Ethel Wight Collection – Part 44

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Don Taylor

Friedel, Frizzel, Gain, Gallagher, and Gallant

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.

Emily C. Frizzel, circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Emily Frizzel, Maine General Hospital, Portland, #686.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Emily C. Frizzel, circa 1937

    The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Emily Frizzel as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital) and residing there.

  • The 1940 US Census lists 23-year-old Emily C Frizzell as a registered nurse at 22 Arsenal. She was born in New Hampshire and lived in Coos, New Hampshire, in 1935.
  • The 1930 US Census lists 13-year-old Emily C Frizzell as the daughter of Alpheus B and Catherine E Frizzell living in Coos County, New Hampshire.

This is a photo of Emily C. Frizzell about 1937, probably when she graduated from nursing school.

Family Search identifies Emily Carolyn Frizzell as ID L2XH-MJY. A photo of Emily confirms this is the same young woman. There are seventeen trees at Ancestry.Com that refer to Emily.

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

Margaret Frances Gallant, ca 1937

This negative envelope says, “Miss Frances Gallant, 196 Massachusetts Ave, Portland #702.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Margaret Frances Gallant, ca 1937

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Melvin J. & Theresa L. Gallant living at 196 Mass ave.

  • The 1930 US Census lists Melvin J and Teresa C Gallant living at 142 Dresden Ave., Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. With them is their 9-year-old daughter, Magaret F. Gallant.
  • Social Security Applications and Claims Index lists Margaret Frances Gallant, born 25 April 1920 in Gardiner, Maine, the daughter of Melvin J and Theresa L (Lashow) Gallant. She sighed her SSN card as Frances Gallant, suggesting she went by Frances. Margaret died on 3 May 2006.
  • Sister Frances Gallant, born in 1920 and died in 2006, was buried at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

I am sure this is Margaret Frances Gallant about 1937 when she was about 17 years old.

Alternative Individuals?

  • There is a Frances H. Gallant, born in 1929, who lived at 59 State Street in 1930. Her parents were Joseph and Lillian Gallant. She is too young to be the woman in this photo.
  • There is a Frances J. Gallant, who was a clerk living at 24 High listed in the 1939 Portland City Directory. She appears in the 1838 Directory at the same address. The 1937 Directory lists Frances as a clerk at 530 Main, South Portland, and living at 528 Main. Page 364 is missing from the 1936 Portland City Directory at Ancestry.

Family Search does not have a profile for Frances Gallant, although her father, Joseph George Melvin Gallant, and mother, Teresa Lucy Lashow, appear as IDs KHVD-VM4 and KZRK-XRR, respectively. And there are four trees at Ancestry that refer to Margaret Frances Gallant (1920-2006).

I have uploaded two photos of her to Dead Fred. See https://www.deadfred.com/surnamePersR_05.php?ID=153190
https://www.deadfred.com/surnamePersR_05.php?ID=153192 

Joseph Gain, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. J. Gain, 254 Spring St., Portland #588.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Joseph Gain, circa 1936

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists George J. and wife Mabel G. Gain living at 254 Spring. Also residing at that address is Joseph G. Gain.

  • The 1930 US Census lists Joseph Gain, the 19-year-old son of George and Mabel Gain, living at 65 Grant Street. Joseph was born in Massachusetts.
  • Joseph Gain, born 10 March 1912 in Massachusetts, appears in the Social Security Death Index.
  • Joseph G. Gain married on 13 June 1936.

It appears that this is Joseph, probably just before he married in 1936. He would have been 24 years old.

Family Search identifies Joseph Gain, son of George Joseph and Mabel Genevieve (Libbey) Gain, as ID  LK5W-8V7. Nine family trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Joseph Gain, the son of George Joseph and Mabel Genevieve (Libbey) Gain.

I have uploaded two photos of Joseph to his Family Search Memories.

Francis J. Gallagher, circa 1936 (Infant)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. J. F. Gallagher, 8 Ponce St., Portland #680.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Francis J. Gallagher, circa 1936 (Infant)

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Joseph F. and his wife, Frances E., living at 8 Ponce.

  • The 1940 US Census identifies Joseph F. and Frances E. Gallagher living at 8 Ponce. Living with them are their two children, five-year-old Francis J and their two-year-old daughter, Jannette. Janette would not have been born in 1936 when this photo was taken, so this must be Francis.

Family Search identifies Francis J. Gallagher, son of Joseph Frank and Frances E (Hall) Gallagher, as ID LTVH-LFM. I am sure this is Francis about 1936. Francis does not appear in any trees at Ancestry.Com; however, his parents appear in thirteen trees.

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

Virginia Friedel, circa 1937 (age 7)

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Virginia Friedel, 128 Pearl St. Portland #810.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Virginia Friedel, circa 1937 (age 7)

    The 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939 Portland City Directories list Mrs. Agnes F. Friedel, a waitress at 8 Forest ave, living at 128 Pearl. The 1940 City directory reports Agnes residing at 128 Beal (error?).

  • The 1937 directory also shows Oscar F (and Amber M) Ross living at 128 Pearl. Also at that address was Inez M Hodsdon (widow of Charles D)
  • The 1940 US Census shows 68-year-old Inez Hodkins living at 128 Cumberland. Living with her is her 31-year-old daughter, Agnes Fredel, and her 10-year-old granddaughter, Virginia. Virginia was born in Massachusetts and Agnes in Maine.
  • The 1910 US Census identifies Charles D. Hodsdon [Hobsdon] living in Portland with his wife, Inez M Hodsdon, and four-year-old daughter Agnes F. Hodsdon.
  • 1947 Portland High School Yearbook appears to contain a photo of the same young woman.

I am sure this is Virginia Friedel, the daughter of Agnes Friedel née Hodsdon, about 1937 when Virginia was seven years old.

Family Search does not have a profile for Virginia Friedel. However, her mother, Agnes F. Hodsdon, appears as ID GC42-QHT. Likewise, no trees at Ancestry refer to Virginia. However, there are 12 trees on Ancestry that refer to Agnes Flora Hodsdon.

I have uploaded one photo of Virginia Friedel to Dead Fred.

Confirmed to be Virginia Friedel by her daughter. 

Conclusion

  • I fully identified all five individuals. Three had Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their photos to Family Search. Two did not have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded those photos to Dead Fred.

To see all of my Ethel Wight Collection analyses, 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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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 43

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Don Taylor

Foster, Fowler, Fox, Frank, & Frankman

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.

Mavis Fox, circa 1937

This negative envelope says, “Miss M. Fox, Maine General Hospital, Portland, #698.”

Mavis Fox, circa 1937

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Mavis Fox, a student nurse at 22 Arsenal residing at the same address. (The address for the Maine General Hospital was 22 Arsenal.)
  • The 1940 Census lists eight individuals named Mavis Fox.
      1. Mavis H. Fox – 11-year-old – Too young
      2. Mavis Fox – 20-year-old in New York – Too young.
      3. Mavis Fox – 20-year-old wife in West Virginia.
      4. Mavis Fox – 14-year-old daughter in Tennessee – Too young.
      5. Mavis Fox – a 10-year-old daughter in Kentucky – Too young.
      6. Mavis Fox – a 17-year-old daughter in Tennessee – Too young.
      7. Mary [Mavis] Fox – a 16-year-old daughter in Pennsylvania.
      8. Morris [Mavis] Fox – a 32-year-old daughter in South Carolina, working as a nurse. She also lived in South Carolina in 1935. – Possible.
  • The Portland Press Herald reported that Miss Mavis Fox returned to the Mass. General Hospital, where she is a student nurse. In May 1948, January 1949, and December 1949. Her father is Charles Fox of Elm Street, Kezar Falls.
    • The 1940 Census indicates Charles G Fox and his daughter Mavis live in Parsonsfield, Maine. Parsonsfield and Kezar Falls are about 7 miles apart. This Mavis is 11 years old in 1940 and is undoubtedly the Mavis Fox reported about in the Press Herald in the late 1940s
  • Mavis E. Fox of Lovell, Me married Norman Gray of Fryeburg on 28 May 1938.
    • The 1930 Census shows Norman H Gray, born about 1912, living with his parents John H and Ethel M. Gray.
    • The 1930 Census also shows Mavis E Fox, the daughter of Arthur G and Clara A Fox, living in Lovell, Oxford County, Maine. Mavis was 17 in 1930.
Alternative individuals
  1. Mavis Fox, born about 1908 in South Carolina, was a nurse in 1940. She also lived in South Carolina in 1935, and I have found no connection of this Mavis to Maine.

Tentatively Identified

This is most likely Mavis E Fox, born 21 April 1912 in Lovell, Oxford County, Maine, to Arthur G. and Clara A. Fox. She married Arthur Heald Gray on 28 May 1938. She died on 28 May 1943. I have been unsuccessful in finding Mavis in the 1940 Census, and I have been unsuccessful in finding any connection between this Mavis and nursing.

Mavis E Fox appears in twenty-two trees at Ancestry.Com

I’ve uploaded two photos of Mavis E Fox to Dead Fred.

Chester W. Fowler, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Chester Fowler, 11 Paris St., Portland, #847.”

Chester W. Fowler, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The Portland City Directory for 1936 lists Chester W. Fowler living at 11 Parris, Portland. Chester O. and a Chester R. Fowler are also listed in the directory.
  • The 1930 Census lists 14-year-old Chester W. Fowler living at 49 Boyd Street. His parents were Kenneth G. and Margret V. Fowler. All had been born in Canada.
  • In 1937, when the photo was probably taken, Chester would have been about 21, and the young man in the picture appears to be about 21 years old.

Family Search identifies Chester Whitfield Fowler, born 5 April 1916, as ID LBX6-SZ7. I am pretty sure this is him about 1936. Nineteen trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Chester Whitfield Fowler.

I have uploaded his photo to his Family Search Memories.

A family photo showing Chester, his siblings, and his parents, clearly show this is Chester.

Ernest L. Frank, circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Ernest L Frank, 385 Cumberland Ave, Portland (Raymond, Me) – #370.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Ernest L. Frank, circa 1937

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Ernest L and Alice M. Frank living at 385 Cumberland Ave. Apt 4.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Ernest L & Alice M Frank living at 395 Cumberland Ave. Ernest is 51 years old and living in the same house as he lived in 1935.
  • Ernest L Frank was born on 26 April 1885 in Portland, Cumberland County. His parents were Leander and Martha Frank.
  • The man in the photo appears to be in his 40s or 50s. Ernest would have been about 51 in 1936, which fits this image.

Family Search identifies Ernest Leroy Frank, born 26 April 1885, son of Leander and Martha (Milliken) Frank, as ID LHGX-FWM. I am sure this is him about 1936. Seventeen family trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Ernest Leroy Frank

I have uploaded a photo of Ernest to his Family Search Memories. 

Donald Foster, circa 1937 (Age 3)

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. L Foster, 146 Franklin, Portland, #1008.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Donald Foster, circa 1937 (Age 3)

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Thomas H (with his wife Laura) as an employee at 45 Custom House Wharf and residing at 146 Franklin.

  • The 1940 City Directory shows Thomas and Laura living at 61 Elm.
  • The 1940 US Census shows lists Thomas and Laura Foster living at 61 Elmwood. With them is their six-year-old son, Donald.
  • The US Social Security Applications and Claims Index lists Donald Thomas Foster, born 6 March 1934, the son of Thomas H and Laura M (Weagle) Foster.
  • This photo appears to be of Donald at about three years of age, circa 1937.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Donald Thomas Foster. However, Nine public trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Donald Thomas Foster.

I have added his photo to Dead Fred.

(The Frankman Couple?), circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. N. Frankman, 129 Morning St., Portland, #70.”

(?) The Frankman Couple (?), circa 1935.

  • I was unsuccessful in finding anyone with the Frankman surname in Portland directories during the possible photo time (1934-1937).
  • A search of all people residing at 129 Morning Street, Portland, in the Portland City Directories from 1934-1937 yielded the following surnames: Foley, Kroot, Mercer, & Souccier.

I failed to identify them adequately, so I posted their photo to my Flickr Photostream. 

Conclusion

  • I identified two individuals with Family Search profiles and was able to post their photos to Family Search
  • I identified two individuals without Family Search profiles that posted to Dead Fred.
  • I failed to identify one photo beyond guessing; they are probably the N. Frankman, husband and wife. Consequently, I only posted that photo here and 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.

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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Ancestor Sketch – Samuel Pankey

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Don Taylor

Howell Research
Howell-Pankey Line
By Don Taylor

Review

What I think I know.

    • Samuel was born in 1738 in Manakin Town, Goochland County, Virginia Colony[i].
    • Samuel married Betsey Kinsey Binford in 1759 in Henrico County, Virginia Colony[ii].
    • Samuel’s son, Philip Pankie, was born on 16 February 1763 to him and Betsey (Belford). Philip was Christened at St James Northam Parish, Goochland County, Virginia Colony. The birth of Philip indicates that the family surname may be “Pankie” in some records[iii].
    • Samuel Pankey appears in the 1883 “Heads of Families—Virginia, 1783, Powhatan County[iv].
    • Samuel Pankey gave his permission for his daughter, Betsy, to marry Mordecai Warriner on 12 December 1787[v].
    • Samuel died in August 1807 in Manakin Town, Powhatan, Virginia, USA[vi].

What others think they know (and I should consider).

Family Search – Samuel Pankey (1738-1807) is ID LZJ8-NJ3 at Family Search.

    • Samuel Pankey married Martha Burton abt 1775 in Chesterfield County, Virginia Colony. The source is the International Genealogical Index. I have been unable to find sufficient evidence to accept this relationship. However, it appears that Betsey, Samuel’s wife, died about 1770, which explains why her daughter Betsey has the same name. Samuel supposedly had three more children after Betsy’s death; Samuel Hardin, Lelah, and John, and his wife for those children is still a question in my mind. Hopefully, it will become clear as I research all of Samuel’s children.

Ancestry – Samuel Pankey is found in 374 public trees. (Wow) Most are copies of other trees.

    • Several researchers indicate that Samuel Pankey had an 1854 marriage bond with Martha Morton in Richmond County, North Carolina. I have found no evidence that Samuel Pankey, born 1738 in Virginia, never lived in North Carolina. I suspect this is a different Samuel Pankey.
    • Some researchers indicate that Samuel Pankey and Polly Burton married 8 October 1798 in Chesterfield County, Virginia.[vii] This is possible, but the same researchers indicated that Samuel Hardin, Lelah, and John Pankey (born 1777, 1782, & 1786 respectively) are the children of Samuel and Polly. It is possible they lived together for 22 years before they made the marriage legal or 22 years before they reported the marriage. In either event, it is an area for further research. I, however, suspect this is the marriage of Samuel Harden Pankey, son of Samuel, who would have been 22 years old in 1798.

Historical Notes

    • Manakin Town, upstream of Richmond – Source: Library of Congress, 1751 Fry-Jefferson Map

      In 1700 French Huguenot refugees settled an abandoned Monacan village and renamed it Manakin Town in Henrico Shire, Virginia Colony[viii].

    • Goochland County was created in 1728 from Henrico shire (Henrico County). Part of it became Cumberland County in 1749. Powhatan was formed from Cumberland County in 1777. Consequently, dates regarding Samuel Pankey affect the location he was in.
        • 1634-1728 – Henrico Shire.
        • 1728-1749 – Goochland County.
        • 1748-1777 – Cumberland County.
        • 1777-Today – Powhatan County.
    • The 1790 Census for Virginia is lost. The “Heads of Families—Virginia, 1783” is used as a Census Substitute.
    • The 1800 Census for Virginia is lost.

Howell Research – Ancestor #68
Samuel Pankey (1738-1807)

List of Grandparents

    • Grandfather: James Dallas Howell (1879-1964)
    • 1st Great-grandfather: Peter Fletcher Howell (1842-1924)
    • 2nd Great-grandmother:  Caroline M. A Pankey, (1810 … ?)
    • 3rd Great-grandfather: Thomas A Pankey (c. 1760 – 1829)
    • 4th Great-grandfather: Samuel Pankey (1738-1807)
    • 5th Great-grandfather: Stephen Pankey (1711-1789)*
    • 6th Great-grandfather: Jean Panetier (1685-1717)*
    • 7th Great-grandfather: Pierre Panetier (1647-____)*
    • 8th Great-Grandfather: Estienne Panetier (1615-1691)*

* Note: I have not reviewed or researched 5th Great-grandfather Stephen Pankey or earlier ancestors of his. As such, these ancestors are tentative/notional.

Birth

Samuel Pankey was born in 1738 in Manakin Town, Goochland County (Now Powhatan County), Virginia Colony. He was the second of five children of Stephen and Judith (Chastain) Pankey.

He had one older brother, John, and two younger sisters, Mary Ann and Judith, and a younger brother Stephen Pankey, Jr.

Marriage

1st marriage. Samuel Pankey married Betsy Kinsey Binford in 1759. They married in “Henrico County.” However, the county name may have been somewhat flexible as Henrico County became Goochland County, then Cumberland County.

Samuel and Betsy had five children

Child Name Born Married – Spouse Died
Mary Ann 1761   1831
Philip 16 February 1763   1819
Thomas A. Before 1765 1785 – Martha Cannon Jun 1829
Judith Elizabeth 1767   1818
Betsey Kinsey 1770 1787 – Mordecai Warriner 1816

I believe his wife Betsy died in 1770, possibly in childbirth.

It appears that Samuel remarried and had three more children

Samuel and (???) had three children

Child Name Born Married – Spouse Died
Samuel Hardin 1777    
Lelah 1782    
John 1796    

In 1883, Samuel was enumerated as the head of household. His family consisted of four whites and seven blacks. The four whites must have consisted of:

  •             Samuel
  •             Samuel’s wife (her name is still unclear)
  •             Betsy Kinsey Pankey was only 13-years-old in 1783.
  •             Samuel Harden was about six years old.

John’s wife may have passed, and Lila was the fourth white person in the household.

In 1787, Samuel gave permission for his 17-year-old daughter, Betsy, to marry Mordecai Warriner.

Death

Samuel died in August 1807 in Manakin Town, Powhatan County, Virginia.

Events by Location

    • Virginia Colony, Goochland County, Manakin Town – Birth (1738)
    • Virginia Colony, Henrico County, – Marriage (1759)
    • Virginia, Powhatan County – 1783, 1787
    • Virginia, Powhatan County, Manakin Town – Death (1807)
    • Further Actions / Follow-up

Future Actions

  • Get a copy of John Pankey of Manakin Town, Virginia, and his descendants, by George Edward Pankey. (I’ve requested through interlibrary loan, alternately it is available at NEHGS.) See: https://www.worldcat.org/title/john-pankey-of-manakin-town-virginia-and-his-descendants/oclc/72322
  • Find Vital Records for each of the children, particularly paying attention to the mother’s name.
  • Look for Samuel in Revolutionary War Records.
  • Look for property records for Samuel.
  • Look for probate records for Samuel.
  • Look for burial records for Samuel.
  • Review Church Records for Samuel, his wives, and his children. (Philip was Christened at St James Northam Parish.)

Endnotes

[i] Edmund West, Compiler, Family Data Collection – Individual Records, Ancestry, Samuel Pankey – No Image. Birth year: 1738; Birth city: Manakin Town; Birth state: VA.

[ii] Edmund West, comp., Family Data Collection – Marriages (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001), Ancestry, Samuel Pankey – Betsey Kinsey Binford – 1759.

[iii] Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917, Family Search, Philip Pankie – 29 May 1763. “Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRRC-2KF : 28 January 2020), Philip Pankie, 1763.

[iv] Virginia, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1607-1890, Ancestry, Samuel Pankey – Tax List – 1783. Original data: Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. Virginia Census, 1607-1890. Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.

[v] Pollack, Michael E, Marriage Bonds of Henrico County, Virginia, 1782-1853 (Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1984), Ancestry, Page 173 – Warriner, Mordecai to Betsey Kinsey Pankey.

[vi] Edmund West, comp., Family Data Collection – Deaths (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001), Ancestry, Samuel Pankey – No Image. Edmund West, comp.. Family Data Collection – Deaths [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001.

[vii] Dodd, Jordan. Virginia, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1660-1800 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997. | Original data: Dodd, Jordan, comp.. Virginia Marriages to 1800. Electronic transcription of marriage records held by the individual counties in Virginia.

[viii] Wikipedia – Powhatan County, Virginia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powhatan_County%2C_Virginia

 

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 42

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Don Taylor

Ford, Foss, Fossett, & Foster(2)

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.

Angie L. Fossett, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Angie Fossett, 297 Woodfords St, Portland #786.”

Angie L. Fossett, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 Portland City Directory lists Angie Fossett as a housekeeper working and living at 297 Woodford.
  • In the 1930 US Census, Angie L. Fossett is a servant in the household of Fred A. Crawford. She is 52 years old and was born in Maine.
  • Ancestry Public Trees indicate Angie Loura Fossett was born 8 January 1878 in Bristol, Maine, to Arad and Nettie (Leeman) Fossett.
  • Based upon the photo ID (#786), I believe this to be Angie about 1936.

Family Search identifies Angie L. Fossett as ID M6V6-W4G; thirteen Ancestry trees mention Angie Fossett.

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

Miss Foster

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Foster” [No Address, no Photo ID number].

  • Miss Foster

    Because there is no first name, address, or envelope number, I cannot identify this photograph.

  • The Portland City Directory lists several dozen individuals who may be “Miss Foster.”

No Identification.

Grace Foss, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Grace Foss, ME Gen. Hospital, Portland #300.”

Grace Foss, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Grayce Foss as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Grace L Foss as a nurse at 180 Grant, Apt 2.
  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Grace L Foss as a nurse who married Lawrence E. Dunham.
  • I am sure this is a photo of Grace Foss about 1936.

Ancestry Family Trees identify Grace Louise Foss, who married Lawrence Dunham as the Daughter of Charles and Minnie Foss. Family Search identifies Grace Louise Foss as ID LTVZ-WQ4. I am pretty sure this is Grace about 1936, when she graduated from nursing school. Thirty-eight trees on Ancestry mention Grace Louise Foss.

I uploaded two photos of Grace to her Family Search Memories.

Photo confirmed by a grandchild to definately be a photo of Grace Foss. 

Leone Ford, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Leone Ford, ME Gen. Hospital, Portland #705.”

Could it be Leone G Ford?

    • Leone Ford, circa 1936

      Louisa Ford appears in the 1934-1940 Portland City Directories as living with David and Frances Ford. Their home was on Ocean House Rd at Shore Acres Cape Elizabeth.

    • The 1940 US Census indicates David Ford, as a lodger at the Barclay Hotel in New York City, but he lived in Cape Elizabeth in 1935. David was born in Georgia and was 57 years old.
    • The 1940 US Census indicates Frances Ford as divorced, living on Ocean House Road. In 1935 she was at the same house. Frances was born in New York and was 64 years old.
    • The 1930 US Census indicates David, his wife Florence, and two daughters, including 19-year-old Louisa, lived on Ocean House Road.
    • Continued research failed to find any relationship between this Louisa Ford and any nursing experiences.

Looking at alternative Leona Fords, I would expect this Leona to be born between 1910 and 1920 and unmarried in 1930.

    • The 1930 US Census indicates there were eight individuals named Leone Ford enumerated:
      • Leone G Ford, born c. 1917, Hancock, Maine (see above).
      • Leone B Ford, born c. 1902 – Married.
      • Leone Ford, born c. 1916 in Wisconsin, sister of Ann Ford – Possible.
      • Leone Ford, born c. 1928 in Utah, was too young.
      • Leone A. Ford, born c. 1905 – Married.
      • Leone Ford, born c. 1895 – Married.
      • Leone F. Ford, born c. 1912 in Colorado – Possible.
      • Leone Ford, born 1910 in Michigan – Possible.
    • Although there are four possible Leone Fords, none seem to be likely candidates for the Leone ford in this photo.

Not Identified.

Lena Gertrude Foster & child, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Herbert Foster, 47 Pitt St, Portland #850.”

Lena Gertrude Foster & child, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory shows Foster, Herbert St C (Lena) clerk at 93 Kennebec; home at 47 Pitt.
  • The 1940 Portland City Directory shows Foster, Herbert StC (Lena G) manager, moved to Cumberland Center.
  • The 1940 US Census shows Herbert S. [St. Clair] Foster (age 37), his wife Lena (Age 38), and three children living in Cumberland Center. Herbert Junior is ten, Ruth A is six, and Jane K is four.
  • Based upon the photo number (#850), this photo was likely taken about 1935 or 1936. Herbert Jr. would have been too old to be the child in this photo. Ruth Alison Foster was born on 16 January 1934. Jane K. Foster was born about 1936, so I believe the baby to be Jane K. Foster and the woman to be Lena Gertrude (Voorhees). Foster (age 35).

Family Search identifies Lena Gertrude Voorhees, who married Herbert S. Foster as ID GMGT-59K. I am sure this is her about 1936. I believe the baby to be Jane, although I am not certain beyond the shadow of a doubt, as the child may be Ruth. Lena appears in 28 public trees on Ancestry.

I have uploaded a photo of Lena with a child to Lena’s Family Search Memories.

This photo was verified by a sister of Jane Foster to be Jane.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified three individuals, so I posted two of their photos to Family Search
  • Although I have the name of one individual, I could not determine exactly who the person is by confirming occupation.
  • One photo was not identifiable due to a lack of first name, address, or other identifying information.

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 , , , | 3 Comments

The Pride’s Corner Union Bible Society

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Don Taylor

Treasure Chest Thursday
Welch-Harris Project

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.One of my favorite resources in researching ancestors is to check the local historical society. A simple google search using the “Site” criteria for a search. In this case, I was researching Mildred Swain in my Welch-Harris Project. I knew from the 1910 Census she was living in Westbrook and attending school. A Google search of the Westbrook Historical Society’s website site for Mildred would be:

Mildred Swain site:www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org

The search returned one page, https://www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org/photo_arc.html. A quick <cmd-f> to find an entry of “Swain” on the page yielded a photo of “The Pride’s Corner Union Bible Society” as well as a great little article. Besides my Mildred, who would have been about 12 at the time, is another Mildred (I wonder who she is?), her sisters Ruby and Esther, and Mildred’s father, Milton. What a treasure to find. There is additional history about the Pride’s Corner Church; land for the church was purchased on Elmwood Street in 1912, and the church was dedicated in 1915, free from debt.

A colorized and enhanced version of the Pride’s Corner Union Bible Society photo, circa 1911. Photo courtesy of the Westbrook Historical Society.

On the back of the original photograph is additional information about some of the people in the photo. Included is that Mildred Swain married Lawrence Harmon (which I knew) and that Ruby Swain married Van Vliet (which I didn’t know.)

Key features:
    • Milton Swain was a founder of the Pride’s Corner Union Bible Society. His children, Ruby, Mildred, and Esther, also attended the Society.
    • Ruby Swain married Van Vliet.
    • All were living in the Pride’s Corner neighborhood of Westbrook in 1912.
    • I cropped mall headshots of the various Swain family members in the photo to use in my family tree.

Follow-up

I couldn’t wait to see what else might be on the Westbrook Historical Society. A search for just “Swain” on the site found a list of people buried at the Highland Lake Cemetery. It included the following entries:

    • SWAIN Emma L. Bunker w/o Milton N. Swain 1866 – 1933
    • SWAIN Milton N. 1867 – 1961
    • SWAIN Ruby L. (VanVliet) w/o Willem VanVliet 1895 – Mar 7, 1958

Continuing with more items to follow-up with:

    • A heretofore unknown woman also named Mildred Swain lived in the area and should be researched regarding her relationship. (Possibly a sister of Milton’s and/or namesake for young Mildred?)
    • Research the Pride’s Corner Church on Elmwood Street.
    • Research the Pride’s Corner school, its students, etc.

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