Ancestor Sketch – John Willie Langford

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Don Taylor

Raidt Project
Raidt-Langford Line
By Don Taylor

When John Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Willie Langford was born on 3 January 1893 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, his father, John, was 32 and his mother, Della, was 24. He married Marie G Hawley on 20 July 1918, in Hennepin County, Minnesota. They had three children during their marriage. He died on 12 May 1978 in his hometown at the age of 85 and was buried there.

John William [sic] Langford has Family Search profile GX4G-FCJ. He appears in 12 Ancestry Public Trees and my Raidt Project.

Raidt Project – Ancestor #RP-06

List of Grandparents

    • Grandfather: 06 – John Willie Langford (1893-1978)
    • 1st Great-grandfather: 12 – John Henry Langford (1860-1944)

Birth

John’s birthdate is different depending on where you look. Minnesota Births and Christenings, The Minnesota Death Index, and the Social Security Death Index all indicate his birthdate was 2 January 1893. However, both his WW1 and WW2 Draft Cards show his birthdate was 3 January. Because John presumably filled out his draft cards and signed them, I prefer the 3 January birthdate.

Some researchers indicate his middle name was William. However, all the documents I have found showing his middle name, including his WW1 Draft Card, indicate his middle name was Willie. As such, I use Willie as his middle name.

John was the middle (fourth) child of seven children born to John Henry and Della M (Jordan) Langford.

Eight months after his birth, the Great Minneapolis fire of 1893 erupted, burning more than 23 square blocks of the city. When the fire reached the sawmills and millions of feet of lumber at 7th avenue, flames reached hundreds of feet into the air as stoked by gale-force winds.

Children of John Henry and Della M (Jordan) Langford (John’s Siblings)

Name Born Married Died
Frank T 1887 [Unknown] 1958
Julie L 1889 N/A Bef. 1900
Della Marie 1892 Frederick Thompson 1969
John Willie 1893 Marie G Hawley 1978
Harold E 1897 [Unknown] 1922
Florence K 1901 Clifford Pratt 1984
George H 1903 Juanita [LNU] 1961

Childhood

The Minnesota Census of 1895 found John’s family living at 3144 Blaisdale, Minneapolis.

Minneasota School for the Blind – Noyes Hall 2013 – (Via Wikimedia)

By 1900 the family had located to Waverly, Wright County, Minnesota. Waverly is a farming community about 40 miles west of Minneapolis. In 1904, John moved to Faribault, Minnesota, and attended the School for the Deaf. His family moved back to Minneapolis and lived at Findley Place (3100 block of Blaisdale). That provided the opportunity for John to take transportation from the school to Minneapolis on Friday afternoons and then return to the School on Sundays. He attended the school for 12 years. The School was harsh. Once John and four other boys were disciplined for leaving the school without permission by being sent into a pig pen. On another occasion, he was made to spend the night in a room with only a hard chair all night. These events resulted in the Director, Dr. J. N. Tate, being investigated.

Military Service

The physical description of John was medium build, grey eyes, and dark brown hair. John was deaf since the age of 2½, so he didn’t serve in the military.

Marriage

John married Marie G Hawley on 20 July 1918 in Hennepin County, Minnesota. They had three children:

Name Born Married Died
Bernard John 1919 Joan Kissinger 1945
Elizabeth Marie 1923 Thomas A Costell 2009
Eleanor Della 1924 Jerome G Raidt 2019

Adulthood

The 1920 Census found John supporting his family as a typesetter. The young family lived at 2526 Emerson Ave. So.

Betty (née Langford) & Tom Costello – 1977

Elizabeth “Bette” Marie Langford was born on 2 October 1923, while the family lived at 1209 Monroe ave NE. I remember “Aunt Bette” and her husband, Tom, visiting us while I was stationed in Hawaii. Nice folks.

Their third child, Eleanor Della Langford, was born on 10 April 1925. The Langford Family was still living on Monroe St.

By the 1930 Census, John had purchased a home at 4119 Zane Ave North in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.

John W Langford (From Mpls. Star-Tribune, 12 Mar 1937)

John was involved with the Minnesota Association for the Blind. In 1932 he was elected a Directory for the Association for a three-year term. He would eventually become the 1st Vice President of the Association in 1963.

The depression must have been difficult for John & Marie. By 1933, they were renting a home at 3224 Hennepin Ave. By 1934 they were living at 3500 1st Ave. South. They again moved to 3419 2nd Ave South by 1935. Luckily, they could live there for many years, into the 1950s. They moved to an apartment at 3151 Aldrich Ave South before 1960 and moved again in 1969.

Death/Burial.

John died on 12 May 1978 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery with his wife, who preceded him in death the year before.

Events by Location

John Willie Langford was born, married, lived, and died in Minnesota.

    • Minnesota, Hennepin, Minneapolis       Birth, 1895, (Home) 1905-1978, Death
    • Minnesota, Rice, Fairbault                      School – 1905-1915
    • Minnesota, Wright, Waverly                  1900

Sources

  • “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9QC-NF6 : accessed 14 September 2022), John Langford, Montrose & Waverly villages, Wright, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 234, sheet 9B, family 172, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,798.
  • “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2GZ-LXP : accessed 14 September 2022), John H Langford, Minneapolis Ward 8, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 153, sheet 7A, family 151, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 704; FHL microfilm 1,374,717.
  • 1910 Census (NARA), Family Search, John W Langford – Faribault, Rice, MN – Line 52. Ancestry – Year: 1910; Census Place: Faribault Ward 1, Rice, Minnesota; Roll: T624_721; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0112; FHL microfilm: 1374734.
  • 1915-02-11, Page 2 – Committee Sifts School Charges -(John W Langford). Minneapolis Journal (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Thu, Feb 11, 1915, · Page 2 – Committee Sifts School Charges., Minneapolis Journal, MN (https://Newspapers.com).
  • 1915-02-20, Page 7 – Head of School for Deaf Defends Self (John W Langford). https://www.newspapers.com/image/810726033., Minneapolis Journal, MN (https://Newspapers.com).
  • 1920 Census (NARA), Family Search, John W Langford. “United States Census, 1920”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWYL-HXV : 2 February 2021), John W Langford, 1920.
  • 1923-10-02, Page 8 – Births [Elizabeth Marie Langford]., Minneapolis Star, MN (https://newspapers.com).
  • 1930 Census (NARA), Family Search, 1930 – Henry [John W] Langford – Robbinsdale, MN
  • 1932-07-31, Page 7 – Gordon Allen Heads State Deaf Society (John W Langford). https://www.newspapers.com/image/811640302., Minneapolis Journal, MN (https://Newspapers.com).
  • 1933-04-07, Page 5 – Bicycles Stolen From Porch, Two Boys Heartbroken – John & Bernard Langford. https://www.newspapers.com/image/187343613., Minneapolis Star, MN (https://newspapers.com).
  • 1940 Census (NARA), Family Search, John Langford. 1940 Census – Minneapolis, MN – ED 89-145, Sheet 6B Lines 52 through 56. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSK7-VS5.
  • 1950 Census, Com, 1950 – John W Langford. United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota; Roll: 3852; Sheet Number: 16; Enumeration District: 89-841. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/94300404:62308.
  • 1951-05-28, Page 23 – Costello-Langford Vows Exchanged (Elizabeth Marie Langford). https://www.newspapers.com/image/187701093., Minneapolis Star, MN (https://newspapers.com).
  • Find a Grave, Internet, John W. Langford (Memorial 95096835). Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95096835/john-w-langford: accessed 14 September 2022), memorial page for John W. Langford (2 Jan 1893–12 May 1978), Find a Grave Memorial ID 95096835, citing Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA; Maintained by Robert Sullivan (contributor 47188471). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95096835/john-w-langford.
  • Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Internet, 1937-03-12 – Testifies by Signs – John W. Langford.
  • Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Internet, 1951-03-25 – Bette Marie Langford (Engaged to Thomas Austin Costello). https://www.newspapers.com/image/183625269.
  • Minnesota Births and Christenings, 1840-1980, Family Search, John Willie Langford – 2 Jan 1893 (No image)
  • Minnesota Official Marriage System (https://moms.mn.gov/, ), MN.GOV, John W Langford – Marie Hawley – 02140289. https://moms.mn.gov/.
  • Minnesota State Census, 1895, Family Search, J H Langford [John Henry Langford]. “Minnesota State Census, 1895,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ6T-RYC: 22 February 2021), J H Langford, Minneapolis city, Ward 08, Hennepin, Minnesota; citing p. 82, line 23, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 565,781.
  • Minnesota State Census, 1905, Family Search, John [W] Langford – Fairbault. “Minnesota State Census, 1905,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPQL-GSK: 18 February 2021), John Langford, Faribault, Ward Number: 01, Rice, Minnesota; citing p. 396, line 121, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 928,812.
  • Minnesota State Census, 1905, Family Search, John H Langford – Minneapolis. “Minnesota State Census, 1905,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SP3S-G6F: 18 February 2021), John H Langford, Minneapolis, Ward Number: 08, Hennepin, Minnesota; citing p. 429, line 138, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 928,786.
  • Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2017 (St. Paul, Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Health), Com, John W Langford (1893-1978) (No image). https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/30390137?h=d332ea.
  • S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.Com, Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1928 – Langford – Page 829.
  • S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.Com, Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1934 – Langford – Page 726. Accessed 16 Sep 2022.
  • S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.Com, Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1944 – Langford – Page 680. Accessed 16 Sep 2022.
  • S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.Com, Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1960 – Langford – Page 829. Accessed 16 Sep 2022.
  • S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Ancestry.Com, John W. Langford – 27 Apr 1942. National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the State of Minnesota; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 600.
  • United States Social Security Death Index, Family Search, John Langford (1893-1978) (No Image). “United States Social Security Death Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J1GG-Z23: 10 January 2021), John Langford, May 1978; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
  • United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Family Search, John Willie Langford. “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K87L-91D : 24 December 2021), John Willie Langford, 1917-1918.

Posted in Raidt-Langford Project, Ancestor Features | Tagged | Leave a comment

Photo Friday – Whittier (née Simpson, née Orne), Whittingham, Willett, & Williams

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 99

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Doris Willett, Student Nurse, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Doris Willett, Me Eye & Ear Infirmary #472.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Doris Willett, Student Nurse, circa 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Doris Willett as a student nurse at 79 Bramhall (Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary).

  • The 1942 Nashua, New Hampshire, City Directory lists Doris Willett as a student nurse living at 15 Kehoe ave. The 1940 City directory indicates that Doris lived at the same address as Melvin and Gladys Willett.
  • The 1940 Census reports 19-year-old Doris Willette as a trained nurse at the Nashua Memorial Hospital and Nurses Home.

I believe this photo is of Doris Willett, daughter of Melvin and Gladys (Stone) Willett, about 1936 when she attended nursing school.

Alternate Individuals.

The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Doris M Willett, the wife of Ralph J Willett. The 1940 Census indicates that Ralph and Doris M Willette lived in the same house as they did in 1935 and had a six-year-old, Ralph (Jr.). Because the envelope clearly says “Miss” and that Ralph and Doris lived at 23 Hemlock in 1935, and their son was born about 1934, I do not believe this is the correct Doris Willett.

The 1937 Meadville, Pennsylvania, City Directory lists Doris J Willetts as a student nurse living at 895 Park Ave.

Decision

Ancestry has 12 public trees that refer to Doris Gertrude Willett. Family Search has profile L1MM-9SG for Doris. I have uploaded a photo of Doris to her Family Search Memories.

Hope Williams, Student Nurse, circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Hope Williams, Me. Gen. Hospital #865.”

Why I believe this to be the individual:

  • Hope Williams, Student Nurse, circa 1936

    The 1937 and 1938 Portland City Directories list Hope Williams as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).

  • The 1939 Portland City Directory lists Hope Williams as a nurse at 807 Congress.
  • In 1939, Hope Williams of Searsport, ME, married Edward B Duff of Portland, Maine.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Edward and Hope living on West Street. Hope was 23 and had three years of College. Both lived in Portland in 1935.
  • Hope’s 2008 Obituary indicates she was “a distinguished registered nurse.”

I am confident this photo is of Hope Ann Williams, born 12 September 1916 in Milo, Maine, and who married Edward B Duff in 1939.

Ancestry has eight public trees that refer to Hope Ann Williams. Family Search has profile G974-NCD for Hope. I have uploaded a photo of Hope to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Hope Williams by a niece. 

“Baby” Williams, unidentified.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Williams – Nov 1943.”

About this photo:

  • “Baby” Williams, unidentified

    This photo was initially a reprint request. It isn’t clear if the date, November 1943, is the date the photo was taken or if it is the date the image was submitted for reprints.

  • Additionally, there are so many “Mrs. Williams” that it will be impossible to determine which Mrs. Williams this is without an address or first name.

Marion Whittier (Née Simpson) & daughter Beverly (born Orne) circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. C. P. Whittier, 20 Grand St. #520.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Marion Whittier (Née Simpson) & daughter Beverly (born Orne) circa 1935

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Carroll P and Marion () Whittier living at 20 Grand. Carroll is a baker.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Carroll, Marin & Beverly, his 11-year-old daughter, still living at 20 Grand.
  • Hope F Hotham of Portland and Carroll P. Whittier married on 3 September 1921. Hope was 23 years old and was born in Blaine, Maine. Her parents were John F and Marjorie (Tompkins) Hotham, both living in Blaine, ME, in 1921. Hope then married Byron O Ireland in 1933, making her Mrs. Ireland before this photo was taken.
  • I have found no evidence that Hope and Carroll had any children.
  • Carroll Whittier and Marion Simpson married on 22 November 1932, several years after Beverly was born. She would have been “Mrs. Whittier” when this photo was taken, about 1935. Further research found that Marion Simpson was married in 1927 to Reginald Orne. She and Reginald had a daughter, Beverly Orne.
  • This photo was taken about 1935 when Beverly was about six years old. Her stepmother Marion Simpson (Whittier), would have been about 27 years old. Mother and daughter, both surname Orne, appear to be living with Marion’s father, Benjamin Simpson, in Falmouth, Maine, during the 1930 Census.

I am confident this photo is of Marion Whittier, née Simpson (born 20 June 1908), and her daughter Beverly (born Orne in 1928 & died Whittier in 1941). The photo was taken at the Ethel Wight Studio in Portland about 1935.

Ancestry has 35 Public trees that refer to Marion Simpson, born on 20 June 1908. Family Search has profile LKGT-39J for Marion I. Simpson. I uploaded the photo of Marion and Beverly to Marion’s Family Search Memories.

Beverly J Orne, born in 1928, appears in two public Ancestry trees. She does not have a Family Search Profiles. However, Beverly J Whittier, born in 1928, died in 1941 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Yarmouth, Maine. She is buried near her step-father, Carroll P Whittier, who also died in 1941 in Portland. Her obituary indicates her as Beverly June Whittier. Carroll Whittier’s obituary, who died the previous January of pneumonia, mentions his widow, Marion, but not a daughter.

Marion and Donald Whittingham, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Louise Willey, 17 Mechanic St. #954.”

Why I believe this to be the children of Louise M Willey.

  • Marion and Donald Whittingham, circa 1935.

    The Ancestry.Com images of the 1936 Directory is missing page 1197, which would include 17 Mechanic Street. The 1935 and 1937 directories do not indicate that the Willeys lived there.

  • However, the 1937 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Louise M Willey as a waitress living at 477 Cumberland av, Apt 5. The 1940 Census lists Louise Willey, a 33-year-old Maine-born waitress and the mother of a 13-year-old Maine born. Mary L Whittingham. They lived in Bangor in 1935.
  • In the 1930 Census, Donald R Whittingham and Mary L Whittingham were boarders at the home of Lulu V H Faunce in Auburn, Maine. Donald was 4; Mary was 3.
  • Further research indicates that Donald Robert Whittingham, the son of Frederick and Louise (Maloon) Whittingham, was born on 21 March 1925 in Lewiston. His sister, Marion Louise Whittingham, was born on 15 February 1927. Their mother, Louise Marion (Maloon) Whittingham, married Turner A Willey on 10 November 1930.

I am confident this photo of Donald and Marion Whittingham would have been taken about 1935 when Donald was about ten and Marion about 8.

Ancestry has 15 public trees that refer to Donald Robert Whittingham. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Donald, so I have uploaded his photo to Dead Fred.

Ancestry has 17 public trees that refer to Marion Louise Whittingham. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Marion, so I have added her name to the image I uploaded to Dead Fred.

Conclusion

    • I identified six of the seven individuals. Three of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. One of those photos included mother and daughter.
    • Two did not have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded a photo of them to Dead Fred.
    • One individual was not identifiable due to a lack of information provided.

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. 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 a higher image quality than the images linked here.

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.

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Photo Friday – White, Whitehead, & Whittemore

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 98

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

 Laura White, circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Laura White, 218 Park Ave #735.”

What I found – Surname:

  • Laura White, circa 1935

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Laura M White, the wife of Elmer M White, living at 96 Cumberland Ave.

  • The 1933 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Laura White as a waitress residing at 19 Parris.
  • The 1932 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Laura White, the wife of Frank White, residing at 101 Danforth, Apt 5. It also lists Laura as the wife of Elmer, living at 185 Cumberland.
  • The 1931 Portland City Directory lists Laura E White, the wife of Frank A White, residing at 11 Casco.
  • The 1930 Portland City Directory lists Laura, wife of Frank, living at 336 Brackett.

Address:

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that 218 Park Ave was “The Albert Apartments.” There were 12 individuals listed. None named Laura nor non with the White surname.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory available at Ancestry is missing pages 1201, 1202, and 1203, which would show the residents at 218 Park Ave.
  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists no one with the name Laura nor the surname White living at 218 Park Ave.

I failed to connect the Laura White in this photo to the address cited. Thus, I can’t determine which of the several Laura Whites who lived in Portland, Maine, during the 1930s this is a photo of. So, I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred. 

Mrs. Charlotte White, daughter of Mrs. Alice J Lamar

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Charlotte White, 278 Veranda St (Mrs. Lamar’s Daughter) #99.”

What I found in my searches for this individual.

Lamar Search

  • Mrs. Charlotte White, daughter of Mrs. Alice J Lamar

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Alice J Lamar living at 278 Veranda.

  • The 1927 Portland City Directory lists Arthur Lamare and his wife Alice J Lamare living at 278 Veranda.
  • The 1924 Portland City Directory lists Arthur Lamar and his wife, Alice J Lamar, living at 278 Veranda. He was a theatrical manager and Alice was an actress.
  • The 1 May 1928 issue of The Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, FL) reported that “Theater Man Dies – Portland, Maine, April 30,— (ap)—Arthur Lamar, 62, theatrical promoter and business manager for prominent stage artists, and manager of the original Peck’s Bad Boy company, died here Saturday [28 April].
  • The 1930 US Census lists Alice J Lamar and her sister, Charlotte M Lawton, living at 278 Veranda Street Alice is 60 and Charlotte was 54. Both were widows who were born in Massachusetts, while their parents were born in Maine. Alice was a theatrical actress.
  • No Lamar’s are listed in the 1923 Portland Directory.
White – Charlotte, wife of Philip P White.
  • Charlotte M White appears in the 1940 US Census. She is the 59-year-old wife of Philip P White. She is the apparent mother of Donald White (Age 26) [Born c. 1914]. They live at 36 Pleasant. They have another son, Clifford, who doesn’t live in the household. All three were born in Maine and lived in Portland in 1935.
  • Ancestry Trees suggest that Philip Prescott White was born on 5 March 1881 in Portland. He married Charlotte May Murch (1881-1957). They had several children, including Donald and Clifford. Charlotte’s parents were Francis H and Effie M (Cotton) Murch.
White – Charlotte, wife of Harvey A White.
  • Alternately, Charlotte White, the 40-year-old wife of Harvey A White (age 39), appears with her two sons, Robert (14) & Kenneth (11). All were born in Maine.
  • Ancestry Trees suggest that Harvey Allen White married Charlotte Mary Webber in 1936. Charlotte Mary Webber’s parents were Charles and Hannah (Sweeney) Webber.
Lawton – Charlotte, sister of Alice J.
  • The 1927 Portland City Directory indicates that Mrs. Charlotte Lawton moved to Jacksonville. The 1926 Directory is not available. The 1925 Directory does not include a Charlotte.

I have not determined which Charlotte White this is in either Ancestry trees or Family Search. I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.

Allen White, circa 1934 (age 2)

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Wm White, Son Allan, 81 Morning St. #12.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Allen White, circa 1934 (age 2)

    The 1932 Portland City Directory lists William C and Ruth E White living at 81 Morning. William is president at 18½ Custom House wharf.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists William C and Ruth E White in New London, Connecticut.
  • The 1940 US Census lists William C. and Ruth E White living at Groton, New London, Connecticut. He is a Government worker; living with them is a daughter, Althea (see Ethel Wight Collection – Part 97), and an 8-year-old son, Allen C White.
  • This photo was taken about 1934 when Allen was about two years old.

I am pretty sure this is Allen C. White, son of William C and Ruth E White, about 1934.

I have not found Allen on Family Search or Ancestry Public Trees. However, his parents are in seven Ancestry Public Trees. I uploaded his photo to Dead Fred.

Edward Whittemore, circa 1934 (Age 1).

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. J. C. Whittemore, 32 Fellows St. #149.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Edward Whittemore, circa 1934 (Age 1).

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists John C and Elizabeth P Whittemore living at 32 Fellows.

  • The 1940 Census lists John C Whittemore, his wife Elizabeth, and five children. Two daughters and three sons. Edward is six years old and would have been about one when this photo was taken in 1934.

I am confident this photo of Edward Payson Whittemore, born on 26 May 1933, was taken about 1934.

Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Edward Payson Whittemore. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Edward, so I uploaded his photo to Dead Fred. 

Confirmed to be Edward by a niece.

Mrs. Whitehead’s Grandchildren

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Whitehead’s Grandchildren, Whitney Ave, #510.”

What I looked at:

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Charles W Whitehead & wife Florence M, living at 183 Dartmouth.
  • The 935 Portland City Directory lists Charles & Florence with no change, but a new entry Lorimer E (Harriet E) Whitehead, lived at 89 Newton.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory list Charles & Florence without change, but Lorimer & Harriet are now at rear 905a Forest Ave.
  • In 1937 Lorimer & Harriet lived at 361 Woodford. Reviewing various Ancestry Family trees suggested that Lorimer was born in 1898 and Harriet was born in 1903. Both would be too young to have had adult grandchildren in 1935.
  • I was unable to associate any Whiteheads with Whitney Ave. Thus unable to identify any of the seven females in this photo.

I have only uploaded the photo of them to my Flickr photostream.

 Conclusion

This is possibly the worst day of identifying photos I’ve encountered. I uploaded four pictures to Dead Fred. Eight unidentified individuals and no uploads to FamilySearch made a bad day.

If these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. 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 a higher image quality than the images linked here.

 

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.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Photo Friday – Watson, Welch, West, & White.

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 97

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Myrtle Watson, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Miss Myrtle Watson, 74 Winslow St. #405.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Miss Myrtle Watson, Circa 1935

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Myrtle L Watson as a clerk at 477 Congress, Room 1109, and residing at 74 Winslow.

  • The 1939 and 1940 Portland City Directories list Myrtle residing at 72 Park Ave. The 1941 Directory lists 72 Park Ave as the Berkeley Apartments. Living there were Napoleon Roy, Samuel Lelansky, and Abraham Bernstein.
  • The 1941 Portland City Directory lists Myrtle living at 47 Revere. Also living at 47 Revere St is Mrs. Mattie A Watson.
  • The 1930 US Census lists Mattie A Watson living with her 22-year-old daughter Myrtle.
  • Maine, U.S., Marriage Index indicates that Myrtle L Watson married John E Neilson on 17 September 1941.
  • Ancestry Trees suggest this is Myrtle Louise Watson, born 28 January 1907. This photo was taken about 1935 when she was about 27 years old.

I am confident this is Myrtle Louise Watson, born 28 January 1907, daughter of Horace Vernon and Martha (Faulkner) Watson, and wife of John Edward Nielson.

Ancestry has 12 public trees that refer to Myrtle Louise Watson. Family Search has profile  LBP4-NQN for Myrtle L Watson. I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories. 

Unknown – Surname probably Welch

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Carl Welch, 28 High St. Portland – #944”

 

What I discovered while researching,

  • Young Girl, circa 1935, probably related to Carl Welch.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists William H Welch (and others) living at 28 High Street with his wife, Anna. He was an agent at 142 High, Room 423.

  • The 1940 US Census lists William Welch, a 32-year-old time clerk with the WPA. He, his wife Ann, and two daughters, Carol and Joan, live with him at the rear of 29 High Street.

    Young Woman, circa 1935, probably related to Carl Welch.

  • Young Woman, circa 1935, probably related to Carl Welch.
  • Find-a-Grave indicates that William Henry Welch was born on 26 September 1907 and married Anna M. Jacobs in 1933. His parents were William Henry Welch (1864-1918) and Maude M. Savage (1872-1937).
  • I found no children or siblings of William named Carl.

Alternate Individuals.

Older man, circa 1935, probably related to Carl Welch.

There was a 31-year-old Carl Truman Welch, married to 27-year-old Marguerite (Pretty), who lived in Mexico, Oxford County, Maine, during the 1940 Census. He lived in Mexico Town in 1935, also. A review of his Ancestry family trees indicated no connection to Portland, Maine. Carl Truman Welch’s parents were George Milton and Elizabeth (Booker) Welch. He had no siblings named William.

Woman, circa 1935, probably related to Carl Welch

There was a 28-year-old Carl Welch, the single son of R. L. and Hattie Welch, who lived in Sanford, York County, Maine, during the 1940 Census.

There was a 27-year-old Carl Welch, the single son of Harold & Ethel Welch, who lived in Sherman, Aroostook County, Maine, in 1940.

I have not identified the individual in these photos, so I’ve only uploaded them to my Flickr photostream.

Esther West, Student, Class of 1939.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Esther West – Dec 1938.”

What I learned about this individual.

  • Esther West, Student, Class of 1939.

    Gorham High School Photo from 1939 Yearbook.

    The 1939 Gorham High School yearbook shows a photo of Esther West, that is the same young woman in the Ethel Wight Collection.

  • I have failed to find her in any other records.

Probable Identification?

There is an Esther West, who, during the 1940 Census, lived with her parents, Oliver and Ida West, in Wells, York County, Maine. (Wells is about 35 miles south of Gorham.) This Esther was 21 years old and born in Maine. She lived in the same house in 1935. She also appears to have lived in Wells during the 1920 and 1930 Censuses. Absent any connection to Gorham, I cannot ascribe this Esther West to my photo.

Another photo package is labeled Oliver West, RFD Wells. That suggests that Oliver West and his family used the Ethel Wight Studio, which makes it very likely that Esther West is the daughter of Oliver & Ida West of Wells, Maine.

I found Esther Emily West in five Ancestry trees (2 private); possibly one of those researchers can confirm this Esther is the same person that graduated from Gorham High School However, without positive identification, I could only upload her photo to Dead Fred[iii].

Probably Oliver West of Wells, Maine, 1945.

The negative envelope says, “Oliver West – Oct 1945.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • (Probably) Oliver West of Wells, Maine, 1945, with team of horses pulling a plow.

    This image is a reproduction for Oliver West. Research for Esther West suggested that her father is Oliver West of Wells, Maine. Another photo package included photos for Oliver West of Wells, Maine. As I believe these photos are all related.

  • The 1940 Census indicates Oliver West of Wells was a 56-year-old farmer.

Consequently, I believe this photo is likely of Oliver West of Wells, York County, Maine, plowing his field with two white horses; however, it might show Dewey Crepean, his hired man. Because of the distance from the subject, I have only uploaded this photo here.

This package has four additional photos of trees and trees reflected in the water. No animals or people that I have available. If someone is interested in them, I can send copies.

Althea Grace White, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Althea White, 81 Morning St. #61.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Althea

    1934, 1935, and 1936 Portland City Directories list Mrs. Jennie Goldstein living at 81 Morning Street.

  • The 1930 US Census lists Althea G White, born c. 1919, living with her parents, William C and Ruth E (Wood) White, at 81 Eastern Promenade.
  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists William C & Ruth E White relocated to New London, Connecticut.
  • Althea Grace White, the daughter of William and Ruth (Wood) White, was born on 3 September 1918 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.

I am confident this photo was of her in 1934. She was probably dressed for a party around St. Patrick’s Day based on the clothing, hat, and shoes.

Ancestry has four public trees that refer to Althea Grace White. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Althea; however, her parents are listed as IDs LTFK-SDQ and
9VJB-S6Q. I have uploaded one photo of her to Dead Fred. I also uploaded two additional pictures of Althea to my Flickr Photostream.

Conclusion

  • There were eight individuals in five photo negative packets this week.
  • I fully identified four of them sufficiently to find them in Ancestry Family Trees.
  • One of those four had family Search profiles, so I uploaded the photos to their Family Search Memories. Two of them did not have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their pictures to Dead Fred. One was too distant to identify, so I only uploaded it to this blog page.
  • Finally, I failed to identify four individuals; however, I believe they are somehow related to a Carl Welch.

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. 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 a higher image quality than the images linked here.

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.

[iii] I have four more photos of Esther West I can provide family members if fully identified.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Donna Darling Collection – Part 92

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Don Taylor

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

I’m looking at a clipping from the Donna Darling Collection for this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday.

Donna Darling Clipping

The clipping shows the venue but not the date or the location.

Key Features of Ad:

  1. The Venue: The Majestic Theater.
  2. The show is the “Donna Darling Revue with Sammy Clark,” so we know it is 1926 or 1927.
  3. The movie playing is “Camille of the Barbary Coast.”
  4. Coming soon is “Orpheum Syncopation;” it starts Sunday.

Analysis

Clipping from The Gazette (Cedar Rapids. Iowa) – January 7, 1927, Page 6.

  1. Although there are many Majestic Theaters, there were only a handful of theaters under the “Direction of Alexander Frank.”
        • The Isis in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
        • The Orpheum in Des Moines, Iowa.[i]
        • The Plaza in Waterloo, Iowa.
        • The Majestic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Thanks to Newspapers.Com, a search for “Majestic and Donna” in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1926 or 1927 quickly yielded a display ad with all of the same information shown in Donna’s clipping.

Thanks to the January 1927 issues of Variety, I had already known Donna played:

  • Dec 9-11, 1926 – Clinton, IA – Orpheum
  • Jan 2-5, 1927 – Des Moine, IA – Orpheum
  • Jan 6-8, 1927 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Majestic
  • Jan 13-15, 1927 – Davenport, IA – Capitol
  • Jan 16-19, 1927 – Clinton, IA – Orpheum
  • Jan 24-26 – Kitchener, Ont. – Capitol
  • Jan 27-29 – Brantford, Ont. – Temple

So, this ad confirms the show.

Conclusion

January 6-8, 1927 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Majestic Theater – Donna Darling Revue with Sammy Clark – DDC-92.

Endnotes

[i] See Donna Darling Collection – Part 68

Posted in Treasure Chest, Donna Darling Revue | Tagged , , | Leave a comment