“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:
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 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.
Gilbert Frank Raidt was born on 1 April 1894 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, the sixth child of Frank H and Catherine Frances (Justin) Raidt. He had five siblings: Baby Boy, Sarina Frances, Stella Catherine, Lucy Helen, and Baby Boy 2. He died on 8 July 1974 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When he was 26, he married Beatrice Marie Gleason, daughter of John M. and Addie (Raymond) Gleason, on 13 October 1920 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Rev. J. P. Valley performed the ceremony.
List of Grandparents
Grandfather: Jerome Gilbert Raidt (1924-1994)
1st Great-grandfather: Gilbert Frank Raidt (1894-1974)
2nd Great-grandfather: Frank H. Raidt (1851-1931)
3rd Great-grandfather: Thomas Raidt (c. 1816-____)
Gilbert Frank Raidt (1894-1974)
Birth
Gilbert Frank Raidt was born on 1 April 1894 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although he was the sixth child of Frank H and Catherine Frances (Justin) Raidt, his two brothers died before he was born, so he grew up as the youngest of four children.
Other children of Frank H and Catherine Frances (Justin) Raidt
Name
Born
Married
Died
(Baby boy)
Before 1884
N/A
Before 1886
Sarina “Rena” Frances
1884
[TBD]
Stella Catherine
1887
John Timon Leavin
1962
Lucy Helen
1889
Charles Nagle [?]
1971
(Baby boy)
c. 1891
N/A
Before 1893
During the 1895 Minnesota Census, Gilbert was living with his parents at 1621 11th Ave. So., Minneapolis. By 1900 the family had moved to 1949 Oliver Ave., No., Minneapolis. By 1905, the family moved again, this time to 1623 Dupont Ave. North, Minneapolis, where he would live until he married in 1920. Gilbert probably attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul at this time.
Military Service
The Empress of Asia
Gilbert enlisted in the US Army on 19 May 1917, Shortly after the United States entered World War I (on 6 April 1917). He remained stateside for his first year in the service. But on 19 September 1918, he shipped out aboard the “Empress of Asia[i]” heading to Europe (Liverpool) to be part of the Headquarters Troop, 86th Infantry Division. He returned and became part of the 311 Fire Truck and Hose Co. Gilbert was discharged on 24 August 1919 as a Sargent.
Marriage
Gilbert Frank Raidt married Beatrice Marie Gleason on 13 October 1920. After their honeymoon, they lived at 1724 Third Ave. So. They had six children, all born in Minneapolis.
Adulthood
Gilbert and Beatrice purchased a home at 4215 Stevens, Minneapolis, and Gilbert worked as a Building Contractor throughout his married life.
In 1942, Gilbert registered for the draft. He was described as being 5’10”, 175 lbs, blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.
Death/Burial, etc.
Marker – Gilbert F. Raidt
Gilbert died on 8 July 1974 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. He was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Further Research
Research Sarina “Rena” Frances and determine if she ever married and when she died.
Confirm Lucy Helen’s husband was Charles Nagle.
Research Gilbert’s military service more. Did the 86th Infantry Division see action? Was the 311 Fire and Hose company stateside or overseas?
Events by Location
England, Liverpool 1918 – US Army Service
Illinois, Winnebago, Camp Grant 1917-1918 – US Army Service
Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Birth, 1900-1940, Death
Minnesota, Ramsey County, St. Paul c. 1917 – College
New Jersey, Hoboken 1918 – US Army Service
Endnotes:
[i] The Empress of Asia was built in Govan, Scotland, and launched in 1912. According to Wikipedia, “On 9 September 1918, Empress of Asia set sail from Hoboken, NJ bound for Liverpool carrying troops from the 86th Infantry Division’s 331st Machine Gun Battalion, 311th Engineer Regiment and 311th Engineer Train. She arrived safely on 21 September 1918.
Sources
1900 Census, Various, Frank H Raidt – Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, Sheet 24A. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/93073807:7602.
1910 Census (NARA), Family Search, F H Raidt – Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2G7-Z2N.
1920 Census (NARA), Family Search, Frank Raidt – Hennepin, Minnesota. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWYX-CDZ.
1930 Census (NARA), Family Search, Gilbert F Raidt, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X3ZB-WJN.
1930; Census Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota.
1940 Census (NARA), Family Search, Gilbert Raidt – Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota/ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSKD-7MG.
Correspondence with Jerome G. Raidt – 1970s – Questionaire Answers. In the mid-1970s, I asked Mary Elizabeth Raidt’s father, Jerome G. Raidt, a series of genealogical questions. His response to those questions.
Find a Grave, Internet, Beatrice Marie Gleason Raidt – Memorial #157188096. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 29 July 2018), memorial page for Beatrice Marie Gleason Raidt (4 November 1896–7 March 1962),
Find a Grave, Internet, Gilbert Frank Raidt – Memorial 157187764.
Little Falls Herald (Little Falls, MN), Newspapers.com, 1920-10-22 – Page 4 – Gilbert Raidt & Beatrice Gleason.
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Internet, Beatrice Gleason – 1920-10-14 – Page 13 – Cathedral Candles and Autumn Leaves Setting for Wedding. https://www.newspapers.com/image/181524749/.
Minnesota Death Index, 1908-2002 (Minneapolis, Minnesota Department of Health), Family Search, Gilbert F. Raidt (No Image). https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4CX-V8J.
Minnesota Official Marriage System (https://moms.mn.gov/, ), MOMS.MN.GOV, Gilbert F Raidt & Beatrice Gleason.
Minnesota State Census, 1895, Family Search, Frank Raidt – Hennepin County Minneapolis city, Ward 11 – Page 86, Line 2698.
Minnesota State Census, 1905, Family Search, Frank H Raidt – Minneapolis Ward 3, Hennepin County, Minnesota. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPSY-BX7.
Minnesota, World War I Records, 1918-1941, Family Search, Gilbert Frank Raidt. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QRVL-3NPZ.
Multiple, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.Com, Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1938 – Gilbert F Raidt. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1018568082:2469.
S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939, Ancestry.Com, Gilbert F Raidt – Departure 19 September 1918.
S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), Ancestry.Com, Gilbert F. Raidt. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/7635739:2441.
S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Ancestry.Com, Gilbert Frank Raidt – 25 April 1942.
United States Social Security Death Index, Family Search, (No Image) – Gilbert Raidt (1894-1974).
“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 Santa Barbara Daily News (Santa Barbara, CA), dated October 15th, 1926[i].
The ad doesn’t mention Donna, but Page 13 does have a brief mention of the shows at the Mission; it says:
The Mission will offer a very entertaining and jazzy program today and Saturday, headed by “The Donna Darling Review.”
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.
Jessie Ellen Googins, circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Jessia Googins Wescott St., Portland #469.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Jessie Ellen Googins, circa 1936
The 1937 Portland City directory lists Jessie E Googins, an operator at 188 Middle, residing at 18 Wescott. Also living at 18 Wescott is Phoebe A Googins, the widow of Howard T Googins.
Maine Birth records include Jessie Ellen Googins, born 3 August 1915, the daughter of Howard T and Phebe A (Barker) Googins.
This photo is of Jessie about 1936 when she was about 21 years old.
Family Search identifies Jessie Ellen Googins as ID: KH44-SFS. Jessie Ellen Googins is found in 11 Ancestry trees.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Muriel Googins, 18 Wescott St, Portland #899.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Muriel Estelle Googins, circa 1937
This photo is of another of the Googins daughters. It has the same surname, same address, just a bit younger individual. The 1930 Census confirms Muriel E. Googins as the 10-year-old daughter of Howard S and Phebe A Googins (see above).
Maine birth records identify Muriel Estelle Googins, born 12 March 1920 to Howard T and Phebe (Barker) Googins.
This is a photo of Muriel about 1937 when she was about 17 years old.
Family Search identifies Muriel Estelle Googins as ID: GWYB-432. Nine Ancestry trees include Muriel Estelle Googins.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. F. J. Googins, 527 Brighton Ave, Portland #336.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Donald Freeman Googins, circa 1936 (Age 3)
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Freeman J and Carola F Googins living at 527 Brighton Ave.
The 1940 Census lists Freeman and Carola Googins living in Westbrook with their six-year-old son, Donald F. Googins. Also in the household are two daughters, Gloria & Glenna, both five years old.
Donald Freeman Googins was born 16 April 1933 to Freeman Jesse and Carola (Hobson) Googins.
I am sure this is Donald about 1935 when he was about 2.
Family Search identifies Donald F Googins as ID: LTH2-J13; he is also found in 8 Ancestry trees.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Howard Googins, 18 Westcott St, Portland #114.”
Phoebe Adelaide Googins (née Barker), circa 1934
After reviewing three other packets of the Googins family of 18 Wescott street, I am confident this is Phebe Adelaide (Barker) Googins (See above). Her husband, Howard Tyler Googins, died on 25 September 1934.
This is a photo of Phoebe Adelaide (Barker) Googins about 1934, when she was about 41 years old, probably shortly after her husband died.
Family Search identifies Phoebe A Barker as ID: G98D-K9Z; Additionally,
The Googins family of 18 Wescott was happy with the photos taken at the Ethel Wight studio in Portland, Maine, as three of the four family members had their photos taken there.
I was able to identify the photos in all five photo packages and post their pictures to Family Search Memories. Additionally, I had four additional images of the family members that I could post to my Flickr Photostream.
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.
(For all of the Ethel Wight Collection analysis, please see here.)
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 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.
Donna Darling presents
