Photo Friday – Skillin (née Trickey) & Stone.

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 034
Skillin, Libby, Trickey photo album.
Portland, Maine
By Don Taylor

I identified five people from the Skillin, Libby, and Trickey photo album from the Linwood Dyer Collection for Photo Friday this week. The last photo is from the Stone folder in the “Limbs on the Family Tree” 3-ring binder (2023.01.058). This collection includes hundreds of images, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. My goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the pictures before.

Eugene Bradford Skillin, of Portland, ME, c. 1891.

This 4¼ x 6½ cabinet card of a young man has the studio name on the bottom in cursive, and the studio name takes up the entire back of the card, suggesting it was created after 1880.

Photo of Eugene Bradford Skillin, of Portland, ME, c. 1891.
Eugene Bradford Skillin, of Portland, ME, c. 1891.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: J. M. Peck, 12 Monument Square, Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on a separate slip with the photo is “Eu Jean B Skillin, Bradford.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • J. M. Peck was a photographer at 12 Monument Square in 1890 and 1891. He does not appear in the 1889 or the 1892 Portland directories.
  • Ancestry trees suggest this is Eugene Bradford Skillin, born 27 May 1874 in Portland, Maine, to Lewis B and Harriet J (Trickey) Skillin.

Lewis and Harriet (Trickey) Skillin already appear in my Linwood Dyer Collection. Eugene is their son; J. M. Peck probably took this photo in 1891.

I added this photo to Eugene B Skillin’s FamilySearch profile, L2YL-RWC, and to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Eugene B. Skillin, of Portland, ME, circa 1893.

This is Eugene B. Skillin’s 2nd cabinet card. It has the studio name on the back of the card, suggesting it was created after 1880. Identifying information includes:

Photo of Eugene B. Skillin, of Portland, ME, circa 1893.
Eugene B. Skillin, of Portland, ME, circa 1893.
  • Photographer: Ye Longfellow Gallery, 655 Congress Street, Portland, ME
  • Handwritten on the back is “Eugene B. Skillin, May 27, 1874.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1892 Portland directory does not list the Longfellow Gallery; it first appears in the 1893 directory.
  • Eugene Bradford Skillin was born on 27 May 1874 in Portland, Maine. He was the child of Lewis and Harriet (Trickey) Skillin.

Because Eugene appears to be only a year or two older than he does in the other previous photo, I date this photo to about 1893.

I added this photo to Eugene B Skillin’s FamilySearch profile, L2YL-RWC, and to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Harriet Jane (Trickey) Skillin, of Portland, ME, circa 1877.

Photo of Harriet Jane (Trickey) Skillin, of Portland, circa 1877.
Harriet Jane (Trickey) Skillin, circa 1877.

This 4¼ x 6½ cabinet card is courtesy of the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, the “Skillin, Libby, Trickey” photo album. It is of a woman apparently in her 30s.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: J. M. Peck, 518 Congress St., Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on the back of the photo is “Harriet Jane Trickey m. Lewis Skillin b. Feb 28, 1841.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • J. M. Peck was a photographer at 518 Congress from 1873 or 74 to 1879 or 80.[i]
  • Harriet (Trickey) Skillin, the wife of Lewis, appears in my Linwood Dyer Collection Ancestry tree.

I added this photo to Harriet J. Trickey’s FamilySearch profile, L2YL-R8L, and to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Lewis B. Skillin of Portland, ME, circa 1877.

This 4¼ x 6½ cabinet card is courtesy of the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood Dyer Photo Collection, the “Skillin, Libby, Trickey” photo album. It is of a man apparently in his 40s.

Photo of Lewis B. Skillin of Portland, ME, Circa 1877.
Lewis B. Skillin of Portland, ME, Circa 1877.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: J. M. Peck, 12 Monument Square, Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on the back of the photo is “Lewis B. Skillin, b. Jan 24, 1839.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • J. M. Peck was a photographer at 518 Congress from 1873 or 74 to 1879 or 80.[ii]
  • Lewis B Skillin appears in my Linwood Dyer Collection Ancestry tree.

I am confident this is a photo of Lewis B. Skillin, about 1877

I added this photo to Lewis’ FamilySearch profile, L6B2-7SB, and to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Willis Burton Skillin, of Portland, ME, circa. 1891.

Photo of Willis Burton Skillin, of Portland, ME, c. 1891.
Willis Burton Skillin, of Portland, ME, c. 1891.

This 4¼ x 6½ cabinet card of a young man has the studio name on the bottom in cursive, and the studio name takes up the entire back of the card, suggesting it was created after 1880.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: J. M. Peck, 12 Monument Square, Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on the back of the photo is “Willis Burton Skillin.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • J. M. Peck was a photographer at 12 Monument Square in 1890 and 1891. He does not appear in the 1889 or the 1892 Portland directories.
  • Lewis and Harriet (Trickey) Skillin had five sons. Two died as infants. The youngest was Willis Burton Skillin. Willis was born on 25 July 1877. In 1891, he would have been about 13.

Willis already appeared in my Linwood Dyer Collection, so I am confident this is their son, taken about 1891.

I added this photo to Willis’ FamilySearch profile, L2YL-RNS, and to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Susan A. Stone, circa 1893.

Photo of Susan A. Stone, circa 1893.
Susan A. Stone, circa 1893.

This 4¼ x 6½ cabinet card of a woman in her 30s or 40s has an embossed studio name and border, suggesting it was created after 1890. Identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: H.M. Smith, 478 Congress St., Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on the front: Susan Stone. Additionally, an accompanying label says, “Susan A. Stone.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • Howard M Smith was a photographer at 478½ Congress Street from about 1888 to 1899.
  • My search for Susan failed to yield a candidate for Susan A. Stone. There was a Susan B. Stone, who died on April 7, 1887, at 41, but this does not appear to be her.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Conclusion

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.

Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood D. Dyer Collection.”

Endnotes

[i] I have not found the 1874 or 1880 Portland Directories to see of John Peck, photographer is listed. He appears in the 1875 and 1879 directories at 518½ Congress.
[ii] Ibid.

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Roberts Research, September 2024

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Don Taylor

This week my Roberts Research included using MyHeritage Library Edition. I access it through my local public library’s website, and many public libraries have access. There is a lot of material there, but the service is fairly expensive. Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, has an exclusive 50% discount for her users until the end of the month. I have some of her books and I follow her blog and sometimes listen to her podcast.

Working on the Roberts line, of my Roberts-Brown 2024 family tree and using MyHeritage Library Edition:

  • I incorporated information about Sarilda Jane Garrett, the wife of 3rd great uncle, Hugh Roberts (Asa Ellis Roberts’ brother), from FamilySearch.
  • I incorporated information about my 6th great-grandmother, (Roberts-Barnes-Taft-Sutherland-Lewis-Doughty Line) Margaret Duyster, from Filae Family Trees. I learned that she married Stephen Crego about 1731 and married William doughty after 1763. That suggests that Phebe, who was born in 1733, was born a Crego and possibly used Doughty later. In any event, it definately needs further research to confirm these relationships.
  • I incorporated information about the husband (Isaac Cory) of my 5th great aunt, Abigail Taft, who is the sister of Asa Taft.
  • I learned that my 2nd great uncle, Abraham Barnes, his wife, and son, lived near his brother Joel, during the 1880 Census (same page on the Census).

I’ll try using MyHeritage a bit more now that I have learned how to use their system. I may even subscribe.

Besides my foray with MyHeritage:

I did a lot of cleanup of my sources for the life of my paternal aunt, Pansy Marie (Roberts) Romer (1922-1987).

Have a nice week.

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Photo Friday – Sewall, Sherman, Small, Soule, & Stockbridge

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 033
Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

For Photo Friday, I identified the people in five 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 like analyzing the images and trying to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the picture. The Scarborough Historical Society holds the originals in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.

Edith Soule of South Portland, circa 1892.

This Cabinet Card has an embossed studio name and border, suggesting it was created after 1890. Identifying information includes:

Photo of Edith Soule of South Portland, circa 1892.
Edith Soule of South Portland, circa 1892.
  • Photographer: H.M.Smith, 478 Congress St., Portland, Me.
  • Handwritten on the back: Edith Soule.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1900 US Census lists two Edith Soules.
    • Edith L Soule was born in Jul 1873 in Maine and lived in South Portland.
    • Edith M Soule (Creech), born Dec 1856 in Maine, living in Freeport.
  • In 1890, Edith L. would be 17 years old, and Edith M would be 34 years old. The woman in this photo appears younger than 34, so I am sure it is Edith L Soule.
  • The 1900 US Census also indicates that Edith L. is the daughter of Deborah Soule. Her siblings included sisters Mabel, Alice, and Lucy, as well as a brother, Ervin.

Family Search indicates that Edith Soule (G89Z-X5P) was born on 10 July 1873 to Alonzo K and Deborah Sinnett (Orr) Soule in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She married Franklin Eggert in 1894, suggesting this photo was taken between 1890 and 1894.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and uploaded it to her FamilySearch memories.

Edward Rand Sherman, Xmas 1907 (age 8).

This 7.5” x 6” photo has an embossed studio name. Identifying information includes:

Photo of Edward Rand Sherman.
Edward Rand Sherman, Xmas 1907 (age 8).
  • Photographer: Jackson 548½ Congress St, Portland, ME
  • Handwritten on the back: Edward Rand Sherman, Xmas 1907.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1900 US Census lists 1-year-old Edward R Sherman living with his parents, John C and Margaret E. L. Sherman.
  • Family Search suggests this is Edward Rand Sherman (LVDB-R1Y), born 12 February 1899 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, to John Curtis (1871-1934) and Margaret Eva Lena (Taylor) Sherman (1872-1953). His siblings include a brother, Palmer Ricker Sherman, and a sister, Harriet Stevens Sherman.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

John Chase Small, Jr., circa 1882.

This cabinet card has the studio name in gold on a black card stock, suggesting it was created in the late 1880s to the 90s. Identifying information includes:

Photo of John Chase Small, Jr.
John Chase Small, Jr., circa 1882.
  • Photographer: Lamson, Portland, Me
  • Handwritten on the back: John Chase Small, Jr.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry already included John Chase Small, Jr. (1878-___) already. He is the son of John Chase and Mary Schuyler (Dresser) Small.
  • Family Search provides profile KL4K-VW6 for John Jr. He was born on 3 June 1878 in Portland, Maine, and married Blanche Helen Robinson in 1916.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

William H. Stockbridge of Freeport, circa 1881.

Photo of William H Stockbridge.
William H. Stockbridge of Freeport, circa 1881.

This Cabinet Card has an embossed studio name and border, suggesting it was created after 1890. Identifying information includes:

  • Photographer: Conant, 478½ Congress St., Portland.
  • Handwritten on the back: W. H. Stockbridge (?).

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • Portland directories list the Conant photography studio from 1877 to 1884 at 478½ Congress Street.
  • The 1881 Portland City Directory lists William H. Stockbridge, a music teacher, 156 Exchange, and 499½ Congress, who lives in Freeport.
  • 478½ and 499½ Congress Street are about 260 feet apart, so it fits that William Stockbridge would walk the short block to have his photograph taken.
  • The 1880 US Census lists 36-year-old William H. Stockbridge living in Freeport, Maine, with his wife Georgie and three children, Ira (age 6), William D (age 3), and Mildred (age 1).

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Sallie [Sarah] Sewall, c. 1873.

Photo of Sallie Sewall
Sallie [Sarah] Sewall,
c. 1873.

The very small, 1.75” x 3.25” carte de visite style photo has a single gold border, suggesting it was taken between 1866 and 1880. There is no studio information. The image appears to be of a young woman of high school age. Handwritten on the back is “Sallie Sewall.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • A review of the 1870 US Census for Maine yielded no one named Sallie Sewall in Maine. However, it identified four individuals named Sarah. (Sallie is a common nickname for Sarah.) They are:
    • Sarah E Sewall, born about 1834, was married to Edward Sewall and lived in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine.
    • Sarah C Sewall, born about 1822, was married to Samuel G Sewall and lived in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine.
    • Sarah Sewall was born about 1834, was a black woman,
    • Sarah H Sewall was born about 1850 in Maine. She is the apparent daughter of Lydia Sewall, living in York, York County, Maine. Her apparent siblings include Harriet, Isabella, Leonard, Edward, and William.[i]
  • Nationally, there are 14 Sarah Sewall listed in the 1870 US Census.
  • My Google search for B&W photos of any “Sarah Sewall” failed to yield any useful results.

Although I suspect this is Sarah H Sewall of York, Maine, It could be Sarah Sewall (b. c. 1855) of Marion County. Because I could not positively identify the individual in this photo, it is only available here.

Conclusion

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 Ancestry, Dead Fred, or Flickr have higher quality than those linked here. Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

Endnotes

[i] Ancestry.Com – 1870 US Census; Census Place: York, York, Maine; Roll: M593_565; Page: 750A

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Photo Friday – Potter, Schell, Small, Smith & Stanford

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 032
By Don Taylor

I examined the people in five photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection this week for Photo Friday. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I like analyzing the images and trying to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the picture. The Scarborough Historical Society holds the originals in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.

Grace Potter (later Small), circa 1900.

The photo identifying information:

Photo of Grace Potter, circa 1900.
Grace Potter, circa 1900.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Grace Potter – Small.”

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My Linwood Dyer Collection Tree included Grace F. C. Potter (1878-___), who married Richard D. Small (1872-1937).
  • Grace married Richard on 20 Nov 1901 in Boston.[i]
  • I learned from other Ancestry Public Trees that she lived in Portland, Maine, during the 1910, 1920, & 1940 censuses.
  • The Portland Press Herald indicates she died on 16 Oct 1962.[ii]

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Richard Dresser Small, 1873.

The photo identifying information:

  • Handwritten on the back: “Richard Dresser Small, 16 mos.”
Photo of a child, 16 mos old, Richard Dresser Small.
Richard Dresser Small, 1873.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • My Linwood Dyer Collection Tree included Richard Dresser Small (1872-1937), who married Grace F. C. Potter (1878-1962) (See above).
  • Maine Birth Records indicate Richard was born on 15 March 1872 in Portland, Maine, to John C. and Mary S. Small.
  • Ancestry Public Trees suggest his father was John Chase Small (1842-1923), and his mother was Mary Schuyler Dresser (1847-___). His siblings included:
    • Sally Burnside Small (1871-1910)
    • Carrie E Small (1873-___).
    • Annie A Small (1876-___).
    • John Chase Small, Jr. (1878-___).
    • Gracie E. Small (1879-___).

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

George Stanford, circa 1905.

Photo of George Stanford, circa 1905.
George Stanford, circa 1905.

This photo is in the style of being in the early 1900s. Handwritten on the back is “Gw Stanford.”

I already had George W Stafford in my Linwood Dyer Family Tree based upon the Sanford Family Bible. I feel confident this is a photo of George about 1905.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Carl & Karen (Davis) Schell, 16 Jul 1983.

Photo of Carl & Karen Schell, wedding day.
Carl & Karen Schell, wedding day, 16 July 1983.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • Handwritten on the back is “Carl & Karen Schell, Wilkes-Barre, PA, July 16, 1983, (Pami Schell flower girl).

What I learned while researching this photo:

Thanks to Newspapers.com, I learned that The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), dated Wednesday, August 10, 1983, Page 2D, announced the marriage between Karen Dorothy Davis and Carl Peter Schell. Pamela Schell, the niece of the groom, was the flower girl. I also learned the following:

  • Karen is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. David E. Davis, 64 Fort St., Forty Fort, PA.
  • Karen has a sister, Donna Davis, who was the maid of honor.
  • Karen has a sister-in-law, Michelle Davis.
  • Karen graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School & Allentown Hospital School of Nursing.
  • Carl is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Francis J Schell, 46 Conant St., Acton, MA.
  • Carl has a sister, Barbara Schell, who was a bridesmaid.
  • Carl has a niece, Pamela Schell, who was the flower girl.
  • Carl graduated from Acton-Boxborough High School & Fitchburg State College.
  • The couple will reside in Worcester, MA, after their wedding trip.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

William B. Smith, Jr., circa 1935.

The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of William B. Smith, circa 1935.
William B. Smith, circa 1935.
  • Photographer: Warren Hay Vantine, Boston, Mass.
  • Handwritten on the front cover is “Cousin Evelyn.”
  • Handwritten on the back is “William B Smith, Jr., 43 Ratchford St., Quincy, Mass – rec’d July 18, 1935.

What I learned while researching this photo:

  • The 1940 US Census lists William Smith living at 43 Ratchford Street. Living with him are his wife, Florence, a daughter, Dorothy, and two sons, William Jr., & Robert. In 1940, Robert was 21 years old, and about 16 in 1935.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is William Burke Smith, Jr., born 22 Apr 1918 in Presque Isle, Aroostook, Maine.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

Conclusion

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 Ancestry, Dead Fred, or Flickr have higher quality than those linked here. Feel free to use these photos in your genealogical activities. Please cite “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”

 Endnotes

[i] Massachusetts, U.S., Marriage Records, 1840-1915 – Grace F Potter.
[ii] Newspapers.com – Portland Press Herald – Oct 18, 1962, Page 2.

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Donald Montran Stabs his Wife.

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Don Taylor

In the News
Montran Monday
By Don Taylor

It is time for another edition of “Montran Monday[i].” When I encounter a new, historical newspaper article about persons with the surname Montran, I try to add information about them to my family tree database to discover something that might lead me to learn about my maternal grandmother’s father.

This week, I found an article in The Portland Guardian, [Portland, Victoria, Australia] dated 7 April 1927[ii]:

News clipping about Donald Montran stabbing his wife, another woman, and a boy.
The Portland Guardian (Portland, Victoria, Australia) · Thu, Apr 7, 1927 · Page 3

“Donald Montran, an Italian, chased his wife into the street and stabbed her in the back. Another woman and her son were also stabbed and have been taken to hospital. The man was arrested.”

I learned: Donald Montran lived in Portland, Australia, in 1927. He was Italian.

Endnotes:

[i] Montran Monday – My grandmother’s father was John Montran. She used the surname, as a young child and when she began her career in show business. The name is uncommon and most of the Montrans I see in the newspapers are my grandmother during her early vaudeville career. However, with the constant flow of newly digitized material, I often learn of new articles which contain the Montran surname. I pay attention to the finding and try to determine a possible relationship of any Montrans to Donna’s father, John Montran.

[ii] The Portland Guardian (Portland, Victoria, Australia) · Thu, Apr 7, 1927 · Page 3 – https://www.newspapers.com/image/1097167695/

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