It is always great when I can add a new venue to Donna’s show list and today’s collection item did just that. It was another Capitol Theater clipping, but this time from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Kitchener is about 110km (70 miles) west of Toronto. Luckily, Donna wrote the dates of her playing there next to the clippings – June 21, 22, 23. The silent movie “Beverly of Graustark” is playing at the same time which dates the show in 1926.
AT THE CAPITOL
Marion Davies….
The Revue Different as presented by The Darling and Clark Metropolitan Revue is one of the most pleasing acts seen in Kitchener in some time. Miss Darling puts over her songs in a wonderful manner and her costumes are gorgeous. Mr. Clark is a comedian of no mean ability, and the dancing artists and the whistling soloist were the recipients of rounds of applause last evening. All in all it can trustfully be called a “bang up” show.
I have cropped, edited, and sized the photo for the web.
Key features:
The venue is the Capitol Theater. One of the articles confirms it is Kitchener.
The show is the “Darling and Clark – Metropolitan Revue” staring [Donna] Darling and [Sammy] Clark.
Also on bill
Movie: “Beverly of Graustark” starring Marion Davies & Antonio Moreno also played.
Analysis
According to IMDB, “Beverly of Graustark” was released in April 1926[i] indicating that the show occurred after that.
Conclusion
Donna & Sammy played at the Capitol Theater, Kitchener, Ontario on June 21, 22, 23, 1926.
A pearl of Ireland, Margaret (or Marguerite) came to America as a teenager. It is unclear if she came alone or with her parents, but my suspicion is she came alone. Life in America was not the milk and honey she hoped for, but still, it had its blessings.
Whitten-Bickford Project – Ancestor #WB11
List of Grandparents
Grandmother: Francis Florence Murphy
1st Great-grandmother: Margaret Alice Maloney
2nd Great-grandfather: Timothy Maloney
Margaret (aka Marguerite) Alice Maloney Murphy (1855-1915)
The name Margaret comes from the French name Marguerite, meaning pearl. The names Margaret and Marguerite are used interchangeably in various documents referring to her. She was “Marguerite” during the 1900 census and “Margaret” in the 1910 census. Her death record says “Margerite,” an apparent misspelling. According to the 1910 Census, she could not read and write, so the records recording her name rely upon the spelling by other people.
She was probably born in May 1855, at the tail-end of the Great Irish Famine. Times must have been incredibly tough in County Cork, Ireland while she was growing up. The 1900 Census, indicates she was born in May 1855 and is most likely accurate. Her death record indicates she was 62 year and 11 months old when she died, suggesting her birth in May 1852. I prefer the 1900 census date because typically the respondent provides both month and year of birth. The death record relies on others to provide what they think is the birth date.
I know nothing of her childhood in Ireland. The Great Irish Famine of 1841-1849 was over by the time of her birth, but her native land of County Cord had seen more than a 30% reduction in population between 1841 and 1851. The aftermath of that had to have affected her childhood immensely.
She came to America in 1870. I have been unable to find her arrival information or if the 15-year-old young woman arrived alone or with family.
Marriage
Margaret married Dennis Frances Murphy probably in 1885 before their daughter Frances was born. They had three children, all born in Biddeford, Maine.
Frances Florence Murphy – Born 11 April 1886
John Walter Murphy – Born 20 August 1887
Joanna Josephine Murphy – Born 28 May 1890.
There may have been a 4th child born to Margaret. The 1900 Census indicates that Margaret had four children, only one of whom was living. The 1910 Census indicates that Margaret had three children, only one of whom was living. Thus, it is unclear if the 1900 census is incorrect or if Magaret had another child that was not spoken of.
Adulthood
Her son John died on 22 Aug 1887 at the age of two days.
Her daughter Joanna died sometime before 1900, but it is unclear what her age was, but clearly less than 10-years-old.
Her husband Dennis died in November 1890.
15-19 St. Mary’s, Biddeford Today
In 1900, the widow Murphy is living at 19 Vitromile Street in Biddeford, Maine. She is working as a “corder” at a cotton mill. Living with her is 14-year-old Florence. Between 1900 and 1910 Vitromile Street was renamed Saint Mary’s Street.
In 1910, the widow Murphy is living at 17 Saint Mary’s Street in Biddeford. That is the same building as in 1900. She is working as an “operative” at a cotton mill. Living with her is 24-year-old Florence. Today, the building includes six one-bedroom apartments immediately across the street from the former Saint Mary’s Church.
In 1911, Margaret’s daughter, Florence, married Herbert Winfield Whitten in Biddeford.
Margaret Alice (Maloney) Murphy died in Biddeford on 29 April 1915. Her burial location is unknown.
Further Actions / Follow-up
Learn how Margaret immigrated (ship, date, etc.).
Find Margaret in the 1880 Census.
Research where in County Cork Margaret was born.
Learn location for Margaret’s burial.
Sources
1900 Census (A), com, Margaret Murphy. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
1910 Census (FS) (NARA), Family Search, Margaret Murphy – Biddeford, York, Maine. “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MR3L-NYG : accessed 27 October 2017), Margaret Murphy, Biddeford Ward 6, York, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 236, sheet 5A, family 66, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 547; FHL microfilm 1,374,560.
Maine, Birth Records, 1715-1922, com, John Walter Murphy – Aug 20, 1887. Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; Pre 1892 Delayed Returns; Roll Number: 79.
United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, Dennis F Murphy . “United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDG-XFQN : 3 April 2015), Dennis F Murphy, 1890.
For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at several clippings from the Donna Darling Collection that relate to her playing at the Capital Theater.[i]
The first clipping is an article about “New Entertainment Feature is Popular,” which mentions Donna and her show “Little Jewel Revue.” Beneath the clipping, Donna wrote “Lansing week Mar 7th.” When I compared Donna’s note and the article I was confused for a moment. The article mentions DeLano Dell developing a following while in Jackson; I thought of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. Further investigation indicated there is a Jackson, MI about 39 miles south of Lansing. Also, Cinema Treasures indicates there was a Capitol Theatre in Lansing[ii] and does not indicate there was a Capitol Theater in Jackson, MS.[iii]
Each week the Capital Theater’s “Presentations” are growing in popularity and Manager McLaren’s latest in entertainment is finding a ready welcome at the hands of Capitol patrons.
Delano Dell, who has become a regular fixture at the Capitol as a sort of “Master of Ceremonies,” has developed a large following during his short stay in Jackson and this week will offer some brand new comedy Songs and dances in addition to his usual comedy chatter. “Clem” and his Merry Gang will play a couple of red hot jazzy selections of the “Gang” will be assisted by that scintillating beauty, Donna Darling, and her “Little Jewel Revue.” Miss Darling who has appeared at the Capitol before is known as one of the most beautiful girls in vaudeville today and her assisting artists are also eye easy. They will offer a combination of singing, dancing and comedy numbers with elaborate costumes and the whole presentation will be given in a very attractive stage setting.
Then there were two clippings showing the programs. The first one showed her Program running Sunday through Wednesday, March 7th through the 10th. Only 1920 and 1926 included Sunday, March 7th. The cartoon, “Felix Baffled by Banjos,” was released in 1924,[v] which dated the event as not 1920. Additionally, another clipping indicated Donna playing the 4th, 5th, and 6th with the same type and layout of the program. The second clipping show some of the same people playing and some new items. Additionally, the film “Cupid a la Carte” was released in January 1926[vi] further fixing the date of this show as 1926.
Finally, on the same page as the clippings regarding the Capitol Theater, there was a photo of Donna. From its appearance, I think it is probably taken at the back door to the theater in March 1926. Donna is wearing a fur coat and there is snow on the ground.
Key features:
The venue is the Capital Theater in Lansing, Michigan.
The date is March 4-10, 1926.
The show is the “Little Jewel Revue”
Also showing attractions included:
“Clem” and his Merry Gang
Al J. Amato and his Singing Band
Alvin and Alvin European Clowns and Fun Makers
Bert Chadwick – The Eccentric Ethiopian
Cecile Forbes, Dorothy Clyne, and Jand Sadler
DeLano Dell – Comedian
Frazier Bros. Athletic Artistry
Mahon and Scott with their Aguinaldo Serenaders “America’s Foremost Apache Sensation:
Miller, Packer, and Seltz “The Yaps”
Analysis
It is not clear from the March 4th, 5th, and 6th, ad if Cecile Forbes, Dorothy Clyne, and Jane Sadler were part of Donna Darling’s “Little Jewel Review” or not.
Actions
Added: March 4-10, 1926 – Donna Darling and “Little Jewel Review” played at the Capital Theater in Lansing, Michigan.
Last fall, Blaine Bettinger mentioned in his Facebook group, “Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques” an introduction video was available on YouTube for DNA Painter. I respect Blaine’s opinions, so I knew that I wanted to give it a try. It took a while for me to get to it and I’m glad I finally did. Wow, great program.
DNA Painter helps you understand exactly where your DNA came from. With it you can determine if a segment of your DNA you have may have come from your great grandmother on your maternal grandmother’s side or from another ancestor. You can paint with common DNA information from GEDMatch, Family Finder (Family Tree DNA), or 23&Me. Sadly, Ancestry doesn’t provide DNA segment matching data, so it can’t be used. However, the raw data from Ancestry may be exported by the DNA owner and then imported into GEDMatch or Family Finder where you may export the data for use in DNA Painter.
The DNA Painter video was great. I only needed to watch it once and I was confident I understood the tool enough to use it for DNA painting. I was right; the tool is very easy to use.
I am fortunate because I have had my mother tested and I have her results. So, if my mother has a DNA Segment and I have it, I know it came from her. All the other DNA that I received from my biological father, who passed away before autosomal DNA testing became available.
I began doing the DNA painting, copying the data about matching segments of DNA from various cousins. When I looked at the matches from my half-aunt and myself, I could see exactly which DNA segments came from my maternal grandfather (and his ancestors). I compared with a known third cousin and saw which DNA came from our common second great-grandparents.
Note: Chromosome 3 (top line) has a long DNA segment known to be from Hugh Eugene Roberts
Note: Chromosome 3 (top line) has two DNA segments (in pink) known to be from Asa Roberts and one segment from an unknown Ancestor, not Asa.
I could see where bits of DNA came from. In another example, I received a nice 141cM chunk of DNA from my father on Chromosome 3. Based upon other DNA matches, of that fragment of DNA a 21cM piece of it and another 17cM piece of was inherited from Asa Roberts. He also had a sizeable 47cM chunk of DNA inherited from another ancestor that apparently was not Asa. I don’t know who it was yet, but additional samples should show its source. It was fun to do, but I couldn’t see a substantial genealogical reason for doing it. How could I use this tool?
DNA Painter shows three DNA segments match on C. 13 for Glennis.
Then, I thought about my half-sister Glennis, so I started a new profile and began painting her DNA. We share a common mother, so, once again, I was able to copy that information into her profile and have all of her maternal DNA. Then, I could focus entirely on her unknown paternal side. I began finding any of her biological cousins that do not contain our mom’s DNA. That is when I started to see a pattern. There were segments that were shared by a common ancestor of multiple individuals. That proved, to me, that these segments were from a common ancestor. Their trees indicated that they shared a known ancestor, so I know that Glennis shares either the same common ancestor or an ancestor of that individual. Furthermore, if the individual is more genetically distant than a second cousin, I know that the descendants below the person’s second great-grandparent cannot be a direct line. That can save me considerable research disproving a potential family line.
DNA Painter is a great tool that can help identify likely genetic ancestors and help identify unlikely descendant lines. I like it.
In 2016, my number 3 match In Family Finder (Family Tree DNA) was a 2nd to a 4th cousin with whom I shared 100cM of DNA. We shared a couple big chunks on Chromosome 3; there was another nice match on chromosome 12, and a small piece on Chromosome 11. I emailed him in November 2016 and waited.
During the ensuing months, I found two more cousins with whom I shared DNA but I still wondered about that first one. I wondered about him and I emailed him again in May 2017 hoping to figure out how we were related.
I emailed him again mostly as a follow-up in November 2017. And wow. A response. A nice response with enough information to show exactly how we are related. I came to learn that he is the 2nd great-grandson of my 2nd great-grandfather, Asa Ellis Roberts. In other words, he is my half 3rd cousin (we have different great-grandmothers). Asa had 16 children, 12 with his first wife, Cynthia Minerva Toney and 4 with his second wife, Patience Anna Marshall. (My line follows Patience’s children.)
If you are working to fill in the descendants of your ancestors and to connect with distant cousins, it is great to have a first contact message (email) and then remember to follow-up every few months. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive a response. Just keep working at it and, hopefully, you will eventually receive the answer which will show a new line of cousins.
It is always great when I can add a new venue to Donna’s show list and today’s collection item did just that. It was another Capitol Theater clipping, but this time from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Kitchener is about 110km (70 miles) west of Toronto. Luckily, Donna wrote the dates of her playing there next to the clippings – June 21, 22, 23. The silent movie “Beverly of Graustark” is playing at the same time which dates the show in 1926.
