Donna Darling Collection – Part 70

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Don Taylor

Two Strand Theaters

Treasure Chest Thursday
Vaudeville
“As You Like It”
“Bathing Beauty Revue”

By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at three images from the Donna Darling Collection that relate to the Strand Theater.

MISS DONNA DARLING

Who with her Dancing Boys will be at the Strand first half next week in a dance revue entitled “As You Like It”.

Key features:

  • The venue is the Strand. No Location is provided.
  • Date is not provided.
  • The show is “As You Like It.”

Analysis

Although the cropped image doesn’t include any other clues, the original torn out image mentions “William de Mille” and “__ter the Show” is playing somewhere.  “After the Show” was released in October 1921.[i] So, it appears that the date for the show is probably October or November 1921.

Donna’s “As you Like It” show began in June 1921 and ran until October 1922. Donna played the Strand theater in Ithaca, New York and played the Strand theater in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, in February 1922. This clipping could be from either of those shows, but it is more likely from an earlier show at a here-to-for unknown Strand theater she played in late 1921.

Conclusion

Circa Oct-Nov 1921 – Strand Theater – (Unknown Location) Donna Darling “As You Like It.” DDC-70.

Second Strand Clipping

Mabel Talliaferro at Strand

The most notable engagement of the present season at the Strand is announced by the management for the first half of this week, in presentation of that charming artist of stage and screen, Mabel Talliaferro, who is appearing in person in “Connie,” a playlet of comedy and romance with Daniel Moyles and Edmund Soraghan. Miss Talliaferro has been secured for a limited engagement in vaudeville and has been brought out of New York city for one week, split between the Strand and Proctor’s Grand Theatre, Albany, and will be a headliner at both theatres. Other big-time stars will be secured and as the big-time acts will not take a booking of less than a week, they will be divided between the Strand and Proctor’s Grand in Albany, which theatre has a ninety-nine cent admission.

Another engagement for the first half of next week at the Strand is Donna Montran and her Bathing Beauties in “A Beach Promenade” which is a headliner. This act carries a beautiful setting, stunning costumes, and ten of “California’s selected peaches.”

Other acts on the bill are Fred and Tommy Hayden;”  “The American Englishman,” and Wolfred and Stephens, who are billed as “The Boys That Are Different.” “The Ghost in the Garret,” which is Dorothy Gish’s latest starring vehicle, will be screened. The latest Pathe News completes the bill.

Key features:

  • The venue is the Strand (somewhere near Albany, New York).
  • The date is not provided.
  • The show is “A Beach Promenade.”

Analysis

The Strand Theatre in Albany opened November 19, 1920. “It was billed as “New York State’s Most Beautiful Theatre.”[ii] “The Ghost in the Garret” was released in February 1921.[iii]

Donna’s “A Beach Promenade” show began in July 1920 and ran until March 1921. Donna played at the Clinton Theatre in Albany during September 22-25. So, this appears to be a new venue for this show. HOWEVER –

Strand Ad Clipping

Strand Theatre

Largest and Best Theatre Orchestra in Town  |  Consistently the Best Show in Town.

“When Better Shows Come to Amsterdam, The Strand will Present Them.”  |  Tonight, Tomorrow & Wednesday

Engagement Extraordinary  |  Mabel Taliaferro (herself)  |  Famous Star of Stage and Screen, in  |  “Connie”  | A One Act Playlet of Comedy and Romance.

Fred & Tommy Hayden – The American Englishmen.

Wolfred & Stephens – The Boys That Are Different.

Engagement De Luxe  |  Donna Montran and her  |  California Bathing Beauties  | With Ten of California’s Selected Peaches.

Photoplay—Paramount Presents  |  Dorothy Gish  |  Premier Comedienne of the Screen, in  |  “The Ghost in the Garret.”

Key features:

  • The venue is the Strand, Amsterdam, New York.
  • Date is not provided.
  • The show is “California Bathing Beauties.”

Analysis

This advertisement clipping and the previous “article” were physically on the same page of my grandmother’s scrapbook. They also had the exact same acts, so, my initial thought was they were of the same show. Then I realized that one was for the Strand in Albany and the other was for the Strand in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a small town about 35 miles northwest of Albany. A review of Amsterdam theatres indicated that “The Lyceum Theatre was operating prior to 1914. By 1931, it had been renamed Strand Theatre and was operated by the Schine Circuit.”[iv] So the question arises, when did the Lyceum change its name to Strand? Anyway, I was really confused.

In 1921, the Amsterdam Theatre, managed by Ed. Clapp was the only theater in Amsterdam, New York, listed in Julius Cahn-Gus Hill theatrical guide.[v]

Research at FultonHistory.Com led to the exact ad and article (from above). It ran on page 6 of the January 31, 1921 issue of the Amsterdam Evening Recorder confirming the date and location of the show.

Conclusion

January 31 – February 2, 1921 – Strand Theater (Amsterdam, NY) – Donna Montran and her “California Bathing Beauties.” DDC-70. (New Venue)

Endnotes & Sources

[i] IMBD After the Show (1921) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0011912/.

[ii] Cinema Treasures – Strand Theatre, 110 N. Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207 https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/44094.

[iii] IMDB The Ghost in the Garret (1921) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0012214/.

[iv] Cinema Treasures – Strand Theatre, 133 E. Maine Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/37477.

[v] (1921). The Julius Cahn-Gus Hill theatrical guide and moving picture directory. New York, N.Y.: Julius Cahn-Gus Hill. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924063709764&view=1up&seq=7

 

Posted in Treasure Chest, As You Like It, Bathing Beauty Revue, Vaudeville | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

John Parsons (Jr. & Sr.) in the Sandisfield Town Records

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Don Taylor

Amanuensis[i] Monday
Brown-Sanford-Parsons
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Microfilm, 1728095, microfilmed by the Genealogical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah at the Town Hall, Sandisfield, Massachusetts provide a treasure of information regarding the various families of Sandisfield. Image 377, (Page 335) provides two entries regarding my Parsons ancestors. Although Family Search provides a great index to the pages, they don’t really come to life until you can look at entries directly and see the patterns of these people’s lives.

Highways, Births, Deaths, Marriages, Town Records, Miscellaneous Records of Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts[ii]

PAGE 335 – MANLEY – CRANE – SPELMAN – PARSONS – PARSONS – SMITH – KILBORN  – GRANGER – PRATT

[John Parsons, Jr.]

Samuel son to John Parsons Junior & Mary his wife was born 5 April 1789
Polly Daughter to Do [iii] was born 17 January 1792. Orrin son to Do was born 6 March
1794 John son to Do was born 5 May 1796 Charles son to Do was born 1 Dec 1799
PARSONS

PAGE 335 – MANLEY – CRANE – SPELMAN – PARSONS – PARSONS – SMITH – KILBORN  – GRANGER – PRATT

[Lt. John Parsons, Sr.]

Mary Daughter to Lt John Parsons & Hannah his wife was born 28 September 1761.
Hannah Daughter to Lt. John Parsons & Hannah his wife was born 5 May 1763.
John son to Do was born 18 November 1764 Ashbel born  to Do was born 19 April 1766.
Boney Daughter to Do was born 18 Aug 1867 Timothy son to Do was born 1 September 1769.
Frederick son to Do was born 1st May 1771 (Frederick Died 23 August 1777. Simeon son to Do
was born 26 April 1773 Martha Daughter to Do was born 29 Mar 1775 | Hannah wife
to Lt John Parsons Died 26 May 1777 Mercy Daughter to Lt. John Parson & Mary his wife was
born 24 October 1778 Gibson son to Do was born 26 March 1782 Joseph son to Do was born
23 April 1784 | Joseph died 17 September 1786 Frederick son to Do was born 22 July 1786
Sally, Daughter to Do was born 21 August 1788 Sally died 20 January 1793

PARSONS – Lt. John Parsons died March AD 1821 age 84.

Conclusion

These entries provide for the clear understanding of the two John Parsons families,

Children of John Parsons, Jr & Mary his wife

  • Samuel          son                 born 5 April 1789
  • Polly               daughter     born 17 January 1792
  • Orrin               son                born 6 March 1794
  • John               son                 born 5 May 1796
  • Charles          son                born 1 Dec 1799

Children of Lt. John Parsons & Hannah, his wife.

  • Mary               daughter        born 28 September 1761.
  • Hannah          daughter        born 5 May 1763.
  • John               son                     born 18 November 1764
  • Ashbel            son                    born 19 April 1766.
  • Boney             daughter        born 18 Aug 1867
  • Timothy          son                 born 1 September 1769.
  • Frederick       son                  born 1st May 1771               Died 23 August 1777.
  • Simeon           son                  born 26 April 1773
  • Martha           daughter        born 29 Mar 1775

                                    Hannah died 26 May 1777

Children of Lt. John Parsons and Mary, his wife.

  • Mercy             Daughter       born 24 October 1778
  • Gibson           son                   born 26 March 1782
  • Joseph           son                   born 23 April 1784               Died 17 September 1786
  • Frederick       son                 born 22 July 1786
  • Sally               Daughter       born 21 August 1788           Died 20 January 1793

Endnotes

[i] John Newmark started the “Amanuensis Monday” category in 2009 on his Blog,  Transylvanian Dutch  and many bloggers have followed suit using the tag. Google provides the following meaning for amanuensis: “A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.”

[ii] “Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001,” FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29L-DWB6 : 18 February 2020), citing Birth, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 004267208.

[iii] “Do” is used throughout the original document to signify “Ditto,” In this case “John Parsons Junior and Mary his wife.”

 

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Five Photos – Eight People

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Don Taylor

Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

Very good week for my Photo Identification Project. Five photos, eight people, and all but one identified, and I have her (very common) name.

Rose Anne McLaughlin – Johnson children – Walter Blaisdell – Moody B. Lovell – Edward Rand Sherman

Edward Rand Sherman

The back of the photo says, “Edward Rand Sherman – xmas 1901.”  The photo is by “Jackson Studio, 548½ Congress St, Portland, ME.”

A FamilySearch search quickly found Edward R. Sherman, born 12 February 1899, who lived in Portland, Ward 7, Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, with his parents, John Curtis and Margaret Eva Lena (Taylor) Sherman. At Christmas 1901, Edward would have been nearly 3-years-old, which fits this individual.

There does not appear to be any alternative individuals that fit the criteria of this photo.

Family Search ID: LVDB-R1Y.

Moody B. Lovell

The back of the photo says, “Mr. Moody B. Lovell – Coaticooke, PQ, Canada – Died Jan 1902 @ 14 Carlton St. Portland.”  The photo is by “Montminy & Cie, Quebec.”

Mr. Moody B. Lovell – Coaticooke, PQ, Canada – Died Jan 1902 @ 14 Carlton St. Portland

There was a Moody B Lovell, born 1854 and died 29 January 1902 in Portland, Maine. His parents were Henry and Artemisia (Merriman) Lovell.

There does not appear to be any alternative individuals that fit the criteria of this photo.

Family Search ID: LVBM-ZDK.

This photo was confirmed to be Moody B Lovell by a great-grandson. Moody was a member of the Quebec Legislature. He died at his sister’s home in Portland, ME, at the age of 49. 

Walter Blaisdell

The back of the photo says, “Walter Blaisdell – No. Berwick, Maine.”  There is no studio identified.

There was a Walter Blaisdell who was born 5 November 1890 in Chelsea, MA, but lived in North Berwick during the 1910, 1920 and 1930 Censuses. He married Nelda Naismith on 1 September 1925. It appears that this photo is of that Walter Blaisdell.

There was another Walter Blaisdell who was born 11 May 1879 in New Hampshire and lived in Berwick in 1920. However, all of his information appears that he lived in Berwick and not North Berwick.

Family Search ID: L289-371.

William, Lottie, Lillie, and Carrie Johnson

The back of the photo says, “Wm Huntington, Age 17 – Lottie May, Age 15, – Lillie Richardson, Age 10 – Carrie Ella, Age 12 – June 1900.” Although there is a photographer’s name on the print, I can’t make the name out, however, with close examination I could tell the location was “Augusta, ME.”

Even though I didn’t have a surname for this family group, I was pretty sure I’d be able to identify who they are. A look at FamilySearch was not successful for me. However, Ancestry.Com provides more sophisticated search capabilities. There, I quickly found William H Johnson, son of Richard and Carrie Johnson. William had three sisters, Lottie M., Carrie E., and Lillie R. They Lived in Hollowell, Kennebec County, Maine, which adjoins Augusta. No doubt this is them.

Family Search ID: G71F-1TQ – William Huntington Johnson.
Family Search ID: G71N-WWX – Lottie M. Johnson.
Family Search ID: 9V8Q-MCJ – Carrie E. Johnson.
Family Search ID: G71N-9FJ – Lillie Richardson Johnson.

Rose Anne McLaughlin

The back of the photo says, “Rose Anne McLaughlin.”  The photo is a cabinet card by “H.M. Smith Studio, 478 Congress St., Portland, ME.”

There are at least seven individuals that this photo could be an image of.

Anne 1840 – There was an Anne McLaughlin, born in Ireland in 1840, and lived in Portland, in 1860 with the Henry Illsley family as a servant.

Rosa 1844 – There was a Rosa McLaughlin, born about 1844, and the apparent wife of James McLaughlin who lived in Portland during 1870.

Annie 1850 – There was an Annie McLaughlin who lived in the John McLaughlin in Portland in 1870.

Anna 1854 – There was an Anna McLaughlin, born in Ireland in 1854. In 1880 she was a servant living with the Anna F Jones family in Portland, Maine.

Annie 1863 – There was an Annie McLaughlin, born in Ireland, 1863. In 1880 she was living in Portland, Maine, as a servant in the household of Clarence Cheeney.

Annie 1866 – There was an Annie McLaughlin, apparent daughter of Margaret McLaughlin, living in Portland during 1870.

Annie 1871 – There was an Annie McLaughlin, born in Maine in 1871 and lived in Portland with her parents, William and Jane McLaughlin in 1880.

Because the date is unknow and could have been taken any time between 1870 and 1910, I am unable to determine which of the many individuals this may be.

Final Note

If you are related to any of these individuals, or can help identify Rose Anne McLaughlin, I’d love to hear from you.

– – – – –Disclaimer – – – – –

Posted in Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Joel Barnes & the 1840 Census

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Don Taylor

Census Sunday
Roberts-Barnes
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.I know very little about my 3rd great-grandfather, Joel Barnes. He may have been born 1bout 1790 in Broome County, New York. He married Lucy Wilson Taft and they had at least one child, Nelson, born in 1816. I have no idea about any other children nor any death information. I was unsuccessful in finding Joel in the 1850 Census records so I thought I would look for him in the 1840 Census.

Expectation & Findings:

In 1840, I would expect Joel to be about 50 years old (born 1780-1790). A search for Joel Barnes in the 1840 Census yielded 8 results:

  • Joel Barnes, Jr., Age: 20-30 – Living in Orwell Township, Bradford, Pennsylvania. Too young.
  • Joel Barnes, Age 60-70 – Living in Orwell Township, Bradford, Pennsylvania. (1770-1780)
  • Joel Barnes, Age either 80-79 or 30-40 living in Mansfield, Cattaraugus, New York. One seems too old and the other too young. But it is still possible. However, there are also two females in the household, one 20 to 30 and another one 70 to 80. This feels like it could represent Joel Barnes, his wife, his son Nelson along with Nelson’s wife and others.
  • Joel Barnes, Age 20 to 30, living in Giles, Tennessee. (Too young).
  • Joel Barnes, Age 20 to 30, Living in Marion County, South Carolina. (Too Young)
  • Joel Barnes, Age 20 to 30, Living in Madison County, Kentucky. (Too young)
  • Joel Barnes, Age 50 to 60, Living in Thompson, Windham County, Connecticut.

1840 Census – New York, Cattaragus County, Mansfield – Page 66 – 16th from top – Joel Barnes

2 1 – – – 1 – – – 1  |  – – – – 1 – – – 1

Ages Males Females Comments/Notes
< 5 2 – Unknown (Grand) Children?
5-10 1 – Unknown (Grand) Children?
20-30 – 1 Could possibly be Mercy Elisa Taft
30-40 1 – Could possibly be Nelson Barnes
60-70 – 1 Could be Lucy Wilson Taft
70-80 1 Could be Joel Barnes.

There was no Joel Barnes in the 1850 Census in Cattaraugus County, However, there are 52  other Barnes individuals living in Cattaraugus County during the 1850 Census.  I’m not comfortable ascribing this Joel Barnes as my Joel Barnes, the father of Nelson Barnes.

Future Action

I don’t think the various Census records will help me discover more about Nelson Barnes’ father, Joel Barnes. Maybe property or probate records will shed light upon this family line.

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Donna Darling Collection – Part 69

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Don Taylor

Palace Theatres

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at four clippings about the Palace Theater. from the Donna Darling Collection

Palace Theatre – Port Richmond

Key features:

  • The venue is the Palace Theatre – Port Richmond.
  • The show is the “Donna Darling & Boys” in “As You Like It.”
  • Also, on the bill:
    • Bert Lahr & Mercedes in “What’s the Idea?”
    • Malloy & Cowell – Comedy Sketch “Hogan the Mummy”
    • Rose Garden – Comedy song & Piano
  • Coming attractions include:
    • May 8, 9, 10—Richard Talmadge, Douglas Fairbanks’ only rival, in “The Unknown.”

Analysis

The first of these clippings relates to the Palace Theatre of Port Richmond. Although it is undated, it mentions the show following, the movie “The Unknown,” will come May 8, 9, and 10. Donna Darling & Boys “As You Like It” appears to have opened in June 1921 and ran until June 1924. “Pay Day” with Charlie Chaplin was released in April 1922. So, I’m confident this ad was from May 4, 5, & 6, 1922. Port Richmond is a section of Philadelphia and there was a Lehigh Palace Theatre it is in Glenwood about three miles from Port Richmond but it doesn’t seem to fit the ad.

Port Richmond is also a neighborhood in Staten Island. Also, it had a Palace Theatre which operated from before 1916 into the 1950s. Additionally, Donna Darling & Boys played at the Crescent Theatre in Perth Amboy, only 17 miles away, immediately following the Palace Theatre gig. As such, I am confident this is evidence that Donna and the Boys, played at the Palace Theatre in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York May 4-6, 1922.

Conclusion

May 6-8, ?, 1922 – Port Richmond (Staten Island) – Palace Theatre – Donna Darling & Boys in “As you Like It” – DDC-69.

Palace Theatre – Detroit, Michigan

The next two are the cover and inside of a program showing what is coming next week.

Key features:

  • The venue is the Palace Theatre – Detroit, Michigan.
  • The show is the “Donna Darling and her Bathing Girl Revue” and includes the “Comedy Life Guards”
  • Also on the Program:
    • Tom Brown Presents “Seven Gifted Chinese Musicians” With their Oriental Stringed Octette.
    • Meredith and Miller in “Bring ‘em In”
    • Harry Oliver and Ada Lee in “At the Stage Door” by Jimmy Barry
    • Fayette and Co. “Spectacular and Comedy Illusions”
    • Three Runseys in “An Athletic Surprise”
    • Movie: Emil Jannings in “The Last Laugh”
  • Date: Unknown (Next Week)

Analysis

Thanks to Genealogy Bank, I learned previously that Donna Darling’s Bathing Beauties played at the Palace Theatre in Detroit, Michigan on July 7th & 8tt, 1925. Clearly, this program is from that showing.

I find it interesting that, presumably, Tom Brown and his Saxophone Clowns (from the Chin Chin Days) morphed into a “Chinese Octette.”

The Bathing Beauty on the inside, “One of the Ten Hollywood Bathing Beauties” does not appear to be Donna. It is rare that Donna ever allowed any of the other women in the show to be displayed in advertising.

Conclusion

Add images to existing files I have regarding Donna playing at the Palace Theatre.

Palace Theatre – “Dolly Montrose”

Key features:

  • The venue is the Palace – The Home of Supreme Vaudeville (Location unknown)
  • The show of interest is “Dolly Montrose – Singing Comedienne”
  • Also on the Program:
    • Beyer & McNulty in their comedy hit “Hunting”
    • Bill Browing—The Talkative Man
    • ??? eley and La Rose—Some Team
    • ??? Lone Star & Co. – Songs and Dances
    • Movie: “Diamonds Adrift” starring Earl Williams
  • Date: Unknown (Probably early 1921)

Analysis

This fragment is intriguing. The Big Vitagraph Feature is “Diamonds Adrift” starring Earl Williams which was released in January 1921. The clipping does not mention Donna but does portray a “Dolly Montrose – Singing Comedienne.” Donna occasionally used the name “Dolly” in her early career, but I’ve not seen “Montrose” ever used before. It may have been a typo, but I suspect something else.

Donna’s known career in early 1921 is lacking many venues. I suspect there was a week in February where Donna didn’t have any shows with her Bathing Beauties and wanted to keep working so she got a gig as a “Singing Comedienne” named Dolly Montrose. A name different enough to not be an embarrassment to her Bathing Beauties show.

Actions

Although my speculation may be right, unless I find corroborating information, I’m just going to just keep this clipping aside and see if something else comes to light.

Posted in Treasure Chest, California Bathing Girls (1925), As You Like It, Vaudeville | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment