Ethel Wight Collection – Part 79

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Don Taylor

Laliberte, Libby, Liebman, Linnell, Litrocapes, (Née Anifant, née Bronnum)

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
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] My goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Alice Liebman, circa 1935

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Alice Liebman, Me Gen Hospital #844.”

Alice Liebman, Nurse, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 and 1937 Portland City Directories list Alice Liebman as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
  • The Maine Marriage Index indicates that Alice C. Liebman married Charles Bartlet, Jr. on 30 November 1937.
  • The 1940 Census lists Alice C. Bartlett living in Eliot, York County, Maine; however, it indicates she lived in Portland, Cumberland County, in 1935.

I am reasonably confident this photo is of Alice Cole Liebman, born 23 March 1916 in Eliot, York County, Maine, about 1935, when the 19-year-old was attending nursing school in Portland, Maine.

Ancestry has 20 public trees that refer to Alice Cole Liebman.  Family Search has profile MKSZ-GPY for Alice Liebman, born 23 March 1916. I uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories. 

Vanette Laliberte, Nurse, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Miss Vanette La Liberty, ME Eye & Ear Infirmary #275.”

Vanette Laliberte, Nurse, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 U.S. Census lists the New Hampshire-born Vanetta Laliberty as a 28-year-old nurse at the Coos County Institution in Stewartstown, New Hampshire. It also notes she lived in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, in 1935.

I’m confident this photo is of Vanetta Liberty about 1935 when she attended nursing school at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Ancestry has six public trees that refer to Vanetta Emma Liberty White. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Vanetta, daughter of Leon and Marie (Paradis) Laliberte So, I have added her photo to Dead Fred. 

Richard Linnell, circa 1935

Richard Linnell, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. C. E. Linnell, 78 Rosemont Ave #447.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Charles E and Hazel E Linnell residing at 78 Rosemont Ave.
  • The 1940 Census lists Charles E Linnel living at 78 Rosemont Ave, Portland, ME. The household consists of Charles, his wife hazel, and two sons, Richard (age 13) and Arthur (age 11).

In 1935 (when this photo was probably taken), Richard would be about eight and Arthur about six. The child in this photo appears to be about 8, so I believe this is Richard. Hopefully, a family member will be able to confirm it to be Richard.

Alternative individuals: This could be Richard’s brother Arthur, but I don’t think so.

Ancestry has 14 public trees that refer to Richard Linnell.  Family Search has profile for LY9Q-XXQ. I have uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one more picture of Richard Linnell to my Flickr photostream.

Helen Litrocapes (née Anifant), circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Char. Litrocapes, 15 Cedar St #637.”

Helen Litrocapes (née Anifant), circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Charles and Helen Litrocapes living at 15 Cedar.
  • Maine Marriage index indicates that Charles Litrocapes married Helen Anifant on 3 June 1934.
  • Helen was born on 27 January 1915 and would be about 20 years old when this photo was taken about 1935.

Ancestry has five public trees that refer to Helen Anifant, wife of Charles Litrocapes. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Helen, so I uploaded a photo of her to Dead Fred. I also uploaded a second photo of her to my Flickr photostream. 

Milton & Tena Libby (née Bronnum), circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Milton Libby, 16 Grant St #499.”

Milton & Tena Libby (née Bronnum), circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Milton S Libby and his wife, Tena L, living at 16 Grand. Milton S. is the only Milton Libby appearing in the 1935 Directory.
  • The 1940 US Census lists (38-year-old) Milton Libby, his wife Tena L, and his 10-year-old son, Milton L, living at 14 University.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest that Milton’s wife, Tena, is Tena Louise Bronnum.

I am confident this is a photo of Tena Louise Libby (née Bronnum) and her son Milton about 1935 when Milton was about five years old.

Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Tena Bronnum. Family Search has profile G9BK-KN1 for Tena. I uploaded a photo of her and Milton (Jr.?) to her Family Search Memories.

 Conclusion

  • I fully identified all five Three of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • Two individuals did not have a Family Search profile but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted their images to Dead Fred.
  • I had additional photos for two of the individuals, so I uploaded those photos to my Flickr Photostream.

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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Donna Darling Collection – Part 89

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Don Taylor

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.For this week’s Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m looking at two clippings from one page of the Donna Darling Collection. There is both an ad and a text write-up. The good news is that a handwritten note above the clippings is “Topeka Kans.”

 

Clipping from Donna Darling Collection

The ad shows three show times, 3:00—7:30—9:15, at the Novelty Theater.

The show is the “Dona [sic] Darling Revue with Sammy Clark in a riot of beauty and comedy singing and dancing.”

The clip also mentions four other acts in the program, Pathe News, and a Screen Comedy.

The text advertising write-up reads:

AT THE NOVELTY
The First Half.

An entirely different bill of vaudeville will be on at the Novelty the first three days of the week. Col Mack believes in “mixing them” and avoiding “that sameness.” This season he will not only mix the attractions on every bill but he will make every possible effort to make each bill “different.”

The feature of the first half will be the Donna Darling Revue, with Miss Darling “The Musical Comedy Beauty,” and Sammy Clark the “Juvenile Komic,” making merry both on their own and because of their absolute dissimilarity. The revue is filled with song and dance number of just the sort that are demanded by vaudeville patrons. Donna and Sammy are supported in the act by the team of Barring and Lazure with Hal Dixon featured at the piano.

The program as usual will be started by the newest movie news….

Key features:

    • The venue is the Novelty Theater in Topeka, Kansas.
    • None of the other shows on the bill are named.

Analysis

Donna and Sammy began their show together about May 1926 in New York. The show headed west to Michigan and Ontario. In July, it was in Illinois and Ohio. In August, it headed west to Illinois and Oklahoma. After a short return to Illinois, they headed west again for Colorado, Texas, and Arizona in September. After several months in the west, they returned to the Midwest (Iowa) in January 1927. I haven’t found any dates or venues for Donna and Sammy in Kansas; however, they had to have played in Kansas in August or September 1926.

Cinema Treasures indicates that the Novelty Theatre opened in Topeka, Kansas, in 1908. After Donna played there, it became the Dickinson Theatre, then closed in 1988 and was demolished in 1993.

Conclusion

New Venue:  August or September 1926 – The Novelty Theater, Topeka, Kansas – Donna Darling Revue with Sammy Clark.

Actions

  • I have set up alerts for “Donna Darling” and “Sammy Clark” in Kansas during 1926 at Newspapers.com and Genealogy Bank.
  • I added a task to check NewspaperArchives and Elephind (Library of Congress) every year for new postings.

Posted in Treasure Chest, Donna Darling Revue, Vaudeville | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Ancestor Sketch – Samuel J Reid (1867-1909)

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Don Taylor

Bradley-Hingston Project
Bradley-Hingston-Reid Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Samuel was an Immigrant Ancestor[1]. Born in June 1867 in Ireland, he came to the United States in 1883, when he was only 16 years old. Once he turned 21, he became a U.S. citizen. He lived his adult life in Salem, Massachusetts, and died in 1909 at the age of 42. He left behind a wife and eight children 18 years old and younger.

Samuel J Reid is found in 24 Ancestry Public Trees[2] and is Family Search profile LVWZ-5LB

Bradley/Hingston – Ancestor #14

List of Grandparents

  • Grandmother: BH-07 – Florence Reid(1891-1984)
  • 1st Great-grandfather: BH-14 – Samuel J Reid (1867-1909)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: BH-28 – James E Reid (___-___)

Samuel J Reid (1867-1909) (Events By Date)

Birth

Samuel was born on 28 June 1867 in Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ireland.[3]

Stewartstown is a small town in what is now Northern Ireland. Life must have been difficult for the young Samuel, who was born between two major potato famines. Certainly, there was significant unrest in Ireland. In 1867 the Orange Order (Protestant) clashed with the Catholics. County Tyrone was one of four counties in Northern Ireland that had a majority of Catholics. Other than his parents’ names, James E Reid and Jane Stewart, I haven’t learned anything about his childhood in Ireland.

Immigration

In 1883, to rid itself of indigent Irish, there was a program to assist poor Irish to leave the country. The Crown would pay a one-way fare to get them to leave. I don’t know if Samuel used that program to emigrate, but after he turned 16 in 1883 and left Ireland for the US about a month later. His ship arrived in Boston on 14 August 1883. Five years later, when he became 21 years old, he became a United States citizen.

Marriage

Samuel married Sarah J Locke, of Arlington, Mass., on 26 June 1880. Samuel was 22, and Sarah was 20. James P. Franks performed the ceremony. James was an Episcopal minister at Grace Church in Salem.

Children of James J and Sarah J (Locke) Reid[4]

Name Born Married Died
Florence 1891 William Robert Hingston 1984
James E 1893 – 1923
George Samuel 1895 Letitia Louis Dinan 1918
Mary E 1899 Frank W Stackpole –
Thomas L 1901 – –
Albert 1903 No Before 1910
William c. 1904 – –
Sara Jane 1906 – –
Margaret 1908 Bertram D Coffin 1994

Adulthood

1895 – Samuel worked as a currier[5] when George was born.

1899 – Samuel was still working as a currier when Mary was born

1900 – Census indicates Samuel and his family were renting a home at 29 Summit Street. Samuel had been unemployed for three months during the previous year but worked as a “Whitener[6].” Florence and James were in school; George and Mary were too young for school.

Death/Burial, etc.

Samuel Reid (1868-1909) – Marker at Find-a-Grave

1909 – Samuel died on 21 November 1909 at home, 46 Prospect, Salem, Mass., from tuberculosis of the spine. He was buried on 23 November 1909 in Lot L2093, Grave 5, at Green Lawn Cemetery in Salem.

Events by Location

  • Ireland, County Tyrone, Stewartstown – Birth
  • United States, Massachusetts, Boston – Immigration, Naturalization
  • United States, Massachusetts, Salem – Births of his nine children, 1900 Census, & Death.

Conflicts

See Endnote #1 below.

Sources

  • 1900 Census, 1900 Census – Samuel Reid – Salem, Exxes, MA (FS). “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9RD-W5N : accessed 18 March 2018), Florence Reid in the household of Samuel Reid, Salem city Ward 4, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 451, sheet 2A, family 34, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,647.
  • com, Massachusetts, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1798-1950 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011), Ancestry.Com, National Archives at Boston; Waltham, Massachusetts; ARC Title: Petitions and Records of Naturalization, 8/1845 – 12/1911; NAI Number: 3000057; Record Group Title: Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685-2009; Record Group Number: RG 21.
  • Find a Grave Memorial, Find a Grave, Samuel Reid – Memorial 235016939 – No Image. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235016939/samuel-reid : accessed 18 April 2022), memorial page for Samuel Reid (unknown–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial ID 235016939, citing Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by K Berry & JGBC (contributor 47557551).
  • Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881, Family Search, Samuel Reid – 25 June 1867 – Stewartstown, Tyrone, Ireland – Image Unavailable. “Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FR9P-KQS : 15 February 2020), Samuel Reid, 1867.
  • Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915, Family Search, Mary Ann Reid – 20 May 1899 – Salem, Mass. “Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXX1-8BX : 20 February 2021), Mary Ann Reid, 20 May 1899, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; citing reference ID #p 391, Massachusetts Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,843,710.
  • Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915, 1921-1924, Death Certificate: Samuel Reid – 21 Nov 1909. “Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915, 1921-1924,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N49B-NVF : 2 March 2021), Samuel Reid, 21 Nov 1909; citing Salem,,Massachusetts, 17, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,313,603.
  • Massachusetts Marriages, 1841­-1915, Family Search, George Samuel Reid – Letitia Louis Dynan – 16 February 1915. “Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4XC-7WP : 10 March 2021), George Samuel Reid and Letitia Louis Dynan, 16 February 1915; citing Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,411,235.
  • Massachusetts Marriages, 1841­-1915, Family Search, Samuel Reid – Sarah J. Locke – 26 June 1890. “Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4Z6-5G9 : 10 March 2021), Samuel Reid and Sarah J. Locke, 26 June 1890; citing Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,415,227.
  • New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1637-1947 (Concord, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics), Family Search, Frank W. Stackpole and Mary E. Reid, 30 January 1920; Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire. Accessed 15 April 2022. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL8X-3DX.
  • The U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Com, 1910 – Salem, MA – Page 357 – Reid.

Endnotes

[1] Based upon great-grandparents, we know from the paper trail, the “home” person in this project is 25% Irish and 12.5% English. Further research is needed to determine the other 62.5% of ancestry

[2] Accessed 18 April 2022.

[3] Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881 indicates he was born 25 June 1867. However, an image for that record is not available.

His Naturalization record indicates he was born on 28 June 1867.

His Death Record indicates he was 41 years, 4 months, 21 days old at his death on 21 November 1909 which suggests a birth date in June 1868.

Because he presumably entered the information on his naturalization record, and because I have not found the image from the Ireland Births and Baptisms, I prefer using 28 June 1867 as his birthdate.

[4] I have additional work to determine two birth dates, six death dates, and if four of the children married. I expect to fill in those blanks when I research Sarah’s life and events in her life,

[5] A currier is a person who prepares tanned hides or skins for use. Merriam-Webster

[6] A whitener is a person who bleaches cloth.

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Happy Birthday Deborah Buel!

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Don Taylor

Brown-Sanford-Parsons-Maben-Rowley-Buel Line

May 2

Today, I remember my 6th great-grandmother, Deborah Buel ROWLEY. She was born on 2 MAY 1763 in Amenia, Dutchess County, Province of New York.

Deborah married Wicks Weeks Rowley about 1783.

She died on 15 January 1845 in Lexington, Greene County, New York and was buried at the Lexington Village Cemetery

For more information on Deborah Buel Rowley see:

I know of no photos, paintings, or drawings of Deborah Buel ROWLEY. If you have an image of Deborah or know more about her life, I would love to hear from you. If she is your ancestor, I would love to share information with you. Please let me know how we are related using the form below.

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Manning Deep Dive – Part 2

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Don Taylor

Mannin(g)’s in Carter County during the 1880 Census.

Census Sunday
Brown-Mannin(g) Line
By Don Taylor

The first step in doing a Deep Dive is to confirm the use of my initial sources. The first items to review are items in Family Search for Carter County, including Biographies. It included a Book, Heritage of Carter County, Kentucky. I had not reviewed it. Also, it doesn’t appear to be available online. I contacted the Carter County Historical and Genealogical Society to see if they do lookups.

Next, there are four items under Cemeteries. None of the items listed there appear to be available remotely. However, I did look at Find-a-Grave and found several confusing and erroneous entries in the memorials. I hope that Census Records might help clear up some of my questions regarding those family units. I’ll return to it after I look at the Census records and Vital Records.

Third, are the US Census Records. Starting at the most recent and working back from the 1880 Census.

1880 Census – Carter County – Mannin(g)

There were 5 Mannin families, which included 37 entries. They are as follows:

Family 1 – Precinct 4, ED 15 – Page 4

All were born in Kentucky except for Elizabeth.

Tubal Mannin 50 Self (Head) Farmer (parents born in VA)
Elizabeth J. Mannin 44 Wife – Keeps House – Born VA
John L. Mannin 22 Son – Farm Laborer
Valandinghan Mannin 16 Son – Farm Laborer
James S. Mannin 14 Son – At Home
Sarah C. Mannin 10 Daughter
Amanda L. Mannin 7 Daughter
Willie Mannin 1 Son
Killie Mannin 1 Daughter – Twins

Tubal was my 4th great uncle.

Family 2 – Precinct 4, ED 15 – Page 17.

All were born in Kentucky.

Wm. C. Mannin 34 Self (Head) Farmer
Martha E. Mannin 30 Wife Keeping House
Alvin Mannin 10 Son
Montaville Mannin 9 Son
Silas Mannin 8 Son
Arminta Mannin 5 Daughter
Asbury Mannin 2 Son
William C. Mannin 7/12 Son

My relationship with William C Mannin is unknown.

Family 3 – Precinct 4, ED 15 – Page 17

All were born in Kentucky.

Thos. H. Mannin 52 Self (Head) – Farmer
Rachal Mannin 42 Wife – Keeping House
John J. Mannin 21 Son – Farmer
Samuel T. Mannin 19 Son – Farm Lr.
Mary D. Mannin 17 Daughter – at home
Zachariah W. Mannin 15 Son – Farm Lr.
Eliza F. Mannin 5 Daughter

Thomas H. Mannin is my 4th great uncle

Family 4 – Precinct 4, ED 15, Page 18

All were born in Kentucky.

Merideth A. Mannin 24 Self (Head) – Farmer
Sousan F. Mannin 25 Wife – Keeping House
Rachal E. Mannin 3 Daughter
Sarah M. Mannin 1 Daughter

My relationship with this Merideth Mannin is unknown.

Family 5a – Precinct 4, ED 15, Page 20[i]

All were born in Kentucky.

Enoch Mannin 57 Self (Head)
Manerva Mannin 59 Wife

Enoch and Manerva are my 3rd great-grandparents.

Family 5b – Precinct 4, ED 15, Page 20 – Same house as Enoch Mannin’s house

All were born in Kentucky.

Isaac Mannin 32 Self (Head) – Farmer
Tenisee Mannin 32 Wife – Keeping House
Sam Mc Kee Mannin 12 Son – At Home
Henry M. Mannin 9 Son
Frances P. Mannin 7 Son
James H. Mannin 5 Son
Phodeena Mannin 2/12 Daughter

Isaac Wilson Mannin is my 3rd great uncle.

I confirmed all Mannin’s in Carter County during the 1880 Census are in my database, and all appropriate facts are identified. However, there are two Mannin families, Merideth and William C., in the 1880 Census that I do not know how they relate to me. I suspect I’ll be able to determine that relationship when I review the 1870 and 1860 Censuses.

Endnotes

[i] In terms of indexing, Enoch and Manerva [sic] were enumerated without relationship to subsequent individuals but were listed as in the same household. From other research, I know that Enoch and Minerva were the parents of Isaac Mannin.

Posted in Brown-Montran, Censuses | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments