Anderson, Goff, Tarbox, & Woodill

By Don Taylor

This week, I explored five more graduation portraits from the Linwood Dyer Collection, all taken at Hanson Studio in Portland, Maine. Four of these beautiful keepsakes are imprinted “Portland High School, ’18” and one is from “Deering High School, ’18.” Each image offers a glimpse into the pride and promise of the Class of 1918.

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Graduates Featured:

Bertha M Tarbox, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”).
• Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine.
• Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
• Inscription: “Memories of 1918, Bertha M. Tarbox.
• Research Notes: Bertha Mae Tarbox graduated from Portland High School in 1918.[i] A photo of her appeared in the Portland Sunday Telegram on June 30, 1918.[ii]

Family Search ID: LR1H-X3X – I posted this photo to her profile.

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Fran ___, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
• Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
• Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
• Inscription: Will you be my Teddy B – Fran.
• Research Notes: Despite searching, I was unable to positively identify this student. Several classmates named Frances did not match the photo:[iii]
  • Mary Frances Levecque – Not a match.[iv]
  • Bella Frances Rich – Not a match.[v]
  • Dorothy Frances Thuss – Not a match.

If you can help identify “Fran,” please let me know!

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Possibly Hazel [Woodill], Portland HS, Class of 1918.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
• Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
• Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
• Inscription: Yours in those Happy School Days – Hazel
• Research Notes: There were multiple Hazels in the PHS Class of 1918:[vi]
  • Hazel Goold Dyer, Hazel Jennie Kingston, Cora Hazel Letteney, Hazel Althea Speed, Dorothy Hazel Wheeler, and Dorothy Hazel Whitten do not match the photo.[vii]
  • Hazel Mae Woodill – A similar photo strongly suggests this is her, though I’m not 100% certain.

If you can confirm or refute this identification, please comment below.[viii]

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Margaret Anderson, Portland HS, Class of 1918.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
• Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
• Imprint: Portland High School – ’18 (on the bottom of the photo).
• Inscription: To remind you of Margaret Anderson.
• Research Notes:
  • Margaret Alice Anderson graduated from Portland High School in 1918.[ix]
  •  A photo of her appeared in the Portland Sunday Telegram.[x]

FamilySearch ID: GQDW-21H — This portrait is now on her profile.

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Robert F Goff, Deering HS, Class of 1918.

• Photo Type: Graduation portrait (4x 6”)
• Studio: Hanson, Portland, Maine
• Inscription: Robert F Goff
• Research Notes:
  • Robert Fiske Goff is listed among Deering High School’s 1918 graduates.[xi]

FamilySearch ID: G7HY-8Z7 – This photo is now on his profile.

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Preserving Connections Across Generations

These portraits are more than photographs; they are bridges that connect us to moments of youthful optimism and achievement. For many families, these may be the only formal images of a loved one from that time.

If you recognize anyone pictured here — or can help solve an identification mystery — please share your insight in the comments below. I’m always glad to provide copies of inscriptions or additional details to family researchers.

All photos are available for personal genealogical use. Please credit: Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society, Scarborough, Maine.

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Endnotes

[i] Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, Page 6 – “Record P. H. S. Class.”
[ii] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[iii] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 24, 1917, Page 29 – “Students Deering High School Graduating.”
[iv] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 15 – “Nearly 250 Join alumni of Portland High School The Past Week.
[v] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[vi] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 24, 1917, Page 29 – “Students Deering High School Graduating.”
[vii] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 15 – “Nearly 250 Join alumni of Portland High School The Past Week.
[viii] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[ix] Portland Evening Express – Jun 24, 1918, Page 6 – “Record P. H. S. Class.”
[x] Portland Sunday Telegram – Jun 30, 1918, Page 14 – “Graduating Class of P. H. S., 1918, Largest in History of School.
[xi] Portland Evening Telegram – Jun 25, 1918, Page 18 – “D. H. S. Graduation.”