937.
I’m sure this is a photo of Theda Mae Maddocks about 1936.
Ancestry has 17 public trees that refer to Theda M Maddocks. Family Search has profile GD6G-HX8 for Theda M Maddocks. I uploaded s photos of Theda to her Family Search Memories.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists J. Everett, and his wife Ethel G., McMannis living at 14 Alder.
The 1940 US Census lists Joseph E and Ethel G McMannis living at 12-14 Alder, in Portland, Maine. Living with them is their eight-year-old daughter, Evelyn R McMannis.
I am confident this is Evelyn Regis McMannis, daughter of Joseph Everett and Ethel G (Millett) McMannis, born on 27 February 1932, about 1936, when she was about four years old.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. H McNeill, 21 Summer St (Mary McNeill) #690.”
Kathleen Marie McNeill, circa 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Herbert A and Delia A, McNeill living at 21 Summer.
The 1940 US Census lists Herbert McNeal living at 21 Summer with his two sons and two daughters,15-year-old Kathleen and 11-year-old Mary.
When this photo was taken, about 1935, Kathleen would have been about ten and Mary about six. The girl in the picture appears to be much older than six, so I believe this is likely Kathleen, although the envelope says “Mary McNeill” give me some doubt. Kathleen’s Christian name is Marie, so I believe this is a photo of Kathleen Marie McNeill about 1935 when she was about ten years old.
Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Kathleen Marie McNeill. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for her. Because of that, I have uploaded a photo of Miss McNeill to Dead Fred.
Conclusion
I identified all five of them. Four have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
One individual did not have a Family Search profile, so I posted her image 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.
“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.
