Ancestor Sketch – Joel Cruff Taft – #42

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Don Taylor

Roberts-Barnes-Taft Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Researching Joel Cruff Taft had its challenges. The most obvious one is tracing an individual through the early (before 1850) censuses. The second problem in researching Joel was regularly running into his grandfather, Silas Taft, who was a “minuteman” in the Revolution. I’m looking forward to writing about him

Joel Cruff Taft – Ancestor #42

List of Grandparents

  • Grandmother: Essie Pansy Barnes(1903-1982)
  • 1st Great-grandfather: Joel Clinton Barnes(1857-1921)
  • 2nd Great-grandmother: Mercy Eliza Taft(1822-1884)
  • 3rd Great-grandfather: Joel Cruff Taft (1800-1849)
  • 4th Great-grandfather: Asa Taft (1774-1839)
  • 5th Great-grandfather: Silas Taft (1744-1812) – Patriot!
  • 6th Great-grandfather: Stephen Taft (1710-1803)

Joel Cruff Taft (1800-1849)

Christmas, 1800, was doubly blessed when Asa and Sarah (Whitney) Taft had their fourth child, Joel Cruff Taft, on Christmas Day. I’m not sure where the name “Joel” came from, but Asa’s mother’s maiden name was Cruff, which is the likely source of Joel’s middle name.

Joel had three older siblings:

      • Asa Perry, six years older.
      • Lurancy, four years older.
      • Amanda, two years older.

Joel was the first of their children born in Broome County, New York. The Taft’s had moved there from Peru, Berkshire County, Massachusetts in either 1799 or 1800. Joel’s mother had two more children, Seth (in 1803) and John (in 1805), before she died in 1813, while Joel was only 12 years old. Asa remarried and had eleven children altogether.

I have not successfully found the ten-year-old’s father, Asa Taft, in the 1810 Census. (See: Joel Cruff Taft & the 1810 Census.)

Marriage

In 1819, Joel married Tamise Sutherland in Triangle, Broome County, New York.

They had ten children.

The Children of Joel Cruff Taft & Tamise (Sutherland) Taft

Silas 28 Apr 1820
Mercy Eliza 27 Mar 1822
Sarah Emaline 27 May 1824
Amanda J. 14 Feb 1826
Catherine Tammy 25 Aug 1828
Candace Irene 25 Aug 1830
Joanna Lucy 7 Mar 1832
Lurancy Caroline 11 Nov 1834
Platina 19 Mar 1835
William 30 Apr 1842

The 1820 Census found Joel living near his brother, Silas, and his father, Asa, in Lisle, Broome County, New York. In his household are his wife and his oldest son, Silas.

In 1822 property that had been his mother’s was sold to Justus B. Sutherland; Joel and several of his siblings benefited from the sale.

The 1830 household (See Joel Cruff Taft & the 1830 Census) of Joel Taft suggests tragedy. Silas, who would have been ten years old, isn’t enumerated in the household, suggesting he died before 1 June 1830. The 1830 Census does indicate four females in the household that fit the profile for his four youngest daughters.  There was another male child in the household, under the age of 5, who I haven’t been able to name.

The 1840 Census (see Joel Cruff Taft & the 1840 Census) finds Joel still in Broome County. All of his known daughters are accounted for.

  • Females – Under 5: 2     Platina (age 4) Lurancy (Age (5)
  • Females – 5 thru 9: 1     Joanna (Age 8)
  • Females – 10 thru 14: 3     Candance (Age 10), Catherine (Age 12) (Amanda (age 14)
  • Females – 15 thru 19: 1     Sarah (Age 16)
  • Females – 40 thru 49: 1     Tamise (age 44)

The 1840 Census also indicates there were two males in the household besides Joel. One was 10 to 14 and one was 20 to 30. Certainly, the one from 10 to 14 is the same unknown male child enumerated in the 1830 Census. But could the 20 to 30 year old be Silas?  Possibly.

In 1841, his daughter Platina died at six years of age.

In 1847, his daughter Amanda died at the age of 20.

Joel died on 19 April 1849 in Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana. He was survived by his wife Tamise and at least seven of his children, Mercy, Sarah, Catherine, Candance, Jeanne, Lurancy, and William. I haven’t determined death dates for his sons Silas and “unknown.”

Events by Location

New York, Broome Birth (1800)
New York, Broome, Barker 1840
New York, Broome, Lisle 1820, 1830
New York, Broome, Lisle Marriage
Indiana, Sullivan, Fairbanks Death (1849)

Note: Barker, Lisle, and Triangle are all within six miles of each other. It is possible that the Census takers recorded the locations differently during each enumeration.

Followup

Research Joel’s other children, particularly Seth’s death and the heretofore unknown name son.

Follow property records to determine if Joel lived in several places or if the various places’ names changed during the census recordings.

Sources

  • 1820 Census (A), Ancestry.Com, Asa Taft, Asa Taft Jr., Joel C Taft – Lisle, Broome, New York.
  • 1830 Census (A) (NARA), Ancestry.Com, 1830 Census – Joel Taft – Lisle, Broome, New York. Year: 1830; Census Place: Lisle, Broome, New York; Series: M19; Roll: 85; Page: 109; Family History Library Film: 0017145
  • 1840 Census (NARA), 1840 Census – J C Jogt (J C Taft) – Barker, Broome, New York. Year: 1840; Census Place: Barker, Broome, New York; Roll: 266; Page: 400; Family History Library Film: 0017179
  • Daughters of the American Revolution, “Descendants Search”, DAR, Name Restricted – Nat’l # 887132 – Ancestor #A112392 https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_descendants/?action=list&MyPrimary_Seqn=1001593&MyLineageCount=1.
  • Family Group Record, Family Search, Joel Cruff Taft (K8BN-FDM) – See File: 20170512 Family K8BN-FDM.pdf. Marriage Place: Triangle, Broome, New York, United States
  • Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007, Family Search, William Taft & Elizabeth Scott – Marriage 23 June 1883. “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXN4-KFX : 10 December 2017), William Taft and Elizabeth Scott, 23 Jun 1883; citing Sullivan, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004171419. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXN4-KFX.
  • S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889­-1970, Ancestry.Com, Joel C Taft – Volume: 265. National Number 52981 – State Number 1007 (Indiana). https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=SARMemberApps&h=1149463.
  • United States, New York Land Records, 1630-1975, Family Search, Broome County Deeds 1819-1824 – Vol 8 – Pages 108&109. Joel C Taft to Justus B Sutherland – 25 Jun 1822. “United States, New York Land Records, 1630-1975”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D5L9-RBMM: 29 January 2021), Joel C Taft, 1822.

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Ancestor Sketch – Isabella Atkinson

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Don Taylor

Darling-McAllister-Lamb-Atkinson Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Isabella is one of my most difficult researched individuals. Part of it may be my lack of experience in UK research. However, I am doing my best to follow my process and find the information pertinent to her life.

It appears that her father died while she was a child and was on her own by the time she was 16. She also died young, before she was 36, and her children were also on their own at early ages.

Darling Ancestor #55

List of Grandparents

    • Grandfather: Robert Harry Darling (1907-1969)
    • 1st Great-grandmother: Hannah McAllister Darling White (1886-1913)
    • 2nd Great-grandmother: Margaret Mary Lamb (1860-1929)
    • 3rd Great-grandmother: Isabella Atkinson (1835-before 1871)
    • 4th Great-grandfather: John Atkinson (c. 1800–1840)

Isabella (Atkinson) Lamb (1834 – Between 1864 & 1871)

Birth

Isabella Atkinson’s birth is unknown; however, she was christened on 16 November 1834 in Long Marton, Westmorland, England,[i] the sixth of eight children of John and Elizabeth Atkinson.

Children of John & Elizabeth Atkinson Date of Christening
Thomas Atkinson 8 December 1826
Lancelot Atkinson 22 December 1827
Richard Atkinson 20 February 1830
George Atkinson 21 January 1832
Lucy Atkinson 16 June 1832
Isabella Atkinson 15 November 1834
John Atkinson 25Mar 1837
Ann Atkinson (born) 1838

In the 1870s, Long Marton was described as a township and parish in East Ward district, Westmorland. It was 3½ NW by N of Appleby. The parish included the townships of Brampton and Knock. Its post town was Kirkby-Thore. The population of Long Marton has gone up and down. In 1801 it was only 432 and rose to 819 by 1831. It slowly decreased to 587 in 1911. After WWI, the population grew to be 619 in 1921.[ii]

Church of St Margaret and St James, Long Marton
– Photo by by Humphrey Bolton [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons.

The Church of St. Margaret and St. James is where the Atkinson children were christened into the Anglican faith.

Today, Long Marton is a village and civil parish in the Eden District of Cumbria, England. In 2011, the population was 827. The area is mostly farmland. The postal office is Appleby in Westmorland. [iii]

Childhood – (Consider Potential Records for each of the following.)

The 1841 Census finds six-year-old Isabella living at home with her parents. Fourteen-year-old Brother Lancelot is missing in the Census, so I suspect he died young. The family was enumerated living in Knock.

Although I haven’t found direct evidence, it appears that Isabella’s father died between 1841 and 1851. He isn’t found in the 1851 Census, and the children are spread in several different locations.[iv] I found six-year-old Isabell working as a servant in the household of Elizabeth Wade in Bongate, Westmorland.[v] Bongate is in Appleby-in-Westmorland, about 3.6 miles south of Long Marton.

Marriage

Isabella married Edward Lamb on 27 November 1853 in Warcop, Westmorland, England. Warcop is about 5 miles southeast of Bongate (Appleby-in-Westmorland). Edward and Isabella had five children, namely:

Child Birth Marriage Death
Jane About 1852
Ann Before 1859
Margaret Mary 28 April 1860 22 August 1878
Peter McAllister		 14 January 1929
James Cooper April or May 1862 20 April 1898
Edward April or May 1864

Residences

  • 1859   Sanford (in Warcop) When Daughter Ann was born.
  • 1861   Census – Lived at thFox & Hounds – Warcop, Carlisle (Ecclesiastical District).
    • Edward Lamb     29     Head    Mar      29     Victualler   Warcop*
    • Isabella Lamb     26     Wife     Mar      26                            Long Marton*
    • Margaret Lamb   11/12 Dau.    N/A       11 mos.                  Warcop*
    • Dorathy Bradley  77     Visitor  Widow  77      Landed Proprietor  Warcop*

* All birth locations are Westmorland.

[That neither Jane nor Ann appear in the 1861 Census suggests they passed.]

  • 1862   Warcop, Westmorland – When son James Cooper was born.
  • 1864   Kendal, Westmorland – When son Edward was born.

Death

I have been unsuccessful in finding Isabella in the 1871 England Census. Her husband, Edward Lamb, is living with his mother and two sisters[vi]. Her son James is living with his maternal grandfather, John Atkinson. I have also been unsuccessful finding her daughter, Margaret, or son, Edward, in the 1871 Census, although there are several candidates. I will need to research the candidates further to sort out the relationships to make sure which are most likely.

Events by Location – Google Earth

All locations are in Westmorland, England

  • Bongate (Appleby)    1851
  • Knock                         1841
  • Long Marton              Christening
  • Sanford                       1859, 1862,
  • Warcop                       Marriage

All locations are within five miles of Appleby in Westmorland.

Locations in Isabella Atkinson Lamb’s life – Image courtesy Google Earth.

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Find John and Elizabeth Atkinson’s children during the 1851 Census.
  • Determine BMD information for all of Edward and Isabella (Atkinson) Lamb’s children.
  • Find Margaret and Edward Lamb in the 1871 Census

Sources

  • 1841 England and Wales Census – 6 June, Various, John Atkinson – Knock, Parish of Long Marton, Westmorland. Class: HO107; Piece: 1158; Book: 1; Civil Parish: Long Marton; County: Westmorland; Enumeration District: 10a; Page: 1; Line: 1; GSU roll: 464189.
  • 1851 England and Wales Census – 30 March, Ancestry, Isabella Atkinson (Servent) – Elizabeth Wade (Head) – Bongate, Westmorland, England. Class: HO107; Piece: 2439; Folio: 125; Page: 20; GSU roll: 87120. Description: Enumeration District: 7.
  • 1861 England and Wales Census – April 7, Ancestry, Edward Lamb – Class: RG 9; Piece: 3958; Folio: 8; Page: 9; GSU roll: 543213. Ancestry.com. 1861 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/8767/records/13303817.
  • England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980, Ancestry, Isabella Atkinson – 16 November 1834. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/1351/records/5838538/.
  • England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005, Family Search, Edward Lamb & Isabella Atkinson Oct-Nov-Dec 1858. “England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2D78-XDF : 13 December 2014), Edward Lamb, 1858; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (https://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1858, quarter 4, vol. 10B, p. 838, East Ward, Westmorland, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
  • England Births and Christenings, 1538-­1975, Family Search, Ann Lamb – Milburn, Westmorland, England. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3VJ-K4B : 11 February 2018, Isabella in an entry for Ann Lamb, 27 March 1859); citing, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 97,399. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3VJ-K4B.
  • England Births and Christenings, 1538-­1975, Family Search, Edward Lamb – Kendal, Westmorland, England – 1864. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7FS-B8Y : 10 February 2018, Isabella in an entry for Edward Lamb, ); citing – 2:2ZKX01V, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,471,686. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7FS-B8R.
  • England Births and Christenings, 1538-­1975, Family Search, James Cooper Lamb – Warcop, Westmorland, England. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NR9L-K8X : 11 February 2018, James Cooper Lamb, 18 May 1862); citing, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 97,420. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NR9L-K8X.
  • England Births and Christenings, 1538-­1975, Family Search, Margaret Lamb – Warcop, Westmorland, England. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7WF-BQQ : 11 February 2018, Margaret Lamb, 2 September 1860); citing, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 97,420. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7WF-BQQ.
  • England Marriages, 1538–1973, Family Search, Edward Lamb – Isabella Atkinson. “England Marriages, 1538–1973,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLDC-RL8 : 10 February 2018), Edward Lamb and Isabella Atkinson, 27 November 1853; citing Warcop, Westmorland, England, reference, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 0924744 IT 3, 97420. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLDC-RL8.
  • GRO – Entry of Death, General Register Office, Isabella Lamb – Death Registry, Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland 0 1917. https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/login.asp.

Endnotes

[i] England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980, Ancestry, Isabella Atkinson – 16 Nov 1834. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/1351/records/5838538/.

[ii] Wikipedia – Long Marton – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Marton

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] I will investigate the locations of all the Atkinson children during the 1851 Census in a future post.

[v] 1851 England and Wales Census – March 30, Ancestry, Isabella Atkinson (Servent) – Elizabeth Wade (Head) – Bongate, Westmorland, England. Class: HO107; Piece: 2439; Folio: 125; Page: 20; GSU roll: 87120. Description: Enumeration District: 7.

[vi] 1871 England Census (April 2) (National Archives of the UK), Ancestry, Ann Lamb – Head – Sanford, Westmorland, England. “England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-7BQ : 28 September 2019), Mary Lamb in entry for Ann Lamb, 1871. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-7B9.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 31

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Don Taylor

Churchill, Cialone, Clancy, & Clark(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 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.

Miriam M. Clark (1913-1977) circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Miriam Clark, ME Eye & Ear Infirmary, #473.”

Miriam M. Clark, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Miriam Clark as a student nurse at 79 Bramhall and residing at 804 Congress. 79 Bramhall was the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary address. Miriam does not appear in the 1936 City Directory, so she appears to have graduated in 1935.
  • There was a Miriam M. Clark, born on 11 March 1913 to Wallace and Melvinia (Kingston) Clark in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.
  • Miriam M. Clark of Portland married Joseph W. Finney on 6 August 1935 in Exeter, New Hampshire.
  • Finally, the 1931 Deering High School (Portland, ME) yearbook shows Miriam M. Clark, vice-president of the Junior Red Cross. That photo and this photo appear to be of the same person.

I am confident this is a photo of Miriam M. Clark (1913-1977) about 1935.

    • Family Search identifies Miriam M. Clark as ID KNXD-X5Y. I am confident this is Miriam about 1935, shortly before she married. I have uploaded one photo of her to her Family Search profile.
    • Twenty-four Ancestry trees list Miriam Melvenia Clark.

Confirmed by a granddaughter to be a photo of Miriam (“Mim”).

Rachael Clark, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Rachael Clark, ME Gen. Hospital, Portland #914 .”

Rachael Clark, circa 1936

A review of Portland City Directories from 1935 through 1938 failed to yield a Rachael Clark. A further study of the 1937 Portland City Directory produced four individuals with the Clark surname who were either nurses or nursing students. They were Bernice, Marion E., Charlotte N., and Bessie M. Clark.

The 1940 US Census found a 24-year-old Bernice Clark, a nurse at the Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital in Greenville, Piscataquis County, Maine. This appears to be Bernice E. Clark, the daughter of Joseph and Emily Clark of Greenville, Maine.

Consequently, I do not believe I can identify Rachael Clark, who was likely a student at Maine General Hospital in Portland, Maine, about 1936.

I have added a photo of her to Dead Fred.

Joan, Barbara, & John Clancy of Portland, Maine, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Frederick Clancy, 70 Waterville St., Portland #460.”

Joan, Barbara, and John Clancy, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 Census lists Fred Clancy living at 70 Waterville with his wife Margaret and four children. Frederick Jr. is only one year old and is too young to have been in this photo. The other children in the 1940 Census are Joan (age 10), Barbara (age 9), and John J. (age 6). John appears to be about one. So, this appears to be a photo of the three of them about 1935, which is consistent with the photo ID number (#460).

I was unable to find Joan, Barbara, or John Clancy in Family Search. Additionally, I was unable to find any of the three in Ancestry Public Trees.

Further research found Frederick Joseph Clancy, Jr. was born 5 October 1938 to Frederick J. and Margaret L. (Tierney) Clancy. Again, I have been unsuccessful in finding Frederick Junior in either Family Search or in Ancestry Family Trees.

I have uploaded two photos of Joan, Barbara, and John Clancy to Dead Fred.

Mary J. (D’Amato) Churchill (1895-1998), circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Mary J Churchill, 65 Rosemont Ave, Portland #943.”

Mary J. (D’Amato) Churchill, circa 1937

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Mary J Churchill, the wife of Howard L. Churchill, living at 65 Rosemont Avenue.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Mary J. Churchill, born about 1897 in Massachusetts, is living at 115 Mabel Street with her son, James, and daughter, Helen. Howard is a lodger at another location.

Family Search identifies Mary Amanda Jeannotte D’Amato, wife of Howard Lawrence Churchill and mother of James and Helen Churchill, as id LJJX-YSY. Additionally, 20 Ancestry Trees list Mary J. D’Amato.

I am quite sure this is Mary about 1937. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search profile. I have also uploaded a third photo of Mary to my Flickr photostream.

Corp. Dominick Cialone (1916-1997), circa 1943

The envelope this negative was in says, “Corp. Dominick Cialone.” Unlike most photos in this collection, there is no address and no number (which helps date pictures).

Corp. Dominick Cialone, circa 1943

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • I was unable to find a Dominick Cialone associated with Maine during the 1930s or 40s.
  • Dominick Joseph Cialone registered with the Social Security Administration in November 1936. In his application, he indicates his parents are Antonio and Mary (Constantino) Cialone.
  • Dominick Joseph Cialone, born 3 February 1916 in Clinton, Massachusetts, registered for the draft in October 1940. He and his mother lived at 12 Wood Street in Shrewsbury, MA.
  • Dominick J. Cialone enlisted on 12 March 1941. I believe this photo is of him about 1943, possibly before he shipped out.

I did not find Dominick Cialone, born 3 February 1916, in Family Search; however, he is found in eight Ancestry Trees.

I have added his photo to Dead Fred.

Conclusion

I had:

    • Two successful identifications that I posted to Family Search.
    • Four identifications I am confident about that I posted to Dead Fred.
    • One person that I failed to identify adequately. I did post her photo 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.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | 3 Comments

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 30

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Don Taylor

Chadbourne (2), Cheney, Chipman, & Chisholm

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 accurately.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Virginia Lillian Cheney (1917-1990) circa 1936.

Virginia Lillian Cheney (1917-1990) circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Virginia Cheney, 12 Winter St., Portland, #1084.”

Why I believe this to be the individual:

    • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Virginia Cheney residing at 12 Winter.
    • The 1936 Portland High School Yearbook shows the same photo for Virginia Lillian Cheney.
    • Maine Vital Records, 1908-1922, identifies Virginia Lillian Cheney, born 9 Feb 1917 in Westbrook, as the daughter of Virgil and Martha (Davis) Cheney.

Family Search identifies Virginia Lillian Cheney, daughter of Virgil and Martha Cheney, as ID LT1H-Q4F. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search profile. I uploaded two additional photos of Virginia to my Flickr photostream. Virigina Lillian Cheney is found in 14 Ancestry public trees.

Dr. Fred J. Chipman (1871-1958) c. 1935

Dr. Fred J. Chipman (1871-1958) c. 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Fred J Chipman, 70 Ashmont St., Portland #130.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Fred J. Chipman as a dentist at 536a Congress, room 31, whose home address was 70 Ashmont.
  • The 1930 US Census enumerated the 59-year-old Fred J Chipman living with his wife, Addie, daughter, Gladys, and son Fred.

Family Search identifies Dr. Fred J. Chipman as ID LZ2M-VPZ. I am pretty sure this is Dr. Chipman about 1935, when he was about 64 years old. I have uploaded two photos of him to his Family Search profile. I uploaded a third photo to my Flickr photostream. Fred Jackson Chipman found in 45 Ancestry public trees.

Note: A relative and a former patient have both confirmed that the photo appears to be Dr. Fred Chipman. (via Ancestry Messages)

Addie Mae (Cram) Chipman (1884-1961), circa 1935.

Addie Mae (Cram) Chipman (1884-1961), circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Fred J Chipman, 70 Ashmont St., Portland, #124.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Addie M. as the wife of Fred J. Chipman. Their home was 70 Ashmont.
  • The 1930 US Census enumerated the 46-year-old Addie M. Chipman living with her husband, Fred J. Chipman, and their children, Gladys and Fred.

Family Search identifies Addie Mae Cram as ID LYKQ-KBW. I am quite sure this is her about 1935 when she was about 50 years old. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search profile. I uploaded a third photo to my Flickr photostream. 26 Ancestry public trees reference Addie Mae Cram  

Paul, Mahlon, and Philip Chadbourne, circa 1935.

Paul, Mahlon, and Philip Chadbourne, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Harry Chadborn, 27 Mabel St., Portland #163.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Harry F. (and Clara F.) Chadbourne, a clerk at RMS Union Station, living at 27 Mabel.
  • The 1940 Census identifies Harry and Clara still living at 27 Mabel Street. With them are their three sons, Paul E. Chadbourne (age 16), Mahlon F. Chadbourne (age 13), and Philip F. Chadbourne (age 8).
  • Based upon the photo package number (#163), these photos were likely taken about 1935, when the children were 4, 9, and 12-years-old.

Family Search identifies Paul E. Chadbourne, son of Harry Francis and Clara Susan (Ford) Chadbourne, as ID G7BK-B9S. I am quite sure this is Paul about 1935. I have uploaded two photos of him to his Family Search profile. I have also uploaded one additional photo to my Flickr photostream. Nine Ancestry public trees refer to Paul E. Chadbourne.

Mahlon F. Chadbourne does not appear to have a Family Search profile; however, Mahlon Chadbourne is found in 8 Ancestry public trees.

Philip F. Chadbourne does not appear to have a Family Search profile; however, Philip F. Chadbourne is found in 5 Ancestry public trees.

Dolores Chisholm, circa 1937 (About eight years old)

Dolores Chisholm, circa 1937 (About eight years old)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Lyman Chisholm, 29 Florence St., Portland #841.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Lyman A Chisholm, an electrician employed at 199 Kennebeck and his wife Margarite, living at 29 Florence.
  • The 1940 US Census list Lyman and Marjorie living on Dow with their 11-year-old daughter Dolores F. Chisholm.

Dolores F. Chisholm does not appear to have a profile on Family Search; however, Layman Austin Chisholm and Marjorie Louise Specht are KV24-TTD and 2MPQ-135, respectively. Lyman Chisholm appears in 35 Ancestry Public Trees. I have added two photos of her to Dead Fred.

Conclusion

I had five photo packages to review:

  • Four were successful identifications that posted to Family Search
  • One package was partially identified; 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.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Donna Montran Biplane Flights – 1915

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Don Taylor

Originally Published: Oct 29, 2015
UPDATED: May 20, 2021

The Boston Glove –  July 22, 1915, Page 8

TO FLY OVER COMMON

Miss Donna Montran Expects to Drop Pennants and Tickets for Show From Biplane,
Miss Donna Montran, one of the pretty “belles of 1861” in “The Birth of a Nation,” at the Tremont Theatre, is anticipating the time of her life this afternoon, when she expects to make two round trips between Saugus and Boston Common with Capt J. Chauncey Redding in his biplane, incidentally showering “Birth of a Nation” pennants and free tickets for the Tremont Theatre on the heads of the crowd that will witness the flight from the Common. The two flights over the Common in the vicinity of the Tremont Theatre are scheduled, one for about 1:30, or not long after, the other a short time before the matinee performance is over, probably about 4:30. During the first flight the biplane will circle about above the State House dome.
Miss Montran will be attired similarly to the lobby girls at the Tremont Theatre, though without the hoopskirt. She will drop 100 pennants on the Common, 25 of which will have tickets for the theatre attached to them. The distribution will take place during both flights, and those who capture the tickets will be able to see “The Birth of a Nation” free of cost.

Sadly, she wasn’t able to make that flight.  The theatre was unable to get approval for the flight over Boston Common and the State House. They did, however, get approval to drop the pennants over Revere Beach the following Day. This was a really big deal and the Boston Globe covered it with a photo article on July 23rd.


Source: Boston Globe 23 July 1915, pg 5 – “Free Tickets From the Sky” via Newspaperarchive.com

According to the article, rather than wearing a Tremont Theatre lobby girl’s outfit as reported she would the day before, she wore an aviator’s trim costume. Also, the article says, “On the descent of the machine Miss Montran expressed herself as delighted with her 50 minutes in the air.”
There were articles in other papers including The Boston Herald, 23 July 1915.

Boston Herald, July 23, 1915
Via Genealogy Bank

“Actress Make Two Flights in Biplane.”  She flew in Capt. J. Chauncey Redding biplane on July 22nd.

A google search for J. Chauncey Redding yielded a photo of the plane.  The photo was taken the week of 6 September, just six weeks after Donna’s flights.  If you wonder how dangerous was it to fly in a biplane in 1915, the pilot, Capt. J. Chauncey Redding, died on October 21st when his biplane collapsed while in midair while over the Lynn, MA, marshes.

Washington Herald
August 15, 1915
Via Library of Congress

Another article appeared in the Washington Herald a few weeks later.  That article indicates that the plane was a Burgess-Wright aeroplane as reported in Aerial Age Weekly. It also mentions that Miss Montran was, “delighted with her fifty minutes in the air.”
I was able to find Aerial Age Weekly online at Google Books. The Washington Herald article is a reprint of the same article and provides no additional information..

J. Chauncey Redding’s aeroplane on the beach, Week of 6 September 1915. (about six weeks after Donna’s Flight) — Photo Courtesy: Gertrude Palmer.
From HAMPTON: A CENTURY OF TOWN AND BEACH, 1888-1988 by Peter Evans Randall

Finally, I was able to find a photo on Wikimedia photo of the Wright Model B which was licensed to Burgess to make the Burgess-Wright Model F.  This was the exact type of aircraft J. Chauncey Redding used during Donna’s flight.

Burgess-Wright Model F – Photo © Jarek Tuszynski / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 & GDFL

Update 20 May 2021

Donna’s stunt not only made the local newspapers, it was also reported in both Moving Picture World and in Pictures and the Picturegoer.

Moving Picture World – August 21, 1915, Page 1306

We do not like to realize that there is anyone in the Hub who has not seen “The Birth of a Nation,” which I have had the good fortune to see several times, always finding something new and wonderful to fill the eye. The last weeks are announced. A novelty in the way of advertising this picture was put forth the other day when one of the pretty girls of ’61, gowned as in the play, went up in an aeroplane and scattered pennants, some of them having free tickets. She was dainty Donna Montran.

Pictures and the Picturegoer – 4 September 1915, Page 420.

Donna Montran. a player in The Birth of a Nation (a picture we all hope to see) has been making aeroplane-flights and dropping pennants bearing the sign, The Birth of a Nation, to which were attached free passes, and worth picking up.

Posted in Donna Montran | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments