Ethel Wight Collection – Part 57

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Don Taylor

Harris(4), Harrower, Haskell(2), & Hatch

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.

Katherine A. Hatch, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Katherine Hatch, 28 Ocean Ave #647.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Katherine A. Hatch, circa 1935.

    The 1933 Portland City Directory lists Katherine A Hatch as a music teacher (cello) at 28 Ocean Ave. so does the 1935 City Directory.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory indicates Catherine A Hatch married Clinton W Graffam, Jr.
  • Social Security Applications and Claims index lists Katherine Hatch Graffam was born on 25 December 1912. Her parents were Arthur F. Hatch and Ruby G Allen.

This photo is of Katherine Hatch about 1935.

Family Search identifies Katherine A Hatch, born 25 December 1912, as ID G4H7-V2G. Katherine Allen Hatch is found in 17 Ancestry trees

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

Pierre Etherington Harrower, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Pierre Harrower, 139 Neal St #86.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Pierre Etherington Harrower, circa 1934.

    The 1934 and 1935 Portland City Directory lists Pierre Harrower as a radio singer residing at 74 Deering.

  • Pierre does not appear in the 1936 Portland City Directory; however, the 1937 City Directory lists Pierre E Harrower, a music teacher living with his wife, E. Hope Harrower at 339 Danforth, apartment 8.
  • The World War II Draft Registration Cards list Pierre Etherington Harrower, born 26 December 1889 in West Brighton, Staten Island, NY. His next of kin was Emma Hope Harrower, also living at 48-9 Ave. Pierre wears glasses.

I am confident this is a photo of Pierre Harrower, circa 1934. Additionally, an image of Pierre Etherington Harrower in Ancestry family trees shows the same individual in a 1915 newspaper clipping.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Pierre Etherington Harrower; however, he is found in 9 Ancestry trees.

Besides this photo, I have added another photo of Pierre to Dead Fred and a third photo to my Flickr photostream.

George Atwood Haskell and Richard Wilson Haskell, circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Frank W. Haskell, 14 Williams St, #813.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • George Atwood Haskell and Richard Wilson Haskell, circa 1936

    World War I Draft Registration Cards indicate Frank Wilson Haskell, born 5 October 1882, living at 14 William. His father is George Pinkham Haskell residing at the same address.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Frank W Haskell, age 57, living at 14 Williams Street with his wife Maude H Haskell and two sons George A and Richard W Haskell. George is 16, and Richard is 11.
  • Ancestry Family Trees indicate George Atwood Haskell was born 4 January 1924
  • Ancestry Family Trees indicate Richard Wilson Haskell was born on 18 February 1929.

The photo ID Number 813 suggests it was taken about 1936 when George was about 12 and Richard was about 7.

Family Search identifies George A. Haskell, born 1924 in Maine as ID 9WGX-F73. Fourteen trees at Ancestry.Com refer to George Atwood Haskell; fourteen trees at Ancestry refer to Richard Wilson Haskell.

I have uploaded two photos of George and Richard to their Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one additional photo of them to my Flickr photostream.

Mortier D Harris, Jr., circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. M. D. Harris, 35 Clifton, #818.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Mortier D Harris, Jr., circa 1936.

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Mortier D (& Edna B) Harris living at 33 Clifton.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Mortier D and his wife Edna B., Harris living at 169 Harriet. Living with them is their seven-year-old son, Mortier D. Jr., and Mortier Sr., father-in-law, Bert Davis.

Based on the Photo ID (#818), the photo was taken about 1936, when Mortier junior was about 3 or 4.

Family Search identifies Mortier D Harris, son of Mortier Doroc and Edna B (Davis) Harris, as ID LVZC-LL9. Mortier Harris, Junior, does not appear to be in any Ancestry trees. However, his father, Mortier Dorace Harris, Senior, is found in 46 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded one photo of Mortier to his Family Search Memories.

Richard, Shirley, and Patricia Harris, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Stuart Harris, 62 Fessenden St, #388.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Richard, Shirley, and Patricia Harris, circa 1935.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Stuart F (& Helen S) Harris living at 62 Fessenden.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Stewart Harris, and his wife Helen, living at 752 Ocean Avenue. With then are four children, Richard (age 12), Shirley (age 10), and Patricia (age 6).

The photo ID number of 388 suggests this photo was taken about 1935 when Richard was 7, Shirley was 5, and Patricia about 1.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Stuart Franklin Harris or his children. However, Richard Stuart Harris, born 24 March 1928 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine appears in one Ancestry tree; Shirley Elaine Harris, born 27 March 1930, appears in three Ancestry trees. Patricia does not appear to be in any Ancestry trees; however, her father, Stuart Franklin Harris, appears in 22 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded a photo of the three children to Dead Fred.

This photo identification was confirmed by a daughter of one of the children.

Conclusion

  • I identified four individuals with Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to Family Search
  • I also identified four individuals that do not have Family Search profiles, so I posted those photos to Dead Fred.
  • I had “extra” photos of two individuals and posted those photos 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.

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Beatrice Hennessey & the Censuses

Posted on November 28, 2021 by Don Taylor

Census Sunday
Halcro-Varone Project
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Sometimes you run into things you’ve never encountered before. In my Halcro-Varone project, I discovered a name change that I found confusing. I knew Beatrice M Hennessey[i] married Vincenzo Varone on 23 October 1916. I thought, “Ah, easy; I’ll just follow her back and see where she lived before her marriage.

Comparison – 1900–1910 Censuses

I quickly found her in the 1910 census with her parents, but when I saw her in the 1900 census, I became confused. Could it be, she changed her first name as a child? I decided that using charts of the family would probably show the error of my ways.

Name 1900 Census
Age & Birthplace		 1910 Census
Age & Birthplace
Head – John Hennessey 29 – Ireland 39 – Ireland
Wife – Margaret 29 – Ireland 39 – Ireland
Dau. – Bridget/Beatrice Bridget
age 7 – Rhode Island		 Beatrice
age 16 – Rhode Island
Son – Joseph 4 – Rhode Island 14 – Rhode Island
Five other children
Ages 1 thru 9, all born in Rhode Island

The confusing thing was that Beatrice in the 1910 Census was Bridget in the 1900 Census. There was no change in address for the family; it was 236 Richmond Avenue in both censuses. My next thought was that the census taker in 1900 must have gotten the name wrong or transcribed it incorrectly. Then I found the birth registration for Bridget Mary Hennessey, daughter of John and Margaret (Prendergast[ii]) Hennessey. Bridget was born on 4 August 1894. In all of the records I’ve encountered, the child is Beatrice from the 1910 Census on and Bridget before the 1910 Census. I’ve just never encountered a name change like that before.

Beatrice appears to live with her husband and children in 1920, 1925 R.I., and 1930 Censuses. She seems to have separated from her husband about 1932. (Her husband, James Varone, began living with another woman, Albertina, about 1933.) In the 1940 Census, she appears as Beatrice Varone but as Beatrice Hennessey in records after 1940.

Conclusion

It appears Beatrice had severa names:

    • Bridget Hennessey 1894-1909
    • Beatrice Hennessey 1901-1916
    • Beatrice Varone 1916-1940
    • Beatrice Hennessey 1955-to her death?

When she switched back from Varone to Hennessey isn’t clear yet.

Sources:

“United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M97R-JSB: accessed 12 November 2021), John Hennesey, District 1 Providence city Ward 5, Providence, Rhode Island, United States; citing enumeration district (E.D.) 41, sheet 7B, family 146, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,507.

“United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MP6L-L4X: accessed 10 November 2021), John Hennessy, Providence Ward 4, Providence, Rhode Island, United States; citing enumeration district (E.D.) ED 183, sheet 3A, family 48, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1442; FHL microfilm 1,375,455.

Endnotes:

[i] The surname Hennessey and Hennessy are used interchangeably in various records.

[ii] The surname Prendergast, Pendergast, and Penderghast are used interchangeably in various records.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 56

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Don Taylor

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.

Verified to be Virginia (Harkins) Curry by a granddaughter.

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.

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Donna 100 Years ago – The Stroud – Stroudsburg, PA

Posted on November 24, 2021 by Don Taylor

A Great Thanksgiving Program.

100 Years Ago
Donna Montran & Co.
Vaudeville
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.“Donna 100 years ago” is my reporting events relating to my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). Hers was the exciting world of 1920s vaudeville. She crisscrossed the country with her many shows.

The Donna Darling Collection (See Part 76) yielded two articles that put Donna at the Stroud Theater in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, for Thanksgiving 1921. A review of Newspapers.com, Genealogy Bank, Newspaper Archives, and Chronicling America failed to reveal any newspapers from Stroudsburg for that period. Likewise, The Ancestor Hunt was unable to indicate any Stroudsburg papers online for 1921. As such, the only evidence I have that Donna played at the Stroud Theater in Pennsylvania is her clippings.

The Stroud

Great Thanksgiving Week Program

Today and Tomorrow
5—Big Vaudeville Acts—5  

Special Thanksgiving Engagement – The Barry Jazzers
Three Walceys – Acrobatic Novelty
Whynot & Brady – Musical Act
Phil Davis – Southern Songster
Dona Montrim & Co – Singing and Dancing.

Another Clipping Donna had said

Holiday Week Program at Stroud is a Sure Fire Winner

The article goes on the say that:

“Dora Montrim & Co. have a dance and song revue with very special stage settings and costumes of Miss Montrim that are pleasing.”

We don’t know much about her show, but we know she was at the Stroud Theatre in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, on November 24th and 25th, 1921 – One Hundred Years ago today.

 

 

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 55

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Don Taylor

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. 

Confirmed to be a photo of Austin Harding by a direct descendant. 

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
Update: Confirmed to be Harry A Hansen.

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.

Confirmed to be Harry A Hansen by a cousin.

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.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment