Ethel Wight Collection – Part 27

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Don Taylor

Candelmo, Canedy, Cardamone, Carlson,  & Carpenter

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor

This week for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. These 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.

Mary Geraldine Carlson, circa 1935 (age 24)

Mary Geraldine Carlson, circa 1935 (age 24)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Geraldine Carlson, 75 Cumberland Ave, Portland, #207.”

    • The 1930 Census enumerated Geraldine M Carlson living at 75 Cumberland Ave, Portland, with her parents, Michel J. Carlson and Mary E. Carlson. She was 19 years old, suggesting she was born about 1911.
    • Mary Geraldine Carlson was born on 6 February 1911 in Portland to Michael John and Mary Elizabeth (Quinn) Carlson[iii].

Family Search did not have a profile for Mary Geraldine Carlson nor her parents on Family Search. However, I did find at least 8 Ancestry public trees that contain Mary Geraldine (Carlson) Martelle. I have uploaded this photo of Geraldine to Dead Fred, and I have uploaded a second photo to my Flickr Photostream.

This photo was confirmed to be of Mary Geraldine Carlson by a great-grandchild. One of Mary’s children still has that photograph in her house.

Helen Angeline Cardamone, circa 1936 (age 17)

Helen Angeline Cardamone, circa 1936 (age 17)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Helen Cardamone, 12 Carlton Court, Portland, #1081.”

  • The 1940 Census enumerated Helen Cardamone living at 12 Carlton Court with her parents, Salvatore and Lisa Cardamone. Helen was 21 years old and an entertainer.
  • The 1936 Portland High School Yearbook shows Helen Angeline Cardamone as a senior that year. In her yearbook photo on Ancestry, she even appears to be wearing the same dress as in two of these photos.

Family Search did not have a profile for Helen or her parents, Salvatore and Lisa. I found one Ancestry tree which mentioned Helen Cardamone, born 12 October 1918. I have uploaded this photo of Helen to Dead Fred, and I have uploaded three more photos to my Flickr Photostream.

June Lillian Carpenter, circa 1937 (age 22)

June Lillian Carpenter, circa 1937 (age 22)

This negative envelope says, “Miss June Carpenter, ME Gen Hospital, Portland, #514.”

    • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists June Carpenter, a student nurse, at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
    • The 1938 Directory lists June as a nurse living at 13 Grant, Apt 5.
    • The Maine Marriage Index indicates that June L. Carpenter married Henry S Hebb on 26 February 1938.
    • Find a Grave shows June Lillian Carpenter, born 3 June 1915 and the wife of Henry Simpson Hebb.

Family Search identifies June Lillian Carpenter as ID LVPT-9JF.  June about 1937, when she first became a nurse and before she married in 1938. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search profile.  June Lillian Carpenter is found in 17 Ancestry trees.

Dene Jillson Canedy, Circa 1934 (age 1)

Dene Jillson Canedy, Circa 1934 (age 1)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. R. G. Canedy, 523 Brighton Ave, Portland, #462.”

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory, which should include R. G. Canedy (Pages 195 through 199) is missing from the directory.
  • The 1937 Portland City Directory indicates that Randolph G and Emily J Canedy lived at 57 Hartley.
  • The 1938 Portland City Directory indicates that Randolph G and Emily J Canedy moved to Charlemont, Mass.

The 1940 US Census records Randolph and Emily Canedy with their six-year-old son, Dene Canedy, living in Charlemont, Mass. Dene Jillson Canedy was born on 15 October 1933 in Portland, Maine.

Family Search identifies Dene Jillson Canedy, born 15 October 1933, as ID LY6K-ZGK.  . This image must be of Dene, probably at about a year old—c. 1934. I have uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search profile. Dene is also found in 12 Ancestry Public Trees.

Jeanette Candelmo, circa 1937 (age 4)

Jeanette Candelmo, circa 1937 (age 4)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Rebecca Candelmo, 97 Bickett St, Portland #741.”

    • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Dominic and Rebecca Candelmo living at 97 Beckett. Dominic was the proprietor at 243a Congress Street.
    • The 1940 Census shows Dominic, Rebecca, and their two children, six-year-old Jeanette and three-year-old Philip, living at 243 Congress Street.
    • Maine Marriage Index indicates that Jeanette Candelmo married <Name withheld> on 7 October 1956.
    • Public records indicate that Jeanette Candelmo was born in September 1933.

This girl in this photo appears to be about four years old, indicating the picture is circa 1937.

Neither Jeannette nor her parents appear to have profiles on Family Search. However, Domenico and Rebecca (Dansky) Candelmo appear in 11 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded a photo of Jeanette to Dead Fred and uploaded two additional photos of Jeanette A. Candelmo to my Flickr Photostream.

Conclusion

It was a good week. I had:

    • Two successful identifications I posted to Family Search
    • Three successful identifications I posted 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.

[iii] Maine Birth Records, 1715-1922. Augusta, Maine: Maine State Archives. Maine Birth Records, 1715-1922, Maine State Archives, Augusta, Maine.

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Montrans in the News – O’Briens Sworn Into Service

Posted on April 26, 2021 by Don Taylor

Montran Monday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.

This week for Montran Monday[i], I found the following article:

This week’s entry is from the Evening Eagle (Wichita, Kansas) dated 11 September 1953[ii].

Page 15

Witicha Evening Eagle, Sep 11, 1953, Pg 15

O’BRIENS SWORN INTO SERVICE

Lieut. Alerbert C. Montran swears in twin brothers Ed and Johnny O’Brien, both of the Pittsburgh Pirates, at the army induction center a Newark, N. J. The O’Briens made basketball headlines last winter with the University of Seattle. During the past few months they’ve been with the Pittsburgh Pirates.—(UP Telephoto.)

I learned:

I had not heard of an Alerbert C. Montran previously.  So, there might be an error in the name. That idea aside I learned four (possible) facts:

    1. There was an Alerbert C. Montran.
    2. He was a Lieutenant in the Army.
    3. He was stationed in or near Newark, N. J. in 1953.

Future Actions

Search further for Lt. Alerbert C. Montran.

Endnotes

[i] Montran Monday – My grandmother’s father was John Montran. She used the surname, as a young child and again when she began 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 name. I pay attention to the finding and try to determine a possible relationship of any Montrans to Donna’s father, John Montran.

[ii] The Evening Eagle (Wichita, Kansas) dated 11 September 1953, Page 15. Via Newspapers.Com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/719990812/ accessed 23 April 2021.

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John Parsons, Jr., & the 1810 Census

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Don Taylor

Census Sunday
Brown-Sanford-Parsons
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.

Following families in the early census records is always tricky. Sometimes, it becomes a rabbit hole without a successful resolution.

John Parsons lived in Sandisfield, Mass., during the 1790[i] and 1800 Censuses.[ii]  He then removed to Windham, Greene County, in 1802.[iii] John died in 1813, which means the only other Census he could be in is the 1810 Census.

Based upon my other research, John Parson’s household should have contained

Name Date of Birth Age on 6 Aug 1810
John 18 Nov 1764 45
Mary 20 May 1767 43
Samuel 5 Apr 1789 21
Polly 17 Jan 1792 18
Orrin 6 Mar 1794 16
John 5 May 1796 14
Chester 1 Dec 1799 10
Permelia 30 Apr 1805 5
Prudence Abt. 1808 2

Based upon that, I would expect

Males

  • Under 10 Chester
  • 10-16 John
  • 16-25 Samuel, Orrin
  • 25-45
  • 45 & over John

Females

  • Under 10 Permelia, Prudence
  • 10-16
  • 16-25 Polly
  • 25-45 Mary
  • 45 & over

So I would expect a Census to indicate a pattern of :

1 1 2 0 1 | 2 0 1 1 0 |

Census

1810 Census Serch

A search on Ancestry for John Parsons in Windham, Greene County, New York, failed to yield any results. Expanding the search to Greene County yielded one result, John Person. His Census pattern is:

0 1 0 1 1 | 0 0 1 0 1 | 4

Not the expected pattern for John. Additionally, John Person appears in the 1820 Census after my 5th great-grandfather’s death.

My next thought is that John, Mary, and the kids live with someone else with the Parson’s surname. There were no entries for a Parsons head of household.

Finally, I browsed through the 1810 Census records for Windham,    Greene County, looking carefully at any covered over, smudged, written over, or otherwise illegible entries. Again, not success. John and Mary had only come to Green County in 1803 and may not have been enumerated properly

Conclusion

I don’t believe John Parsons was enumerated in Windham, Greene County, New York during the 1810 Census.

Endnotes:

[i] 1790 Census, 1790 Census – Page 34 – John Parsons, Jr. & John Parsons (Sr.) – Sandisfield Town, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. “Heads of Families – 1790 Census – Massachusetts – Page 34, Column 1, Persons 3 & 4. – Accessed 2 August 2020. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/1907/dec/heads-of-families.html.

[ii] “United States Census, 1800,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRZ-J6J : accessed 31 March 2018), John Parsons Jr, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States; citing p. 175, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 13; FHL microfilm 205,611.

[iii] Chas. C. Chapman & Co. (2012). History of Washtenaw County, Michigan: Together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history ; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan : embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, aborigines, French, English and American conquests, and a general review of its civil, political and military history. Salem, MA: Higginson Book Company. – https://archive.org/details/cu31924028870520, Page 1371.

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Donna in the News – The New Theater Bills

Posted on April 24, 2021 by Don Taylor

“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertising 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. 

This week’s clipping is from The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas), dated 2 December 1923. It and several other clippings can be added to Donna’s history.  

THE NEW THEATER BILLS

ORPHEUM

VAUDEVILLE. Matinee and night. Two shows Saturday night. Blossom Seeley headlining bill opening Monday matinee for three days.

Blossom Seeley calls her medium of expression “Miss Syncopation.” Evidently she…

Billy McDermott, who bills himself as “The only Survivor of Coxey’s Army,” is a tramp…

Donna Darling is a musical comedy ingenue. With a capable supporting company, Miss Darling offers a dazzling dance fantasy called “A Song and Dance Romance.”

Orpheum Advertisement The Wichita Eagle,
2 December 1923

This clipping and the associated advertisements show Donna played at the Orpheum Theater in Wichita, Kansas, on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 1923.

Thanks to Newspapers.com’s newly available online articles, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s vaudeville career.

 

 

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 26

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Don Taylor

Butler, Calder, Camedy(?), Campbell, & Palmer

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 four more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i] but fail in one identification. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is important 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.

Madge LeVaughn Calder, circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Madge Calder, 62 State St., Portland, #491.”

Madge Calder, circa 1935

I wasn’t able to find Miss Madge Calder in any of the Portland City directories. I did find where Madge L. Calder married John R. Andrews on 5 October 1936. According to the marriage index, Madge lived in Augusta, and John lived in Lubec.[iii] Based upon the photo ID number (#491), this photo was likely taken in 1935 or 1936 before she married. Her description described in her naturalization document read: fair complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair, 5’5” tall, and 150 pounds. That description fits the photo.

Madge was born on 20 September 1915 in Wilson’s Beach, New Brunswick, and immigrated to the United States on 30 August 1934, entering at Eastport, Maine.[iv] So, she would have been 20 or 21 years old in this picture, which fits.

Alternatives

There was a Genevieve M. Calder born about 1919. Further research found that Genevieve’s middle name was Mildred.

Because the Madge in the photo was identified as a “Miss,” I did not consider any of the “Mrs. Calder’s.”

Madge D. Calder, born 20 September 1915, in Wilson’s Beach, Charlotte, New Brunswick, Canada, is identified as ID LZT9-KZT on FamilySearch, the daughter of John Alexander and Portia Estella (Brown) Calder. I have uploaded two photos of Madge to her FamilySearch profile and one more photo of Madge to my Flickr Photostream. Madge is also found in 11 Ancestry Family Trees.

Jean Ruth Campbell & David Rae Campbell, III, circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. David Campbell, 167 Coyle St., Portland, #942.”

David Rae, III, and Jean Ruth Campbell, circa 1937

The 1940 US Census lists David R. and Ruth Campbell living at 167 Coyle Street. Living with them are their two children, Jean and David R. Campbell III, ages 13 and 8, respectively. Based upon the photo ID number (#942), the photo is likely from 1937, when the children would have been 10 and 5.

Neither Jean Ruth Campbell (1926-1981) nor David Rae Campbell (1932-1953), the children of David Rae Campbell and Ruth (Gatcomb) Campbell, appear to have profiles on Family Search. However, Jean is found in six Ancestry Trees; David is found in five Ancestry Trees.

I have added their photo to Dead Fred.

Laura (Stone) Palmer (1864-1950), circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Freeman Calmer, 558 Brighton Ave, Portland, #773.”

Laura (Stone) Palmer, circa 1937

The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Freeman and Laura Palmer living at 558 Brighton Ave. The 1930 Census shows Freeman and his 65-year-old wife, Laura, living on William Street. Based on the photo ID number (#773), I estimate the photo from about 1937 when Laura was about 72 years old.

Family Search identifies Laura Stone, born 18 May 1864, wife of Freeman Palmer as ID K2Q2-V29.   I am sure this is Laura about 1937. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search profile. Three Ancestry Family Trees mention Laura (Stone) Palmer.

Marie and Marjorie Butler, circa 1935 (ages 3 & 4)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. M. E. Butler, 341 Congress St., Portland, #232.”

Marie and Marjorie Butler, circa 1935

The 1940 US Census indicates there was a Milbury E Butler and his wife Nellie G Butler living with their two daughters, Margory and Marie, ages 8 and 7. Based upon the collection ID number (#232), I’d estimate the photo taken about 1935. And the children about three and two, which seems about right. The Census also indicates that the Butlers lived in Portland in 1935.

The 1934 Portland City Directory indicates the “Milbry” and “Nettie” Butler lived at 341 Congress. The 1935 Portland City directory shows Milbury and Nellie Butler lived at 125 Franklin.

I am pretty sure this is Margory and Marie Butler about 1935.

Marjorie Butler was born on 10 December 1931 and Marie on 13 October 1932.

Family Search identifies Marjorie Butler, the daughter of Milbury and Nellie (Merrill) Butler, as ID LYW4-BYY. I have uploaded two images of Majorie to her Family Search profile. 14 Ancestry Trees identify Marjorie Butler.

Marie does not appear to have a Family Search ID. Because the only image containing Marie is blurred/out of focus, I have only uploaded that photo to Marjorie’s profile.  18 Ancestry Trees list Marie Elizabeth Butler.

Confirmed to be Marie and Marjorie by a family member.

Unknown Camedy Child, circa 1936

This photo is from the Ethel Wight Studio, Portland, Maine.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. R. Cy Camedy, 523 Brighton Ave., #375.”

Occasionally, I just can’t figure out who is in a photo. This envelope seems to read Mrs.R. Cy Camedy, 523 Brighton Ave.

I wasn’t sure about the name, so I looked at the address. A review of the various Portland City Directories yielded:

      • 1932 – Maurice L Asher, including Inga and Esther Asher, lived at 523 Brighton.
      • 1933 – The Ashers were still there.
      • 1934 – Page 942 of the City Directory indicates that 523 Brighton was Vacant.
      • 1935 – Marshman family Eleanor, Helen, John Gertrude, and William, all adults, lived there.
      • 1936 – The Marshman’s were also there in 1936.

Camedy (?) Baby

So from the address, it would appear that either the address is wrong or the Camedy’s must have lived at 523 Brighton for a short time.

Camedy is an unusual name, and a search for any people with the Camedy surname yielded no results on Ancestry. A similar search yielded only one person Daniel Camody. Thinking it might be Canredy or Carnedy, I tried them, again finding nothing in Maine records that made sense.

Conclusion

I had:

      • Three successful identifications that I posted to Family Search.
      • One identification that I posted to Dead Fred.
      • One undetermined photo.

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.

[iii] “Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCNC-N4X : 27 November 2014), John R Andrews and Madge L Calder, 05 Oct 1936; citing Marriage, Maine, United States, State Archives, Augusta.

[iv] “Maine, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1990”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6CBP-44RZ : 9 March 2021), Madge or Madve Levaughn Calder Andrews, .

 

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments