Ancestor Sketch – Christine “Stena” (Eriksdotter) Mattson.

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Don Taylor

Matson Project
Ancestor MK-009
By Don Taylor

What’s in a name?

Names are often confounding and confusing, and Christine’s name is a great example.

She is Christina, Christine, Cristin, and Stina in various documents. I’ve decided to settle on Christine as my preferred name for her because it is the name on her grave marker and likely what she was known by in her later life, even though I believe she was known as “Stina” when she was younger.

Likewise, her surname changed somewhat. Depending upon the document you see, it goes from Ericsdotter to Ericson. She then married Lars Mattson, and again, the various surname spellings show as Mattson, Mattsen, and Matson, depending upon what clerk wrote the information down.

Christine can be found in my Matson Project-2023 family tree, 72 Ancestry Public Trees[1], and is in the Family Search profile LDQL-2B6.

List of Grandparents

  • Grandfather: Edward William Mattson (1898-1977)
  • 1st Great-grand: Christine Ericsdotter (1863-1942)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: Eric Matsson (1839-1907)

Birth

Stena was born on 19 September 1863 in the Skålö settlement in Järna parish, Dalarna, Sweden. Her parents were Eric Matsson and Stina Jansdotter. Järna is a locality in Vansbro Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden.

Photo of Jarma Parish Church (Today)
Stina was likely baptized at Järna parish, Dalarna, Sweden.
Photo by Taxelson, (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons.

She probably grew up speaking Dalecarlian, a dialect of the Svealand dialect group[2]. She has a younger brother, Johan Ersson (Ericson?) Mattson, who was about nine years younger.

Between 1850 and 1950, some 1.3 million Swedes emigrated to the United States. Eric, Stina, little Stina, and Johan were four of the 330,000 people who left Sweden during the 1880s[3].

Emigration

Swedish emigration records[4] indicate the family left for North America on 24 May 1880. They must have come straight to Minnesota. Although the 1880 Census date is 1 June, the enumerator recorded the Mattson family in Cokato, Wright County, Minnesota. Erik and his family lived with his brother, Matt Mattson, his family (wife Lisa and three daughters, Mare, Anna, & Lisa), and Matt & Erik’s mother, Christin.

Marriage

Christine married Lars Mattson on 4 February 1881, about eight months after immigration at the Albion Free River Church, and quickly began a family. Their first child, Carl, was born 14 months after their marriage. Christine & Lars had 13 children:

The Children of Lars & Christine Mattson

NameBirthMarriageDeath
Carl August1882Gina Syverson
Elizabeth Guintire		1963
Gertie Caroline1883Alfred Hill
(FNU) Guintire		1965
Emma Christine1885Desire Gerard1967
John Emil1886Annie Utterberg1962
David Lauretsius1888?1963
Minni Sofia1890O. August Nyholm1968
Hanna Elizabeth1892?1938
Anna Maria Mary1894Chell Peterson1962
Louis Osker1896?1962
Edward William1898Hildur Krafve1977
Edith Elvina Emelia1900–1902
Rudolph Martin1902Florence Bringen1982
[Unnamed Baby]Bet. 1900 & 1902–1902

1885 Minnesota Census

Lars & Stina live in French Lake (the post office is Cokato) with their two oldest children. Living with them are also Carl (age 52) & Stina (age 53) Danielson.

1895 Minnesota Census

Lars & Stina are still living in French Lake, now with eight children. Lars was a farmer and had been in Minnesota for 25 years.

1900 U.S. Census

Photo of Christina Mattson

Lars & Christine are still living in French Lake, now with eight children. Lars was a farmer who arrived in the United States in 1869; he was naturalized. Christina has been in the United States since 1880 (20 years). They owned their farm, although it was mortgaged. Christine had ten children, and all ten were living and were at home.

1910 U.S. Census

The 1910 Census reports sadness in the family. In the ten years since 1900, Christine had had three more children, but two of them, Edith Elvina and an unnamed baby had died. Lars & Stina are still living in French Lake, now with eight children. Five of the children were no longer at home.

  • Carl was probably married.
  • Gertie married {FNU} Guintire; they had their daughter, Helen, in 1908.
  • Emma married Desire Gerard in 1903.
  • John’s location is unknown and should be further researched.
  • Hannah was not in the household. I should research her possible marriages.

Still living at home were:

  • David Matson    Son M     21    Minnesota
  • Minnie Matson   Dau. F      20    Minnesota
  • Mary Matson     Dau. F      16    Minnesota
  • Louis Matson     Son M     14    Minnesota
  • Eddie Matson    Son M     13    Minnesota
  • Rudolph Matson Son M     7      Minnesota

1920 U.S. Census

The 1920 Census reported Hannah, Louis, and Eddie were laboring “away from home.” Christine did housework.

1926 – Death of Lars

Lars died on 13 October 1926. Christine was 63 years old.

The 1930s

The 1930 Census reported three of Christine’s children, David, Minnie, and Hannah, were at home. Sadly, Hannah died on 28 December 1938.

1940 U.S. Census

The 1940 Census reported two of Christine’s children, David & Minnie, were still at home.

Death of Christine

Christine died on 17 January 1942. She was buried in North Crow River (aka Crow River Mission Cemetery and later the Elim Birch Lake Cemetery). She was buried with:

  • Mattson, Baby                                 1902-1902
  • Mattson, Elvina                               1900-1902
  • Mattson, Lars                                  1859-1926
  • Mattson, Hannah E.                        1892-1938
  • Mattson, Christine                           1863-1942

David L Mattson was also buried there in 1963.

Photo of Christine Mattson grave marker (photo by Terri Matson Ryan via Find-a-Grave
Christine Mattson marker (photo by Terri Matson Ryan via Find-a-Grave.)

Events by Location

Photo of the Mattson Family Marker - photo by amy4nier via Find-a-Grave
Mattson Family Marker (photo by amy4nier via Find-a-Grave).

Minnesota, Wright County, Albion Township  1881 (Marriage).

Minnesota, Wright County, Cokato Township  1880.

Minnesota, Wright County, French Lake Township     1885-1942 (Includes Death & Burial).

Sweden, Dalarna, Järna – 1863-1880 (Includes Birth & Emigration)

Actions / Follow-up

I need to research the lives of Lars & Christine’s children, including:

  • Determine the first name of Gertie’s Guintire husband.
  • Determine if David, Hanna, or Louis ever married.
  • Determine who Carl (age 52) & Stina (age 53) Danielson are. They lived with Lars and Stina Mattson during the 1885 Census.
  • Determine where Carl August was in 1910 and when he married.
  • Determine when Gertie married {FNU} Guintire and what his given name was.
  • Determine where Desire and Emma(Mattson) Gerard were in 1910.
  • Determine where John Emil Mattson was in 1910.
  • Determine if and when Hannah married and where she was in 1910.

Sources

  • 1880 Census, Family Search, Matts Mattson – Cokato, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1900 Census, Family Search, 1900 – Lars Matson – French Lake Township, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1910 Census, 1910 – Lars Matson – French Lake, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1920 Census, 1920 – Lais (Lars) Matson – French Lake, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1930 Census, Family Search, Christine Matson – French Lake, Wright, Minnesota, USA.
  • 1940 Census, Family Search, Christine Mattson, “United States Census, 1940”.
  • Ancestry.com, Geneanet Community Trees Index (Lehi, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022), Ancestry.com, Profile: Christine Ericson (1863-1942).
  • Annandale Online, Account: Swedish Free Church of North Crow River (No image).
  • Find a Grave, Find-a-Grave, Christine Mattson – Memorial 61784114.
  • Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001, Family Search, Christina Matson – Death 17 January 1942 (No Image).
  • Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001, Family Search, Hannah Mattson (1892-1938)
  • Minnesota, Death Records and Certificates, 1900-1955, Family Search, Elmina Mattsen – Death 3 July 1902 (No image).
  • Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905, Ancestry.com, 1885 Minnesota Census – Lars Mattson & Lars Mattson – French Lake, Wright County, Minnesota, Page 15 (340).
  • Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905, Ancestry.com, 1895 Minnesota Census – Lars Mattson – French Lake, Wright County, MN.
  • Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905, Ancestry.com, 1905 Minnesota Census – Lars Mattson – French Lake, Wright County, MN.
  • Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books, 1783-1991, Ancestry.com, Stina Ersätter – 19 Sep 1863.
  • Sweden, Household Examination Books, 1880-1930, Family Search, Eric Matsson – Skålö.
  • Sweden, Indexed Birth Records, 1859-1947, Ancestry.com, Stina – 19 September 1863.
  • Terri [Private], Terri’s Tales: Views to the Past, (www.territales.com), #5 John Emil Matson (1886-1962).
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990”, database, (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDQD-6L2 : 16 January 2020), Christine A. Mattson in the entry for Lars Mattson, 1926.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001,” database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CG84-F7T2 : 1 June 2020), Christina Mattson in the entry for Hannah Mattson, 28 December 1938; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001,” database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CT3B-3SMM : 1 June 2020), Christine A Mattson in the entry for Lars Mattson, 13 October 1926; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001,” database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZX95-FV3Z : 7 July 2020), Christina Matson, 17 January 1942; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota, Death Records and Certificates, 1900-1955”, database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDM6-3SZ : 29 October 2020), Christina Mattsen in the entry for Elmina Mattsen, 1902.

Endnotes

[1] Ancestry Public Trees – This number changes. It is the number of trees on the day I was writing this sketch.

[2] Internet – Wikipedia – Dalecarlian Language.

[3] Internet – Minnesota Historical Society – Swedish Immigration to the U.S. (Over 7% of the population during the decade of the 1880s left the country.)

[4] Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books, 1783-1991, Ancestry.com, Stina Ersätter – 19 Sep 1863. Ancestry.com. Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books, 1783-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. AND “Sweden, Household Examination Books, 1880-1930”, database with images, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLGD-TSVH : 30 March 2021), Stina in entry for Eric Matsson, 1889.

Ancestor Sketch – Christine “Stena” (Eriksdotter) Mattson.

Matson Project

Ancestor MK-009

By Don Taylor

What’s in a name?

Names are often confounding and confusing, and Christine’s name is a great example.

She is Christina, Christine, Cristin, and Stina in various documents. I’ve decided to settle on Christine as my preferred name for her because it is the name on her grave marker and likely what she was known by in her later life.

Likewise, her surname changed somewhat. Depending upon the document you see, it goes from Ericsdotter to Ericson. She then married Lars Mattson, and again, the various surname spellings show as Mattson, Mattsen, and Matson, depending upon what clerk wrote the information down.

Christine can be found in my Matson Project-2023 family tree, 72 Ancestry Public Trees[1], and is in the Family Search profile LDQL-2B6.

List of Grandparents

  • Grandfather: Edward William Mattson (1898-1977)
  • 1st Great-grand: Christine Ericsdotter (1863-1942)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: Eric Matsson (1839-1907)

Birth

<<PHOTO OF CHURCH>>

Stena was born on 19 September 1863 in the Skålö settlement in Järna parish, Dalarna, Sweden. Her parents were Eric Matsson and Stina Jansdotter. Järna is a locality in Vansbro Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden.

She probably grew up speaking Dalecarlian, a dialect of the Svealand dialect group[2]. She has a younger brother, Johan Ersson (Ericson?) Mattson, who was about nine years younger.

Between 1850 and 1950, some 1.3 million Swedes emigrated to the United States. Eric, Stina, little Stina, and Johan were four of the 330,000 people who left Sweden during the 1880s[3].

Emigration

Swedish emigration records[4] indicate the family left for North America on 24 May 1880. They must have come straight to Minnesota. Although the 1880 Census date is 1 June, the enumerator recorded the Mattson family in Cokato, Wright County, Minnesota. Erik and his family lived with his brother, Matt Mattson, his family (wife Lisa and three daughters, Mare, Anna, & Lisa), and Matt & Erik’s mother, Christin.

Marriage

Christine married Lars Mattson on 4 February 1881, about eight months after immigration at the Albion Free River Church, and quickly began a family. Their first child, Carl, was born 14 months after their marriage. Christine & Lars had 13 children:

The Children of Lars & Christine Mattson

NameBirthMarriageDeath
Carl August1882Gina Syverson
Elizabeth Guintire		1963
Gertie Caroline1883Alfred Hill
(FNU) Guintire		1965
Emma Christine1885Desire Gerard1967
John Emil1886Annie Utterberg1962
David Lauretsius1888?1963
Minni Sofia1890O. August Nyholm1968
Hanna Elizabeth1892?1938
Anna Maria Mary1894Chell Peterson1962
Louis Osker1896?1962
Edward William1898Hildur Krafve1977
Edith Elvina Emelia1900–1902
Rudolph Martin1902Florence Bringen1982
[Unnamed Baby]Bet. 1900 & 1902–1902

1885 Minnesota Census

Lars & Stina live in French Lake (the post office is Cokato) with their two oldest children. Living with them are also Carl (age 52) & Stina (age 53) Danielson.

1895 Minnesota Census

Lars & Stina are still living in French Lake, now with eight children. Lars was a farmer and had been in Minnesota for 25 years.

1900 U.S. Census

Lars & Christine are still living in French Lake, now with eight children. Lars was a farmer who arrived in the United States in 1869; he was naturalized. Christina has been in the United States since 1880 (20 years). They owned their farm, although it was mortgaged. Christine had ten children, and all ten were living and were at home.

1910 U.S. Census

The 1910 Census reports sadness in the family. In the ten years since 1900, Christine had had three more children, but two of them, Edith Elvina and an unnamed baby had died. Lars & Stina are still living in French Lake, now with eight children. Five of the children were no longer at home.

  • Carl was probably married.
  • Gertie married {FNU} Guintire; they had their daughter, Helen, in 1908.
  • Emma married Desire Gerard in 1903.
  • John’s location is unknown and should be further researched.
  • Hannah was not in the household. I should research her possible marriages.

Still living at home were:

  • David Matson    Son M     21    Minnesota
  • Minnie Matson   Dau. F      20    Minnesota
  • Mary Matson     Dau. F      16    Minnesota
  • Louis Matson     Son M     14    Minnesota
  • Eddie Matson    Son M     13    Minnesota
  • Rudolph Matson Son M     7      Minnesota

1920 U.S. Census

The 1920 Census reported Hannah, Louis, and Eddie were laboring “away from home.” Christine did housework.

1926 – Death of Lars

Lars died on 13 October 1926. Christine was 63 years old.

The 1930s

The 1930 Census reported three of Christine’s children, David, Minnie, and Hannah, were at home. Sadly, Hannah died on 28 December 1938.

1940 U.S. Census

The 1940 Census reported two of Christine’s children, David & Minnie, were still at home.

Death of Christine

<<MARKERS>

Christine died on 17 January 1942. She was buried in North Crow River (aka Crow River Mission Cemetery and later the Elim Birch Lake Cemetery). She was buried with:

  • Mattson, Baby                                 1902-1902
  • Mattson, Elvina                               1900-1902
  • Mattson, Lars                                  1859-1926
  • Mattson, Hannah E.                        1892-1938
  • Mattson, Christine                           1863-1942

David L Mattson was also buried there in 1963.

Events by Location

Minnesota, Wright County, Albion Township  1881 (Marriage).

Minnesota, Wright County, Cokato Township  1880.

Minnesota, Wright County, French Lake Township     1885-1942 (Includes Death & Burial).

Sweden, Dalarna, Järna – 1863-1880 (Includes Birth & Emigration)

Actions / Follow-up

I need to research the lives of Lars & Christine’s children, including:

  • Determine the first name of Gertie’s Guintire husband.
  • Determine if David, Hanna, or Louis ever married.
  • Determine who Carl (age 52) & Stina (age 53) Danielson are. They lived with Lars and Stina Mattson during the 1885 Census.
  • Determine where Carl August was in 1910 and when he married.
  • Determine when Gertie married {FNU} Guintire and what his given name was.
  • Determine where Desire and Emma(Mattson) Gerard were in 1910.
  • Determine where John Emil Mattson was in 1910.
  • Determine if and when Hannah married and where she was in 1910.

Sources

  • 1880 Census, Family Search, Matts Mattson – Cokato, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1900 Census, Family Search, 1900 – Lars Matson – French Lake Township, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1910 Census, 1910 – Lars Matson – French Lake, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1920 Census, 1920 – Lais (Lars) Matson – French Lake, Wright, Minnesota.
  • 1930 Census, Family Search, Christine Matson – French Lake, Wright, Minnesota, USA.
  • 1940 Census, Family Search, Christine Mattson, “United States Census, 1940”.
  • Ancestry.com, Geneanet Community Trees Index (Lehi, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022), Ancestry.com, Profile: Christine Ericson (1863-1942).
  • Annandale Online, Account: Swedish Free Church of North Crow River (No image).
  • Find a Grave, Find-a-Grave, Christine Mattson – Memorial 61784114.
  • Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001, Family Search, Christina Matson – Death 17 January 1942 (No Image).
  • Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001, Family Search, Hannah Mattson (1892-1938)
  • Minnesota, Death Records and Certificates, 1900-1955, Family Search, Elmina Mattsen – Death 3 July 1902 (No image).
  • Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905, Ancestry.com, 1885 Minnesota Census – Lars Mattson & Lars Mattson – French Lake, Wright County, Minnesota, Page 15 (340).
  • Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905, Ancestry.com, 1895 Minnesota Census – Lars Mattson – French Lake, Wright County, MN.
  • Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905, Ancestry.com, 1905 Minnesota Census – Lars Mattson – French Lake, Wright County, MN.
  • Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books, 1783-1991, Ancestry.com, Stina Ersätter – 19 Sep 1863.
  • Sweden, Household Examination Books, 1880-1930, Family Search, Eric Matsson – Skålö.
  • Sweden, Indexed Birth Records, 1859-1947, Ancestry.com, Stina – 19 September 1863.
  • Terri [Private], Terri’s Tales: Views to the Past, (www.territales.com), #5 John Emil Matson (1886-1962).
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990”, database, (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDQD-6L2 : 16 January 2020), Christine A. Mattson in the entry for Lars Mattson, 1926.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001,” database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CG84-F7T2 : 1 June 2020), Christina Mattson in the entry for Hannah Mattson, 28 December 1938; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001,” database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CT3B-3SMM : 1 June 2020), Christine A Mattson in the entry for Lars Mattson, 13 October 1926; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001,” database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZX95-FV3Z : 7 July 2020), Christina Matson, 17 January 1942; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.
  • Various, Family Search, “Minnesota, Death Records and Certificates, 1900-1955”, database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDM6-3SZ : 29 October 2020), Christina Mattsen in the entry for Elmina Mattsen, 1902.

Endnotes

[1] Ancestry Public Trees – This number changes. It is the number of trees on the day I was writing this sketch.

[2] Internet – Wikipedia – Dalecarlian Language.

[3] Internet – Minnesota Historical Society – Swedish Immigration to the U.S. (Over 7% of the population during the decade of the 1880s left the country.)

[4] Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books, 1783-1991, Ancestry.com, Stina Ersätter – 19 Sep 1863. Ancestry.com. Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books, 1783-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. AND “Sweden, Household Examination Books, 1880-1930”, database with images, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLGD-TSVH : 30 March 2021), Stina in entry for Eric Matsson, 1889.

Posted in Matson | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photo Friday – Dennett (née Parks), Kunkle, & Wight

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 156
By Don Taylor

Last week’s attempt to organize these into separate articles didn’t work. So, I’m returning to one posting for the week’s photo packages. I analyzed five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i] this week. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. I 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.

Rev. Dr. Edward C. Kunkle, 1941.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Dr. E. Kunkle – Taken by Mr. van Tassell-1941.” The images appear to be of a man in his 60s or 70s.

Photo of Dr. Edward C. Kunkle.
Rev. Dr. Edward C. Kunkle.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1939 & 1941 Biddeford City Directories list Rev. Edward C (Blanche) Kunkle living at Ocean Park; their permanent address is 33 Oneida av Mt Vernon, NY. He is the only Kunkle in the directory.
  • An Edward C Kunkle was residing & working in Portland and had an M.D., D.D.S., & a D.V.M. and belonged to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. His employer was Edward C Kunkle.
  • The Wilkes-Barre Time Leader reported on 17 Oct 1941 that Rev. Dr. Edward C. Kunkle died at his home, 33 Oneida Ave., Mount Vernon. He was 71.

I believe this photo is of Rev. Dr. Edward Charles Kunkle, taken in 1941.

Ancestry has 50 public trees that refer to Rev. Dr. Edward Charles Kunkel (1870-1941). Family Search has profile LJBG-NZ5 for Edward C Kunkle (1870-1941). I uploaded this photo of Rev. Kunkel to his Family Search Memories.

Virginia Parks Dennett – Dec 1941

Photo of Virginia Parks Dennett.
Virginia Parks Dennett

This negative envelope says, “Virginia Parks Dennett – Dec 1941 – OOB-Married Saco Dennett.” The photos in this package include two young women in their late teens or early 20s.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The Old Orchard Beach High School Yearbook for 1940 photo of Virginia Parks is clearly the same young woman as in this photo[iii].
  • Virginia married Harrison A Dennett on 19 July 1941 in Old Orchard Beach.
  • The 1940 US Census lists 18-year-old Virginia living with her parents, Arthur & Bertha Parks. Also in the household is Virginia’s sister, 14-year-old Barbara.
Photo of two young women, one is Virginia Parks Dennett
Unknown woman and Virginia Parks Dennett

I am confident one of the young women in this photo is Virginia L Parks (1921-1946). I believe the other woman is Virginia’s sister, Barbara M Parks (1925-2011); however, I am not confident about this identification. It could just be a close friend.

Virginia Lee Parks is found in 6 Ancestry public trees. Barbara M Parks, daughter of Arthur & Bertha Parks, appears in 4 public trees on Ancestry.

Family Search has profiles G31Z-YYR for Virginia and G31Z-R4J for Barbara. I uploaded a photo of Virginia to her Family Search Memories. I did not upload any photos of Barbara. I’d love to hear from you if you can confirm it is Barbara and not just a friend of Virginia’s.

Leora La Fond (Hart) Wight and Ruth E Wight circa 1925.

Photo of Leora La Fond (Hart) Wright, circa 1925.
Leora La Fond (Hart) Wright

This negative envelope says, “ Ethel Wight – 78” and contains three photos: an elderly woman, that woman holding a young girl (age 7-10), and a backyard with trees. From the pictures I’ve seen, this did not look like Ethel Wight, so her name on the envelope perplexed me.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • I contacted a descendant of Ethel Wight. She was pretty sure she knew who was in the photos but wanted to double-check with some cousins. Shortly afterward, she got back to me to confirm this woman was Leora Hart Wight, Ethel Wight’s mother, and the child was Ruth Wight.
  • Ruth E Wight was born on 28 October 1915 in Old  Orchard Beach. The child looks to me to be about 10 in this photo, so I estimate the photo was taken about 1925.
Photo of Leora La Fond (Hart) Wight holding Ruth E Wight, circa 1925.
Leora La Fond (Hart) Wight holding Ruth E Wight.

This photo is of Leora La Fond (Hart) Wight (1854-1935) taken about 1925. Also in the packet is a photo of Leora holding Ruth E Wight (1915-1980).

Ancestry has 48 public trees that refer to Leora la Fond Hart. Ruth E Wight (later Durant) is found in 28 Ancestry public trees.

Family Search has profile K265-5MD for Leora L. Hart, wife of Eugene Milton Wight. It also has profile GMTL-59T for Ruth Esther Wight. I uploaded one photo of Leora to her Family Search Memories. The photo of Ruth isn’t very clear, so I only include it here.  

“Mrs. Woodward’s Dog – 1945”

I could not identify the person in this fourth photo packet by only the name “Mrs. Woodward.” It is a nice photo of a dog (boxer?). Possibly, someone can identify the buildings in the background. It is probably in the Ocean Park or Kinney Shores area.

Building near beach & an unknown young child.

This negative envelope says, “Saco, Me – Kinney Shores – Porter Hall – 1950.”

I found this photo packet confusing. Kinney Shores is a neighborhood in Saco, Maine. Porter Memorial Hall is a building in nearby Old Orchard Beach. It was built to support the Baptist Conferences held in Old Orchard Beach. The package included two photos. One is of a two-story building near the ocean/beach. The second photo is of a young child (probably about 3 or 4 years old) with no identifying information.

Photo of a young child.

Hopefully, someone can identify the building or possibly the child. If so, please contact me.

Photo of a building near the beach.

Conclusion

I identified three of five individuals in these photo sets. All three have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Two of the individuals I am not entirely confident about so I only included their photos here. I also included a picture of a dog and a building.

I would 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.

[iii] “Ancestry.Com: U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012”; School Name: Old Orchard Beach High School; Year: 1940

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Photo Friday | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Small Family, (née Dresser & Newall) (married Porter & Burnside), circa 1871.

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 003
Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

I identified six people for “Photo Friday” in a (circa) 1871 photo from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Portland, Maine. I analyze the images and to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the picture.

Identifying information for this photo includes handwriting on the back of the frame and the back of the photo glass that says:

image of back of "Small Family" photo, circa 1871.
  • “Harriet (Newall) Small of Portland, Maine, Abigail Ann (Small) Porter of Lancaster, NH,
  • “Hon. John Chase Small of Portland, Maine, Dr. Horatio Nelson Small of Portland, Maine, Sallie Emery (Small) Burnside of Lancaster, NY.
  • “Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small.
  • “Taken – Portland, Maine sometime between 1870-1871.”
  • A sticker label indicates Robertson’s Picture and Gift Shop, Portland.

What I learned while researching this photo.

Hon. John Chase & Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small.

In my post, Photo Friday – Merrill & Small (Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 001), I reviewed Sally Burnside Small. I learned then that her parents were John Chase Small (1842-1923) and Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small (1847-1943).

In this photo, the man on the left is labeled as being the Honorable John Chase Small. The woman in the front is labeled as his wife, Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small.

This photo, purporting to be taken about 1870, would portray John, about 27, and Mary, about 22 years old.

Dr. Horatio Nelson & Harriet (Newall) Small.

Ancestry trees suggest Horatio Nelson Small is the older brother of John C. Small. He married Harriet Newell in 1862[i]. Horatio and John are sons of Richard and Abigail Ann “Abby” (Jose) Small.

Abigail Ann (Small) Porter of Lancaster, N.H.

Abigail married Horace Porter on 9 November 1870 in Lancaster, New Hampshire. This suggests the photo was probably taken about 1871.

Sallie Emery (Small) Burnside

Sallie is the oldest of the four children of Richard and Abigail (Jose) Small. She married David Burnside.  David died in 1872, and Sallie married Ossian Roy on 16 October 1872, suggesting this photo was taken before her remarriage.

I am confident this photo shows the two sons (and their wives) and the two daughters of Richard and Abigail Small, taken about 1871.

I added this photo to my Ancestry “Linwood Dyer Collection” Family Tree and linked it to the six individuals shown. The original scans of the images are in the Scarborough Historical Society’s Linwood Dyer Collection – Photos – Part 003.

Photo of Abigail Ann (Small) Porter of Lancaster, N.H., Dr. Horatio Nelson & Harriet (Newall) Small of Portland, Me. Hon. John Chase & Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small of Portland, Me., and Sallie Emery (Small) Burnside of Lancaster, N.H.
Back: Harriet (Newall) Small – Abigail Ann (Small) Porter
Middle: Hon. John Chase Small – Dr. Horatio Nelson Small – Sallie Emery (Small) Burnside
Down in front: Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small.

I would 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.

Endnotes

[i] Find a Grave, database and images – (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203272337/horatio-nelson-small: accessed 15 November 2023), memorial page for Horatio Nelson Small (1839–29 Dec 1886), Find a Grave Memorial ID 203272337, citing Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, USA; Maintained by JJoyce (contributor 48337285).

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Farnum Vergil Wood, Circa 1942

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection. – Part 155d & 155e
Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

Farnum Vergil Wood, circa 1942.

Photo of Farnum Vergil Wood, circa 1942 in a church gown.
Farnum Vergil Wood, circa 1942.

Today, I examined two photo packets. One was titled Orvgil [sic] Wood, and the other says Virgil Word. Both photo packets indicate 1942, and one says Saco. Both photo packages appear to be of the same young man wearing church attire.

What I learned while analyzing this photo package:

  • The 1940 US Census indicates he was 18 years old, born in Vermont, the son of John (and Elsie Vaun) Algrove, and lived in St Johnsbury, Vermont, in 1935.
  • Oceana, the Old Orchard Beach High School yearbook for 1940 (Image 25[i]), includes a photo of Virgil Wood. The photos in this collection are clearly of the same young man.
  • Vermont Birth Records, 1909-2008, indicate Farnum Vergil Wood was born on 21 February 1922 in St. Johnsbury, VT. His parents were Harold Wood and Vaun Annis both born in Vermont.

Conclusion

I am quite sure these photos are of Farnum Vergil Wood.

Ancestry has ten public trees that refer to Farnum Vergil Wood. Family Search has L5J3-S4R for Vergil. I uploaded this photo of them to his Family Search Memories. I uploaded three other similar pictures to my Flickr Photostream.

[i] “U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012”; School Name: Old Orchard Beach High School; Year: 1940

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Photo Friday – Two Ridlon Boys and the “Webber Lodge”

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Parts 155b & 155c
Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

Everett & Wesley Ridlon, c. 1936.

Today, I examined another photo package from the Ethel Wight Studio in Portland, Maine[i]. The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. E. N. Ridlon, #1027 – 27 Providence St. In another pen and hand is a note: “Saco?” The photos appear to be of two boys, one 11-14 and the other 7-10 years old.

What I learned while analyzing this photo package:

  • The 1940 US Census lists Everett W Ridlon and his family living at 29 Providence Street in Portland. The household included Everett, his wife Annie J, and his two sons, Everett G. (age 17) and Wesley W (age 8).
  • The photo package number, #1027, suggests the photo was taken about 1936.
  • Everett Gilbert Ridlon was born on 10 Dec 1922 and died on 27 Jun 2004.
  • Wesley Wallace Ridlon was born on 3 Jun 1932 and died on 21 Jan 2023.

I am sure this photo, taken in 1936, is of Everett and Wesley when they were 14 and 4.

Ancestry has 12 public trees that refer to Everett Gilbert Ridlon. Ancestry has one public tree that refers to Wesley Wallace Ridlon. Family Search has profile G7Y9-QSG for Everett and profile G7Y9-MNC for Wesley. I uploaded this photo of them to their Family Search Memories.

————–

Mrs. Howard – Mr. Webber’s Lodge – 1940 (Saco?)

A third photo envelope in this week’s examination read, ”Mrs. Howard – Mr. Webber’s Lodge – Bay [rim?] – 1940 ‘Saco’”

Writing on Envelope

After extensive searching, I have been unable to find a Webber’s Lodge or anything similar in the Biddeford-Saco-Ocean Park area. I found nothing in “Boarding and Rooms,” “Cottages and Residences,” or “Hotels” in the 1939 Biddeford City Directory.

This photo package consists of two photos of a beautiful home/lodge and five photos of the beach area and some beachgoers.

Photo of cottage/lodge.
Photo of sun bathers on beach, circa 1940.
Two photos from the “Mrs. Howard” package.

I posted one photo of the lodge/inn/cottage and one photo of beachgoers here. I posted the rest of the images to my Flickr Photostream.

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member or if you believe you know where this cottage/inn/lodge was located. Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the pictures with family members who may have never seen the images.

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.

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