Author: Don Taylor

Brown – Surname Saturday (2)

Brown Surname Meaning[i]

English, Scottish, and Irish: Generally a nickname referring to the color of the hair or complexion, Middle English br(o)un, from Old English brun or Old French brun. As an American family name, it has absorbed numerous surnames from other languages with the same meaning.[i] The name is from an old adjective meaning ‘brown dark red,’ Old English and OHG. [ii]

Geographical[ii]

Although only ranked #202 globally, the surname Brown is ranked #2 in Scotland and Canada, #3 in Australia, and #4 in England and the United States. In the United States, it is surpassed only by Smith, Johnson, and Williams in frequency.[iii]

In the 1840s, the Brown families in the United States were in every state but concentrated in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.[iv]

Direct Brown Ancestors

    • 4th Great-Grandmother – Mary Brown (___-Bef. Jan 1847) (Married William Price on 16 Jun 1788)[v]
    • 5th Great-Grandfather – Hardy Brown (___-___)[vi]

Direct Brown Descendants

Hardy Brown married Martha Knight probably before 1768. My records have identified 225 direct-line descendants of Hardy and Martha.[vii] However, Mary Brown is the only known Brown surnamed descendant.

I need to research Mary Brown and Hardy Brown much more to better understand the Brown family of Martin County, North Carolina.

Sources:

Endnotes

[i] For the meaning of the Brown surname I was able to take this paragraph from my previous posting: http://dontaylorgenealogy.com/2016/08/surname-saturday-brown.html/ that relates to my Browns. This article relates to my wife’s Brown ancestors.

[ii] Again, the Geographical locations of the Brown surname was taken from my previous article:

[iii] Web: Wikipedia – List of most common surnames in North America
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_common_surnames_in_North_America

[iv] [iv] Ancestry.com; From the 1840 US Federal Census Date – http://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=Brown

[v] I have not researched Mary Brown, the wife of William Price, nor her father, Hardy Brown. Mary’s husband, William Price, was born 14 Feb 1762 in Martin County, North Carolina.

[vi] Ibid.

[vii] Internet: Don Taylor Genealogy – “Darling: The Ancestors of the Darling & Huber Family Line” http://dontaylorgenealogy.com/blog-page_3/.

 

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 51

Analysis of five more photo packages from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection includes Earl & Erna Granville (née Tillotson), circa 1934; Frederick Griffin, circa 1936 (age 2); Joan & James Grant, circa 1935 (ages 2 & 3); and Beatrice Greene (née Benson), circa 1936.

Grant, Granville, Greene, Griffin, (née Benson, née Tillotson)

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.

Earl & Erna Granville (née Tillotson), circa 1934

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. & Mrs. E. W. Granville, 3 Tolman Place, Portland #123.”

Why I believe this photo to be of these individuals.

  • Earl & Erna Granville (née Tillotson), circa 1934

    The 1933 and 1934 Portland City Directories only list one family with the surname Granville, Harvey and Alice, who lived at Cornish.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Earle and Erna T Granville living at 532 Washington Ave, and the 1937 Directory lists Earl W. and Erna T residing at 256 State.
  • The 1940 Census lists Earl as 37 years old (born 1902-3 in Canada). Erna was 41, born in Vermont.
  • New Hampshire Marriage records indicate that Earle W. Granville and Erna T. Holden married on 5 April 1933. It was Erna’s second wedding. They were married in Portsmouth. Earl was 30, and Erna was 36. They both lived in Portland at the time.

Based upon the photo ID number (#123), the photo was probably taken about 1934, when Earle was about 31, and Erna was about 37.

Family Search identifies Earl Wilmot Granville as ID KZYF-4JX and Erna Gadriella Tillotson as ID LZGX-5K8. I am sure this photo is of them taken about 1934. Earle W Granville is found in seven Ancestry trees at Ancestry.Com. Erna Gadriella (Tillotson) (Holden) Granville is found in 29 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded this photo of them to their Family Search Memories.

Unidentified Child

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. A. C. Gray, 44 Clinton St. Portland #892.”

How I looked for this individual.

  • Unidentified Child – possibly related to Aubrey C. and Iver Isabel Gray

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Aubrey C and Iva I Gray living at 44 Clinton.

  • The 1940 Portland City Directory lists Aubrey and Iva residing at Scarboro.
  • Aubrey C. Gray married Iver Isabelle Perkins on 12 October 1920. Aubrey was 26, and Iver was 22 years old.
  • I have been unable to find Aubrey and Iva in the 1940 Census, and I have been able to find any record that Aubrey and Iva ever had children. Twelve Ancestry Trees mention Iver (Perkins) Gray, but none of them suggest she had children.

Unidentified Child, possibly related to Aubrey C. and Iver Isabel Gray.

Frederick Griffin, circa 1936 (age 2)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Carl Griffin, 81 Leland St., Portland #498.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Frederick Griffin, c. 1936 (age 2)

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Carl H and Leila Griffin living at 81 Leland.

  • New Hampshire Marriage records indicate that Carl H Griffin married Leila Woodbury on 13 September 1933. Leila was the daughter of Walter and Bernice (Brimmer) Woodbury. Carl’s parents were Frank and Rose (Bennett) Griffin.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Carl living with his parents, Frank & Rose, in South Portland. His status is single. The 1940 Census lists Leila Griffin residing with her parents, Walter and Bernice Woodbury, and her six-year-old son, Frederick P. Leila’s status is divorced.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Frederick P Griffin, the son of Carl and Leila (Woodbury) Griffin. However, Frederick Paul Griffin is found in three trees at Ancestry.Com.

I have added his photo to Dead Fred.

Joan & James Grant, circa 1935 (ages 2 & 3)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Helen Grant, 67 Danforth St, Portland #438.”

Why I believe this to be these individuals.

  • Joan & James Grant, circa 1935 (ages 2 & 3)

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Andrew J and Helen J Grant living at 67 Danforth.

  • The 1940 Census lists Helen and Andrew Grant living with Helen’s parents, Patrick and Mary Geary. With them are their three children, James, Joan, and 4-year-old William.
  • Based upon the photo ID number (#438), the photo was probably taken about 1935 when James was three and Joan was 2.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for either child. James does not appear to be in any Ancestry Trees; however, Joan Helen Grant is found in 12 Ancestry trees.

I have added his/her photo to Dead Fred.

Beatrice Greene (née Benson) circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Ralph Greene, 137 Neal St., Portland #585.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Beatrice Greene (née Benson), circa 1936
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Ralph E Greene and his wife Beatrice E Greene living at 137 Neal Street.
  • The 1940 US Census reports Ralph E Green and his 47-year-old wife, Beatrice B, living on Neal Street.
  • Based upon the photo ID number (#585), this photo was taken about 1936 when Beatrice was about 44 years old.

Family Search identifies Beatrice Earle Benson as ID MCXB-CC2. I am sure this is her about 1936. Beatrice B. Benson is found in 22 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded two photos of Beatrice to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Beatrice by a great-grandchild of Beatrice. 

Conclusion

  • I fully identified two individuals and was able to post their photos to Family Search I also identified three additional individuals who do not have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded images of them to Dead Fred.
  • I failed to identify one individual at all.

For all of the Ethel Wight Collection analysis, please see here.

Final Note

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.

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 Darling Collection – Part 82

Two photos of the Bathing Beauties

Treasure Chest Thursday
Hollywood Bathing Beauties
By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at two photographs from the Donna Darling Collection.

Stage – Donna Darling Revue – 6 women on stage – with “India My Own” sign

This first photo has six women on stage. One of the girls is holding a sign that says, “INDIA My Own.” The back of the photo says “Donna Darling Revue.”

In the 1920s, Donna had a show, California Bathing Girls. During that show she sang the song, “India, My Own,” which she wrote. So, this photo is clearly from that time. Donna always needed to be the center of attention and this photo really exemplifies that with two girls on their knees with incense bowls. Additionally, this appears to be Donna in the same hat and dress she wore during her Christmas wishes. (See: Donna Darling Collection – Part 32.) This photo is clearly from that time.

Donna Darling – “California Bathing Girls” – 8 women on stage

This second photo shows all eight of the bathing girls, including Donna, who were part of the “Beach Promenade.” Besides Donna, there were seven other women in the show; Lola St. Clair, Marie Thompson, Alice Eldridge, Bobby Tremaine, Helen Travis, Dorothy Smith, and Alie Dean[i]. Sadly, I have not been able to identify which woman is which in the photo. If you have other photos of any of these women, I’d love to see them.

Conclusion

Two photos of The California Bathing Girls from Donna Darling’s 1920 Vaudeville show.

Future Actions

Try to better identify the seven supporting California Bathing Beauties.

Endnotes

[i] See:  Donna Montran – Moss’s Broadway Theater, July-August 1920

Donna in the News – Princess Theatre – Kirksville, MO – 1924

In The News
Bathing Beauty Revue
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertising regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (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’s article is from the Kirksville Daily Express & Daily News (Kirksville, MO) dated September 7, 8, & 9, 1924.

I didn’t find any write-ups for the vaudeville shows, but an ad for the Princess Theatre indicates that:

Donna Darling presents
Her Moving Picture Bathing Girls
and
The Life Guard
in a Beach Promenade. 3 Shocks and 2 Gasps!!
“The Evolution of a Bathing Suit”
It’s a real vaudeville treat!
Don’t Miss It!

The advertisements over the three days indicate that it played at the Princess on Monday and Tuesday, September 8th and 9th. The display ad on Sunday spelled the name of the feature film correctly, but the text ad on Monday misspelled the feature film as “The Excitors.”

On Monday, besides the feature film “The Exciters,” a Mack Sennett short, The Hollywood Kid also played. It appears that Donna’s show was the only vaudeville at the theater Monday and Tuesday.

Because of those newly available online articles, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s 1924 Bathing Girls show:

1924-09-08 – Kirksville, MO – Princess Theatre – Moving Picture Bathing Girls.

Endnotes

  • Kirksville Daily Express and Kirksville Daily News (Kirksville, Missouri) Sun, Sep 7, 1924 · Page 2
  • Kirksville Daily Express and Kirksville Daily News (Kirksville, Missouri) Mon, Sep 8, 1924 · Page 2
  • Kirksville Daily Express and Kirksville Daily News (Kirksville, Missouri) Tue, Sep 9, 1924 · Page 2

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 50

Gordon, Graffam, Graham, Grant, Grove. (née Dyer & née Jenkins)

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.

Helen Graffam, circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Helen Graffam, 62 State St., Portland #937.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Helen Graffam, circa 1937

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Helen D. Graffam as a student nurse at 62 State, residing at 52 State.

  • The photo of Helen Dickerson Graffam in the 1933 South Portland High School yearbook is clearly the same young woman.
  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Helen D. Graffam living at 80 Highland av, South Portland. At the same address are Walter I. Graffam, his wife Lindora Graffam, and Irving H Graffam.
  • The 1930 US Census shows 17-year-old Helen Graffam living with her parents, Irving and Dora Graffam, at 80 Highland Ave.

Thus, this is a photo of Helen Dickinson Graffam, born on 28 March 1913 in South Portland to Walter Irving and Grace Lindora (Brown) Graffam.

Family Search identifies Helen Dickinson Graffam, born 28 March 1913, as ID GSYH-Q28. Helen Dickinson Graffam appears in 7 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded two photos of Helen to her Family Search Memories. I also uploaded two additional photos of her to my Flickr photostream. 

Error, this is the daughter of Irving and Dora Graffam, not the daughter of Walter and Grace Graffam. I will look at this individual’s identification sometime in the future. 

Harry Grove

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Harry Grove, Portland.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Harry Grove

    A search for Harry Grove in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, 1930 to 1940 failed to yield any results.

  • Expanding the search outside of Maine yielded Harry Grove, who lived in Québec, Canada, in 1940.
  • Further expanding the search to all US in 1930 yielded over 100 Harry Grove’s in the United States. Many of them fit the likely age of this Harry Grove’s.
  • Likewise, there are over 100 Harry Grove’s in the 1940 Census, but none of them appear to have been in Maine during 1935.

I was unable to separate this Harry Grove from others in the United States and Canada. As such, I have added his photo to Dead Fred.

Gladys I. (Dyer) Graham, circa 1936.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Gladys Graham, 335 Cumberland Ave, Portland #701.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Gladys Graham (née Dyer) – 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Malcolm and Gladys Graham living at 295 Cumberland Ave., Apt 4.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory Available on Ancestry is missing page 388, which is the page Malcolm and Gladys Graham should be listed.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Malcolm and Gladys living in Old Town, Penobscot County, Maine. Malcolm is 30, and Gladys is 28.
  • Based upon the photo ID number (#701), the photo was probably taken about 1936, when Gladys would have been about 25 years old.

The woman in the photo appears to be in her mid-20s to me. I believe this is Gladys I Dyer, daughter of Charles William and Lillian (Mudgett) Dyer.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Gladys Dyer. However, Gladys I Dyer is found in 10 Ancestry trees

I have uploaded one photo of Gladys I. (Dyer) Graham to Dead Fred. 

William Harlan Grant, circa 1936 (Age 2)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Clarence G. Grant, 210 High St., Portland #1077.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • William Harlan Grant, circa 1936 (Age 2)

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Clarence G and his wife Wilhelmina S, Grant, living at 210 High Street.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Clarence G and Wilhelmine Grant living at 170 Park Avenue. With them is their five-year-old son, William H. Grant.
  • William H. Grant was born on 28 December 1934 to Clarence and Wilhelmina (Stewart) Grant.

This is undoubtedly a photo of William Harlan Grant about 1936 when his about two years old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for William Harlan Grant, born 28 December 1934; however, he appears in 10 Ancestry trees. His parents and two siblings appear in Family Search so that a profile can be made for him on Family Search by a family member.

I have uploaded a copy of this photo of William Harlan Grant to Dead Fred. 

Susan Gordan (Née Jenkins), 1946

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Susan Gordan, 48 Boston Street, Somerville, 43 Mass – 1946.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Susan Gordan (Née Jenkins), 1946

    The 1940 US Census lists Susan Gordon, a 72-year-old widow living at 48 Boston Street in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is living there with her sister, Jennie Turnbull, and her niece, Virginia Turnbull.

  • Susan F (Jenkins) Gordon of Somerville died in Somerville, 3 March 1948. She was the widow of Frank W. Gordon. 1948.
  • Susie Jenkins was born about 1868 in Nova Scotia. Her parents were Thomas and Christina Jenkins. She married Frank on 2 August 1892 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Family Search identifies Susan (Jenkins) Gordon as ID LZNM-CKV. I was unable to find Susan or her parents in any Ancestry family trees.

I have uploaded this photo of Susan (Jenkins) Gordon to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified four individuals and was able to post two of their images to Family Search Two individuals did not have Family Search profiles, so I posted those photos to Dead Fred.
  • Other than his name, I failed to identify one individual; consequently, I only posted his photo here and to Dead Fred.

For all of the Ethel Wight Collection analysis, please see here.

Final Note

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.

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.