Four children of Hartley A. & Mary T. Davis of Portland, Maine.
Child of Max & Evelyn (Stein) Davis – Photo circa 1936
Barbara, Ruth, & Walter Curtis and Stanley Dexter – c. 1935
Brown Research
Began researching my Blackhurst ancestors. (Montran-Barber-Blackhurst. Learned that my 4th great aunt, Mary Blackhurst immigrated to Deseret (Utah) in 1852. She and her sister, Lydia, both married William Haladay. Can’t tell yet if they were “sister wives” yet or serial wives. More research underway. I hope to write mini-bios for my 2nd great grandmother, Sarah Blackhurst, siblings.
Howell Research
Received some communications from a cousin of my wife. She transcribed the probate record for my wife’s fifth great grandfather, William Price. It will be interesting to see if the will provides any new information regarding that line — Howell-Hobbs-Long-Bryan-Price. I’ll be posting a “guest blog” about it in the coming days.
Scarborough Historical Society
I posted a great article about early high schools in Scarborough by Linda McLoon. The first high school was actually two schools, one in Dunstan and one in Oak Hill in 1877. Read all about it in “A High School Comes to Scarborough.”
The Ancestor Hunt has added the Scarborough Historical Society photos to their listing of Maine Free Searchable Photo Collections. Scarborough images available through Digital Maine were already identified. There are dozens of links to other record locations in Maine. Check it out!
This week for Photo Friday, I look at identifying five more negatives from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The names on the envelope are of the individual who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, I try to analyze the photo and information to positively identify the people in the photographs.[ii]
Mary Derosier (1914-1994)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Mary Derosier – State St Hospital, Portland #743.”
1936, 1937, and 1938 Portland City Directories list Mary H. Derosier, as a student nurse at 62 State, residence 52 do.
The 1930 Census indicates a 15-year-old Mary H. Derosier lived in Berlin, Coos County, New Hampshire. She was born in New York and was the daughter of Peter (age 51) and Elizabeth (age 51) Derosier.
Likewise, the 1936 City Directory for Berlin, New Hampshire indicates Mary H. Derosier, a nurse, living at 800 Second Ave, the same address as Peter D.Derosier.
Further research indicates that Mary married Howard C. Plummer, Jr., on 25 April 1938 in Maine. Mary Helen (Derosier) Plummer died on 3 June 1994.
I was not successful in finding Mary Helen (Derosier) Plummer nor her parents in Family Search. However, I did find her identified in 8 trees on Ancestry.
There were four photos of Mary Helen Derosier in the collection. I have posted all four to my Flickr Photostream. I have posted a photo to Dead Fred.
Donald Davis (1907-1972)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Donald Davis – 51 Jackson St, Portland #503.”
The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that Donald W. Davis was a clerk at 585 Congress Street and lived at 51 Jackson.
The 1940 Census shows Donald W. Davis living at 51 Jackson Street with his mother, Flora E. Davis. Donald was 32 and working as a meat cutter.
The 1930 Census shows Donald W. Davis, a 23-year-old musician, living at 51 Jackson Street with his parents James W. and Flora E. Davis.
Family Search finds him to be ID: LYT1-9JG. I added this photo to his Memories section.
Four children of Hartley A. & Mary T. Davis of Portland, Maine.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. H A Davis – 269 Ray St. Portland # 861.”
The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Hartley A. Davis and his wife Mary T, living at 269 Ray.
The 1940 Census shows Hartley and his wife Mary and their four children, Jacqueline, Robert, Sterling, and Caroline living at 269 Ray Street.
There is no doubt this is them, Robert, Caroline, Jacqueline, and Sterling (left to right).
Sterling has a profile on Family Search, LYBT-G8V. I’ve uploaded the photo there.
Child of Max & Evelyn (Stein) Davis – Photo circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Max Davis – 155 Dartmouth St., Portland.” The negative also says “News” and “Mail Proofs c/o Mrs. Jno Stein, 36 Surfside Rd, Lynn, Mass.”
The 1935 Portland City Directory list Max D. Davis and his wife Evelyn S. living at 84 North, Apartment 2.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Max D. Davis living at the Falmouth Hotel. Page 274 of that directory is not in the Ancestry image set, so the location of Evelyn is unknown.
1937, 1938, and 1939 Portland City Directories list Max D. Davis with his wife, Evelyn S. living at 286 State, Apt. 3.
The 1940 Census has Max with his wife and two daughters, Bernice I. and Joseph A., ages 13 and 8 respectively. Note: although Max is listed at 72 years-old in the 1940 Census, that is in error. He is 32 in the 1930 Census.
Max’s wife’s maiden name was Stein, so sending proofs to her family in Massachusetts makes sense.
The photo appears to be of a boy about 4 or 5 years old. That age fits to be Joseph, assuming he is a boy and not a girl as the 1940 Census suggests.
There is not a profile for Joseph in Family Search. There appear to be 3 family trees on Ancestry which have Max and Evelyn (Stein) Davis. I will contact each of them and let them know when this posts.
I have also posted the photo of Joseph Davis to my Flickr Photostream. Also, I’ve posted the photo to Dead Fred.
Muriel Loretta (Simmons) Curtis Dexter’s children
Barbara, Ruth, & Walter Curtis and Stanley Dexter – c. 1935
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. C. S. Dexter – 61 Hampshire St. #1070.”
The 1937 Portland City Directory shows Carroll S. Dexter and his wife Muriel L living at 61 Hampshire.
The 1940 Census shows Carroll Dexter and his wife Marril living in Portland with their five children, Barbara (11), Ruth (9), Walter (8), Stanley (4), and Marchia. Marchia was a baby, only two months old, and wouldn’t have been in the photo. Barbara, Ruth, and Walter are all step-children with the surname of Curtis. Stanley was 4 during the 1940 Census. The baby in the photo appears to be under a year (probably 6 to 8 months).
Carroll Stanley Dexter Jr. was born on 26 May 1935 to Carroll Stanley Dexter and Muriel Loretta Simmons. So, I’m certain the baby in the photo is him. Muriel was married before to Walter Stewart Curtis (1895-1961). She had several children with him including Ruth Pendleton Curtis (1930-2006).
On Family Search, Muriel Loretta Simmons is ID GQNB-VQS
Six identifications where I could post to Family Search.
Two identifications where I could contact other researchers.
Final Note
If any of these photos are of a family member, I would love to hear your reaction.
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.
Added book: Grandfather Tales of Scarborough by Augustus Freedom Moulton. Uploaded to Digital Maine & Internet Archive because it came out of copyright on January 1st. (See Blogs Below.)
Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society
Had a great meeting yesterday, via Zoom, of the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society. I was elected Chapter President. Next month (February 6th) we will be doing a three-person panel and will discuss various genealogical techniques and resources. More to come in future weeks.
Don Taylor Genealogy Blog
For my “Photo Friday,” I published photos of Dahlgren, Daigle, Dallachie Davenport, & Davis in “Ethel Wight Collection – Part 10”
The Legal Genealogist has a great article about “Welcome to 1925!” In it she describes some copyright history and why 1925 books are now out of copyright.
Roberta Estes, in her blog “DNAeXplained” has a great article about Y-DNA — “Y-DNA Resources and Repository.” Not only does she provide general information, but she also provides links to step-by-step actions to using your Y-DNA and a plethora of links to DNA educational articles. If you want to know more about Y-DNA, this is the article to read.
Conferences
I had always wanted to travel to Salt Lake City to attend RootsTech. This year the largest Genealogy is both FREE and it is Online. No excuse for missing this one. I’ve registered and expect to be busy February 25 to 27 with RootsTech. Be sure to register NOW and get it on your calendar. https://www.rootstech.org/?lang=eng.
New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC) will be virtual this year and will be in April and May 2021. For the latest info, see their E-Zine at https://nergc.org/e-zines/
Family History Fanatics will be having “A Winter of DNA eConference” on 30 January 2021. “Early Bird” price $19.99 until January 22nd then $24.99. There are four presentations, “DNA & Law Enforcement,” “GEDmatch Basics,” “Tracing Ancestral Lines in the 1700s Using DNA,” and “A Guide to Chromosome Browsers & DNA Segment Data.” This will be followed by a “Genealogy Unscripted” panel discussion. You will be able to replay any of the sessions until Feb 26th. To Register see: https://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/winterdna
Services
Do you use Google Calendar to manage your activities as I do? Actually, my calendar is my home page when I open Google. Anyway, if you are interested in Webinars and would like to know what is going on, I highly recommend Genea Webinars. At the bottom of their calendar, there is a “Plus Google Calendar” add-in. Adding it adds Genea Webinars to your Google Calendar. There are typically 2 to 5 webinars available daily (Mon-Fri). Once it is added to your Calendar, you can turn it on or off as you wish. So, I’m looking for something to fulfill my weekly one-hour genealogy education goal, I can easily pick something from the list of presentations to watch.
Paul, the husband of my wife’s niece, said he didn’t know much about his great-grandfather, Laurance Louis Harmon. I was invited to be the godfather to his children several years ago. As I believe it to be important for children to learn about their ancestors, I am excited to learn about Paul’s ancestors so I can help my godchildren to learn more about where they come from. Finally, Paul’s ancestor was born in Scarborough, to a family name long known to me as a volunteer at the historical society. As I quickly learned, besides Paul’s great-grandfather, I learned of six more greats in his family tree, which means much more research in the future.
Howell-Welch Project – Ancestor #14
List of Greats
1st Great-grandfather: Laurance Louis Harmon (1897-1941)
2nd Great-grandfather: Lewis Lunbard Harmon (1863-___)
3rd Great-grandfather: Joseph Harmon
4th Great-grandfather: John S. Harmon
5th Great-grandfather: Joseph Harmon
6th Great-grandfather: Nathanel Harmon
7th Great-grandfather: John Harmon
Laurance Louis Harmon (1897-1941)
Birth
Although spring had arrived a few weeks earlier, the morning that Laurance[1] Louis Harmon was born, April 11, 1897, there was light snow and a temperature of 33. Laurance was the third, and last, child born to Lewis and Lucille (Cousins) Harmon. Medical Doctor, Martin Coffin, attended the birth in Scarborough, Cumberland County, Maine.
Childhood
The 1900 Census found 3-year-old Laurance living with his father, a farmer, mother, and two siblings, Ernest (age 11) and Velma (age 8). They were at school and Laurance was too young to attend school yet.
The 1910 Census found 13-year-old Laurance attending school but his siblings were both working. Earnest was laboring at a sawmill and Velma was doing housework. His father was still a farmer.
Laurance followed his father into farming, as the 1915 Portland City directory reports. The 17-year-old was living with his father (L. L. Harmon). His mailing address was RFD 2, Gorham.
Marriage
Laurance married Mildred R. Swain on 1 October 1917. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John A. Ford in Gorham, Cumberland County, Maine.
Laurance and Mildred would have four children, a boy and three girls.
Military Service
On 5 June 1918 Laurance registered for the draft. He and his new wife were living at 7 Grace Street, Portland, Maine. He was employed as a machinist at Peterson Motor Company, 327 Forest Avenue, Portland. It was described as tall, with a slender build, blue eyes and brown hair.
Two months later, on 28 August 1918, John was inducted into the army as a private. He was assigned to the 43rd company, 11th Rec Batallion, 151st Depot Brigade at Camp Devens, Massachusetts.
The 43rd Company, 151st Depot Brigade – Camp Devens, Massachusett
Camp Devens was an epicenter for the Spanish Flu in 1918 where over 850 soldiers, mostly privates like Laurance, died.[2] The War ended on 11 November 1918. Laurance was discharged, three months after arriving, but a month after the war ended, on 5 December 1918 with an honorable discharge.
Adulthood
After his short time in the service, the young family located to Westbrook where Laurance worked as an auto mechanic until at least 1922.
The 1930 Census finds Laurance living with his wife and three oldest children in Gorham. He is still working as a mechanic in a garage. He is living on County Road in Gorham, near the Scarborough line.
The 1940 Census continues to find Laurance living with his wife and four children on County Road, and working as a mechanic at a machine shop
Death
Laurance Louis Harmon died 4 April 1941. He was buried in the South Gorham Cemetery, Gorham, Cumberland County Maine. He was survived by his wife and his four children.
1900 Census, Various, 1900 Census – Lewis L Harmon – Scarborough, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMLF-FL3 : accessed 20 December 2020), Lewis L Harmon, Scarborough town, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 78, sheet 18A, family 436, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,591.
1910 Census (NARA, 1910), Various, 1910 – Lawrance C. Harmon – Scarboro, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MR3M-H97 : accessed 19 December 2020), Lawrance C Harmon in household of Lewis L Harmon, Scarboro, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 101, sheet 20A, family 467, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 538; FHL microfilm 1,374,551.
1930 Census (FS), Laurence Harman – Head – Gorham, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM8L-7KP : accessed 19 December 2020), Laurence Harman, Gorham, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 17, sheet 7A, line 2, family 105, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 830; FHL microfilm 2,340,565.
1940 Census (FS), Family Search, 1940 Census – Lawrence Harmon – Gorham, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMMW-WMH : 28 February 2020), Vyra A Harmon in household of Lawrence Harmon, Gorham Town, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 3-27, sheet 6A, line 37, family 92, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 – 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1474.
Find a Grave, Laurance L Harmon – Memorial #127906305. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 19 December 2020), memorial page for Laurance L Harmon (1897–1941), Find a Grave Memorial no. 127906305, citing South Gorham Cemetery, Gorham, Cumberland County, Maine, USA ; Maintained by Maine 101 (contributor 47130320).
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Alton [No Name] Harmon – 11 May 1919. Citing this Record. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-7HYM : 16 December 2020), MM9.1.1/Q24N-7HYM:, Birth 11 May 1919; multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm 10,133.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Laurence L Harmon – 11 Apr 1897. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZQD-3P8 : 16 December 2020), Lawrence L Harmon, 11 Apr 1897; citing Scarboro, , Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Ruth Marie Harmon – 19 Jul 1922. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-9GQ7 : 16 December 2020), Ruth Marie Harmon, Birth 19 Jul 1922; multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm 10,128. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-9GQ7.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Marriage – Laurence Harmon & Mildred R Swan – 1 Oct 1917. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24N-SHR3 : 16 December 2020), Laurence Harmon and Mildred R Swan, 01 Oct 1917; citing Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996, Family Search, Marriage – Laurence Harmon & Mildred R Swan – 1 Oct 1917. “Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCN2-TRK : 27 November 2014), Laurence Harmon and Mildred R Swan, 01 Oct 1917; citing Marriage, Maine, United States, State Archives, Augusta.
Maine, State Archive Collections, 1718-1957, Family Search, Military Service – Laurance or Laurence Louis Harmon 1918. “Maine, State Archive Collections, 1718-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KG9Q-67X : 11 March 2018), Laurance Or Lawrence Louis Harmon, 28 Aug 1918; citing Military Service, United States, State Archives, Augusta.
Maine, World War I Draft Register Index, 1917-1919, Family Search, Draft Registration – Lawrence Louis Harmon – Inducted 28 Aug 1918. “Maine, World War I Draft Registration Index, 1917-1919,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HM-P1F5 : 15 March 2018), Lawrence Louis Harmon, 1917-1919; citing Draft Registration, Portland, Cumberland, Maine, United States, Maine State Archives, Augusta; FHL microfilm 005652220.
Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME, ), Genealogy Bank, Alton S. Harmon – Obituary 27 May 1998. Portland Press Herald (Maine) 27 May 1998, obit for ALTON S. HARMON CONSTRUCTION WORKER, WWII VETERAN, GenealogyBank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/0F9C33C5B8BC7A98 : accessed 19 December 2020). https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/0F9C33C5B8BC7A98.
S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Portland, Maine – 1915-’17 – Page 212 – Harmon – Portland, Maine – 1915-’17 – Page 213 – Harmon. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Westbrook, ME – 1930 – Gorham Directory – Page 241 – Harmon. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Westbrook, ME – 1934 – Gorham Directory – Page 178 – Harmon. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 , Ancestry, Laurence L Harmon (1897-1941). National Archives at Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941; NAID: A1, 2110-C; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the O.
S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry, Alton Swain Harmon (1919-1998) – No Image. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/28283679:60901.
S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry, Lawrence Louis Harmon (1897-1941) – No Image. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/89437:60901.
United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Family Search, Draft Card – Laurence Louis Harmon – Registered 5 June 1918. “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZFY-BQX : 24 August 2019), Laurence Louis Harmon, 1917-1918.
Endnotes
[1] Laurence and Laurance are used interchangeably throughout many documents. His military service record even uses both on the same page. I have standardized by using “Laurance” because it is the spelling used on his tombstone and is likely the spelling he used later in life.
This week for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more negative envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The names on the envelope are of the individual who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, I analyze the photo information and use my genealogical skills to positively identify the people in the photographs.[ii]
Eva Mae Dahlgren (1916-2007)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Eva Dahlgren – 24 Arsenal St, Portland
Miss Eva Dahlgren
The 1938 Portland City Directory indicates Eva Dahlgren is a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital) and resides at the same place.
The 1939 Portland City Directory indicates Eva Dahlgren is a nurse at 763 Congress and resides at the same place, suggesting that Eva graduated from nurse’s school in 1938.
The 1930 Census lists an Eva M Dahlgren, age 13, living with her parents Godfrey E. and Grace H. Dahlgren at 193 Hines Street, Washburn, Aroostook County, Maine.
Social Security records indicate Eva was born on 18 December 1916 to Edwin G. Dahlgren and Grace H Wilson. She married Rodney D. Gurley and died 16 February 2007 as Eva Mae Gurley.
I found Godfrey and Grace on Family Search, but not their daughter Eva, so I created a profile for Eva Mae Dahlgren, born 18 December 1916, died 16 February 2007. It is L7SN-P92. I uploaded one photo of Eva in the collection to that profile. I also found her on Find-a-Grave (Memorial 40160600 and uploaded her photo there too.)
Carmen Daigle (1915-1985)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Carmen Daigle – St. Barnabas Hospital, Portland, #528.”
Carmen D’Aigle appears in the 1935 and 1936 Portland (Maine) City Directories. She was a student nurse at 231 Woodford and resided at 20 Norwood. It seems this to be the correct Carmen Daigle.
She appears again in the 1937 Portland City Directory as Carmen Daigle. She was still a student nurse at 231 Woodford and resided at 20 Norwood.
The 1938 Portland City directory has a new person, Rita Daigle, a student nurse at 218 State and residing at 681 Congress Street.
A review of the 1930 Census found a 15-year-old Carmen J. Dangle, who had a sister, Rita M., who lived in Limestone, Aroostook County, Maine. They were the daughters of Paul and Clara Daigle. I’m confident this is the correct Carmen Dangle.
Further research shows she was born on 24 February 1915 in Corinna, Penobscot County, Maine. Her mother’s name was Clara Thibodeau. And she died in 1985 and is buried in St. Louis Cemetery in Limestone, Aroostook County, Maine.
Another Carmen Daigle was born 19 April 1915 in Aroostook County. Sho married Leon Desjardins in 1935 and died in 1972. She should not be confused with Carmen (Daigle) Howard.
I am confident enough that Clara Daigle, daughter of Paul and Clara (Thibodeau) Daigle, born on 24 February 1915, is correct that I created a profile for her on Family Search. Her profile is GHQ9-9CM. I uploaded her photo there, plus I uploaded one of her photos to her memorial (#121577026) on Find a Grave.
Charles E. Dallachie (1930-2003) &
Sibling (?)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Chas. Dallachie, 99 Concord St., Portland #146.”
Charles & Robert Dallachie circa 1936
1932, 33, and 34 Portland City Directories indicate Charles A. Dallachie and his wife Isabel lived at 99 Concord St.
This appears to be Charles Austin Dallachie, born 21 August 1896 in Massachusetts. His wife was Isabel McCulloch Allan. The boy then would be Charles E. Dallachie. Charles E. Dallachie was born 9 March 1930 in Maine. He died 28 September 2003 in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
I have not been successful in determining the baby in the photo with Charles. I have found several individuals who have Charles E. Dallachie in their family trees. I have contacted three of them to confirm or repute my identification.
[UPDATE: A family member has confirmed the boy is Charles E. Dallachie and the baby is Robert Dallachie.]
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Caroline Davenport – Me. Gen. Hospital, Portland, #913.”
The 1937 and 1938 Portland (Maine) City Directories list Carolyn Davenport as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital). The photo is by “Studio Name and Printed info if present.”
The 1939 Portland City Directory indicates she is a nurse who works and lives at 261 Vaughan. That and the high negative number (#913) suggest the photo is from about 1938.
Further research found Carolyn in a 1935 yearbook for Canton High School, Canton, Oxford County, Maine. The photograph of her in the yearbook indicates the same young woman as the photos.
The 1930 Census finds Carolyn Davenport, 11 years old, living in her brother-in-law’s household and her 24-year-old sister Marjorie Lavorgna in Canton. The 1920 Census shows Carolyn residing with her parents, Frank R. and Helen M. Davenport, in Hartford, Oxford County. Her sister’s name in this census is Marcie.
A Birth record for Carolyn May Davenport indicates she was born, 5 May 1918 in Hartford, Oxford County, Maine. Her parents were Frank Davenport (GQL4-QJK) and May Shaw (LL96-G4Q). She was May’s third child.
Carolyn married Norman M. Tilbor and died 4 April 2014 in Barrington, RI.
I created an entry for Carolyn on Family Search, GHQ7-PLK, and have two uploaded photos of her there.
Donald William Davis (1907-1972).
This negative envelope says, “Mr. Donald Davis – 51 Jackson St, Portland #502.”
The 1940 Census lists 32-year-old Donald Davis living at 51 Jackson in Portland. His mother, Flora E. Davis, is living with him.” Also, Donald was born in Maine.
The 1930 Census shows Donald living on Jackson Street with his parents James W, and Flora E Davis.
Donald William Davis’ birth record indicates he was born on 23 May 1907 in Bethel, Oxford, Maine. Donald died on 29 August 1972.
So, I am confident this photo is of Donald William Davis (1907-1972).
Donald William Davis has a profile on Family Search, LYT1-9JG. I have uploaded two photos of him there.
Conclusion
I had:
Four successful identifications where I could post the photos to Family Search.
One probable identification – I have contacted other researchers for confirmation.
One failed identification (the younger sibling of the probably identified person). Again, I’ve contacted other researchers for help in identification.
Final Note
If any of these photos are of a family member, I would love to hear your reaction.
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 (Photoshop Elements).
