Photo Friday –Lefebvre Family

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 018
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I identified twelve people from the Lefebvre family from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, & Westbrook, Maine. I desire to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.

The Joseph Lefebvre Family of Westbrook, ME, 1908 or 9.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Handwritten on the back:
    • Aunt Mary Lefebvre’s family about 1908 or 9.
    • La Famille de Joseph Lefebvre family.
    • Joe, Rose, Joseph Mina | Philippe, Eugineie, Napoleon.
  • There is an address label: Grace P Curtis, 28 Deer Hill Ave., Westbrook ME 04092.
Photo of the Lefebvre Family of Westbrook, ME, circa 1908.
The Lefebvre Family of Westbrook, ME, circa 1908.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • A search of the 1900 US Census found Joseph Lefebvre (age 40) and his wife Marie (age 31) living in Stroudwater, Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.
  • Living with them are:
    • Lanara Lefebvre – his 75-year-old mother.
    • Joseph H Lefebvre – his 14-year-old son.
    • Rose F Lefebvre – his 12-year-old daughter
    • Mina A Lefebvre – his 10-year-old daughter.
    • Napoleon Lefebvre – his 9-year-old son.
    • Armenigille Lefebvre – his 6-year-old son.
    • Phillip Lefebvre – his 5-year-old son.
    • Eugenie Lefebvre – his 2-year-old daughter.
    • Armdari Lefebvre – his 1-year-old son.
  • The 1910 US Census lists the Joseph Lefebvre family living in Westbrook, Maine, and with him is his wife Mary.
  • I also note that:
    • Mina is named Minnie in this census.
    • Armenigille is named Michael in this census.
    • Eugenie is named Jinnie in this census
  • Armdari is named Harmiedes in this census.
  • There are three more children listed.
    • Lucy, age 10.
    • Dewey, age 7.
    • Charles, age 2.

This photo, taken about 1908, shows the entire family as it would be seen about 1908.

Back row:       

  • Joseph (age 49)
  • Rose (age 20)
  • Joseph (age 24)
  • Mina (on far right) (age 18)

Front row:    

  • Phillip (age 13)
  • Eugenie (age 10)
  • Napoleon (17)
  • Lucy (age 8)
  • Dewey (age 5)
  • Mary (age 40)
  • Charles (age 1) (on Mary’s lap)

On the floor: Blanche (age 4)

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry. I also added the photo to Joseph Lefebvre’s profile on FamilySearch.

Edwin Haselton (Unk).

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: Snapshot – Photographer Not Identified.
  • Handwritten on the back: Edwin Haselton
  • At first glance, the photo appears to be a square 3.25” photo, however, a closer look shows it was once taller and some portion of the top was cut off.

What I learned while researching this photo:

Photo of a man standing by a car
Edwin Haselton
  • An Ancestry Search for Edwin Haselton (Exact and Similar) in Maine resulted in six candidates.
    • Silas Joseph Edwin Hazelton (1862-1943) – Possible.
    • James Edwin Hazeltine (1846-1849) – Not a candidate.
    • Edwin E Haseltine (1847-1917) – Not a candidate.
    • Edward A Haseltine (1889-1933) – Possible.
    • James Edwin Haseltine (1833-1921) – Not a candidate
    • Warren Edwin Haseltine (1867-1955) – Possible.
  • An Ancestry Search for Edwin Haselton (Exact) in the USA resulted in 13 candidates.
    • John Edwin Hall Haselton (1930-199) Illinois & Tennessee)
    • Edwin Myron Haselton (1887-1948) Vermont.
    • Vernon Edwin Haselton (1923-2014) California.
    • William Edwin Haselton (1910-1996) Pennsylvania & Missouri.
    • Edwin Haselton (1873-___) New York (in two trees).
    • Charles O Edwin “Charley” Haselton (1861-____) Vermont.
    • Edwin Haselton (1851-___) (Loc. Unknown).
    • Charles Edward Haselton (1862-1934) Quebec, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York.
    • Edwin Haselton (1841-___) New York.
    • Edwin Walter Haselton (1861-1955) New Hampshire, Vermont.
    • Albert Edwin Haselton (1883-1951) England.
    • Edwin Joseph Haselton (1908-___) Loc. Unknown.
    • Edwin Charles Haselton 1898-1918) England, France.
  • There are so many possible candidates that without additional information I can’t make an identification.

I have not identified the individual in this photo sufficiently to upload to either my family tree or to Dead Fred, so I only included the individual’s photo here and to my Flickr Photostream.

Conclusion

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 Ancestry, Dead Fred, or Flickr have higher quality than those linked here. Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society.”

 

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Photo Friday – Dingley, Doyle, Drackley, Eichelberger, & Fifield.

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 017
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I identified the people in Five photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. My desire is to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.

Edna Hall Dingley, circa 1895.

The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of Edna Dingley
Edna H Dingley
of Richmond, ME
  • Photographer: Match Studio – Higgins – Bath, ME
  • Handwritten on back: Edna H Dingley – Richmond, ME.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • This is a Carte de visite (2.4 by 4 inches) with rounded corners & embossed studio name, suggesting a date of 1890 or later.[i]
  • Ancestry family trees suggest this is Edna Hall Dingley, born 11 March 1877 in Richmond, Sagadahoc County, ME. She is the daughter of Libby B Dingley (1850-1910) and Henrietta Lowella (Curtis) Dingley (1852-1945). She married James H Southard (1855-1936) on 6 July 1901.
  • I estimate the photo was taken after 1890 and before she married in 1901 (c. 1895).

Results:

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Helen Stella Doyle, circa 1896.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: L. & W.G. King – Portland, ME
  • Handwritten on back: Helen Doyle.
Photo of Helen Doyal
Helen Doyal

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • This is a Cabinet Card (4 by 5.5 inches) with rounded corners & embossed studio name, suggesting a date of 1890 or later.[ii]
  • The 1895 & 1897 Portland, Maine, City Directories list Miss Helen S. Doyle, a nurse, living at 20 Hill. There are no other Helen Doyles in the Directory.
  • The Paul R. Kirk family tree on Ancestry Family Trees confirms this is Helen Stanley Doyle, because the same photo is included in his Gallery. Helen was born 2 Jan 1871 in Perry, Washington County, Maine, the daughter of William Henry Doyle (1827-1913) and Olive Johnson (1833-1885).
  • I estimate this cabinet card dates to circa 1896.

Results:

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Isaac Gaige Drackley, c. 1902.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: (none identified)
  • Handwritten on front: 95.27.558
  • Handwritten on back: Cousin I G Drackley – 1903.
Photo of a young man

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • I was unsuccessful finding an I. G. Drackley in Maine.
  • There was a Isaac Gaige Drackley who was born 3 Aug 1882 in LaSalle County, Illinois. He married Carrie [LNU].
  • Previous research of Everett H. Butterfield, Fannie Butterfield Eddy, and Lynnford Butterfield, (see article) found they lived in LaSalle County. So a relative in the same area makes sense. As such, I identify this photo is of Isaac Gaige Drackley,
  • Ancestry Family Tree suggests this is Isaac Gaige Drackley, born 3 Aug 1882 to William and Cornelia Huddleston (Gaige) Drackley. He married Carrie Barber in 1904 in Miller City, La Salle County, Illinois.
  • The young man in the photo appears to be about 21 years old, which agrees with the date written on the back, 1903.

Results:

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry. Although this photo is not from the Linwood Dyer Collection, it will be stored in that photo collection with the Scarborough Historical Society.

Leola Ethel Eichelberger, March 1899 (age 8).

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: Gerding, Ottawa, Illis
  • Handwritten on front: 95.27.506
  • Handwritten on back: Leola Ethel Eichelberger, March 1899.
Photo of a young girl, circa 1899.
Leola Ethel Eichellberger – March 1899

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1900 US Census lists 9-year-old Leola Eichelberger living with her parents, Fredrick and Alice Eichelberger, in Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois. Leola was born in September 1890.
  • Grand Rapids Township is about seven miles southeast of Ottawa.
  • I’ve run into Leola E. Eichelberger (later Hobson) previously when I wrote about “The Butterfield Bible” back in 2020. I am confident this is Leola when she was 8 years sold.

Results:

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Althea, Vera, Constance, & Della Fifield, circa 1908.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: Merrill, Rockland, ME.
  • Handwritten on back: Althea, Vera Evelyn, Constance, Della, & Fairfield – of Rockland.
Photo of four young girls.
Althea, Vara Evelyn, Della, & Constance Fifield of Rockland, ME.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1910 Census lists Althea M. (age 15), Constance H. (age 14), Vera E. (age 12), and Della L. F. (age 10) Fifield living in Rockland with their parents, Benjamin S & Lottie A Fifield.
  • The youngest girl in the photo, Della, appears to be to be about 8 years old and the oldest, Althea, about 13. So, I believe this photo was taken about 1908.
  • I am sure of these identifications:
    • Althea Margaret Fifield (1895-1987)
    • Constance H (1896-1935)
    • Vera E (1898-1978)
    • Della Lewis Fostina (1900-1977)

Results:

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Conclusion

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 Ancestry, Dead Fred, or Flickr have higher quality than those linked here. Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite: Photo courtesy Scarborough Historical Society.

Endnotes

[i] Wikipedia – Cabinet Card – Dating a cabinet card.
[ii] Ibid.

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Donna & Hippodrome In the News

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Don Taylor

Donna Darling, & Co. at the Hippodrome, Sacramento, CA – June 4-7, 1924.

Donna in the News
100 Years Ago
by Don Taylor

“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s. 

Advertisement fromn the Sacramento Union, June 4, 1924 showing Donna Darling & Company as the headliner vaudeville show
Sacramento Union, June 4, 1924

This week, I learned from the Sacramento Union (Sacramento, CA) newspaper, dated June 4, 1924, that Donna Darling Co. presented “Romance” at the Hippodrome in Sacramento.

This ad shows a photo of Donna and a man and that her company was playing “Romance.” A second ad the following day listed “Donna Darling & Co. Madison Square Beauty.”

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

New information added to her career list:

June 4-7, 1924 – Sacramento, CA – Hippodrome Vaudeville  – “Romance.”

Endnotes

My thanks to Newspapers.com for providing access to this clipping.

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Donna & State Theatre (Oakland, CA) – In the News

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Don Taylor

Donna Darling and Company “Song and Dance Romance” at the State Theatre, Oakland, CA, June 1-3, 1924.

Donna in the News
100 Years Ago
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 when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.

This week, from the Oakland Post Enquirer (Oakland, CA), dated May 31, 1924, I learned that Donna played at the State Theatre in Oakland, California, in early June 1924.

Both an advertisement and a short write-up were in the paper.

Advertisment - Viola Dana & Milton Sills - The Heart Bandit - with Vaudville Bill that includes Donna Darling.
The Oakland Post Enquirer, May 31, 1934.

‘Heart Bandit’ to Top New State Bill

Viola Dana and Milton Sills, favorites of moviedom, are said to display their talents to full advantage in “The Heart Bandit” a thrilling crook romance…

The vaudeville bill is headed by Vernon and Knox, European magicians, making their first tour of America. Other acts are Sam K. Nainca and a “Hawaiian Musical Diversionl;” Donna Darling and company in a “Song and Dance Romance;” “Bob White, the Whiz-Bang Doughboy;” and Lena and Wilson in a laughable skit.

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

New information added to her career list:

June 1-3, 1924 – Oakland, CA – State Theatre – “Song and Dance Romance.”

Endnotes

My thanks to Newspapers.com for providing access to this clipping.

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Photo Friday – Brown, Curtis (née Pednault), Dean, & Dinsmore.

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 016
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I identified the people in five photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. My desire is to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society.

Newton & Grace (Pednault) Curtis, 1966.

Photo of Newton & Grace Curtis at their 25th wedding annaversary
Newton & Grace Curtis 25th wedding annaversary – Feb 1966.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • (The photographer is unidentified.)
  • Handwritten on the back is, “Newton Curtis, 164 Marrett – w-brook.”
  • Included with the photo is a newspaper clipping from the Portland Express, dated Feb 18, 1966, “Westbrook Business Couple Mark 25 Years of Marriage.”
Clipping regarding Newton & Grace Curtis 25th Wedding Annaversary celebration.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry.

Newton Curtis Family & Martha Brown, 1951(?)

Photo of the Newton Curtis Family, winter clothes, snowbanks around.
Newton & Grace Curtis, 3 children & Cousin Martha Brown

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Handwritten on the back is, “Grace Pednault Curtis, Newton Curtis, their 3 children
  • Stephen, Carolyn, Newt JR & cousin Martha Brown about 1951.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Previous research has identified this family group, however, I don’t see how Martha relates to Newton, Grace, or the children. Hopefully, her relationship will become evident with further research.

I have added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection tree on Ancestry.

Newton Curtis, Jr., 1947.

The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of a baby, about 2 years old.
Newton Curtis, Jr. age 2.
  • The studio says, “An Etchcraft by Harvard.”
  • Handwritten on the bottom reads, “Newton Gibbin Curtis, Jr. – 1947.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • This is the last of the Curtis photos that I have in this collection.
  • The 1950 Census lists Newton Curtis, Jr. as two years old, living with his parents, Newton and Grace Curtis, at 143 Lamb in Westbrook, Maine.

I added this photo of Newton, Jr., to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry.

Bernice Irene Dean, 1932.

The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of a young (high school) girl
Bernice Irene Dean – 1932
  • The photographer is Kahill Studios, Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Bernice Irene Dean, South Portland High School, Graduate, 1932.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1932 South Portland High School yearbook show this same photo for Bernice Irene Dean “Bunny”
  • Ancestry family trees identify Bernice Irene Dean as the daughter of Charles Roy and Eva Beryl (Harrison) Dean. She was born on 15 Dec 1913 in Portland, Maine.

Ancestry has 10 public trees that refer to Bernice Irene “Bunny” Dean. I uploaded this photo of “Bunny” to my Linwood Dyer Collection tree.

Nellie Dinsmore, circa 1898.

The photo identifying information with this cabinet card is:

Photo of a nurse, circa 1890s.
Nellie Dinsmore c. 1895
  • The photographer is L. & W. C. King, Portland, Maine.
  • The cabinet card has embossed borders and lettering, suggesting it was taken after 1890 and likely before 1900.
  • The young woman, in the photo might have a nurse’s hat on. She appears to be about 20 years old.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Nellie Dinsmore.”

Alternate Individuals.

There are two candidates for this photo:

  • b. 1870 – The 1898 Portland, Maine, City Directory lists Miss Nellie M. Dinsmore, a nurse who roomed at 21 Wilmot. Further research indicates she was born in Jackson, NH, about 1870 and married William Burroughs, of Sanford, Maine, on 23 May 1901. Her marriage record indicates she was a nurse.
  • b. 1872 – Nellie E Smith married William Albine Dinsmore on 16 Aug 1893 in Westbrook. She would have been between 18 and 28 when this photo was taken. She was the daughter of Francis and Margaret (Welch) Smith. She too is a possible candidate.

Because I believe the woman in this photo is wearing a nurse’s cap, is the right age, and whose occupation was nurse when she married, I believe this photo is of Nellie M. Dinsmore (1870-1904). However, because there is another (possible) candidate, I am not 100% certain the photo is of Nellie M Dinsmore (1870-1904), I have uploaded this photo to Dead Fred only. If you can confirm the identification of this young woman based upon other photos, I’d love to hear from you.

Conclusion

  • I identified all six of the 8 individuals in this photo set. Four of the photos I’ve uploaded to my Linwood Dyer Collection Ancestry tree.
  • One photo, I’m about 98% sure is Nellie M. Dinsmore (1870-1904), so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.
  • One person, I know the name of and that she is a cousin, but I couldn’t fully identify her.

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 Ancestry and Dead Fred have higher quality than those linked here.

 

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