I often find family oral history fascinating. I’ve found there are usually grains of truth in the oral story; invariably, some details aren’t quite right. I think I may have found the basis for an oral history from my wife’s second great-grandmother, Margaret Lamb
The oral history said that Margaret Lamb had a “brother who was an officer in the Indian Army, British Service.” Not a lot to go on.
First, I found a probate record for Margaret’s father, Edward Lamb, which said that Edward Lamb of Sandford, Warcop, Westmorland, died 1 November 1893. Probate was in 1894 in a Carlisle court. James Cooper Lamb was a Sergeant in the 4th Royal Dublin Fusiliers at that time.
Second, I found another probate record, this time 1898, for James Cooper Lamb, who was a “Colour-Sergeant,” 4th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Isabell Lamb widow inherited.
I had never heard of a “Colour-Sergeant.” Still, thanks to Wikipedia, I learned that a colour-sergeant is a non-commissioned title ranking above Sergeant and below a warrant officer.
Cap Badge for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Image by Dormskirk, CC BY-SA 3.0 – via Wikimedia Commons.
Also thanks to Wikipedia, I learned that the Royal Dublin Fusiliers was created in 1881 from two regiments in India, the Royal Bombay Fusiliers and the Royal Madras Fusiliers.
During the 1881 Census, James appears to be a servant in the house of John Lancaster. He must have joined up shortly after that. It would have been quite an accomplishment to have made Sergeant by 1894 and Colour-Sergeant by 1898.
It seems that James may have joined either the Bombay or Madras units and was then transferred to Dublin. If he ever went to India to be part of either of those units, it would be easy to see how the oral history of his being in the Indian Army, British Service could occur. Likewise, a “Non-Commissioned Officer” is often thought of as an officer by those who haven’t served. So, his being an officer in the oral history also makes sense.
I hope I can find a source for his military record to understand his military service much better.
Margaret had another brother, Edward Lamb (1864-___). It is also possible that Edward is the brother who was “an officer in the Indian Army, British Service.” He’ll be my next Lamb after finish researching James, to research.[i]
By the way, James may not have joined the Royal Fusiliers until 1886, but more on that later.
Endnotes:
[i] I need to keep focused that my purpose in examining the lives of Margaret’s siblings is to learn of the whereabouts of Margaret’s mother, Isabella Atkinson.
I was reading Randy Seaver’s blog, Genea-Musings, where he used FamilySearch’s Famous Relatives and found he was related to Lucille Ball. I thought that is kind of cool. I wonder if I am related also. Sure enough, according to Famous Relatives, I am. Lucy is my 9th cousin once removed. Interestingly, I’m related through Lucy’s mother’s line while Randy is related through Lucy’s father’s line. On my side, Lucy is related through my father’s line – Roberts-Barnes-Taft line. It is fun and interesting, but is it accurate? Maybe.
My research has tentatively found John Whitney s my 5th great-grandfather. I need to research more to discover his mother and three more generations to get to Lucy and my common ancestors Anthony Day (1624-1707) and Susannah Matchett (1623-1717). I might get there someday.
I hadn’t tried Famous Relatives before, so I looked at its capabilities a little more. They have a category of relatives called “Trailblazers.” It showed that I am descended from 15 of the Mayflower passengers. Joan Hurst, a Mayflower passenger, is my 12th great-grandmother on my mother’s father’s (Richard Earl Brown) line. Richard Warren, another Mayflower passenger) is my 10th great-grandfather on my Roberts-Barnes side.
Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by William Halsall (1882) – Public Domain
My research had never found a Mayflower passenger in my direct lineage, but now, thanks to Famous Relatives, I have 15 lines to follow to potential Mayflower passengers. I’ll bet at least one of them is right. I can see I have lots more research to do on my Roberts and Brown lines. I just wish I could figure out how to do it so my wife’s famous relatives would be identified.
“Famous Relatives” is one of 18 new “Family History Activities” presented by Family Search. Another of the activities is “Where am I from.” A quick look at it shows I have two ancestors from Maine (and 19 in England). One of my ancestors is again John Whitney’s mother, Phebe Day. She apparently was born in Wells, Maine in 1721. She is a second reason to research my Whitney-Day ancestors in depth. Another of my “Maine Ancestors” is wrong. It shows a relationship through Henry Mack Brown’s (1845-1906) wife, Chloey Lavinia Andrews (1846-1885). However, I am confident Henry and Chloey are not the parents of Arthur D. Brown. I’ve written about that error before.[i] I just don’t know how to change it in Family Search, or if I should.
In any event, having a Maine ancestor gives me hope for a reason for in-person Maine research. Wells is only a quick half-hour drive away.
Regardless of rights and wrongs, the various “Family History Activities” at FamilySearch can give hints for further research and might even motivate you to research a particular line in greater depth.
Follow-up
Bump research for
41. Lucy Wilson Taft (___-___),
82. Asa Taft (1774-1839), and
83. Sarah Whitney (1773-1811) up and continue researching various potential Mayflower lineages.
Darling-McAllister-Lamb-Atkinson
Census Sunday
By Don Taylor
Following families in the early census records is always difficult and I find English Census records particularly difficult to follow.
To the best of my research, Isabella Atkinson (my wife’s 3rd great-grandmother on her maternal line) was born between 1834 and 1835 in Long Marton, Westmorland, England. She married Edward Lamb in 1853. So, during the 1851 Census, she should have been sixteen or seventeen years old and, hopefully, living with her parents. But alas, no such luck.
Again, there is one Isabella Atkinson, born about 1834 in Long Marton, Westmorland, England. However, this census appears to have Isabella’s parents and siblings included. The 1841 Census does not provide relationships, however, this appears to be a nuclear family.
John Atkinson, 40 – Head – John’s occupation is “Husbandman” (aka farmer).
Elizabeth, 35 – Apparent Wife
Thomas, 16 – Apparent Son
Richard, 11 – Apparent Son
George, 9 – Apparent Son
Isabella 6 – Apparent Daughter
Ann 3 – Apparent Daughter
Living in Township of Knock in the parish of Long Marton.
Superintendent Registrar’s District of East Ward.
Registar’s District of Appleby
Enumeration District 10.
Marriage
Isabella married Edward Lamb on 27 November 1853. Following her after her marriage we find.
I have been unsuccessful finding Isabella in the 1871 England Census. It appears that Edward may be living with his mother and two sisters in Sanford during the 1871 Census.[v] Margaret does not appear to be enumerated with Edward.
1881
Again, I have been unsuccessful in finding Isabella in the 1881 England Census. Edward is enumerated as married, owns his house, and is a landed proprietor. He is also an annuitant. There is no evidence of Isabella with him. Edward and Isabella’s Daughter, Margaret Mary Lamb (1860-1929), has married and is living in Workington with her husband, Peter McAllister (1852-1941).
Conclusion
Edward and Isabella had two other children that were christened after Margaret. James Cooper in 1863 and Edward in 1864. I have been unable to find any records or references to Isabella after 1864. Consequently, I believe she may have passed between 1864 and the 1871 Census.
Although I feel a sense of frustration not determining Isabella whereabouts after 1864, I am really happy to have determined the names of Isaballa’s parents and four of her siblings. Maybe researching Isabella’s parents or her siblings will result in a greater understanding of Isabella’s life.
Endnotes & Source Citations:
[i] 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.
[ii] 1841 England and Wales Census – June 6, 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.
[iii] 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.
Original data: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Oice (PRO), 1861. Data imaged from The National Archives, London, England. The National Archives gives no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided. Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/8767/records/13303817.
[iv] A victualler is traditionally a person who supplies food, beverages and other provisions for the crew of a vessel at sea, but also may be the landlord of a public house. | Retrieved 29 November 2020, from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victualler
[v] 1871 England Census – April 2, 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 the entry for Ann Lamb, 1871. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-7B9.
This week for Photo Friday, I identify 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, it is vital to analyze the photo and information to identify the photographs positively.[ii]
Flora Basford (1916-1970)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Flora Bassford – Me Gen Hospital, Portland, #695.”
The 1940 Census indicates one Flora Bassford and two Flora Basford’s (one “s”) in Portland.
Flora Bassford – Age 72, Widow. Cannot possibly be this Flora, who is much younger.
Flora E Basford, Age 24, Daughter of May M. Basford, living at 84 Carleton. Occupation-Nurse at a Hospital.
Flora Basford, Age 23, Living at Maine General Hospital, Occupation Nurse.
So, are there two different Flora Basford’s or is there only one who was enumerated twice?
The 1940 Portland City Directory lists two Flora Basford’s; one was Flora A, the widow of clarence, the other a nurse employed at 22 Arsenal and living at 82 Carleton, Apt 17. No second, young nurse.
The 1939 Portland City Directory – Ditto.
The 1938 Portland City Directory reports Flora Basford as Student Nurse at 22 Arsenal, residing at 22 Arsenal.
Flora E Basford married Raymond C Aja on 27 April 1940.
The 1941 Portland City Directory shows Flora Basford the nurse that married Raymond C Aja. No other Flora Basford’s are identified.
In the 1930 Census, Flora E Basford, age 13, lives with her mother May, and a sister Vera L Basford, in Detroit, Somerset County, Maine. (Vera also went into nursing.)
Looking at all the documents, I believe that Flora Basford was enumerated twice during the 1940 Census – Once at her mother’s home and once at the hospital housing facility. Other than the census, I can find no other evidence there was another Flora Basford in the Portland area (The Widow Basford excepted). So, I believe this to be Flora Basford, daughter of Willie P and Maggie Mary (Fulton) Basford and wife of Raymond C Aja.
She is Family Search Profile LL2M-921. The photos I have probably came from about 1938, when Flora was about 22 years old.
Jane Mary Batura (1918-2016)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Jane Batura – 40 Brackett St, Portland – #1073.”
The 1938 Portland City Directory reported Jane Batura, an employee at LDCo, 148 Middle and resided at 40 Brackett. The other Batura individuals also lived at that address, suggesting no other Batura families in 1938 Portland.
Additionally, Jane Batura was born on 28 January 1918 to John and Malvina (Blaska) Batura in Portland, Cumberland, Maine.
There is not a profile for Jane Mary Batura on Family Search. There was one public family tree on Ancestry that included Jane Mary Batura. I’ve messaged that person with information about the images.
Ralph Bearce (one of three candidates)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Ralph Bearce #448 – Copy.”
It is unusual for the negative envelope to not include any address for the individual. Also, the quality of the image is quite poor and somewhat damaged. The word “Copy” following the name suggests that this negative was a copy of another photo, probably using a different camera or process.
The 1940 census records indicate there were nine Ralph Bearce’s enumerated; three of them lived in Maine.
Ralph R. Bearce – Age 54, Living with his wife, Lou H, in Ashland, Aroostook County.
Ralph R Beane – Age 44, living with wife, H Lou, in Ashland, Aroostook County.
Ralph Bearce, Jr – Age 17, living with father above.
Ralph Bearce, Jr – Age 17, living with father above.
Ralph H. Bearce – Age 48, living with wife, Mattie, in Dover-Foxcroft in 1940.
Ralph K Bearce – Age 38, living with wife, Mattie, in Dover Foxcroft in 1930.
Further research was unsuccessful in finding Ralph Bearce in any of the City Directories I have access to.
The photo was taken in about 1937. Ralph Brice of Ashland would have been 51 years old then. Ralph Bearce of Dover-Foxcroft would have been about 45. I think the man in the photo looks more like 51 than 45; however, there isn’t enough age difference to be sure. As such, I don’t believe I can determine which Ralph Bearce this is a photo of.
Note: There was a third Ralph Brice, Born in Turner, Maine in 1875, lived in New Hampshire in 1930, and died in New Hampshire in 1935. This photo may be of that Ralph King Brice, but I don’t think so.
Hopefully, someone in Aroostook County or Piscataquis County who knew one of the two Ralph Bearce’s can confirm this image’s identity.
Posted to Dead Fred
Ralph Bearce – ca. 1937
There were three Ralph Bearce’s of Maine; this image could be any of them.
Ralph R. Bearce – b. ca. 1886 – wife, Lou H, of Ashland, Aroostook County, Maine.
Ralph H. Bearce – b. ca 1892 – wife, Mattie, of Dover-Foxcroft, Piscataquis County, Maine.
Ralph K. Bearce – b. 1874 – wife Ellen Mary, of Turner, Androscoggin County, Maine.
Helen Vaughn Belyea (1925-1991) and Frederick N. Belyea (1931-1991)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Harry Belyea – 41 Wolcott St. Portland #169.”
The 1937 Portland City directory lists Harry A. Belyea and his wife Pauline C living at 41 Wolcott.
The 1940 Census lists Harry Belyea living with his wife, Pauline, and two children, Helen (age 14) and Frederick (age 8). This photo was taken about 1935, so Frederick would be about four and Helen about 10 in the photo. I am convinced this is them.
On Family Search, Helen Vaughn Belyea (1925-1991) is ID LYCV-8K4.
On Family Search, Frederick N. Belyea (1931-1991) is ID GQD2-PTR.
I have uploaded two of the images to Family Search.
Greta Benn (1916-2012)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Greta Benn – Me. Gen Hospital, Portland #621.”
1937 Portland City Directory lists Greta Benn as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal, residing at 22 Arsenal. Twenty-two Arsenal was the address for the Maine General Hospital in1937.
The 1940 Census finds Greta Alma Benn, age 23, as a “general duty nurse” residing at Guion Place, in New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York, but having been born in Maine and having lived in Portland, Maine in 1935.
Further research indicated that Greta was born 4 August 1916 to Melvin Leroy and Edith Jane (Warman) Benn in Aroostook County, Maine. I am convinced this is an image of Greta.
Greta Alma Benn has a profile on Family Search — LBDW-MKC. I have uploaded her image there.
Final Note
Four out of five photos is pretty good for identifying. Again, if you know any of the Ralph Bearce’s, I’d love to hear if you can either confirm or eliminate any of the candidates.
Finally, 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 Photoshop Elements.
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, it is important to analyze the photo and information to positively identify the photographs.[ii]
Child of Mrs. Leroy Baker
(Probably) Richard Baker (1933-2018)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Leroy Baker – 684 Forest Ave., Portland.”
Child of Mrs LeRoy Baker ()
The 1936 Portland City Directory reports Leroy R. (Alice A) Baker living at 684 Forest Ave., Portland.
The 1940 Census reports Leroy R. Baker at the Maine State Prison.
The 1940 Census also reports Alice A. Baker living with her mother, Isabell Boyle, a brother, Lawrence, and Alice’s three children; Richard L., Barbara J., & Isabell R. ages 6, 5, and 2 respectively.
I believe this child is either Richard or Barbara. I believe that because the photo is of a single child it was taken about 1934 of Richard. If it had been taken in 1935/6, I believe the photo would have been taken of the two children together. I see the bonnet and the sweater, however, the dress at that time is not sufficient to persuade me to believe it is a photo of Barbara.
I found a person online (at Ancestry.Com) in who appears is a grandchild of Leroy and Alice. I’ve asked that person if they can identify the apparent uncle/aunt in the photograph.
I created a profile for Richard Baker (1933-2018) on Family Search but have not uploaded the images to that profile, however, I have uploaded them to my Flickr Account – See Photo 1 & Photo 2. I hope that the descendant of LeRoy and Alice can confirm the identity of the child in the photo.
Nancy Baldwin (1934-2012)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Wm Baldwin – 51 Morning St, Portland #679”
Nancy Baldwin ca. 1934
The 1937 Portland City Directory shows William G. Baldwin and his wife Gertrude J. residing at 51 Morning in Portland.
The 1940 Census shows William and Gertrude living on Morning with their five-year-old daughter, Nancy.
Family Search suggests this couple is William George Baldwin (1910-1970) and Gertrude J. Quinn (1916-Deceased)
Several Ancestry Trees suggest that Nancy Baldwin is the child of William and Gertrude and that she was born 25 May 1934 and died 7 May 2012. As such, I’ve created a profile on FamilySearch, LYWL-4K3 and uploaded one of the images to that profile.
Mrs. Blanche Bangs
The envelope this negative was in says, Mrs. Blanch Bangs – 92 Vesper St., Portland.”
Mrs. Blanche Bangs
The 1920 Census shows Blanche Bangs, wife of H. John Banks, living at 92 Vesper Street, Portland. Blanche was born circa 1893 in Canada.
The 1930 Census shows Blanche living at 92 Vesper, but she was a widow.
The 1940 Census shows Blanche still living at 92 Vesper, and still a widow.
In 1935, about when this photo was taken, Blanch would have been about 43. The woman in this photo appears to be in her 40s to me, so I believe it to be Blanch.
A quick search for Blanche on Family Search failed to yield a clear result, so I took a closer look.
1930 Census – Blanche Bangs Age 37 Widow, Married at age 27. She was born in Canada. Her father was born in England and her mother was also born in Canada. She came to the states in 1911.
Looking back on the 1920 Census, Blanche’s mother, Roxanna M. Bangs was living with the family. That helps confirm a Record of Marriage that indicates H. John Bangs married Blanch Halstead on 26 November 1919. H. John’s mother was Roxanna Bangs. Blanche’s parents were Joseph Halstead and Julia A. Noble, who were living in Portland at the time.
Blanche Halstead, the daughter of Joseph and Julia (Noble) Halstead, has a profile on FamilySearch, LYL4-KL1.
Alice M. Barry
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Alice M Barry – 407 Chapman Bldg, Portland #79.“
Alice M. Berry – ca. 1934
First, the Chapman Building is the original name for the Time and Temperature building in downtown Portland, Maine. It is a fourteen-story building at 477 Congress Street.
The 1940 Census indicated three “Alice M Barry’s” in Cumberland.
Alice M. Berry, Age 55, Wife of Edward C. Berry. She lived with her husband at 174 Edwards Street in Portland.
Alice M. Barry, Age 38, Daughter of Thomas E. & Nellie T. Barry. She was a clerk typist for the Government in 1940. She lived with her parents at 218 Pine in South Portland.
Alice M. Berry, Age 45, wife of Norris J. Berry, lived at 277 Maine Street, Westbrook.
The Portland, Maine, City Directories for 1933 through 1937 complete the identification. reports
1934 – Alice M Barry – Sten 477 Cong Room 407 – R 218 Pine SP.
1935 – Alice M Barry – Sten r 218 Pine SP
1936 – Alice M Barry – Sten 317 Cong r 218 Pine SP
From the city directories, we can be certain the photo was taken in 1934 or 1935. From the directories and the 1940 census record, we can be certain this Alice M Barry is the daughter of Thomas E. & Nellie T. Barry. In 1940, Alice was 38 which suggests she was about 32 in this photo. The woman in the photo seems to be in her early 30s, so I’m confident this is her.
Family Search has an Alice M Barry, born 3 September 1902 to Thomas Edward and Nellie “Ellen” T (O’Donnell) Barry. Her profile on FamilySearch is G9F3-LM4.
Hope Cleone (Bassett) Shedin (or Sheddin)
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Hope Bassett – Me Gen Hospital City #318.”
Hope Bassett ca. 1934
A search on Ancestry quickly found a high school yearbook photo of Hope Cleone Bassett in the 1932 Augusta, Maine yearbook. That photo is clearly of the same young woman who was born October 9, 1914.
In 1935 Hope was working in Augusta as a nurse and in 1938 she had moved to Portland where she was a nurse employed at 22 Arsenal which was the Maine General Hospital, the predecessor of the Maine Medical Center.
The 1930 Census indicates that Hope C Bassett, of Augusta, Maine was the daughter of Jacob P. H and Anna E. Bassett.
Hope died on 13 September 1977.
Hope did not have a profile on Family Search, however, her parents did. Because I learned that Hope died, I created a profile for her on Family Search – ID 27VJ-8CT and uploaded the images of her that I have.
Final Note
If any of these photos are of a family member of yours, I would love to hear your reaction. Have you seen the photo before. Do you disagree with my assessment?
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] “Sten” is the abbreviation for Stenographer used in these directories.
I often find family oral history fascinating. I’ve found there are usually grains of truth in the oral story; invariably, some details aren’t quite right. I think I may have found the basis for an oral history from my wife’s second great-grandmother, Margaret Lamb
This week for Photo Friday, I identify five more negatives from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection
