Ancestor Sketch – Albert S. Bodge

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Don Taylor

Blanchard-Bodge Line
By Don Taylor

Blanchard-Utterstrom Project – Ancestor #18

List of Grandparents

    • Grandfather: Edward Everett Blanchard
    • 1st Great-grandmother: Minnie M. Bodge(1872-1948)
    • 2nd Great-grandfather: Albert S Bodge (1838-1897)
    • 3rd Great-grandfather: John Bodge

Birth

Albert S. Bodge was born in South Windham, Cumberland County, Maine, on 2 August 1838[i]. He was the youngest of five children of John and Betsy (Mathew) Bodge. His four older siblings were:

    • Mary E Born 1828
    • John P Born 1831
    • Eunice Born 1834
    • Louisa Born 1836

Childhood

1840 Census – John Bodge, Head[ii]
    • Males Under 5 Appears to be Albert, age 1
    • Males 5 thru 9 Appears to be John (Jr.), age 9
    • Males 40 thru 49 John, Age 45
    • Females Under 5 Appears to be Louisa, age 4
    • Females 5 thru 9 Appears to be Eunice, age 6
    • Females 10 thru 14 Appears to be Mary, age 12
    • Females 40 thru 49 Appears to be Betsy, age 41
1850 Census – John Bodge, Head
    • John Bodge               M    55    Maine – Farmer, Real Estate Value: $2,000
    • Betsey Bodge           F     50    Maine
    • Mary E Bodge          F     22    Maine
    • John P Bodge          M     19    Maine     Attending School
    • Eunice Bodge          F     16    Maine     Attending School
    • Louisa Bodge          F     14    Maine     Attending School
    • Albert Bodge          M     11      Maine         Attending School
1860 Census – John Bodge, Head
    • John Bodge M    66    Maine     Farmer – Real Property Value: $3,000, Personal Property value: $500
    • Betsey Bodge        F     62    Maine
    • Eunice C Bodge        F     26    Maine     Teach Com School
    • Louiser Bodge        F     24    Maine     Teach Com School
    • Albert C Bodge        M     21    Maine     Farm Laborer

It is unclear what may have happened to Mary or John, but neither were enumerated here with the John Bodge household. Further research should determine where Mary and John lived.

1863 Civil War

Of the 348 young men who registered for the 14th Sub-District of Cumberland County draft, 107 names were drawn, and Albert Bodge’s name was one of them.  However, the law allowed for individuals to send a substitute in their place. The drafted person gave the substitute $300 (the equivalent of $5,000 today), and the substitute served in their place. Albert’s substitute was William Blake. William Blake of Portland mustered-in in August 1863 and mustered out on 1 September 1866.

After the end of the Civil War (1865) and 1877, Albert moved several times and had several different occupations. It doesn’t appear that marriage affected his trying different places or occupations.

Marriage

After the war, on 2 April 1867, Albert married Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mayberry. At the time, Albert was living in Portland, and Lizzie was living in Gorham. Shortly after their marriage their first child was born, Bertha.

Adulthood

1870 Census – Albert Bodge, Head

Westbrook, Cumberland County, Maine.

    • Albert S Bodge,     M      31     Maine       Teamster
    • Lizzie M Bodge      F       32     Maine
    • Berta A Bodge         F       1       Maine

By 1872, when daughter Minnie was born, the family had moved to Lewiston. They lived in a house on Bridge Street near Winter. Albert was an operative at the Androscoggin mill (a cotton mill). By 1876, they removed to Gray, Cumberland County, Maine. (He probably worked at the Mayall’s Mills.) He was also in Gray when he sold 200 acres of land he inherited from his father to his brother, John.[iii] He also sold an additional 7 acres to John.

The following year, 1877, Albert and his family moved to Westbrook, where he would live for the next 20 years. He worked for S. D. Warren & Co., a paper mill in Westbrook.

By 1880, the family appears to have broken up. I have not found either Albert’s wife, “Lizzie,” or his daughters, Berta or Minnie, during the 1880 Census. I suspect that “Lizzie” died, and the children were scattered. In 1880, Albert was living in a rooming house near the paper mill. The Census recorded him as single, so it may be that he and “Lizzie” had divorced. I may learn more when I research Lizzie.

Albert’s Second Marriage

By 1885, Albert and Emily Leighton got together. I am yet to find a marriage record for them; however, in 1886, they had a daughter, Hattie Louise Bodge.

Two of Albert’s Children Marry

On 12 June 1886, Albert’s oldest child, Bertha, married Charles A. Blanchard in Deering[iv], Maine.

On 14 December 1886, Albert’s middle child, Minnie Mabel, married Frederick W. Blanchard. Frederick’s older brother, Charles A Blanchard, is probably the same Charles that Bertha married. So, it appears to be another case of two sisters marrying two brothers.

Albert’s Third Marriage

Emily and Albert separated (or divorced). On 28 October 1894, Albert married Hattie Simpson.

Historical Event – Flood of Westbrook

S.D. Warren Mill following 1896 Flood – Photo Courtesy Walker Memorial Library via Maine Memory Network

In March 1896, Westbrook experienced a major flood. Melting snow caused the Presumpscot river to rise rapidly. Two bridges washed away, followed by the Westbrook electric light station washed away, causing Westbrook to lose lighting and power. The gatehouse at S. D. Warren (where Albert worked) and other damage threw 2500 people out of work. Other bridges and infrastructure were destroyed as well, including bridges in Gorham and Saco.

Death

Albert S. Bodge died at the age of 59 on 10 August 1897 in Westbrook, Cumberland County, Maine, of valvular heart disease. His funeral was held on 23 August 1987 at the Advent Church in Westbrook.

Event’s after Albert’s Death

Albert’s youngest daughter, Hattie, married on 9 May 1916, 19 years after Albert’s death. Hattie’s mother had also passed before Hattie’s marriage to Harry Eugene Maxim.

Events by Location

Albert is known to have lived in five locations, all within 35 miles of each other.

Location                                             Potential Residence Years[v].

    • Maine, Androscoggin, Lewiston        1870-1876
    • Maine, Cumberland, Gray                    1872-1877
    • Maine, Cumberland, Portland            1863-1870
    • Maine, Cumberland, Westbrook        1867-1872 & 1876-1897
    • Maine, Cumberland, Windham          1838-1767

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Research where Mary and John Bodge (Albert’s siblings) were during the 1860 Census.
  • The 1880 Census recorded Albert as single. It may be that he and “Lizzie” had divorced. Research Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bodge.
  • Research Emily Leighton, Albert’s 2nd wife and their daughter Hattie Louise Bodge.
  • Research Hattie Simpson, Albert’s 3rd wife
  • Perform a 2nd level research of Albert S. Bodge.

Sources

1840 Census
1840 Census, Various, John Bodge – Windham, Cumberland, Maine.

1850 Census [Source includes media item(s)]
1850 Census, Family Search, John Bodge, Head – Maine, Cumberland, Windham. United States Census, 1850. https://(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:M6JL-SLK.

1860 Census
1860 Census, Family Search, John Bodge. “United States Census, 1860”, database with images, FamilySearch : 18 February 2021), John Bodge, 1860. https:// familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDHJ-FT4.

1870 Census
1870 Census, Albert S Bodge, Head, Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine . “United States Census, 1870”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:M6DF-CTZ : 29 May 2021), Albert S Bodge, 1870.

1880 Census
1880 Census, Albert S Bodge – Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:MF3V-YQT : 19 February 2021), Albert S Bodge in household of Mary A Berry, Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district ED 64, sheet 529D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,478.

Cumberland County Register of Deeds Internet
Cumberland County Register of Deeds, Internet, Deed – Doc# 3143 – Albert S Bodge to John I Bodge – 27 June 1876.
Cumberland County Register of Deeds, Internet, Deed – Doc# 3143 – Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 June 1876.

Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Minnie M Bodge – 24 March 1972. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HVQ-8PJ.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Death – Albert S Bodge – 1897. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https:// familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ38-DTH : 2 March 2021), Albert S Bodge, 19 August 1897; citing Westbrook, , Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.

Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996
Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996, Family Search, Albert S Bodge – Hattie Simpson – No Image – 28 October 1894. Maine State Archives, Augusta, via Family Search. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCJN-TCJ.

Maine, U.S., Marriage Records, 1713-1922
Maine, U.S., Marriage Records, 1713-1922, Ancestry, Albert Bodge & Lizzie
Maybury . Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; Pre 1892 Delayed Returns; Roll Number: 10.

Portland Daily Press
Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine, ), Genealogy Bank, 1863-08-14 – Albert S. Bodge.
Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine, ), Genealogy Bank, 1897-08-24 – Westbrook – Funeral of Albert Bodge.

Portland Weekly Advertiser
Portland Weekly Advertiser (Portland, ME), Genealogy Bank, 1863-07-25 – The Draft – Windham.

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Lewiston, Maine – 1872 – Page 24 – Albert Bodge.

U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976
U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976, Ancestry, Page 23 – Windham – Albert S. Bodge.

U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865, Ancestry, Albert S Bodge

Endnotes

[i] Some records, such as his death recording,  indicate that Albert was born in Westbrook, however, earlier records indicate he was born in South Windham. Additionally, the Bodge family farm (over 200 acres) was in Windham.

[ii] Additional information regarding Albert Bodge & the 1840 Census was posted previously.

[iii] See: The Deed of Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 June 1876

[iv] Deering was a town in Cumberland County, incorporated 1871. Before 1871 it was a part of Saccarappa. In 1899, the town was annexed by the City of Portland and is today a neighborhood of Portland. (Ref: Wikipedia – Deering, Maine)

[v] Potential Residence Year begin in the year Albert is known to have lived before the location and ends the year Albert is known to have lived after the location. These are the years Albert could be found in the location described.

Posted in Surname Projects, Blanchard-Utterstrom Project, Ancestor Features | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parsons – Surname Saturday

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Don Taylor

Brown-Sanford-Parsons Line
By Don Taylor

Origin of the Parsons Surname

Ancestry indicates Parsons is an occupational name for the servant of a parish priest or parson, or possibly, the parson’s son. I ignored other meanings for Parsons, from Irish and Scottish origins, because my Parsons immigrant ancestor came from Dorset in the 1600s. According to Forebears, the surname is most common in Wiltshire, while it is also numerous in counties around Wiltshire, including Dorset.

Geographical

In World: Today, Parsons has the greatest incident in the United States, with over 86,000 people having the surname.

In Dorset, England, where my earliest ancestors lived, there are 881 people with the surname.

In the US, there is a greater incidence of Parsons living in California and Texas. In the 1880 Census, the most incidences of Parsons were in New York and Massachusetts. My Parson ancestors left New York in the 1820s and were in Michigan during the 1880 Census.

Direct Parsons Ancestors

51 – Mary Electa Parsons(1828-1888) – 3rd Great Grandmother
102 – Chester Parsons(1799-1887) – 4th Great-Grandfather
204 – John Parsons(1764-1813) – 5th Great-Grandfather
408 – John Parsons Sr. (1737/38-1821) – 6th Great-Grandfather
816 – Timothy Parsons (1695-1772) – 7th Great-Grandfather*
1632 – Samuel Parsons (1653-1734) – 8th Great-Grandfather*
3264 – Joseph Parsons (1620-1683) – 9th Great-Grandfather*
6528 – William Parsons (___-___) – 10th Great-Grandfather*

* Note: I have not fully reviewed or recearched ancestors #816 or higher.

Historical

In 1840, Chester Parsons was living in Saline, Washtenaw County, Michigan. His household included himself, his wife Deborah, and six children. There were eight Parsons families in Washtenaw County during the census. Chester and his brother lived in Saline.

In 1880, Chester’s father, John Parsons Jr,  was the head of the household in Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. His household included a wife and one child.  Chester’s Grandfather, John Parsons Sr., was also the head of a household. John’s household consisted of himself, five females and three males. They were two of the nine Parsons households in the county.

My earliest known Parsons immigrant ancestor is Joseph Parsons. He came to the colonies between 1629 and 1646. It isn’t clear whether he first came to Massachusetts (where he died) or Connecticut (where he married Mary Bliss in 1646).

Photographic History

Chester Parsons

A drawing of Chester Parsons was printed in the History of Washtenaw County, Michigan. His is one of the earliest ancestor images I have.

There is a copyrighted drawing of his home in: York, Saline, Ypsilanti, Lyndon, Sharon (Mich.) Township residences, ca. 1874; 1874. Page 105. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed: April 02, 2018.

There are photos of the Parsons family marker and Chester’s individual marker via Find-a-Grave.

Likewise, there is a photo of the marker of John Parsons, Jr., on Find-a-Grave.

Direct Parsons Descendants

My earliest known ancestor, William Parsons, married Margaret Hoskins sometime before 1620, probably in Beaminster, Dorset, England.  My records have identified 868 direct-line descendants of William and Margaret.

My most recent, known Parsons cousins are children of Alfred David Parsons (1830-1908) and Percia Tallmage (___-___). They had five children between 1861 and 1873, all were born in Saline, Washtenaw, Michigan. They are 1st cousins, 4x removed.

Sources:

  • Ancestry Surname Page: https://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts
  • Forebears Surnames Page: https://forebears.io/surnames
  • Ancestry – Don Taylor’s Roberts-Brown 2021 tree (Private) accessed 23 July 2021.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 39

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Don Taylor

Curry, Cutter, Fields, Fitts, & Todd

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 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.

Charles Nelson Cutter, circa 1936.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Chas Cutter, Union Mutual Insurance Co, Portland #505.”

Charles Nelson Cutter, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The Nashua Telegraph (Nashua, NH), dated 2 May 1961, page 13, had an article, “Cutter is Honored at Reception Here.” The article indicated that Charles N. Cutter was honored at a dinner for being the manager of the Nashua agency of the Union Mutual Life Insurance company. It also says that before taking over the Nashua agency for the company, he was with the Home Office in Portland, ME, as assistant to the president. This article confirms the spelling of his name and position with the firm.
    • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Charles N (Esther M) Cutter as the asst supt UMLICo 396 Congress, residing at Falmouth.
    • The 1935 Bowdoin College Alumni Directory indicates that Charles N Cutter, class of 1926, lived on Edgewater Rd., Falmouth Foreside. He worked in insurance in Portland, ME.
    • The 1940 US Census enumerated Charles N Cutter, age 36, born in Massachusetts, living with his wife, Esther N. Cutter, in Nashua, Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

Family Search identifies Charles Nelson Cutter, born 5 March 1904, and wife of Esther Mitchell as ID LK14-1K6. 21 Ancestry trees refer to Charles Nelson Cutter.

I have uploaded two photos of Charles Nelson Cutter to his Family Search Memories. I also uploaded three additional pictures to my Flickr photostream.

Update: Confirmed by a first cousin, once removed, to be Charles Nelson Cutter.

Confirmed by a grandson to be Charles Nelson Cutter. 

Richmond & Spencer Fitts, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Edith Fitts, 132 Bradley St, Portland.”

Richmond & Spencer Fitts, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Edith S. Fitts, a secretary at 602a Congress, room 204, residing at 132 Bradley.
    • The 1940 US Census enumerated Edith Fitts, the wife of Lyman R. Fitts, living at 132 Bradley Street with two sons, Richmond Fitts, age 14, and Spencer Fitts, age 9.
    • This photo does not have a number, so the relative date of the photo package is unknown; however, if it were taken about 1936, that would suggest Richmond as about ten and Spencer about 5. Those ages fit my interpretation of the ages of the two boys.
    • Richmond Osgood Fitts was born 14 June 1925; Spencer B. Fitts was born 6 June 1930.

Family Search identifies Richmond Fitts, born 15 June 1925 to Lyman and Edith (Briggs) Fitts, as ID LX37-295. Family Search also identifies Spencer B. Fitts as ID LJRF-C1J. Richmond Fitts is found in two Ancestry trees. Spencer B. Fitts is found in the same two Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded two photos of the two boys to their Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one additional photo to my Flickr photostream.

Emelia Fields, circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. J. H. Fields, 73 Federal St., Portland #732.”

Emelia Fields, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 Portland City Directory lists Joseph H. and Mary J. Fields living at 73 Federal.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Joseph H. and Mary J. Fields also living at 73 Federal. Living with them are five children, including 5-year-old Emelia Fields.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Emelia Fields. Ancestry Family Trees do not appear to include Emelia either. However, her father, Joseph Henry Fields, appears in 36 Ancestry trees.

The packages included this photo. There was a second photo of Emelia that I have uploaded to Dead Fred.

Confirmed by family members in Maine that this is Emelia/Amelia/”Great Aunt Mimi.”

Leda (Gallant) Curry, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Ralph Curry, 19 Sherman St, Portland #319.”

Ralph & Leda Curry, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • I reviewed Mr. Ralph Curry in Part 38 of this series. This photo set included one photo of Ralph and his wife. The other photo in this package was of his wife, Marie Leda Gallant. Leda was 28-years-old during the 1940 Census.

Leda (Gallant) Curry, circa 1936

Family Search identifies Leda Gallant, the daughter of Adolph and Alice (St. Pierre) Gallant, as ID G76Q-4C1. There are 49 Ancestry trees that refer to Marie Leda Gallant.

I have uploaded a photo of Ralph and Leda Curry and a single photo of Leda to her Family Search Memories.

Marilyn Lorraine Todd, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. William A. Field, 9 Cummingham St, Portland #504.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • Marilyn Lorraine Todd, circa 1934

      The 1935 Portland City Directory lists William A. and Florence Field living at 9 Cummings.

    • William and Florence may have had four children between 1913 and 1916. This child is an infant in a photo taken about 1935, so the image must be one of a grandchild.
    • The 1940 Census indicates that William and Florence were living at 54 Florida Ave. Living with them is their daughter Olive Todd and their six-year-old granddaughter, Marilyn L. Todd.
    • Marilyn Lorraine Todd’s marriage certificate indicates she lived at 54 Florida Ave, and her parents were Herold J. Todd and Olive LaVerne Field.
    • I am confident this is a photo of Marilyn about 1934 when she was about one year old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Marilyn Lorraine Todd (1933-2008). However, she appears in 12 Ancestry family trees.

I have added her photo to Dead Fred.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified four individuals that I could post their photos to Family Search
  • I also identified two individuals whose photos I posted to Dead Fred because they did not appear to have Family Search profiles.
  • Five of the individuals appear in Ancestry Family Trees.

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 | 1 Comment

Albert S. Bodge in the News – Death, Draft, and life in Westbrook

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Don Taylor

In the News
Blanchard Project
Blanchard-Bodge
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.“In the News” is my reporting of discovered newspapers articles and advertising regarding ancestors I am researching. Albert S. Bodge is a 2nd great-grandfather in my Blanchard-Utterstrom Project. The information found in newspapers invariably provides fresh texture to understanding the life of an ancestor.

This week I look at five articles I found through the website Genealogy Bank.

The Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine) dated 24 Aug 1897, page 5.

WESTBROOK

The Funeral of Albert S. Bodge was held at the Advent church yesterday afternoon. Mr. Bodge had been an employe of S. D. Warren & Co. for the past twenty years. His age was 59 years. He leaves a widow and three daughters.

What I learned:

    • Albert died before 24 Aug 1897
    • Albert worked for S. D. Warren & Co. 1877-1897 and (probably lived in Westbrook during that time.
    • Albert was (probably) an Adventist.
    • It was confirmed that Albert was born about 1838.
    • It was confirmed that Albert left a widow (Emily ?) & three daughters; Berta, Minnie, & Hattie. 

The Portland Weekly Advertiser (Portland, Maine) dated 25 Jul 1863, page 4.

The Draft
14th Sub-District—Brighton and Naples.
358 Enrolled—107 drawn.
Windham

…Albert S Bodge… 

What I learned:

    • The clipping confirmed that Albert lived in Windham in 1863 and was drafted in the Windham draft.

Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine) Dated 14 Aug 1863, Page 4.

List of persons who furnished substitutes:

… Albert S Bodge,…

 

What I learned:

    • The article confirmed that Albert paid a substitute in the Civil War.

Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine) Dated 30 Apr 1866, Page 2.

Letters Remaining Unclaimed

In the Post Office at Portland, State of Maine, 30th day of April 1866.

To obtain any of these letters, the applicant must call for “Advertised Letters,” give the date on this list and pay ONE CENT for advertising. If not called for within ONE MONTH, they will be sent to the Dead Letter Office….

GENTLEMEN’S LIST.

…Bodge Albert…

What I learned:

    • Albert lived in Windham in 1863, during the draft, and lived in Portland in April 1867 when he married Lizzie Maybury. In 1866 his residence may have been fluid as he apparently received mail in Portland but wasn’t picking it up.

Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine) Dated 30 Jun 1896, Page 3.

WESTBROOK

DUCK POND

… Mrs. Albert Bodge and daughter Hattie from Cumberland Mills, are visiting at Mr. Wm. Smith’s;…

What I learned:

    • The Bodge’s were living in Cumberland Mills in June 1896.

Cumberland Mills was a neighborhood in Westbrook, Maine. Duck Pond was a village about five miles north of Cumberland Mills, still within the township.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 38

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Don Taylor

[Chaffey], Cummings, Curran, Currie (2), & Curry

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 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.

Florence Margaret Curran, 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Florence Curran, 41 Park St, Portland #1080.”

Miss Florence Curran, 41 Park St, Portland, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • This photo was used in the 1936 Portland High School Yearbook as the photo for Florence Margaret Curran “Floss.”
  • Maine Birth Records indicates that Florence Margaret Curran was born 29 July 1917, the daughter of William and Ruth Curran.

Family Search identifies Florence Curran, the daughter of William Francis and Ruth Annie (Blanchard) Curran, as ID LY9Q-WMX. Florence Margaret Curran Michaud is also found in 14 trees at Ancestry.Com.

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

Frances L. Currie, circa 1935 (age 9)

This negative envelope says, “Miss Frances Currie, 323 Spring St, Portland #255.”

Miss Frances Currie, Circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Frank E and Alice Currie living at 323 Spring.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Frank E and Alyce B Currie living in Gorham with their 15-year old daughter Frances L Currie.
  • This photo was taken about 1935 when Frances was about nine years old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Frances Currie, the daughter of Frank and Alice Currie. However, Frances L. Currie is found in six trees at Ancestry.Com.

I have added her photo to Dead Fred.

Mary Edith Currie, circa 1934 (Age 17)

This negative envelope says, “Miss Mary Currie, 128 Brentwood St, Portland #199.”

iss-Mary-Currie-128-Brentwood-St-Portland-199-

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists James E and Alice M, living at 128 Brentwood.
  • The 1940 US Census enumerated James E and Alice Curie living at 55 Whitney Ave, in Portland. With them is their 23-year-old daughter Mary, who was born in New Hampshire.
  • Based upon the negative number, this photo was taken in 1934 or 1935. So, I’m sure this is a photo of Mary Currie about 1934 when she was about 17 years old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Mary Edith Currie.  Mary Edith Currie, the daughter of James E. and Alice M. (Clemons) Currie, does appear in 17 Ancestry trees.

I have added a different photo of her photo to Dead Fred.

I also uploaded two additional photos to my Flickr photostream.

Ralph Curry, circa 1935 (age 24)

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Ralph Curry, 19 Sherman St, Portland #320.”

Mr. Ralph Curry, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory listed J. Ralph (and Leda) Curry living at 19 Sherman.
  • The 1938 Portland City Directory listed Ralph J. (and Leda) Curry living at 163 Frances.
  • The 1940 US Census enumerated the 29-year-old Ralph and his wife Leda living at 1542 Congress Street. Ralph was born in Massachusetts.

James Ralph Curry, born in Massachusetts and married to Marie Leda Gallant,  appears in 25 family trees at Ancestry. Ralph James Curry, born 18 January 1911 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, is LYD7-L4R on Family Search.

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

Ethel Gilbert (Chaffey) Cummings, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs . F. E. Cummings, 49 Concord St, Portland #781.”

rs . F. E. Cummings, 49 Concord St, Portland #781 – DSCN3081PR

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Francis E. Cummings living at 49 Concord with his wife, Ethel G. Cummings.
  • The 1940 US Census enumerated the 59-year-old Ethel G Cummings living with her husband at 49 Concord Street, in Portland, ME.
  • Ethel Gilbert Chaffey was born on 9 June 1881 and married Major Francis E. Cummings on 19 September 1910.
  • This photo was probably taken about 1936 or 1937 when Ethel was about 55 years old.

Family Search identifies Ethel Gilbert Chaffey, born 9 June 1881, as ID LBVR-T7C. Ethel Gilbert Chaffey also appears in 17 trees at Ancestry.Com

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

Conclusion

  • I fully identified three individuals and was able to post their photos to Family Search
  • I identified two individuals that didn’t 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 from negatives to positive images using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

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