For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at five photos from the Donna Darling Collection
Donna Montran in a Canoe
This first photo is a photo of Donna. She is in a canoe and holding a canoe paddle. I’d guess she is in her mid to late 20s in the photo, making the photo about 1920 or so.
Donna Montran in a Cloche.
Again, obviously Donna. This photo was severely damaged and required considerable editing to get it this good. It appears she is wearing a scarf and a heavier coat. She looks in her 30s in this photo, so I’ll guess the image is from after 1925.
Unknown Woman in a Canoe – Possibly Donna.
Again, this photo was severely damaged and required editing. It appears to be a different canoe (the ribbing is different). The woman seems to be wearing a bathing cap, and her hair is wet. I think this is Donna, but I’m not 100% certain. Again, I’ll guess about 1920 or so.
Unknown Woman on Street– Probably Donna.
Again, I’m not 100% certain, but I think this is Donna again. Whoever it is, she’s looking fashionable standing next to a 20s vintage car.
Unknown couple in a Canoe.
Donna didn’t have many photos of other people in her collection, so I guess this couple was important to her. I don’t know the daredevils are, but I’ll keep a close lookout for potential candidates.
“Donna 100 years ago” reviews my grandmother’s vaudeville life. Madonna Montran, aka Donna Montran & Donna Darling, had an exciting career during the 1920s. A definite headliner, she crisscrossed the country with her many shows.
Since Donna’s show at the Chestnut Street Opera House in Sunbury, PA, she zig-zagged through three states. Her first stop was the Strand Theatre in Shamokin, PA, then the Place Theatre in Olean, NY. I don’t know where she played from February 16th to 18th. But then on to Wheeling, WV, and on again to New Castle, PA, and finally the Harris Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to play three days, February 27th to March 1st at the Harris Theater.
On Sunday, February 26th, 1922, the Pittsburgh Press reported the following:
HARRIS—Vaudeville
At the Harris theater this week the nine acts of popular priced vaudeville will be headed by “Donna Darling and Boys.” This offering is a revue in which Miss Darling will repeat portions of her many musical comedy successes. Another laugh act will be that ofRose and Ashton in an offering called “The Holdup.” Mark Twain’s two famous characters, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, will be portrayed by two young men in a singing and comedy offering, who are playing a repeat engagement at the earnest solicitations of numerous patrons. The Jameson Trio are funmakers of the new school type. A surprise act will be that of The Little Big Girl, making an initial appearance in Pittsburgh. Lew Hoffman is known as “The Mad Hatter.”
Along with the “article” was modest advertising for the show.
On Tuesday, February 28th, 1922, the Pittsburgh Press ran a follow-up article.
HARRIS—Vaudeville
Vaudeville at the Harris theater yesterday afternoon was headed by Miss Donna Darling and her dancing boys in an interesting offering of song and dance. The laugh hit of the bill was scored by Ross and Ashton in “The Surveyor.” Another comedy success was that of, The Big Little Girl.” Mark Twain’s famous characters Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer were portrayed by two young men in a most wholesome manner. The Jameson Trio, Polli Dassi I Co., in a comedy act. Lew Hoffman, The juggling pestor, Levine and Walters sensational gymnastics and a comedy screen feature “Table Steaks” completed the bill.
One hundred years ago, Donna finished up the month of February at the Harris Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
About the Harris Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
I immediately thought Harris Theater, Pittsburgh Press Paper, the theater must be in Pittsburgh.
Harris Northside Theatre opened as the William Penn Theater in 1914. It reopened as the Harris Northside Theater in 1943.[i]
Harris Theatre opened in 1931, was renamed the Art Cinema in 1935, and reopened as the Harris Theatre in 1995.[ii]
Neither of them appeared to be correct, so I expanded my search. There were 25 Harris Theaters in the United States; 15 in Pennsylvania. Besides the two identified above, there were the following:
Beechview (Harris) Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA – Opened in 1930.
Family Theatre, Pittsburgh, opened in 1908 as the Liberty Theatre, renamed Harris-Family Theatre in 1932.
Gateway Theatre, Pittsburgh, opened in 1891 and was renamed the J. P. Harris Theatre in 1942.
Harris Memorial Theater, McKeesport – Opened in 1929.
Harris Musee Theatre, McKeesport, PA – Exclusively films after 1905.
Harris Theatre, Donora, PA – Opened as the Grand Theatre in 1911 and renamed the Harris Theatre in 1930.
Harris Theatre, Dormont, PA – Opened in 1927.
Harris Theatre, McKeesport, PA – Opened in 1908 and renamed Harris Theatre in 1920. – McKeesport is about 16 miles southeast of Pittsburgh and is possibly the correct theatre.
Harris Theatre, Pittsburgh, opened in 1911 renamed Casino Burlesk Theatre in 1936. Possible, but appears to have switched to burlesque.
Harris-Denis Theatre, Mount Lebanon, PA – Opened in 1938.
Harris-Dubois Theatre, DuBois, PA – Opened in 1937.
Harris-Perry Theatre opened in 1938.
Nixon Theater, Pittsburgh, opened in 1913 as the Victoria Theatre, became the Sam Shubert Theater about 1920, and became the Harris Senator Theatre sometime in the 1940s.
Thanks to comments from Kevin Koontz (see below), I learned #9. Harris Theatre, Pittsburgh, is likely the correct theatre.
Finally, several comments indicate that the Mount Oliver Theatre was once known as the Harris Theatre because of the owner.
The 1921 Julius Cahn—Gus Hill Theatrical Guide and Moving Picture Directory lists the Harris Theatre, managed by C. H. Preston, in Pittsburgh, but there is no information about the theatre. Finally, several of the Julius Cahn guides indicate there was a Harris Theatre in Pittsburgh, but either no info is given about the theatre, or there is mention that the theatre failed to respond to queries regarding their statistics or specifications.
So, I’m not confident regarding which Harris Theatre Donna played at 100 years ago today.
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 unite the photos with family members, some of whom may have never seen the image.
Eleanor Kane, circa 1934
This negative envelope says, “Miss Eleanor Kane, 17 Bradford St #417.”
Eleanor Kane, circa 1934
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1937 and 1938 Portland City Directories indicate that George W Butts lived at 17 Bradford St.
The 1936 Portland City Directory indicates that Ralph V. Cox lived at 17 Bradford St.
The 1934 Portland City Directory indicates that 17 Bradford St. Was vacant.
The 1933 Portland City Directory lists Coleman J Kane, Jr. and his wife Ella M. lived at 17 Bradford.
Various Ancestry family trees indicate that Eleanor Barbara Kane, the daughter of Coleman and Ella Kane, was born on 25 Aug 1920.
This photo was taken about 1934 before the Kane family moved from Bradford Street.
Ancestry has 19 public trees that refer to Eleanor. FamilySearch has a profile for Eleanor, So I have uploaded a photo of her to profile LBPV-KX9.
Confirmed to be Eleanor Kane by a close family member.
John Gerald Kane, circa 1936
This negative envelope says, “ Mr. John Kane, 36 Waterville St #591.”
John Gerald Kane, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists John G Kane residing at 36 Waterville. There is also a John F and his wife Alice M, living at 36 Waterville. There are also three additional John J Kane’s listed.
The 1930 US Census lists John F Kane, his wife Alice, and his 16-year-old son living at 36 Waterville.
I am sure this photo is of John Gerald Kane, the son of John F and Alice M Kane, about 1936 when John was about 22 years old.
Ancestry has four public trees that refer to John Gerald Kane, born 18 Dec 1913. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for John Kane, born 18 Dec 1913, so I have added his photo to Dead Fred and a second photo of him to my Flickr photostream.
A nephew said, “It sure looks like him.”
Eva Karantza, circa 1935
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Eva Karantza, 136 Cumberland Ave #243.”
Eva Karantza, circa 1935
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory places Eva Karantza at 136 Cumberland Ave. Also living at 136 Cumberland are Albert, James, John D, John’s wife Elizabeth N, and Theresa.
The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that the Karantza family moved to 3 Elmwood Place.
The 1930 US Census enumerated John and Alice Karantza and their ten children, including 12-year-old Eva, at 8 Riverside Street, Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts.
This photo is of Eva about 1935 before the family moved from Cumberland Avenue.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. J.C. Kane, 16 Lucas St, #1057.”
James Richard Kane, circa 1937 (Age 6)
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists James C and his wife Isabelle T Kane living at 16 Lucas.
The 1940 US Census lists James Karl Kane, his wife Isabelle, and his son James Richard Kane living at 861 Brighton. James is eight years old.
James Richard Kane, son of James Carlos “Karl” and Isabelle Blackmore (Testa) Kane, appears in one Ancestry Family Tree. He was born 5 October 1931 in Lewiston, Androscoggin, Maine.
Family Search identifies James Richard Kane, son of James Carlos and Isabelle B. (Testa) Kane, as ID GW83-TZP, and I uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search Memories.
Teresa/Tacea Kapsemalis, c. 1936
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Thresa Kapsemalis, 291 Brackett #400.”
Teresa/Tacea Kapsemalis, c. 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists four individuals with the Kapsemales surname all living at 291 Bracket. They include:
Charles C. is a clerk at 387 Congress.
John, and his wife Maxine, who is a shoeshiner at 601½ Congress
Teresa M, a clerk at 387 Congress.
The 1930 US Census lists John and Mata Kapsemales living with their children Charles, Tacea, and Thomas. Tacea was born about 1914 in Massachusetts.
The 1938 Portland City Directory indicates that Teresa married Albert J Karantza and moved to Brunswick.
Maine Marriage Index, 1892-1996 indicates Theresa Kapsemales married Albert J Karantza on 11 Jul 1937. It appears that Albert J Karantza is the sister of Eva Karantza identified above.
Tacea Kapsemales, daughter of John and Mata Kapsemales, who married Albert Karantza, is identified in three Ancestry public trees. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Teresa/Tacea; however, her father, mother, and brother, Charles, do have Family Search Profiles.
I fully identified all five Three of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories.
Two did not have a Family Search profile but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted their images to Dead Fred.
Notes
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 are a higher image quality than the images posted 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.
Following families in the early census records is always tricky, and when a census’s information is entirely unexpected, it makes things difficult. During my review of the life of 3rd great-grandfather, William Lister, I realized that I had William in a different location and with a different family than many other researchers.
William Lister and Nancy Strain married on 17 June 1822 in Highland County, Ohio.[i] William was 29, and Nancy was about 15. Their first child, my second great-grandfather Nimrod, was born between 1824 and 1827 in Pickaway County, Ohio. Their second child was Sarah, who was born about 1831 and wouldn’t have been enumerated in the 1830 Census.
1830 Census – Pickaway County
My finding for William Lister placed him in Walnut Township, Pickaway County. The entry reads:
Males Under 5 1 [Presumed to be Nimrod, age 3 to 6.]
Males 20 thru 29 1 [Presumed to be William. Age 37]
Females 10 thru 14 1 [Unknown Female]
Females 20 thru 29 1 [Presumed to be William’s Wife, age 23.]
I figured William’s age was incorrect in the Census, and the unknown female was probably a sibling of either William or his wife. Possibly the daughter of a previous wife as William would have been between 23 and 27 when the unknown female was born. However, I have not seen any other evidence of a daughter this age, so I just considered her an “unknown female.”
1830 – Ross County
Many researchers find Wm Lister in Deerfield, Ross County. That entry reads:
Males under 5 1 [Presumed to be Nimrod, age 3 to 6.]
Males 10 thru 14 1 [Unknown male]
Males 15 thru 19 1 [Unknown male]
Males 30 thru 39 1 [Presumed to be William, age 37]
Females under 5 1 [Possibly Sarah, age 0]
Females 20 to 29 1 [Presumed to be wife, Nancy, age 23]
Deerfield township is about 180 miles from Monroe Township, whereas Walnut Township is about 45 miles from Monroe Township. Monroe Township is where William lived when his son William Marcus was born in 1832. In this case, William, Nancy, and Nimrod are enumerated and are the correct age.
1840 – Pickaway County
I haven’t found William Lister in the 1840 Census in Pickaway County. An Aaron Lister and an Eliza (or Elza) Lister live in Pickaway County. Neither household consists of a family that fits William Lister and his family.
Female 10 thru 14 1 [Possibly Sarah, age about 10]
Female 20 thru 19 1 [Unknown female]
Female 30 thru 19 1 [Nancy age 33]
So, all of the known Lister family unit individuals living in 1840 can be accounted for in this enumeration. There are some unknown people who might be anyone; lodgers, nieces, or nephews are all possible.
Sadly, Nancy died in 1844, William remarried in 1846, then died in 1848. It is clear the household was dispersed by the 1850 Census.
I also noted there were no changes in the boundaries of Pickaway between its creation in 1810 and 1843 when “Pickaway lost small area in the town of Adelphi to Ross County.”[v]
Conclusion
I don’t have enough evidence to prove to me which William Lister in the 1830 census is my 3rd great-grandfather. It could be the Ross County or the Pickaway County William Lister. To ascertain which is which, I think I’ll try a study of his 1830s Pickaway neighbors and see where they were and who their neighbors were in 1840. If needed, I’ll also try to review property transactions in Pickaway County from 1830 thru 1848 for William.
Endnotes:
[i] Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016, Family Search, Highland County Marriage Records 1821-1837, vol 1-2, Page 180 – #600 – William Sister [Lister] & Nancy Strain – Issued 17 June 1822. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZZ5F-7T6Z.
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.
Margaret B Jones, circa 1936
The envelope this negative was in says, “Margaret Jones ℅ Mrs. E. W. Jones, 390 Cumberland Ave, #916.”
Margaret B Jones, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1937 Portland City Directory indicates that 390 Cumberland was home to Cumberland Ave Market Grocery, Leonidas Nicholas, Lawrence L Dow, and My Lunch.
The 1940 US Census lists 51-year0old Everett W Jones, his 46-year-old wife, Margaret, and his daughter, 23-year-old Margaret Jones, living at 20 Eastwalk in Cape Elizabeth. Everet was the proprietor at a Poultry Farm. Daughter, Margaret V., was a 23-year-old Private Nurse. In 1935 they lived in Portland.
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Everett W Jones as the proprietor of the Kenmore Café at 106 Oak and 147 Commercial.
The 1930 US Census lists 41-year-old Everett W Jones, his 35-year-old wife, Margaret, and his 13-year-old daughter Margaret B in Hartford, Connecticut.
My review of Ancestry family trees suggests that this is Margaret B Jones, born about 1917 in Maine, the daughter of Everett Wilbur Jones and Margaret Jacques.
Ancestry has two public trees that refer to Margaret B Jones. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Margaret, so I have added her photo to Dead Fred.
Althea Jordan, nurse, circa 1936
This negative envelope says, “Miss Althea Jordan, ME Gen. Hospital #238.”
Althea Jordan, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Althea Jordan as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Althea as a supervisor at 22 Arsenal.
The 1938 Portland City Directory indicates Althea married Thurlow D Poland.
A review of Ancestry family trees suggests this is Althea Mae Jordan, born 28 October 1914 in New Hampshire and who married Thurlow D Poland on 29 May 1937.
I believe this to be a photo of Althea about 1936, when she graduated from nursing school.
Ancestry has 29 public trees that refer to Althea. Family Search has a profile for Althea, so I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search profile: GHYK-2Q2.
Nurse Bertha Joyal, circa 1936
This negative envelope says, “Miss Bertha Joyal, Children’s Hospital #760.”
Nurse Bertha Joyal, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
There were three Bertha Joyal’s listed in the 1930 US Census.
New Hampshire’s Bertha A Joyal, the 21-year-old daughter of Thomas and Delvina Joyal.
Rhode Island’s Bertha Joyal, the 28-year-old wife of Paul Joyal.
Rhode Island’s Bertha Joyal, the 38-year-old daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth Joyal.
There were four Bertha Joyal’s listed in the 1940 US Census.
New Hampshire’s Bertha A Joyal, the 31-year-old daughter of Thomas and Cleoma Joyal. Bertha works as a Nurse.
Rhode Island’s Bertha Joyal, the 38-year-old wife of Paul Joyal.
Rhode Island’s Bertha Joyal, the 36-year-old daughter of Joseph Joyal.
Massachusetts’ Bertha B Joyal, the 29-year-old maid in the James T Cronk household in Granby, Hampshire County.
Nurse Bertha Joyal appears in the 1934 and 1936 Biddeford City Directories living and working at Webber Hospital.
There was a Bertha E. Joyal who lived in Somersworth, NH, in 1936 and was a student.
I believe that the Bertha Joyal in this photograph is the daughter of Thomas and Delvina Joyal of Somersworth, NH taken about 1935.
Ancestry has NO public trees that refer to Bertha; however, Family Search has a profile for Bertha A Joyal, the daughter of Thomas and Marie Elmire Delvina (Couture) Joyal. So, I have uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search profile, L16K-SLZ.
Rosalind May Kaler (Student Nurse), circa 1937.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Rosalind Kaler, State St. Hospital #862.”
Rosalind May Kaler (Student Nurse), circa 1937.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Rosalind Kalor, a student nurse at 62 State (State Street Hospital) and residing at 52 State. Rosalind does not appear in the 1937 Directory.
Maine Marriage Index indicates that Rosalind M Kaler married John Newbig on 10 April 1937. She was from Waldoboro, Maine.
Maine Birth Records indicate Rosalind M Kaler was born 20 Feb 1913 in Waldoboro, Lincoln County, Maine.
This photo is of Rosalind E Kaler, the daughter of Walter E. and Mary (Cheney) Kaler, about 1937 before she married John Newbig.
Ancestry has 25 public trees that refer to Rosalind May Kaler. Family Search has a profile for Rosalind M. Kaler, born 20 February 1913, so I uploaded her photo to profile KT49-1RJ Family Search Memories.
Confirmed to be Rosalind by a granddaughter.
Elsie (née Munro) Jones and her two sons, Hollis, Jr. and Gordon, circa 1936
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. H.W. Jones, 26 Brentwood St #808.”
Elsie (née Munro) Jones and her two sons, Hollis, Jr. and Gordon, circa 1936
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Hollis W and his wife Elsie N, Jones residing at 26 Brentwood.
The 1940 US Census lists Elsie N Jones living at 26 Brentwood with her two sons, 14-year-old Hollis Jr., and nine-year-old Gordon.
This is a photo of Elsie with her two boys about 1936 when Elsie was about 39, Hollis was about 10, and Gordon was about five years old.
Ancestry has two public trees that refer to Hollis Willard Jones, born 1925. Although his parents do, Hollis, Jr. does not appear to have a Family Search profile. Gordon does not appear in any Ancestry Public Trees, nor does he have a Family Search profile.
Conclusion
I fully identified all seven of the individuals in these photos. Four of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Two individuals did not have Family Search profiles; however, the photo was with their mother, which I did post to Family Search. Finally, I identified one individual that did not have a Family Search profile but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted her image to Dead Fred.
For all of the Ethel Wight Collection analysis, please see here.
Final Note
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.
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.
Again, obviously Donna. This photo was severely damaged and required considerable editing to get it this good. It appears she is wearing a scarf and a heavier coat. She looks in her 30s in this photo, so I’ll guess the image is from after 1925.
Again, this photo was severely damaged and required editing. It appears to be a different canoe (the ribbing is different). The woman seems to be wearing a bathing cap, and her hair is wet. I think this is Donna, but I’m not 100% certain. Again, I’ll guess about 1920 or so.
Again, I’m not 100% certain, but I think this is Donna again. Whoever it is, she’s looking fashionable standing next to a 20s vintage car.
Donna didn’t have many photos of other people in her collection, so I guess this couple was important to her. I don’t know the daredevils are, but I’ll keep a close lookout for potential candidates.
“Donna 100 years ago” reviews my grandmother’s vaudeville life. Madonna Montran, aka Donna Montran & Donna Darling, had an exciting career during the 1920s. A definite headliner, she crisscrossed the country with her many shows.
