Ethel Wight Collection – Part 155a Photo Friday By Don Taylor
As I get close to the end of my examination of the Ethel Wight Collection[i]., I’ve decided to examine each photo package/envelope in a separate article. I will keep five IDs in each part but add a letter so there will be an “a” to “e” added to the part number. I will continue using this format in future collections (I have several to work on). Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Thomas and Alma Henniger, circa 1940s.
Description
This photo is from the Ethel Wight Studio, Portland, Maine. The negative envelope says, “Mr. & Mrs. Hennegun – 1945.” The three images appear to be of 2 adults in their 60s or 70s. The package writing is typical of photo reproductions rather than original photos taken at the Studio. As such, the date 1945 is most like the date of the reproduction.
My Analysis
What I learned while examining this photo package:
After looking at the Portland City Directories for people whose surname begins with “Henn.” I’ve concluded that the surname written here is “Hennigar.”
The 1938 Portland Directory lists XXX candidates with the surname Hennigar:
Anna T (widow Oscar W) residing at 261 Elm in South Portland.
Frederick B (Margaret E), who lived at 409½ Park av.
James E (Helen B) home at 89 Murray
Thomas (Alma) 35 Mabel.
Anna does not appear in the 1940 US Census. However, the other three are listed:
56-year-old Frederick & 54-year-old Margaret living at 409½ Park Avenue.
54-year-old James with 47-year-old Helen living at 89 Murray.73-year-old Thomas & 69-year-old Alma are living at 35 Mabel
The couple in the photo appear to be in their sixties or seventies, leaving all but Thomas and Alma old enough to be the couple in these photos.
According to Zillow, the home at 35 Mabel was built in 1851. Looking at the photos, the house the couple is standing by is a two-story and has a similar feel to the building in the photograph.
Conclusion
I believe these photos to be of Thomas and Alma Hennigar, taken in the early 1940s and reproduced by Ethel Wight in 1945.
Ancestry has 52 public trees that refer to Thomas Hennigar, husband of Alma (Ettinger) Hennigar. Alma Ettinger, wife of Thomas Hennigar, appears in 53 Ancestry public trees
Thomas and Alma have family search profiles; however, I am not 100% confident these photos are of them, so besides this photo, I’ve uploaded all three pictures of this couple only to my Flickr Photostream.
Final Note
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. 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.
Ethel Wight Collection – Part 154 Photo Friday By Don Taylor
I examined five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Photo Collection this week for Photo Friday. These last few envelopes are challenging to research and often lack the information to learn who is in the photos. I try to analyze the pictures and information to identify the people or places therein.[i] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members or others who may be interested in the images.
Appears to be Helena Hodsdon, circa 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Helena Hodsdon #14 – Made by Mr. Spurling.”
What I learned from researching this photo.
In Part 61 of this series, I reviewed Helena Susan Hodsdon of 217 Stevens Ave. She was the daughter of Herbert S. and Helena C. Hodsdon. This photo is clearly not of her.
In Part 151 of this series, I reviewed a photo package that said, “Helena Hodsdon – was a good friend of Ethel Wight (fellow artist). I was not 100% convinced that person was Helena, Herbert’s wife, and Helena Susan Hodsdon’s mother.
The April 23, 1934, Portland Evening Express (page 6) show a photo of a group presenting “The Village Skewl” at the South Portland High School Auditorium. That cast photograph shows Mrs. Helena Hodsdon who was in the play. Based upon my previous research and this cast photo, I believe this is a photo of Helena Curtis (Morris) Hodsdon from the early 1930s.
Because I cannot associate any other information regarding this individual in this photo, or who Mr. Spurling is, I can only say that this photo appears to be of Helena Hodsdon, circa 1934. As such, I have only posted the photo here and to Dead Fred.
Two Early King’s Daughters Circles (Portland, Me.) circa 1888.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Scribiner’s copy – 1949 (Kings Daughters?).” This collection includes two photos. Both appear to be reproductions of photos taken much earlier. The first photo is inscribed on the bottom, “My first Group of Kings Daughters” and consists of 11 women. The second photo includes 14 women. Both photos were taken on the wide steps of an ornate brick building with columns and planters.
What I learned researching this.
On July 26th, 1887, Miss Margaret Bottome, of New York gave a Bible Talk on The King’s Daughters” at the State Steet Chapel.
On 9 August 1888, the Portland Daily Press reported that the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Conference was devoted to the King’s Daughters society.
On 5 November 1888, the Portland Daily Press reported that Mrs. Arthur L. Bates and Miss Mable Stevens were chosen president and secretary of the King’s Daughter by the residents of Grand and High Streets.
The King’s Daughters, Circle No. 1, then hosted parlor entertainment and a fair on 14 November 1888 at the residence of Mrs. S. D. Brown, No 6 Locust Street.
Quickly afterwards, on 17 November, ten young girls met at 125 Emery Street and formed another society of King’s Daughters. This second group was connected with the Williston Sunday school. During December, the Emery Street ‘Daughters completed work that was to be sent to girls at the missionary school at Frankfort, Alabama[ii]. Meanwhile the Grand and High streets gave delightful parlor entertainment at R. H. Turner’s, 33 Deering Street.
On Christmas Day, 1888, the Portland Daily Press ran an article about “The Kings Daughters | What they are doing in Portland and Elsewhere and the Rapid Increase of Benevolent Organization.
It spoke of the first circle being organized in New York city by Mrs. Bottome, Miss Georgiana Libby, daughter of Mrs. F. O. Libby of Portland[iii], and others.
As originally organized, each circle consisted of ten girls united in charitable work. They also made clothing for the “thinly clad” and food for the “sick poor.”
On 23 May (1888) Mrs. Stephen Brown of the Chestnut Street church call her Sunday school class together and organized a group, assisted by Miss Libby, secretary of the Central circle in New York as the first circle of King’s Daughters in Portland. These young ladies consisted of: Lillian Rash, Florence Callahan, Lillie Hall, Nancy Griffin, Daisy Ogilvie, Mable Sawyer, Mable Hanson, Nellie Sayder, Lissie Jencks, and Alice Wormwood. Mrs. Brown’s circle labor for the motherless and poor children.
Miss Alberta Thompson organized a Circle about the same time as Mrs. Brown. Instead of limiting the number of members to the traditional ten, she admitted some twenty or more girls. They are named the Inasmuch Circle of the King’s Daughters.
Just before Thanksgiving, Mrs. S. F. Pearson’s Sabbath school class met at her house on Wilmot Street and formed a circle of ten. Mrs. Pearson was elected president, Miss Lilla Burns vice president, and Miss Laura Files, secretary and treasurer.
A circle was formed at Williston church and another up town named the Grant and High Street circle and some half dozen circled form in the city with new one being formed.
On 28 December 1888 a letter to the editor indicated the first King’s Daughters circle formed in Portland in September 1886. The “Alpha Ten” formed in the State Street Church and was addressed by Mrs. Bottome and Miss Libby in the summer of 1887.
By July 1889, the King’s Daughters reported the order numbered about 100,000 members.[iv]
A second circle of “The King’s Daughters.”
My research hasn’t determined who Mrs. Scribner was or which King’s Daughters Circle she was a part of. Likewise, I have not determined the place the photo was taken. (Although I suspect it was 6 Locust st, across from St Paul’s Church in Portland – Today it is a parking lot.) The King’s Daughters continue today.[v]
I am quite certain these photos represent two of the early Circles of King’s Daughters in Portland, Maine, probably from the late 1880s.
Mrs. Brooks’ Mother & Cat, 1945.
Mrs. Brooks’ Mother and cat.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Brooks’ Mother – Dec 1945.”
What I learned from researching this photo.
There are many, many “Mrs. Brooks” in Portland during the 1940s. The 1940 City directory includes over 20 “Mrs. Brooks” in Portland. Any of them could be the Mrs. Brooks in this photo. We expect that her mother will have a different surname, so this photo could be of many individuals and is undeterminable.
One photo included Mrs. Brooks’ mother and her cat and is particularly adorable and well worth posting here.
Unknown Fogg (women), 1949.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Fogg’s Mother & group – 1949.”
What I learned researching this photo.
There are many individuals this photo may apply to. Based upon the envelope notes, I am unable to identify any of the individuals.
Unknown (Clinton Nursery?) Building, 1937.
The envelope this negative appears to say, “Clinton Nursey 1937 – Building.” It consists of four photos of a building under construction. It includes three construction workers, none of whom are recognizable.
While examining this photo package I learned:
My review of Newspapers.Com failed to find any entries for “Clinton Nursery.” Likewise, my search for “Clinton AND ‘building permit’” on Newspapers.Com failed to find any useful results.
A walkalong Clinton Steet in Portland[vi] and a walk along Clinton Street in South Portland[vii], failed to yield any structures, not even the building density, shown in these photos. My review of Clinton, Maine[viii], failed to find any locations with the building density shown in this photo.
I failed to identify this building under construction. As such, this is the only place I’ve uploaded the image. I do have three more similar images available upon request.
Conclusion
I identified one individual whose photo I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.
I learned a lot about “The King’s Daughters” social groups in Portland.
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
Endnotes
[i] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.
[ii] The Portland Daily Press – 11 Dec 1888, Page 4, Column 1 “King’s Daughters.”
[iii] Georgianna Howard Libby, born 12 Jan 1845 in Portland, Maine. Died 22 Dec 1915 in Manhattan, NY City, NY. She is #5-7-8-1-1-2-3 in The Libby Family in America 1602-1881 Page 494. She never married.
[iv] The Portland Daily Press – 10 Jul 1998, Page 3, Column 1 “The Home-Notes About Women.”
[v] Newspapers.Com has over 3,000 matches for “King’s Daughters” from 1887 to 2023. My searches failed to find “Scribiner” in any of them.
Donna Darling & Boys at Forsyth Theatre, Atlanta, GA, November 8-10, 1923.
Donna in the News 100 Years Ago by Don Taylor
“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements 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 from the Atlanta Journal (Atlanta, GA) dated 8 November 1923, I learned that Donna played at the Forsyth Theatre from November 8th to the 10th, 1923.
Atlanta Journal, Nov 8, 1923, Page 16.
At the Forsyth
(4th paragraph of the article.)
“Then there is pretty Donna Darling with her company of entertainers in a song and dance revue, and….”
Because of these newly available online articles and advertisements, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s exciting vaudeville career.
New information added to her career list:
November 8-10, 1923 – Atlanta, GA – Forsyth Theatre – “Donna Darling & Boys.”
Endnotes
My thanks to Newspapers.com for providing access to this clipping.
Social Posting: 100 years ago, my grandmother, “Donna Darling,” was in the news for being at the Forsyth Theatre in Atlanta, GA. #Genealogy #Vaudeville #InTheNews “Donna Darling & Boys.”
For Photo Friday, I identified the people in three photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection this week. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I desire to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The Scarborough Historical Society holds the originals in this collection.
Clifford M. Shores – Oakland, Cal. – Christmas 1919.
The photo identifying information includes Clifford Shores – Oakland, Cal. Dec 25, 1919.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Clifford Shores of Oakland, CA
The 1920 US Census lists 16-year-old Clifford M Shores living in Oakland, California, with his parents Frank W & Cora H Shores. Clifford was born in Michigan, his father was born in Illinois, and his mother was born in Canada.
The 1924 University of California at Berkeley yearbook for 1924 shows a photo of Clifford M Shores. It appears to be the same young man a few years later.
The California Death Index, 1940-1997 lists Clifford M. Shores, born on 1 June 1904 in Michigan and died on 12 Jan 1970 in Los Angeles.
I am sure this photo is of Clifford M Shores (1904-1970), taken in 1919 when he was about 15 years old.
I have uploaded his photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection Tree on Ancestry. I also uploaded his picture to his Family Search profile LXZD-C7Z.
Arthur Sewall, circa 1899.
Arthur Sewall, circa 1899.
The photo identifying information includes ARTHUR SEWALL.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Wikipedia has a webpage regarding Arthur Sewall (25 Nov 1835 – 5 Sep 1900). This photo is later in life than the one on Wikipedia, but it is clearly the same man.
The photo identifying information includes Miss Etta Libby, Portland, Maine.
Why it appears to be this individual.
Etta Libby, circa 1899.
The 1900 US Census lists nine people named Etta Libby living in Maine. They are:
Etta Libby – wife of Augustine B Libby, residing in Aroostook County.
Etta M Libby – A 20-year-old housemaid (servant) in the household of Arthur Moulton living In Portland. (born July 1879)
Etta A Libby – the 17-year-old daughter of Samuel and Sarah E Libby, living in Scarborough. (born May 1883)
Etta M Libby – a 21-year-old housemaid of Horatio and Sarah Tobey living in Machiasport. (born Sep 1873)
Etta M Libby – the 2-year-old daughter of Delmont and Gertrude Libby of Aroostook County.
Etta A (or H) Libby, the wife of Hollis L. Libby.
Etta S Libby, the 47-year-old wife of Butler Libby.
Etta W Libbey, the 5-year-old daughter of George and Rebecca Libbey.
The wives, children, and the 47-year-old can be excluded from consideration. That leaves three potential candidates to be the Etta Libby in this photo. One Etta lived in Machiasport, about 200 miles from Portland. I am also discounting her as a candidate.
That leaves two potential candidates that may be in this photo:
Etta M Libby – A 20-year-old housemaid (servant) in the household of Arthur Moulton living In Portland (born July 1879).
Etta A Libby – the 17-year-old daughter of Samuel and Sarah E Libby, living in Scarborough (born May 1883).
1879 Etta – Different researchers indicate that the older Etta’s middle initial is M, and others suggest it is L. All appear to agree that her parents were Roscoe Green and Nellie M. (Small) Libby. She was born on 6 Jul 1879. The 1880 Census for Scarborough indicates that Roscoe and Nellie had one daughter, Emma E, who was 11/12 years old. That fits with Etta, who was born in July, so I’m sure this is her family unit. (By the way, Etta is a shortened form of Emmeretta.)
1883 Etta – This Etta’s middle name is Adele. She was born on 31 May 1883 to Samuel J and Sarah E (Sweetman) Libby. Etta A. Libby married Velorus T. Shaw on 16 Sep 1901 in Scarboro.
Consequently, this photo appears to be of Emmeretta “Etta” Libby (1879-1972). Besides my tree, I uploaded this photo to Dead Fred.
Conclusion
I identified three individuals. Two have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories.
Although I identified one individual, I am not 100% certain, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search & Dead Fred have higher quality than those linked here.
As I wind down with the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i], it becomes tougher each week. This week, for Photo Friday, I examine five more envelopes from the collection.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Probably Louise Swensen, circa 1943.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Swensen – 1943 – (2 prints of Louise).” The photos show a young girl, 2-3 years old, by a fireplace.
Probably Louise Swensen, circa 1943
What I learned about this photo package.
My search of Ancestry for a Louise Swensen (or Swenson) failed to find any potential candidates born between 1939 and 1943 and who lived in Cumberland County.
Unidentified Man (circa 1930s)
This negative envelope says, “[Nothing].” The envelope had some information written on it which was completely stricken out. As such, there is nothing I can use to identify this man.
Bloomville & Harriett Strout Camp (home), circa 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. Strout Camp, Miss Gurneys Camp #105.” The negatives consist of three images. One photo shows a nice camp with a sign, MAPLE ST, nailed to a tree by the door. The second photo shows a couple standing in front of a simpler camp. The third photo include a beautiful Maine lake shoreline. There is a building at the edge of the photo with a sign, but I can’t read the sign at all.
What I learned about this photo image.
House “on Maple Street” apparently owned by the Strouts.
There was a Bloomvil [sic] (and Harriett) Strout who lived at 12 Maple av, Westbrook in 1930. A Google map photo of the current house suggests that it is the same house as was photographed in 1934.
Bloomville H and Harriet “Hattie” E (Verrill) Stout lived in Westbrook from1920 until 1955.
I am quite sure this photo is of Bloomville & Harriet’s house about 1934.
Camp with an older couple (probably Gurney” in front.
If the first camp was the Strout camp, then I presume the second camp is the Gurney camp. There are quite a few Gerney’s in Cumberland County. Because the Strouts were in Westbrook, I decided to look at Gerneys in Westbrook. There were two Gurneys in the Westbrook City Directory for 1938.
Cleveland (Dorothy) lived at 86 Lamb.
James, lived at 29 Seavey.
A Google Maps View of those addresses do not provide any likely homes matching the photos. As such I don’t believe I will be able to determine which Gurneys owned the camp in the second photo.
Unknown (Boys) Camp
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Carr – 1945.” The package consists of 13 35mm b&w negatives of activities at a summer camp for boys. Most of the negatives show boys involved in various activities, including archery, baseball, canoeing, exercising, and hiking.
A summer camp with a tall flagpole.
What I learned about this photo package.
My first assumption is that Mr. Carr was from Portland, as he brought his 35mm negatives to Ethel Wight’s Studio to have prints made.
Looking at the 1945 Portland City Directory, there are dozens of Mr. Carrs listed. Many worked at NESCo (New England Shipbuilding Company). Many others were in military service. But, I’m not seeing any Mr. Car whose occupation is something like camp owner or camp counselor.
Having not identified the camp nor any of the individuals in the photos, I am posting two photos of the camp and two photos of the camp staff here. If you can identify the camp or any of the staff, I’d love to hear from you.
Mr. Ford’s photo of Men building a clubhouse.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. Fords Negatives.” The package includes three photos, one of boys playing volleyball, one of several men and a boy building a fort or clubhouse of some sort, and one night photo of several men and boys backlit by a large brush fire.
What I learned about this photo package.
The 1940 Portland City Directory includes only two men with the Ford surname.
David Ford (Frances) – Ocean House rd, Cape Elizabeth.
Edward J Ford (Doris B) – A labeler at 45 Water living at 16 Dalton.
David is likely Isaac David Ford (1882-1971) who married Frances Maynard in 1903 and lived in Cape Elizabeth during the 1930 Census.
Edward is likely Edward Joseph Ford (1906-1990) who married Doris Beth Stewart in1933 and lived in Portland from 1935 and 1940.
Having not identified the camp nor any of the individuals in the photos, I am only posting one of the men building some sort of fort or clubhouse.
Conclusion
There were only two individuals in these photo sets. Neither were positively identified, but one was probably identified.
There were photos of two camps/houses. I believe I identified the owners and location of one of them.
There are photo packages of two boy’s summer camps. I didn’t identify either of them.
I’d love to hear your reaction if you can identify andy of the people or places in these photos.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
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.
