Photo Friday – Sewall, Sherman, Small, Soule, & Stockbridge

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 033
Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

For Photo Friday, I identified the people in five photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection this week. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I like analyzing the images and trying to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the picture. The Scarborough Historical Society holds the originals in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.

Edith Soule of South Portland, circa 1892.

This Cabinet Card has an embossed studio name and border, suggesting it was created after 1890. Identifying information includes:

Photo of Edith Soule of South Portland, circa 1892.
Edith Soule of South Portland, circa 1892.
  • Photographer: H.M.Smith, 478 Congress St., Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on the back: Edith Soule.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1900 US Census lists two Edith Soules.
    • Edith L Soule was born in Jul 1873 in Maine and lived in South Portland.
    • Edith M Soule (Creech), born Dec 1856 in Maine, living in Freeport.
  • In 1890, Edith L. would be 17 years old, and Edith M would be 34 years old. The woman in this photo appears younger than 34, so I am sure it is Edith L Soule.
  • The 1900 US Census also indicates that Edith L. is the daughter of Deborah Soule. Her siblings included sisters Mabel, Alice, and Lucy, as well as a brother, Ervin.

Family Search indicates that Edith Soule (G89Z-X5P) was born on 10 July 1873 to Alonzo K and Deborah Sinnett (Orr) Soule in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She married Franklin Eggert in 1894, suggesting this photo was taken between 1890 and 1894.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and uploaded it to her FamilySearch memories.

Edward Rand Sherman, Xmas 1907 (age 8).

This 7.5” x 6” photo has an embossed studio name. Identifying information includes:

Photo of Edward Rand Sherman.
Edward Rand Sherman, Xmas 1907 (age 8).
  • Photographer: Jackson 548½ Congress St, Portland, ME
  • Handwritten on the back: Edward Rand Sherman, Xmas 1907.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1900 US Census lists 1-year-old Edward R Sherman living with his parents, John C and Margaret E. L. Sherman.
  • Family Search suggests this is Edward Rand Sherman (LVDB-R1Y), born 12 February 1899 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, to John Curtis (1871-1934) and Margaret Eva Lena (Taylor) Sherman (1872-1953). His siblings include a brother, Palmer Ricker Sherman, and a sister, Harriet Stevens Sherman.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

John Chase Small, Jr., circa 1882.

This cabinet card has the studio name in gold on a black card stock, suggesting it was created in the late 1880s to the 90s. Identifying information includes:

Photo of John Chase Small, Jr.
John Chase Small, Jr., circa 1882.
  • Photographer: Lamson, Portland, Me
  • Handwritten on the back: John Chase Small, Jr.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry already included John Chase Small, Jr. (1878-___) already. He is the son of John Chase and Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small.
  • Family Search provides profile KL4K-VW6 for John Jr. He was born on 3 June 1878 in Portland, Maine, and married Blanche Helen Robinson in 1916.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

William H. Stockbridge of Freeport, circa 1881.

Photo of William H Stockbridge.
William H. Stockbridge of Freeport, circa 1881.

This Cabinet Card has an embossed studio name and border, suggesting it was created after 1890. Identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: Conant, 478½ Congress St., Portland.
  • Handwritten on the back: W. H. Stockbridge (?).

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • Portland directories list the Conant photography studio from 1877 to 1884 at 478½ Congress Street.
  • The 1881 Portland City Directory lists William H. Stockbridge, a music teacher, 156 Exchange, and 499½ Congress, who lives in Freeport.
  • 478½ and 499½ Congress Street are about 260 feet apart, so it fits that William Stockbridge would walk the short block to have his photograph taken.
  • The 1880 US Census lists 36-year-old William H. Stockbridge living in Freeport, Maine, with his wife Georgie and three children, Ira (age 6), William D (age 3), and Mildred (age 1).

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Sallie [Sarah] Sewall, c. 1873.

Photo of Sallie Sewall
Sallie [Sarah] Sewall,
c. 1873.

The very small, 1.75” x 3.25” carte de visite style photo has a single gold border, suggesting it was taken between 1866 and 1880. There is no studio information. The image appears to be of a young woman of high school age. Handwritten on the back is “Sallie Sewall.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • A review of the 1870 US Census for Maine yielded no one named Sallie Sewall in Maine. However, it identified four individuals named Sarah. (Sallie is a common nickname for Sarah.) They are:
    • Sarah E Sewall, born about 1834, was married to Edward Sewall and lived in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine.
    • Sarah C Sewall, born about 1822, was married to Samuel G Sewall and lived in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine.
    • Sarah Sewall was born about 1834, was a black woman,
    • Sarah H Sewall was born about 1850 in Maine. She is the apparent daughter of Lydia Sewall, living in York, York County, Maine. Her apparent siblings include Harriet, Isabella, Leonard, Edward, and William.[i]
  • Nationally, there are 14 Sarah Sewall listed in the 1870 US Census.
  • My Google search for B&W photos of any “Sarah Sewall” failed to yield any useful results.

Although I suspect this is Sarah H Sewall of York, Maine, It could be Sarah Sewall (b. c. 1855) of Marion County. Because I could not positively identify the individual in this photo, it is only available here.

Conclusion

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Ancestry, Dead Fred, or Flickr have higher quality than those linked here. Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

Endnotes

[i] Ancestry.Com – 1870 US Census; Census Place: York, York, Maine; Roll: M593_565; Page: 750A

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Photo Friday – Potter, Schell, Small, Smith & Stanford

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 032
By Don Taylor

I examined the people in five photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection this week for Photo Friday. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I like analyzing the images and trying to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the picture. The Scarborough Historical Society holds the originals in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.

Grace Potter (later Small), circa 1900.

The photo identifying information:

Photo of Grace Potter, circa 1900.
Grace Potter, circa 1900.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Grace Potter – Small.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My Linwood Dyer Collection Tree included Grace F. C. Potter (1878-___), who married Richard D. Small (1872-1937).
  • Grace married Richard on 20 Nov 1901 in Boston.[i]
  • I learned from other Ancestry Public Trees that she lived in Portland, Maine, during the 1910, 1920, & 1940 censuses.
  • The Portland Press Herald indicates she died on 16 Oct 1962.[ii]

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Richard Dresser Small, 1873.

The photo identifying information:

  • Handwritten on the back: “Richard Dresser Small, 16 mos.”
Photo of a child, 16 mos old, Richard Dresser Small.
Richard Dresser Small, 1873.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My Linwood Dyer Collection Tree included Richard Dresser Small (1872-1937), who married Grace F. C. Potter (1878-1962) (See above).
  • Maine Birth Records indicate Richard was born on 15 March 1872 in Portland, Maine, to John C. and Mary S. Small.
  • Ancestry Public Trees suggest his father was John Chase Small (1842-1923), and his mother was Mary Schuyler Dresser (1847-___). His siblings included:
    • Sally Burnside Small (1871-1910)
    • Carrie E Small (1873-___).
    • Annie A Small (1876-___).
    • John Chase Small, Jr. (1878-___).
    • Gracie E. Small (1879-___).

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

George Stanford, circa 1905.

Photo of George Stanford, circa 1905.
George Stanford, circa 1905.

This photo is in the style of being in the early 1900s. Handwritten on the back is “Gw Stanford.”

I already had George W Stafford in my Linwood Dyer Family Tree based upon the Sanford Family Bible. I feel confident this is a photo of George about 1905.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Carl & Karen (Davis) Schell, 16 Jul 1983.

Photo of Carl & Karen Schell, wedding day.
Carl & Karen Schell, wedding day, 16 July 1983.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Handwritten on the back is “Carl & Karen Schell, Wilkes-Barre, PA, July 16, 1983, (Pami Schell flower girl).

What I learned while researching this photo:

Thanks to Newspapers.com, I learned that The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), dated Wednesday, August 10, 1983, Page 2D, announced the marriage between Karen Dorothy Davis and Carl Peter Schell. Pamela Schell, the niece of the groom, was the flower girl. I also learned the following:

  • Karen is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. David E. Davis, 64 Fort St., Forty Fort, PA.
  • Karen has a sister, Donna Davis, who was the maid of honor.
  • Karen has a sister-in-law, Michelle Davis.
  • Karen graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School & Allentown Hospital School of Nursing.
  • Carl is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Francis J Schell, 46 Conant St., Acton, MA.
  • Carl has a sister, Barbara Schell, who was a bridesmaid.
  • Carl has a niece, Pamela Schell, who was the flower girl.
  • Carl graduated from Acton-Boxborough High School & Fitchburg State College.
  • The couple will reside in Worcester, MA, after their wedding trip.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

William B. Smith, Jr., circa 1935.

The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of William B. Smith, circa 1935.
William B. Smith, circa 1935.
  • Photographer: Warren Hay Vantine, Boston, Mass.
  • Handwritten on the front cover is “Cousin Evelyn.”
  • Handwritten on the back is “William B Smith, Jr., 43 Ratchford St., Quincy, Mass – rec’d July 18, 1935.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1940 US Census lists William Smith living at 43 Ratchford Street. Living with him are his wife, Florence, a daughter, Dorothy, and two sons, William Jr., & Robert. In 1940, Robert was 21 years old, and about 16 in 1935.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is William Burke Smith, Jr., born 22 Apr 1918 in Presque Isle, Aroostook, Maine.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Conclusion

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Ancestry, Dead Fred, or Flickr have higher quality than those linked here. Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

 Endnotes

[i] Massachusetts, U.S., Marriage Records, 1840-1915 – Grace F Potter.
[ii] Newspapers.com – Portland Press Herald – Oct 18, 1962, Page 2.

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Donald Montran Stabs his Wife.

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Don Taylor

In the News
Montran Monday
By Don Taylor

It is time for another edition of “Montran Monday[i].” When I encounter a new, historical newspaper article about persons with the surname Montran, I try to add information about them to my family tree database to discover something that might lead me to learn about my maternal grandmother’s father.

This week, I found an article in The Portland Guardian, [Portland, Victoria, Australia] dated 7 April 1927[ii]:

News clipping about Donald Montran stabbing his wife, another woman, and a boy.
The Portland Guardian (Portland, Victoria, Australia) · Thu, Apr 7, 1927 · Page 3

“Donald Montran, an Italian, chased his wife into the street and stabbed her in the back. Another woman and her son were also stabbed and have been taken to hospital. The man was arrested.”

I learned: Donald Montran lived in Portland, Australia, in 1927. He was Italian.

Endnotes:

[i] Montran Monday – My grandmother’s father was John Montran. She used the surname, as a young child and when she began her career in show business. The name is uncommon and most of the Montrans I see in the newspapers are my grandmother during her early vaudeville career. However, with the constant flow of newly digitized material, I often learn of new articles which contain the Montran surname. I pay attention to the finding and try to determine a possible relationship of any Montrans to Donna’s father, John Montran.

[ii] The Portland Guardian (Portland, Victoria, Australia) · Thu, Apr 7, 1927 · Page 3 – https://www.newspapers.com/image/1097167695/

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Photo Friday – Bailey, Briggs, Bumpus, Rodley, & Reed.

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 031
SHS Photo Collection
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I decided to work on three photos given to me by friends and two photos now in the Linwood Dyer Collection. I like analyzing the images and trying to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the picture.

Azel Kinsley & Francina (Tucker) Bumpus, circa 1876.

Azel Kinsley & Francina (Tucker) Bumpus, circa 1876.

This photo was given to me permanently by a friend, Nancy. The frame isn’t too severely damaged. The photo identifying information includes:

  • The handwriting on the wooden back is difficult to read; I read it as, “Azel Kinsley B?mp?s and Francine Tr??ky Bump?s his wife.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My search on Ancestry for Azel Kingsley [surname blank) in Maine, with a wife, Francine Tricky, quickly found Azel Kingsley Bumpus and his wife Francina Tucker. The couple appears in 65 public trees.
  • The Aspinall/Bean family tree has a photo of Azel, which is definitely a photo of the same man a few years later.
  • Azel was born on 16 Mar 1821 in Hebron, Oxford County, and died in Norway, Oxford County, Maine on 19 Nov 1901.
  • My estimate of Azel’s age in this photo is about 55 (his beard & mustache are just beginning to gray), suggesting the photo was taken about 1876. The 1870 and 1880 US Census indicate Azel lived in Hebron during both censuses.
  • Francina Tucker was born on 4 Feb 1825 in Bethel, Oxford County, Maine.

I uploaded this photo to Azel Kinsley Bumpus and Francina Tucker’s profiles on Family Search. I also added it to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

The original of this photo is available to a direct descendant; please contact me via the comment form below if you are interested.

Annie Bailey, circa 1901.

This photo came from another friend who asked if I could determine who this is. The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of Annie Bailey, circa 1901.
Annie Bailey, circa 1901.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Annie Bailey, Nutting Badger.”
  • On a separate paper is a note that “[this person] may be from the Dexter or Cambridge, Maine, area.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My search Ancestry for Annie Bailey, with spouses Nutting and Badger, yielded Annie Mae Bailey, born on 29 Sep 1881 in Cambridge, Somerset County, Maine, and died in 1965. On 22 Oct 1901, she married Daniel L Nutting (1870-1930) and Manley William Badger (1877-1957) on 9 May 1935.
  • She looks quite young, probably 18-25, so I date the photo about the turn of the century before she married Mr. Nutting.

Family Search has profile KJ2Q-XNH for Annie May Bailey (28 Sep 1880-1965), who married Daniel L Nutting (1870-1930). It does not mention Manley Badger, but I’m confident this is the same person. I uploaded this photo of her to her FamilySearch profile.

 I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry. The original of this photo was returned to RL.

Frank Briggs, circa 1880?

Photo of Frank Briggs, circa 1880?
Probably Frank Briggs of Anson, circa 1880?

This cabinet card also came from a friend who asked if I could determine who this is.

  • The photographer was Dole of Bangor, Maine.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Frank Briggs (I think)”.
  • A note on a separate paper reads, “[this person] may be from the Dexter or Cambridge, Maine, area.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The Bangor City Directories list Augustus K Dole as a photographer from 1864 to 1893. Augustus died in 1894.
  • There is a Frank L Briggs who lived in Ripley, Maine, during the 1880 census. Ripley is about 7 miles from Cambridge and about 5 miles from Dexter. Frank L. Brigs was only 12 years old in 1880, so it is unlikely this photo is of him.
  • There was a Frank W Brigs who lived in Pittsfield, Maine, during the 1900 census. Pittsfield is about 20 miles from Cambridge. 21 miles south of Dexter, and 65 miles from Bangor. Frank W’s age was not recorded in the census. The 1880 US Census suggests that Frank W. Briggs, who was then living in Freeman, Franklin County, Maine, was 46 years old.
  • There is a Frank Briggs who lived in Anson, Maine, during the 1880 and 1900 censuses. Anson is about 29 miles from Cambridge, 38 miles from Dexter, and 40 miles to Bangor. He was born in 1851, making him about 29 years old in 1880, when the photo was probably taken.

This is probably a photo of Frank Briggs of Anson taken about 1880. However, I cannot be 100% certain, so I uploaded this photo to Dead Fred. The original of this photo was returned to RL.

Harriet (Reed) Shaw, circa 1915.

  • The photographer is Holmes, Bath, ME.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Harriett (Reed) Shaw, 164 Oak Steet, Bath, ME.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

Photo of Harriet (Reed) Shaw, circa 1915.
Harriet (Reed) Shaw, circa 1915.
  • The 1902 and 1914 Bath City directories list the Holmes studio in Bath, Maine. Massachusetts Marriage Records indicate Lucius lived in Abington, MA when he married Carrie Brackett. The Studio does not appear in the 1919 Bath directory. The 1920 Census indicates he had moved to New Britain, CT, before that. So, the photo had to have been taken between 1902 and 1919.
  • The 1910 US Census enumerated Harriet R Shaw, the wife of John Shaw, living at 164 Oak Street, Bath, ME. Harriet was 35 years old.
  • Ancestry Trees indicate Harriet was born on 13 Aug 1874 in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine. She married John O Shaw (1874-1953) on 2 Oct 1898. She died in Bath on 5 May 1966 and is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery.
  • I am sure this is a photo of Harriet (Reed) Shaw taken about 1910 in Bath, Maine.

I added her photo to Family Search and my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Leroy Franklin Radley, 1914 (age 1).

The photographer’s studio is, “Pillsbury Studio, Rockland.

Photo of Leroy Franklin Radley, 1914 (age 1).
Leroy Franklin Radley, 1914 (age 1).
  • Handwritten on the back is “Leroy Franklin Radley, Rockland, ME – Christmas 1914.”

I looked briefly at Leroy’s photo in 2020 and was unsuccessful in finding a clear family link. I believed he was Leroy Franklin Radley, born 16 Oct 1913 in Rockland, Knox County, to Franklin L. and Agnes Radley. However, I could not find Leroy in Family Search or an Ancestry Tree. However, I have now found him in Family Search as profile GKRP-8KZ. I posted his picture there and added his photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

I could not fully identify the individual, so I uploaded this photo of FNAME to Dead Fred.
I have not identified the individual in this photo sufficiently to upload to either my family tree or Dead Fred, so I only include the individual’s photo here and to my Flickr Photostream.

Conclusion

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Ancestry, Dead Fred, or Flickr have higher quality than those linked here. Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

 

Tags: 

Social Message: This week, I identified XXX people from the Linwood Dyer Collection:
Names of Individuals Include (née) and (later).

 

Endnotes

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Dona Montrim at Lincoln Theatre, Union City, NY, Sep. 5-7, 1921.

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Don Taylor

Donna in the News
103 Years Ago
by Don Taylor

“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka 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. 

Ad from the Hudson Observer showing Dona Montrim playing at the Lincoln Theatre in Union City, NY in September 1921.

This week, from the Hudson Observer (Jersey City, NJ), dated September 3rd, 1921, I learned that Donna played at the Lincoln Theatre.

Donna wasn’t a headliner for this show; she was third on the bill. The ad failed to spell her name right, spelling it Dona Montrim.

Because of those newly available online articles, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s exciting vaudeville career.

New information added to her career list:

September 5-7, 1921 – Union City, NJ – Lincoln Theatre – “Dona Montrim and Company in ‘A Musical Cocktail.’”

Endnotes

My thanks to Newspapers.com for providing access to this clipping.

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