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:
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.
I often talk about my Don Taylor Genealogy Blog as “cousin bait,” but a chiropractor who knew Donna in the sixties and seventies contacted me because of the blog. He was an intern at N.W. Chiropractic college in Minneapolis and a “little old lady” named Donna Kees came to see him in 1961. After he graduated, she transferred her records to his office, and he continued to treat her for many years. Donna told him stories of her being a Hollywood performer known as “Donna Darling” and that she had lived the big ostentatious life of fancy clothes, convertibles, and long-haired dogs. Although there was a considerable age difference, he and Donna had become very good friends, and she told him many stories.
Through several correspondences, we confirmed it was the same Donna Darling. His Donna had two children and donated her body to the University of Minnesota Medical School. She used to say she “didn’t know why they would want this old body of [hers].” And in fact, her body was in rough shape. She had arthritic changes and some kyphosis (“Dowager’s Hump). She walked with a cane, and on her bad days, she was pretty feeble. However, he said that Donna was always mentally as sharp as a tack.
Donna “Darling” and her dog Gypsie circa 1926
He writes, “Donna described her life in Hollywood just as you would picture it in the 1920s; she rode around in a large convertible with handsome men, beautiful women, and her long-haired silky dogs [Gypsy and apparently others]. She dined at expensive popular restaurants, drank champagne, etc. She made it sound like a privileged and exciting life.”
John goes on to say, “Donna indicated there were only a few “top” girls in Hollywood, and she wanted to be one of them. She was offered the opportunity to tour the country with an entertainment group she thought it would help her become more well-known and famous. [“Chin-Chin?”] She didn’t realize it at the time, but she told John the reason she left for the tour was that there was only so much room at the top, and she was at the top with some women – one of whom was Mary Pickford. Unfortunately, when she returned, Mary Pickford was “Hollywood’s Sweetheart,” had married
Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks – Photo courtesy Kate Gabrielle via Flickr.
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. She and Douglas were the undisputed top couple of Hollywood. They had incredible power among the studios. Donna said that she then realized that she was tricked into leaving and was eased out of the public eye so the studios could make Pickford the top star with no competition.
John’s memories somewhat explain the gap in Donna’s career and her shift from Hollywood, Mack Sennett, and public appearances to vaudeville. Donna joined the “Chin Chin” cast in 1919, shortly after Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and D. W. Griffith[i]formed United Artists and before Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks married.
Donna was known for her fantastic voice, great dancing, and stage presence, so I’ve often wondered why she hadn’t made the transition from vaudeville to talkies. John’s memories shed some light on possible reasons.
[I would like to thank John Rapacz for sharing his memories and the stories that Donna told him so long ago.]
Endnotes
[i] Donna worked with D. W. Griffith on “Birth of a Nation” in 1915.
One of my normal processes is finding an ancestor during all of the censuses during their lifetime. I had looked for Laurance and Mildred (Swain) Harmon several times, in several ways, without success. Also, a reasonably exhaustive search should explain why I can’t find someone.
In doing an advanced search, it is essential to understand where the family is likely to be and what it should look like.
When Laurance and Mildred were married (1 October 1917), Laurance and his parents, Louis and Lucille Harmon, lived in Gorham. Mildred and her parents, Milton and Emma Swain, lived in Westbrook.[i]
When Laurance enlisted in the Army on 28 August 1918, the young couple lived at 7 Grace Street in Portland.[ii]
The 1922 Portland City Directory lists Lawrence L. and Mildred Harmon living in Westbrook.[iii]
Consequently, I might expect Laurance and Mildred to be living in Portland, Westbrook, or possibly Gorham with Laurance’s parents in 1920.
A review of the 1920 Census records looking for anyone with the surname Harmon or Swain (even Swan) did not reveal any candidates for the Harmon family in the 1920 Census. As such, I’ve come to the conclusion they were not enumerated during the 1920 Census. My alternate source for families for any particular year is City Directories.
City Directories
1919 A review of the 1919 Westbrook City Directory found 13 Harmon households, but none of them appeared to include Laurance. A review of the 1919 Gorham directory lists Lawrence L Harmon in the US Army. Laurance served from 28 August to 5 December 1918.[iv] Additionally, the 1919 Gorham Directory includes the Gorham Roll of Honor, “a list of the Sons of Gorham who served their Country in the War for Humanity.” Lawrence L Harmon appears on that list.
1921 The 1921 Westbrook City Directory available on Ancestry only includes four pages. Their version jumps from page 100 (Hansen) to page 184 (Welch)[v]. The 1921 Gorham City Directory says that Lawrence L Harmon moved to Westbrook.
1923 Lawrence L and Mildred S Harmon appear in the 1923 Westbrook City Directory (Page 102), living at 23 Chandler Ave.
1924 Laurance and Mildred are not listed in the 1924 Westbrook City Directory. However, The 1924-1925 Gorham City Directory list Lawrence (and Mildred) Harmon as a farmhand that boards at L C Harmon’s Bar Mills rd. Louis C. (and Lucy M.) appear listed with Louis being an employee at SDWCo (S. D. Warren, Co.), home in Portland, but p.o. Westbrook, rfd1.
Conclusion
It is unclear where Mildred and Alton were while Lawrence was in the service in 1918. They likely lived in Gorham in 1920 because the 1921 Gorham Directory wouldn’t have mentioned they had moved to Westbrook if they hadn’t been living in Gorham. Because of this evidence, I believe Laurance and Mildred were in the process of moving during the 1920 Census and were not enumerated. That explains why I haven’t found any evidence of them in the 1920 Census records.
Endnotes:
[i] “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-SHR3 : 16 December 2020), Laurence Harmon and Mildred R Swan, 01 Oct 1917; citing Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
[ii] . “Maine, State Archive Collections, 1718-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KG9Q-67X : 11 March 2018), Laurance Or Lawrence Louis Harmon, 28 Aug 1918; citing Military Service, United States, State Archives, Augusta.
[iv] “Maine, State Archive Collections, 1718-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KG9Q-67X : 11 March 2018), Laurance Or Lawrence Louis Harmon, 28 Aug 1918; citing Military Service, United States, State Archives, Augusta.
[v] I reported the problem to Ancestry. Hopefully, they will consider redigitizing the book.
Ancestry indicates that Sutherland surname is a Scottish regional name from the Old Norse suðr ‘south’ + land ‘land.’ Sutherland lays south of Scandinavia and the Norse colonies in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Forebears add that it comes from the province of Moray.
Today, the most significant number of people with the Sutherland surname live in the United States with over 40,000. As you might expect, it has the highest frequency in Scotland, where one in 462 people have the surname.
In the United States, the most significant number of people with the Sutherland surname live in California, with over 4,000 people. The highest frequency for the surname is Wyoming, where one in 3,823 have the surname.
Direct Sutherland Ancestors
I have not had a chance to do in-depth research of my Sutherland ancestors, so all of my estimated ancestors are notional. However, it appears that I have seven known Sutherland ancestors in two separate paths.
3rd Great-Grandmother: Tamise (Possibly Tammy or Fanny) Sutherland (1796-1864)
6th Great-Grandfather: Col. David Sutherland (1711-1794)
7th Great-Grandfather: William Sutherland (1690-1772)
(* Note: William J Sutherland and Hannah Sutherland married. It is unclear what their relationship may have been before their marriage.)
Interestingly enough, Tamise Sutherland, wife of Joel Cruff Taft, is my next planned research subject in my Roberts Research.
Historical
1840 – Tamise (Sutherland) Taft is my only known Sutherland ancestor that was living in 1840. She had already married Joel Cruff Taft. They lived in Broome County, New York, at the time. In 1840, 29% of the Sutherlands (or 96 households) in the United States lived in New York; however, none of the Sutherlands appear to have lived in Broome County.
Direct Sutherland Descendants
Genealogy
My records have identified 287 direct descendants of William Sutherland (1715-1768) and 289 for William Sutherland (1690-1772), most of whom are duplicated. These include 27 Barnes, 21 Roberts, 17 Ransford, 15 Taft, and many more surnames. I only have eight descendants of the Sutherlands with the Sutherland surname, indicating I have much more research to do on my Sutherland cousins.
Other Sutherlands
Festival TV Monte-Carlo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Of course, there are many famous Sutherlands. Donald Sutherland and his son Kiefer are probably the most famous. However, Elizabeth Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland, also comes to mind. Again, I have much more research to do on my Sutherland cousins. I would love to learn that Donald, one of my favorite actors, is related.
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.
Alice Frances Foley, circa 1936.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Alice Foley, 512 Cumberland Ave., Portland #739.”
Alice Frances Foley, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1940 Portland City Directory lists Frederick J. Foley (wife Margaret M.) as the treasurer at 512 Cumberland Ave and 281 St. John but making their home at 59 Kenwood. Additionally, Fred T is the Station Supervisor at 512 Cumberland, residing at 56 Congress. John T. Foley is a clerk at 512 Cumberland and living at 46 C in South Portland. Community Oil Co. Inc, a gas and oil service station, is at 512 Cumberland. There are four Alice Foley’s living in Portland, none of which appear to be associated with 512 Cumberland or any of the other addresses above.
The 1930 US Census lists Alice F. Foley, the 14-year-old daughter of Frederick J and Margaret M Foley, living with them at 46 Noyes Street. Alice was born in Maine.
The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that Alice F. Foley is a clerk at 512 Cumberland and resides at 59 Kenwood.
Ancestry Trees Identifies Alice Frances Foley, born 2 June 1915 in Portland, Maine, as the daughter of Frederick Joseph and Margaret Mary (Sheehan) Foley.
Based upon the above, I identify this photo as Alice Frances Foley.
Family Search does not have profiles for Alice Frances, Frederick, or Margaret (Sheehan) Foley. Ancestry includes 10 Ancestry trees that include Alice Frances Foley.
The envelope these negatives were in say, “Miss Sally Foley, 44 Brackett St., Portland #784.”
Sarah “Sally” Foley, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Sally W. Foley as a clerk at 561 Congress residing at 44 Brackett. Also living at 44 Bracket is Morgan Foley and Coleman J. Foley, a janitor at 52 Center. Further searching for Sally did not yield any results.
The 1930 US Census reported Coleman, Morgan, and Sarah as children of Martin and Julia Foley. Sarah was 18-years-old, born in Maine, while her parents were born in Ireland. Because Sally is often a nickname for Sarah, I’m sure this is a photo of Sarah when she was about 24 years old.
Ancestry Trees indicate Sarah Foley, born 8 February 1912, as the daughter of Martin J. and Julia Foley.
Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Sarah Foley, born 8 February 1912; sixteen trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Sarah Foley, daughter of Martin & Julia Foley.
Photo confirmed by Sarah Foley’s daughter to be a photo of Sarah.
John Ambrose Foley, circa 1935.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. John Foley, 11 Mayo St., Portland, #340.”
John Ambrose Foley, circa 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists John H. Foley, and his wife Martha, living at 11 Mayo. Note: There is another John H. Foley residing at 31 Bristol.
The 1940 US Census enumerated John H and Martha Foley living at 11 Mayo Street. John was 63 years old, suggesting he was born about 1877. It also says he was born in New York.
The 1930 US Census enumerated John H and Martha Foley living at 11 Mayo Street. John was 56 years old, suggesting he was born about 1874. He does have a 19-year-old son, John A. Foley, in the 1930 Census.
Find-a-Grave identifies John Ambrose Foley, born 21 December 1910 in Portland with the parents of John Henry and Martha Foley.
Ancestry family trees identify John Henry Foley, Born 8 January 1875 in Millbrook, New York, and married Martha Gorey on 8 August 1898. They lived on Mayo Street during the 1920, 1930, and 1940 Censuses.
This photo is clearly not of the 60-year-old father, so it must be of the son, John Ambrose Foley, about 1935 when he was about 25 years old.
Family Search identifies John Ambrose Foley as ID LBM7-TH4; he is also found in 13 Ancestry trees.
The 1940 US Census enumerated the Coleman P, Foley household living at 146 Neal in Portland. The household consisted of himself, his wife Anne T., and four children.
Margaret Age 11
Patrick Age 9
Daniel Age 6
John Age 4
Based upon the photo number (#804), this photo is likely to have been taken about 1935. John hadn’t been born yet, Daniel would have been one, and Patrick would have been about 4. The child in the photo appears to be a boy about four years of age to me, so it must be Patrick. Coleman is the brother of Sarah/Sally I reviewed above. Based upon the photo numbers, this photo was probably taken a day or two after Sarah/Sally’s pictures were taken.
Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Patrick nor his parents, Coleman and Anne. Patrick Martin Foley, son of Coleman Daniel and Anne Theresa Foley, appears in one tree at Ancestry.Com. Patrick’s father, Coleman Foley, son of Martin and Julia (Graney) Foley, appears in 12 trees at Ancestry.com
I have added two photos of Patrick Martin Foley to Dead Fred.
Iris Fogg, circa 1935 (age 0)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Ernest A Fogg, 102 Rockland Ave., Portland, #150.”
Iris Fogg, circa 1935 (age 0)
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Ernest A. and his wife Freda Fogg, living at 102 Rockland Ave. There is another Ernest A. Fogg, who is a fireman residing at 18 Cumberland ave.
The 1940 US Census finds Ernest A. Fob and his wife Freda living at 152 Franklin St., Portland. They have five children living with them.
Iris Age 5
Joan E. Age 4
Robert E. Age 3
David L. Age 1
Diane L. Age 1
According to Ancestry Trees, Iris Fogg was born on 24 August 1934. Joan E. Fogg was born on 8 March 1936.
Because of the number associated with this photo (#150), it was taken about 1934 or 1935, before Joan was born, so this must be a photo of Iris Fogg, probably before she was one.
Family Search identifies Iris Fogg, daughter of Ernest Almon and Freda May (Frost) Fogg, as ID G34X-8YV. Iris Fogg is also found in 7 trees on Ancestry.Com.
I fully identified two individuals, so I posted their photos to Family Search
I also identified three additional individuals, who do not appear to have Family Search profiles, so I posted those photos to Dead Fred.
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.
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:
I often talk about my Don Taylor Genealogy Blog as “cousin bait,” but a chiropractor who knew Donna in the sixties and seventies contacted me because of the blog. He was an intern at N.W. Chiropractic college in Minneapolis and a “little old lady” named Donna Kees came to see him in 1961. After he graduated, she transferred her records to his office, and he continued to treat her for many years. Donna told him stories of her being a Hollywood performer known as “Donna Darling” and that she had lived the big ostentatious life of fancy clothes, convertibles, and long-haired dogs. Although there was a considerable age difference, he and Donna had become very good friends, and she told him many stories.
