Category: Ethel Wight Studio

Photo from the Ethel Wight Studio used for Photo Friday.

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 56

Harkins(2), Harkinson, Harlow, Harriman, and née Phinney

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.

Virginia Harkins, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Virginia Harkins, 62 State St. #852.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Virginia Harkins, circa 1936

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Virginia Harkins, a student nurse at 62 State and residing at 52 State. Note that 62 State was the address for the State Street Hospital.

  • Virginia Harkins married Hugh Alton Curry in Andover, Victoria, New Brunswick, Canada, on 22 May 1937.
  • Virginia appears in the 1940 Portland City directory as a graduate nurse living at 112 Park. Hugh does not appear in the directory.
  • In the 1940 US Census, Virginia also appears as the 26-year-old head of household at 38 Franklin Terrace in South Portland. She is the night superintendent at a Hospital. Living with her is her 48-year-old mother, Virginia Parker. Both mother and daughter lived in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1935.
  • The 1930 US Census lists both Virginia’s living in Chicago with the surname Harkins.
  • A photo of Virginia Eleanor Harkins in Ancestry Trees confirms this is the same young woman.

This photo is of Virginia Eleanor Harkins, the daughter of Michael John and Ida Minnie (Tibbetts) Harkins, born 19 March 1914 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine

Virginia Eleanor Harkins is found in 11 trees at Ancestry. Family Search identifies Virginia Elenore Harkins as ID 9V73-X1F.

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

Morris Harkinson, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Morris Harkinson, 193 Congress St. #455.”

How I searched for this individual.

  • Morris Harkinson, circa 1935

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists nine people living in ten apartments at 193 Congress Street. None of them is surnamed Harkinson nor with the first name of Morris.

  • Likewise, the 1936 Portland City Directory lists 11 people, none of whom have the first name of Morris or a surname of Harkinson. Also, there are no Harkinsons listed.
  • And the 1937 Portland list no one named Morris nor Harkinson at 193 Congress Street.

I am confident that the name listed on the envelope the negatives for these photos says Mr. Morris Harkinson. Also, this photo is of a man in his late 20s or early 30s who was transitory in Portland.

Alternative individuals:

In 1905 a Morrie Harkinson was living in Philadelphia with his (apparent) wife, Rachel. The Morris in the photo is much too young to have been married in 1905.

Other than the supposed name on the negative envelope, I could not identify this man, so I uploaded his photo to Dead Fred. I also uploaded one additional photo of him to my Flickr photostream.

Constance Harkins, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Ethel Harkins, 150 Grafton St, #824 | Constance Harkins.”

Constance Harkins, circa 1936

Last week, in Ethel Wight Collection – Part 55, I looked at another photo for Ethel Harkins that would have been taken the same day as the photo of John Harkins.

According to Ancestry Family Trees, John had two sisters, Frances Evelyn Harkins, born 9 May 1928, and Constance A Harkins, born 10 October 1933. Additionally, the negative envelope has “Constance Harkins” written. So, this photo is her.

Five public trees on Ancestry list Constance A Harkins. Again, Constance Harkins does not have a Family Search profile, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.

Jane Harlow (née Phinney), c. 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Jane Phinney Harlow, 100 Brentwood St. #641.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Jane Harlow (née Phinney), c. 1936

    The 1934 Portland City Directory list Mrs. Jane P Harlow residing at 100 Brentwood.

  • The 1940 US Census lists 52-year-old Jane Harlow living with her mother, Clara L Phinney, at 100 Brentwood. Jane is divorced

This photo is of Jane Harlow (Née Phinney) about 1936.

Jane Pinal Phinney is found in eight Ancestry trees. Family Search identifies Jane Pennell Phinney, daughter of Clara Luella (Pennell) Phinney, as ID LTDF-8WD.

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

Stephanie Harriman, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Merton Harriman, 407 Cumberland Ave. #886.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Stephanie Harriman, circa 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Merton N Harriman, a painter living with his wife, Dorothy B, at 4 Mechanic.

  • The Maine Marriage Index indicates that Merton N Harriman and Dorothy B Foster were married on 16 April 1932. Both lived in Portland, Maine, before the marriage.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Merton N Harriman as a lodger, with 19 other lodgers at 223 High Street. The New York-born 27 year old is divorced.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Dorothy Harriman, living in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, with her 58-year-old mother (Ella Foster) and her two children, Stephanie, age seven, and Garry, age two. Dorothy, Stephanie, and Ella lived in Lewiston, Maine om 1935.
  • Stephanie Harriman was born in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, on 10 December 1932.

Garry is too young to be the person in this photo. Based upon the number (#886), the photo was likely taken about 1936 when Stephanie was about three years old.

Two public trees at Ancestry refer to Stephanie Harriman, daughter of Dorothy Bell Foster. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Stephanie.

At first, I was concerned the photos I had for Stephanie were of two different children; however, the child is wearing the same skirt and tights in both sets of images; only the addition of a sweater changes the child’s appearance.

I added one of her photos to Dead Fred and the other to my Flickr Photostream.

Confirmed to be Stephanie Harriman by a half-brother.

Conclusion

  • I identified two individuals with Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to Family Search
  • I identified two other individuals that do not have Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to Dead Fred.
  • Other than a supposed name, I failed to identify one individual; consequently, his photo 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.

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 55

Hannigan, Hansen/Hanson, Harding, Hare, & Harkins

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.

Geraldine M. Hare, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Geraline Hare, Childrens Hosp, #379.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Geraldine M. Hare, circa 1935

    The 1930 US Census reports Geroline (Geraline) Hare as the 18-year-old daughter of Arthur and Clara Hare living in Monticello, Aroostook County, Maine.

  • There are no Hare’s listed in the 1934, 1935, 1936, or 1937 Portland City Directories.
  • The 1940 US Census reports Geraldean M Hare as the 28-year-old daughter of Arthur and W Clara S Hare. Geraldean is a private Nurse.

Based upon the photo ID Number (#379), this photo was taken about 1935. I am sure this is Geraldine M. Hare about 1935 when she graduated from nursing school at the Children’s Hospital at 68 High in Portland, ME.

Family Search identifies Geraldine Hare, daughter of Arthur W.and Clara (Sharp) Hare, as ID GQD3-HNT.

Nine Ancestry trees refer to Geraldine May Hare.

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

Austin Harding, circa 1937.

.This negative envelope says, “Mrs. A. A. Harding, 30 Grafton St. #997.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Austin Harding, circa 1937

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Alfred A and Gladys B Harding living at 30 Grafton.

  • The 1940 US Census finds Alfred and Gladys Harding living in Malden, Middlesex County, They lived in Portland, Maine, in 1935. With them is their eight-year-old son, Austin Harding.

I am sure this is a photo of Austin Harding about 1937 when he was about five years old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Austin, son of Alfred and Gladys Harding, nor do Ancestry Trees. However, 10 Ancestry trees refer to Austin’s father, Alfred Austin Harding.

I have added Austin’s photo to Dead Fred. 

John Harkins, circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Ethel Harkins, 150 Grafton St #825.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • John Harkins, circa 1936

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Walter P and Ethel M Harkins living at 150 Grafton.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Walter P and Ethyel M Harkings living at 27 Tying in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. Living with them are six children, Lillian (16), Walter P (16), George (14), Frances (11), John (8), Constance (6), and Richard (2).
  • This photo is of a boy, taken about 1936 when George was ten and John was 4. The child in the picture appears to me to be closer to 4 or 5 than 10, so I believe it to be John.

This photo may be of George, but I believe it is John.

John Harkins, son of Walter P and Ethyel M (Trask) Harkins, is found in eight Ancestry trees.  Family Search does not appear to have a profile for John.

I have added John’s photo to Dead Fred. 

Unknown Hansen/Hanson child, about 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Harry Hanson, 129 Oxford St. #605.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Unknown (but probably either Harry A or Milliard Hansen/Hanson), about 1936

    The 1936 Portland City Directory indicates that 129 Oxford Street was at the corner with Wilmot Street; residents included the Oxford Barber Shop, Charles A. Staples, and Mrs. Delia Joyce. There are the following Harry Hanson/Hansen in the 1936 Directory:

    • Harry E – Floorman 883 Cong h 881 do apt 2
    • Harry F – Carp emp 11 St. James, r 12 Exeter*
    • Harry G (Mildred E) – Drugs 345 Cong h 31 Concord*
    • Harry G jr – clerk 345 Cong r 31 Concord*
    • Harry H (Carrie C) – VP 161 Middle h 66 Sherman*
    • Harry J (Grace E) – roadman 184 Read h 137 do
  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists the following Hanson/Hansen:
    • Items above marked with an asterisk (*) above were repeated in the 1937 directory.
    • Harry J (Grace E 187 Read h 141 do.
  • All of the Harry Hanson/Hansen’s listed in the 1935 Portland City Directory are repeated in the 1936 Directory.
  • The 1940 US Census indicates:
    • Harry G and Mildred E Hansen live at the same address with their 12-year-old son James and ten-year-old son Milliard.
    • Harry H and Carrie Hanson are in their 70s and have no children living with them.
    • Harry J and Grace Hanson lived in East Providence, Rhode Island, with their nine-year-old son, Harry A Hansen. However, they were living in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, in Harry A. was born in New Jersey, and his parents were born in New York. His parents were born about 1893 and 1897.

I believe this to be a photo of Harry A Hansen, son of Harry J. and Grace E. Hanson, about 1937 before they moved to Rhode Island. However, this could easily be Milliard Hanson, son of Harry G. and Mildred E. Hanson.

Harry A Hansen does not appear in any trees at Ancestry; however, Harry John Hansen, husband of Grace E Gauthier, appears in seven family trees.

Harry G Hansen was born in Maine in about 1891, and his wife Mildred was also born in Maine about 1891. Their son, Millard, was born about 1930 (age 0 during the 1930 Census). There appear to be no trees showing Millard; however, there are 21 Ancestry trees which include Harry Gilbert Hanson, with wife Mildred Edna Cushing, and father of Charles Christian Hanson.

There appear to be no Family Search Trees that include Milliard Hanson.

I have added his photo to my Flickr photostream.

Margaret & Anna Hannigan, circa 1937

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. John Hannigan, 106 Clark St. #928.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Margaret & Anna Hannigan, circa 1937

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists John T Hannigan living at 106 Clark.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists John T and Anna E Hannigan living at 3 Dermot Court.
  • The 1940 Census lists John T Hannigan, living at 20 Edwards Street. John is 34, divorced, and loving with his two daughters, Margaret A (age 9) and Anna M (age 7). Living with him is 29 year old Anna Dolley, a housekeeper. Both daughters were born in Maine, and John was born in Canada.
  • On 5 September 1937, Ann Elizabeth Hannigan (Née Elliott) of Portland married Lawrence Nelson Dolly, of Falmouth, in Conway, New Hampshire. It was the second marriage for both of them.
Margaret & Anna Hannigan, circa 1937

This photo appears to be of two girls, about three and six when John and Anna separated in 1937. As such, I am confident these are Margaret and Anna Hannigan about 1937.

Neither Margaret nor Anna appear to have profiles on Family Search, and neither seem to be in Ancestry Family Trees.  John Thomas Hannigan, born 20 August 1906 in New Brunswick, Canada, is identified in ten Ancestry trees and is likely the father of Margaret and Anna.

I have uploaded two photos of Margaret and Anna Hannigan to Dead Fred. (In one image, Margaret is slightly out of focus, in the other, Anna is slightly out of focus.

 Conclusion

  • I identified one individual with a Family Search profile, so I uploaded two of her photos there.
  • I identified four individuals that do not appear to have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded those photos to Dead Fred.
  • I could not differentiate two people sufficiently to determine which was in one of the photos. I am confident of the individual’s name, but not which of two children with the same name and the same name for his parents, this individual is. Consequently, I posted that photo 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.

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 54

Halling, Hamilton(2), Hamlin, and (Née Mayo)

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.

Clara Halling, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Clair Halling, 8 A Brown St, apt 3, #876.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Clara Halling, circa 1935

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Clara Halling, a waitress at 157 High and living at 8a Brown.

  • Clara married Harry L Bonner in 1928 and was living with him in the 1933 Portland City Directory.
  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Clara residing at 92 High and her husband, Harry living at 97 Elm.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Harry living at 76 Pearl. The 1935 directory does not list Clara under either Bonner or Halling.
  • Clara married Clifford Will in 1940 in New York. Her marriage license to Clifford indicates she was born in October 1906 in New Sweden, Maine.

Family Search identifies Clara Halling as ID G3NX-Z83. ​​I am confident this is her about 1935, after her separation from Harry Bonner and before she went to New York. Thirteen trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Clara Albertina Halling, daughter of Anders and Martha Andersdotter.

I have uploaded this photo of Clara to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Clara Halling by a great niece or nephew. 

Hortense Margarite Hamilton, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Hortense Hamilton, 23 Saunders St – #900.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Hortense Margarite Hamilton, circa 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Edward P and Lillian F Hamilton living at 23 Saunders.

  • The 1930 Census lists Hortense M. Hamilton living at 333 Ocean Ave, Portland. She was the 11-year-old daughter of Edward P and Lillian F. Hamilton. She was born in Maine.

Family Search identifies Hortense Margarite Hamilton, the daughter of Edward Payson and Lillian Florence (Mayo) Hamilton, as ID GSB4-GVB. I am sure this is Hortense about 1936.

Fourteen trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Marguerite Hortense “Maggie” Hamilton.

I have uploaded her photos to her Family Search Memories.

George Washington Hamlin, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Geo Hamlin, 13 Mechanic St. #381.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • George Washington Hamlin, circa 1934

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists George W. Hamlin living at 13 Mechanic St. George is a sheet metal worker at 199 Kennebec, and his wife is Bernice E.

  • The 1935 Portland City directory indicates that George W and Bernice E Hamlin moved to Rockland.
  • The 1940 Census lists 36-year-old George Hamlin and his wife Bernice living in Rockland, Knox County, Maine. They also lived in Rockland in 1935.
  • George W Hamlin and Bernice E Leavitt married on 3 September 1927.

Family Search identifies George Washington Hamlin, born in 1903 and married to Bernice E Leavitt as ID G9JT-FD5. This photo is of George about 1934 before they moved to Rockland. Twenty-eight trees at Ancestry refer to George Washington Hamlin, born 24 November 1903.

I have uploaded this photo of George to his Family Search Memories. 

Unknown – (Possibly Ralph Hamilton) circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Ralph Hamilton, 76 Morning St. #412.”

My analysis:

My initial look at finding Ralph Hamilton was not successful. Consequently, I thought I would expand my search methods.

  • Unknown – (Possibly Ralph Hamilton) circa 1935

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Merle A Hamilton living at 80b Morning. It also lists George W (and his wife Cynthia A) Hamilton living at 80b Morning. Additionally, Thelma L Hamilton lived at the same address.

  • The 1935 Portland City directory still shows Merle and Thelma A living at 80b Morning, but George W and his wife Cynthia are reported as living at 76 Morning.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists all four of them living at 76 Morning. Cynthia, George, Merle, and Thelma.
  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists George W and wife Cynthia A still at 76 Morning; however, Merle A is living at 48 State with his wife Florence L. Thelma is still listed at 76 Morning.

The person in this photo image appears to be in his teens or possibly early 20s.

  • Unknown – (Possibly Ralph Hamilton) circa 1935

    The 1930 Census reports George W. Hamilton and his wife, Cynthia, living with their two children, Thelma and Merle. George is 49, Cynthia 49, Thelma is 24, and Merle is 18 years old in 1930. No Ralph.

  • The 1920 Census reports George and Cynthia living in Portland with their son Maurice R, daughter Thelma, and son Merle. Maurice is 17. Maurice was born in Massachusetts.
  • Massachusetts Birth Records indicate George and Cynthia (Hatfield) Hamilton had a son on 12 April 1904.
  • In the 1940 Census, 36-year-old Ralph Hamilton lives in Falmouth with his wife, Ruth, and his seven-year-old son, George.
  • I have not been successful in finding George and Cynthia in the 1940 Census. However, the 1940 and 1941 Portland City Directories indicate they are still at 76 Morning.

Based upon the Photo ID number (#412), the photo was taken in 1934 or 1935. I find it difficult to believe the person in this photo is over 30. I suppose this could be Ralph, the son of George and Cynthia Hamilton; however, I think this is a photo of a cousin or other person, and Ralph Hamilton was the person who paid for the picture.

Twenty-eight trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Ralph Maurice Hamilton, the son of George and Cynthia (Hatfield) Hamilton. Hopefully, someone with those trees can identify the person in this photo.

I also uploaded one additional photos of this individual to my Flickr photostream.

Lillian Hamilton (Née Mayo), circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Lillian Hamilton, 23 Saunders St, #901.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Lillian Hamilton (Née Mayo), circa 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Edward P and his wife Lillian F Hamilton living at 23 Saunders.

  • The 1940 Census lists Edward and Lillian still living at 23 Saunders. Maine-born Lillian is 60 years old.
  • The New Hampshire Marriage Records identifies Lillian F Mayo, born in Brewer about 1879, married Edward Hamilton on 4 July 1904 in Dover, New Hampshire. Her parents were Justin and Elizabeth (Powlesland) Mayo.
  • This photo was taken about 1936 when Lillian was about 56 years old. Based upon the photo ID number, the photo was taken the same day as her daughter’s (Hortense Margarite Hamilton) photo.

Family Search identifies Lillian Florence Mayo, the daughter of Justin R Mayo, as ID LC5W-MDS. Lillian Florance Mayo is referred to in 37 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded a photo of Lillian to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I identified four of the five individuals and was able to upload their images to Family Search I was unable to identify one individual; his photos are here and in my Flickr Photostream.

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.

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 53

Gwarjanski, Hagen, Hagerman, Haley, & Hall

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.

Catherine Hagen, circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Catherine Hagen, 47 Fallbrook St. #229.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Catherine I Hagen living at 47 Fall brook. Also at that address are George H (Minnie A) Hagen and Marion C Hagen.
  • The 1940 Census places Catherine living with her parents, George H and Mamie A Hagen, at 47 Fallbrook Street, Portland.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggests Catherine I Hagen, the daughter of George H and Mary A (Minnie) McDonald Hagen, was born on 10 September 1904.
  • This is a photo of Catherine from about 1935 when she was about 30 years old.

Family Search identifies Catherine Hagen, daughter of George H and Mary Agnes (McDonald) Hagen, as ID GMFG-CPM. Five trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Catherine Hagen.

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

Eleanor Gwarjanski, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Eleanor Gwarjanski, 8 Trowbridge Place, #1091.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 Census lists Eleanor Gwarjanski living with her mother, Florence A. Gwarjanski, at 8 Trow Bridge. Eleanor was 21 years old.
  • This same photo was used in the 1936 Portland High School Yearbook. The picture is definitely of Eleanor Florence Gwarjanski in 1936.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Eleanor Florence Gwarjanski; however, she is found in six trees at Ancestry.Com

Besides this photo, I added one additional photo of Eleanor to Dead Fred. I also uploaded two more photos of her to my Flickr photostream.

Elizabeth Anne Hagerman, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Elizabeth Hagerman, 98 Grant St, #964.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Gordon L and Gladys E Hagerman living at 98 Grant.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Gordon L and Gladys Hagerman living with their 19-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Hagerman.
  • The 1938 Portland High School yearbook includes a photo of Elizabeth Anne Hagerman. This photo appears to be the same woman a year or two younger.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Elizabeth Hagerman; however, thirteen trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Elizabeth.

You can download this photo here. I have uploaded another picture of Elizabeth to Dead Fred. Finally, I uploaded a third photo of her to my Flickr photostream.

Pearl Winifred Hall, circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Pearl Hall, 21 Chestnut St #470.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City directory lists Edward A and Margaret M Hall living at 21 Chestnut.
  • The 1930 Census lists Edward and Margaret Hall living at 52 Wilmot Street. With them is their 12-year-old daughter, Pearl.
  • Ancestry Trees indicates Pearl Winifred Hall, daughter of Edward A and Margaret (Duncan) Hall, was born 21 October 1917 in Massachusetts.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Pearl Winnifred Hall; however, six Ancestry trees mention her.

I have this photo, plus I uploaded a different one to Dead Fred; finally, I uploaded a third photo of Pearl to my Flickr photostream. 

Alfred Haley, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Alfred Haley, 706 WashingtonAve #393.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Harry L Haley as a grocer at 706 Washington Ave and residing at 704 Washington. His wife is Susan L Haley.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Alfred W. Haley, living with his mother, Susan L Haley, at 4 Kendall Street. Alfred is 21 years old.
  • Based upon the photo’s ID Number (#393), the picture was likely taken in 1935, when Alfred was about 16 years old.

Family Search identifies Alfred Henry Haley, the son of Harry L and Susan L (Murray) Haley, born on 25 May 1918 as ID LY1S-34H. Nine Ancestry trees refer to Alfred Henry Haley.

I have uploaded two photos of Alfred to his Family Search Memories. I also uploaded a third photo of Alfred to my Flickr photostream.

 Conclusion

  • I fully identified all five individuals. Two of them had Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to Family Search Three of them did not have Family Search profiles, so I posted those photos to Dead Fred.
  • All five had more than two photo images in their packages, so I uploaded them to my Flickr photostream.

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.

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 52

Griffin, Griffith (2), Gross, Guite, (Née Elwell, Darling)

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.

Margaret Louisa Guite, circa 1934

This negative envelope says, “Miss Marguerite Guite, Queens Hospital,  Portland #288.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Margaret Louisa Guite, circa 1934

    Queen’s Hospital was located at 218 State, Portland.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Marguerite L. Guite as a student nurse at 218 State.
  • The 1936 Bangor City Directory lists Marguerite L Guite as a nurse in Portland but residing at 175 Grove. Also at 175 Grove is Frank J and Mary F Guite.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Marguerite L. Guite, the 26-year-old daughter of Frank J and Mary F Guite.
  • This is a photo of Marguerite about 1934 when she graduated from nursing school.

Family Search identifies Marguerite Louise Guite, born 25 February 1914, as ID GHN9-BF1. Four Ancestry trees refer to Margaret Louisa Guite

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

George W. and C. Dorothy (Clapp) Griffin, circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. & Mrs. G. W. Griffin, 505A Washington Ave #1036.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • George W. and C. Dorothy (Clapp) Griffin, circa 1937.

    The 1937 Portland city directory lists George @ and Clara D Griffin living at 505a Wash avenue, apt 6.

  • The 1940 US Census lists George W. and Clara D Griffin living at 63 Smith Street in South Portland. George was 52 and Clara was 38.
  • This is a photo of the couple about 1937.

Family Search identifies George Wesley Griffin, born 7 December 1884, as ID GZZN-4J8 and his wife Clara Dorothy Clapp, as ID LKNZ-54C. Twenty-three Ancestry Trees refer to George Wesley Griffin, born 7 December 1887; thirteen Ancestry Trees refer to D. Clara Clapp, wife of George Wesley Griffin.

I have uploaded two photos of the couple to his and her Family Search Memories.

Violet Gross (Née Elwell), circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, Mrs. Austin Gross 25 Lawn Ave. #191.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Violet Gross (Née Elwell), circa 1934.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Austin H Gross and his wife Violet E, living at 25 Lawn Ave.

  • The 1930 US Census lists Austin and Violet Gross living at 25 Lawn. Both are 31 years old (born in 1899).
  • Based upon the photo number (#191), this is a photo of Violet about 1934.

Family Search identifies Violet Elwell, wife of Austin H. Gross, as ID LT33-Z54.

Twenty-four trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Violet Estella Elwell, wife of Austin Harding Gross.

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

Bruce Griffith, circa 1936 (age 1).

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. William Griffith, 10 Fessenden St. #712.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Bruce Griffith, circa 1936 (age 1)

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists William A and Caroline R Griffith living at 10 Fessenden.

  • Ancestry Family Trees Identify William Albert Griffith and Caroline Rawson Darling as a couple with two children.
  • The 1940 US Census found William and Carolyn living in Claremont, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, with their two sons, Bruce and Rex. Bruce was five, and Rex was nine months. It also indicates that the family was living in Portland, Maine, in 1935.
  • Based upon the photo ID Number (#712), the photo was taken about 1936.
  • This is a photo of Bruce Griffith when he was about a year old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Bruce Griffith, son of William and Caroline (Darling) Griffith. Likewise, Bruce doesn’t appear in any Ancestry Family Trees; however, his father is found in 25 trees.

I have added his photo to Dead Fred. 

Confirmed to be Bruce by a cousin who had seen this photo before.

Caroline (Darling) Griffith with son, Bruce, circa 1937.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. William Griffith & Baby, 10 Fessenden #1097.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Caroline (Darling) Griffith with son, Bruce, circa 1937.

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists William A and Caroline R Griffith living at 10 Fessenden.

  • Ancestry Family Trees Identify William Albert Griffith and Caroline Rawson Darling as a couple with two children.
  • The 1940 US Census found William and Carolyn living in Claremont, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, with their two sons, Bruce and Rex. Bruce was five; Rex was nine months. The census also indicates that the family lived in Portland, Maine, in 1935.
  • Based upon the photo ID Number (#1097), the photo was taken about 1937.
  • This is a photo of Caroline Rawson (Darling) Griffith with her son Bruce Griffith when he was about two years old.

Family Search identifies Caroline Ranson Darling, wife of William Albert Griffith, as ID LR6W-KFF.  Caroline’s son does not appear to have a Family Search profile. Caroline Rawson Darling, born 4 December 1911, is identified in 24 Ancestry Trees.

I have uploaded two photos of Caroline and Bruce to Caroline’s Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified all six individuals; five of them had Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to their Family Search One individual did not have a Family Search profile, so I posted his photo 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.