Ethel Wight Collection – Part 66

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Don Taylor

Jackson, Jarvis, Jensen, Johndro, & Johnson

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] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Beatrice Harriet Johndro, circa 1937.

The envelope this negative was in says, Miss Beatrice Johndro, St. Barnabas Hospital #529.”

Beatrice Harriet Johndro, circa 1937.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Beatrice Johndro as a student nurse at 231 Woodford (St. Barnabas Hospital) and residing at 20 Norwood.
  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Beatrice Johndro as a supervisor at 231 Woodford and residing at 168 Neal apt 6.
  • Beatrice H Johndro married Floyd Vankenren on 1 Aug 1938.
  • Ancestry Public Trees suggest that Beatrice Harriet Johndro, who married Floyd Decker Van Keuren, Jr, was born on 5 Aug 1915.

This photo is of Beatrice about 1937, while a student at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Ancestry has 26 public trees that refer to Beatrice Harriet Johndro. Family Search has a profile for Beatrice. So, I uploaded two photos of her to profile L5NX-7K6’s Family Search Memories.

Florence Johnson, circa 1937

This negative envelope says, “Miss Florence Johnson, 12 Wescott St #1108.”

How I searched, unsuccessfully:

    • Florence Johnson, circa 1937

      The 1935 Portland City Directory lists four Florence Johnsons.

      • Florence A. residing at 53 Wilmot
      • Florence L. residing at 104 North
      • Florence M. residing at 7 Davis
      • Florence N. residing at 120 Free.
      • There are also several more Florence Johnsons who are married or are widowed.
      • Living at 12 Wescott Street are Wallace H Burrows and Mrs. Annie M McDuffle.
    • The 1936 Portland City Directory available at Ancestry is missing pages 472-474, which would include the listings for Florence Johnson. However, it does indicate that John H. Johnson is living at 12 Wescott.
    • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists John H and Nellie R living at 628 Main South Portland. There are two (Miss) Florence Johnsons listed:
      • Florence A residing 53 Wilmot
      • Florence M residing at 7 Davis
      • There are several other married or widowed Florences.
    • The 1940 Census lists John H and Nellie R Johnson still living at 628 Maine, South Portland. They are 75 and 74 years old, and John was born in Maine while Nellie was born in Massachusetts.
    • The 1930 Census lists John H and Nellie at 628 Main Street. As they lived there in both 1930 and 1940, I don’t believe this John H Johnson is the same as the one who lived at 12 Wescot in 1936.
    • Based upon the Photo ID number (1108), the photo was probably taken about 1937. The woman in the picture appears to be in her early 20s, so I believe Florence was probably born between 1913 and 1917.

I believe this is Florence Johnson, who lived in Portland, Maine, about 1936.

Unable to fully identify which Florence Johnson this is, I have added her photo to Dead Fred. I also uploaded one additional photo of her to my Flickr photostream. 

Mildred Evelyn Jarvis, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Mildred Jarvis – Children’s Hosp. #654.”

Mildred Evelyn Jarvis, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Mildred E Jarvis, a student nurse at 218 State (Queen’s Hospital), residing at 681 Congress Street.
  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Mildred E Jarvis, a nurse residing at 681 Congress Street, suggesting she graduated from nursing school in 1936.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Mildred Jarvis, age 24, born in Vermont, who lived in Portland, Maine in 1935 but lived in Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York, and was a Registered Nurse at St. Francis Hospital.
  • A 1942 Marriage announcement of Thelma Jarvis in the Springfield (Vermont) Reporter indicates that Mildred was the maid of honor. The two were sisters, and their parents were Mr. and Mrs. Edlor Jarvis.
  • Ancestry public trees suggest this is Mildred Evelyn Jarvis (Gervais), born 9 Feb 1915 in Springfield, Windsor County, Vermont.

So, I believe this photo to be of Mildred Jarvis, born 9 Feb 1915.

Ancestry has eight public trees that refer to Mildred Jarvis, daughter of Edlor and Anna Jarvis. Family Search has a profile for Mildred, so I  have uploaded two photos of her to profile ID: G9L7-8CQ Family Search Memories. 

Dana & Stewart Jackson, circa 1937

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. W. J. Jackson, 43 Maine Ave. #1044.”

Dana & Stewart Jackson, circa 1937

Why I believe this to be these individuals.

    • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Winthrop J and Mary W Jackson living at 43 Maine.
    • The 1940 US Census lists Winthrop and Mary Jackson living at 43 Maine and their three sons, Dana (age 7), Stewart W (age 5), and Robert W (age 3), living with them.
    • Ancestry family trees suggest that Dana Winthrop Jackson was born 19 Aug 1933

Ancestry has two public trees that refer to Dana Winthrop Jackson. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Dana Winthrop Jackson, so I have added his photo to Dead Fred.

Neither Ancestry nor Family Search have trees that refer to Stewart W Jackson, son of Winthrop and Mary, born about 1935. I uploaded the photo showing him and his brother Dana to Dead Fred. 

Delores Jensen, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Robert Jensen, 38 Greenleaf St #448.”

Delores Jensen, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Robert Jensen, and his wife Dorothy M, as a painter residing at 38 Greenleaf, Apt 4.
  • The 1940 Census lists Robert and Dorothy M. Jensen living at 9 May Street. Robert was born in New Hampshire; Dorothy was born in Canada. Living with them are two sons, Donald (age 11) and Robert (age 10) and two daughters, Dolores D (age 9) and Myrtle M. (age 8)

This photo appears to be of a girl about five years of age. Based upon the Photo ID number (#448), the picture was likely taken about 1935, when Delores was about four and Myrtle was about 3. The girl in this photo appears to be about 4 or 5, so I believe this is a photo of Delores. However, there is a possibility that this is a photo of her sister Myrtle.

Neither Ancestry nor Family Search have trees that refer to Delores D Jensen, daughter of Robert and Dorothy Margaret (Hayman) Jensen, born about 1935. However, her father, Robert Jensen, appears in 46 Public Trees. I uploaded the photo of Delores to Dead Fred. 

Conclusion

  • I identified four of five Two of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • I identified two individuals that did not have Family Search profiles but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted their images to Dead Fred.
  • There was one individual that did not identify enough to determine who she was other than the name. I uploaded her photos here and to my Flickr Photostream.

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.

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

Ancestor Sketch – Samson Clark Amsterdam

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Don Taylor

Brown-Montran Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.[Growing up, I knew I had an Uncle Russ and that he was the child of Donna and her husband, Sammy Clark Amsterdam. I never knew that Sammy was my grandmother’s third husband. My mom and her brother, Russell, never knew Donna was married before Sammy until I discovered that in my genealogy work. It was a surprise to both of them when I found evidence of the two previous marriages. This week I’m looking at Sammy Amsterdam. He was the father of Russell and the “father of record” of my mother. My grandmother and Sammy stayed married after my grandmother was pregnant (by Dick Brown) to “give the child a name” and then quietly divorced. Such was the way of show-business marriages in the 1930s. Sammy is one of the few people I know of who served in both World Wars.]

Roberts/Brown – Ancestor #6-S3[1]

List of Maternal Grandparents

    • Grandmother: Madonna Mae Montran (1893-1976)
      • 1st husband of Madonna: Chester Fenyvessey
      • 2nd husband of Madonna: Thomas Valentine Rooney
      • 3rd husband of Madonna: Samson Clark Amsterdam
      • (Not Married) Richard Earl Brown
      • (Significant Other) Russell Harrison Kees

Samson Clark Amsterdam (1898-1979)

Samson is found at Family Search as profile G93G-W2Y, Find-a-Grave, Memorial 54396367, and my Ancestry Tree.

Birth

Samson Clark Amsterdam was born on 20 July 1898 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, the first child of Saul and Sarah (Gottlieb) Amsterdam. It was during the peak of the Spanish-American war. The United States was mobilizing troops to send to Puerto Rico.

Children of Saul and Sarah (Gottleib) Amsterdam—(Siblings)

Name Born Married Died
Samson 20 July 1898 Madonna Montran
Elvie Bolton		 13 April 1979
Evelyn 3 December 1901 Al Wise
Sammy Rodvien		 8 August 2001
Elias 2 August 1905 Madelyn (LNU) 15 May 1989
Harold 12 August 1914 Ann (LNU) 7 June 1996
Bernard 12 August 1914 Doris Westbay 28 September 1975

1900s

The 1900 Census found two-year-old “Samuel[2]” living with his parents at 263 Division Street in Manhattan. Living with them are his grandparents, Leo & Yetta Amsterdam. Also living with them is Sammy’s uncle Abraham Reuben.

The 1905 New York Census finds the Amsterdam family living at 207 Madison Street. “Sol” works in Real Estate. The household consists of his parents, a younger sister (“Evia”), and 53-year-old “Sarra” (Sarah) Gottlieb. Although listed as a “Boarder,” Gottlieb is Saul’s wife’s maiden name. As such, she must be related. It is unclear if this is Sarah’s mother or an aunt.

1910s

The 1910 Census shows that the Amsterdam family moved to 1433 50th in Brooklyn. Saul was still in real estate (a broker now). Besides four-year-old “Eli,” Sarah’s mother, Rebecca Gottlieb, lived with them. Additionally, they had a servant living with them. Sarah’s three children were living, and Rebecca’s seven children were all alive in 1910.

The 1915 New York Census shows the Amsterdam family still at 1433 50th in Brooklyn. It documents the twins Herald and Bernard. Sarah’s mother, Rebecca Gottlieb, is still living with them. A new servant, Sadie Burcheska, is living with them. Samson is attending high school; Evelyn and Elias are also in school.

Military Service

On 2 May 1917, Samson enlisted in the Regular Army at Fort Slocum, Winchester County, New York. On 18 November 1917, Samson was discharged from the Regular Army to enlist in the ERC—Enlisted Reserve Corps (now the U.S. Army Reserves). Samson was supposed to ship out on 26 November 1917 aboard the USS Aeolus (ID-3005); however, his name was stricken from the ship’s manifest. Instead, he remained stateside with the Medical Detachment of the 503rd Engineers. He was stationed at the Post Hospital, Fort Hamilton, NY, from October 1918 until January 1919, and stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, from 28 January 1919 until his discharge on 5 June 1919.

1920s

I have been unsuccessful in finding Sammy in the 1920 Census, but the 1925 New York Census found him back home with his parents and three brothers, now at 86 Halsey Street. His occupation is listed as “Theatrical.” The building at 86 Halsey is still standing.

In March and April of 1926, Donna was doing her “Donna Darling’s Little Jewel Revue” in Michigan, Upstate New York, West Virginia, and Brooklyn. So, it must have been a whirlwind romance because Sammy and Donna married on 19 April 1926 in Manhattan. The two started the Donna Darling Revue with Sammy Clark the first week of May.

Marriage 1 – Madonna Mae Montran (aka Donna Darling)

Children of Samson and Madonna (Montran) Amsterdam

Name Born Married Died
Russell Erwin Amsterdam [Kees][3] Aug 1927 Delphine Ann Sieradski 2016
Sammy, Russell, & Donna at the Beach, circa 1928.

Sammy, Russell, & Donna at the Beach, circa 1928.

Sammy and Donna took their vaudeville show across the country. They played in New York, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, & Iowa, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, with stops in Ontario before returning to ending the show in July 1927, just eight weeks before Russell was born.

It appears that Sammy and Donna took off for several months but restarted the Donna Darling and Sammy Clark show in April 1928.

In 1929 Sammy and Donna went to Panama, where they worked.

1930s

Something happened between Sammy and Donna in Panama as they left the country estranged. The passenger list for their return in April 1930[4] shows them in different cabins and indicates Donna going home to her mother’s address in Detroit and Sammy going home to his mother’s address in New York. I have found no evidence they ever were together again.

In 1939 Sammy traveled to Cuba and returned.

1940s

I have not found Sammy in the 1940 Census. However, from May to July 1940, Sammy lived in Chicago, where he was initiated, passed, and raised as a Master Mason in the Henry Horner Lodge #402 in Illinois.

Military Service Again

By February 1942, Sammy had located to Odessa, Ector County, Texas. He lived at 613 W 9th Street and worked at a nightclub, the Village Barn, when he registered for the draft. He enlisted that following October in the Army Air Corps. His marital status was “divorced, without dependents.”

1950s

In May 1950, Sammy and his mother Sarah took a month-long trip to Europe. They sailed aboard the RMS Queen Mary to Cherbourg, France, and returned aboard the RMS Caronia in June 1950. Sammy’s address was 540 West Avenue, Miami Beach. Today, that address is a modern (built in 2005), luxury, high-rise condo, known as Bentley Bay North.

Marriage 2 – Elvie (Bolton) Anderson

In 1951 Sammy married Elvie (Bolton) Anderson in Dade County, Florida.

During the 1950s, Sammy had a theatrical booking agency in Miami Beach on Collins Ave. His home address was 6295 SW 116th Street.[5]

Death/Burial

Sammy lived in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, when he died on 13 April 1979. He is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Macon

Events by Location

  • Florida, Dade                                  Marriage 2 (1951)
  • Florida, Dade, Miami Beach     1950
  • Florida, Dade, Miami                   1954-1955
  • Georgia, Bibb, Macon                  1979 & Death
  • Illinois, Cook, Chicago                 1940
  • New York, Brooklyn                      Birth, 1910-1915, 1925, 1930,
  • New York, Manhattan                  1900-1905, Marriage 1 (1926)
  • New Jersey, Camp Merritt          Military Service – 1917-1919
  • Texas, Ector, Odessa                     1942
  • Texas, Lubbock, Lubbock           Military Service 1942-1945
  • Panama                                               1929-1930

Conflicts

Do not confuse Samson Clark Amsterdam with Sam Amsterdam, born 26 December 1899 in Manhattan, New York, the son of Gerry Amsterdam, or Sam Amsterdam, born 26 November 1899 in Manhattan, New York.

Sources

  • 1900 Census (F.S.), Family Search, 1900 – Saul Amsterdam – Head. “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSJG-W37 : accessed 19 January 2022), Saul Amsterdam, Borough of Manhattan, Election District 13 New York City Ward 4, New York County, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (E.D.) 80, sheet 20A, family 347, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,084.
  • 1910 Census (F.S.), Family Search, 1910 – Saul Amsterdam – Head – Brooklyn, New York.
  • City Directory (A), Ancestry.Com, Miami, Florida – 1955 – Page 42 – Amsterdam. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 –Miami, Florida, City Directory, 1955 – Image 23 of 414.
  • Find a Grave, Find a Grave, Sammy Amsterdam (1898-1979) – No Image. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54396367/sammy-amsterdam : accessed 26 January 2022), memorial page for Sammy Amsterdam (20 July 1898–13 April 1979), Find a Grave Memorial ID 54396367, citing Riverside Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by David Hutchins Israel (contributor 47406641).
  • Florida, U.S., Marriage Indexes, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001, Ancestry, Sampson Amsterdam – Elvie Anderson – 1951. Ancestry.com. Florida, U.S., Marriage Indexes, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
  • Masonic Record – Samson Amsterdam – ID 321333.
  • New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940, Family Search, Marriage: Samson Amsterdam & Madonna Montana – 19 April 1926. “New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:247L-21S : 10 February 2018), Ida Barber in the entry for Samson Amsterdam and Madonna Montran, 19 April 1926; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,643,705. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:247L-21S.
  • New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957, Family Search, Amsterdam, Samson – Amsterdam, Sarah. “New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24TN-7NP : 2 March 2021), Samson Amsterdam, 1950; citing Immigration, New York City, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937, Ancestry, Samson New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937 – Amsterdam – Madonna Montran – 19 April 1926 – (No Image).
  • New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957, Ancestry, Samson Amsterdam – Arrival 8 April 1930 to New York 8 April 1930. Year: 1930; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Line: 1; Page Number: 82.
  • New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957, Ancestry, Year: 1939; Arrival:,; Microfilm serial: T715; Microfilm roll:
  • New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: A.D. 04 E.D. 11; City: Manhattan; County: New York; Page: 58
  • New York, U.S., State Census, 1915, Ancestry, Saul Amsterdam, Head. New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 44; Assembly District: 16; City: New York; County: Kings; Page: 21.
  • New York, U.S., State Census, 1925, Ancestry, Saul Amsterdam, Head. New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1925; Election District: 26; Assembly District: 17; City: Brooklyn; County: Kings; Page: 22.
  • S., Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917-1919, Ancestry, New York – Samson Amsterdam. Original data: New York State Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917–1919. Adjutant General’s Office. Series B0808. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
  • S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939,
  • The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 363.
  • S., Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1914-1966, Ancestry, Samson Amsterdam, Departs New York, 9 May 1950 aboard the Queen Mary. Sarah Amsterdam, Departs New York, 9 May 1950 aboard the Queen Mary. The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Series Title: Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels and Airplanes Departing from New York, New York, 07/01/1948-12/31/1956; NAI Number: 3335533; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: A4169; NARA Roll Number: 74.
  • S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.Com, Probably. Number: 468-09-2273; Issue State: Minnesota; Issue Date: Before 1951.
  • S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Ancestry.Com, Number: 350-09-2088; Issue State: Illinois; Issue Date: Before 1951.
  • S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, Ancestry, Samson Amsterdam (No Image). National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 00241; Reel: 24.
  • S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 (National Archives), Ancestry.Com, Sam Amsterdam. National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Texas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service
  • United Kingdom, Outgoing Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, Family Search, Samson Amsterdam – Departed England 2 June 1950. Image at Find My Past.Com. “United Kingdom, Outgoing Passenger Lists, 1890-1960”, database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:68PV-B8K1 : 28 October 2021), Samson Amsterdam, 1950.
  • United States Social Security Death Index, Family Search, Social Security Number: 350-09-2088; Issue State: Illinois; Issue Date: Before 1951.

Endnotes

[1] My own numbering system. Ancestor #6 would be the biological maternal grandfather. The I use the “S” to indicate a step-father and the “3” to indicate it is the 3rd stepfather.

[2] Samson is listed as Sampson, Samuel, and Sammy in different documents and are interchangeable in this document. (I try to use the name used in the source document.)

[3] Born Amsterdam, Russell used the surname Kees through most of his life.

[4] Sammy was aboard the S.S. Columbia between Panama and New York during the 1930 Census and is not listed there.

[5] Per Zillow, the home currently at 6295 SW 116th St. was built in 1998.

Posted in Montran Project, Donna Darling and Sammy Clark Revue | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Donna 100 Years ago – Majestic Theatre, Elmira, New York

Posted on January 29, 2022 by Don Taylor

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.“Donna 100 years ago” is my reporting items relating to my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and aka Donna Darling). Hers was the exciting world of 1920s vaudeville. She crisscrossed the country with her many shows.

This week, from her original newspaper clippings, two items that placed her at the Majestic Theatre, in Elmira.

First, a clipping mentioning Majestic: Follow the Arrow (to) Keith Vaudeville. Besides Donna Darling and Boys – Elaborate Presentation of Songs and Dances are

  • “At the Party” – An Original revue of the Sunny South—Colonial settings Quaint Costumes
  • Manuel Romain’s “That Trio” – Vaudeville’s Sweetest Singers
  • Hunniford – Ventriloquist with a Production
  • Jean & White – In “Dance Varieties” and
  • Conway Tearle in “Bucking the Tiger”

Finally was a small clipping that mentions

ELMIRA

(First Half) – Jean & White – Hunniford – Donna Darling Co. – Manuel Romaine Co. – At the Party.

None of the clippings had dates nor did any mention the state the theatre was located in.[i]

I was pretty sure this bill was from 1922 and Elmira, New York. Then I found an article on Page 19 of the January 29, 1942, Elmira Star-Gazette, which read,

In Elmira Theaters 20 Years Ago

MAJESTIC—“Bucking the Tiger” with Conrad Tearle and Keith Vaudeville featuring “At the Party” revue. Manuel Romain’s “That Trio,” Donna Darling and Boys, and Ventriloquist Hunniford and Jean and White.

Finally, advertisements in the Star-Gazette on January 28, 30, & 31 showed the same program would play at the Majestic on January 29th, 30th, & 31st (Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday). The ad also used the same “Follow the Arrow” in the advertisement.

Conclusion

One hundred years ago, Donna’s  vaudeville act, “Donna Darling & Boys,” played at the Majestic Theatre in Elmira, New York.

Endnotes

[i] There are seven Elmira’s in the United States and two in Canada.

Posted in Donna Darling & Boys (1922), Vaudeville | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 65

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ilsley, Iverson, Jackson, (née McCracken) Quattrucci

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] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Geneve Harriett Iverson, circa 1937.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Geneva Iverson, Me Gen Hospital #669.”

Geneve Harriett Iverson, circa 1937

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Geneva Iverson, a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
  • The 1934 Portland High School Yearbook lists Geneve Harriette Iverson “Snooie” as a senior whose “College Preference” was the Maine General School of Nursing.
  • The 1930 US Census lists Geneve H Iverson as the 14-year-old adoptive daughter of Iver H. and Marie B. Iverson. Geneve was born in Massachusetts. The family lived at 92 Bedford Street.

I am confident this is Geneive Harriet Iverson, born 25 Feb 1916 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, taken about 1937 when she was graduating from nursing school.

Ancestry has 37 public trees that refer to Geneive Harriet Iverson. Family Search has a profile for Geneve Harriett Iverson. So, I have uploaded two photos of her to profile ID: LR9H-WHR Family Search Memories.

Vivian M Jackson, circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Vivian Jackson, 556 Forest Ave #996.”

Vivian M Jackson, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Vivian M Jackson, residing at 556 Forest Ave.
    • The 1934 Deering High School yearbook lists Vivian M. Jackson, who was involved with Red Cross in her freshman year.
    • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Vivian M Jackson as a student nurse at 231 Woodford and residing at 20 Norwood.
    • Maine Marriage Index, 1892-1996, indicates that Vivian M Jackson married Carleton W Cole on 11 Nov 1937.

I am sure this photo is of Vivian M Jackson about 1936 when she graduated from nursing school and before she married Carleton Cole.

Ancestry has seven public trees that refer to Vivian M. Jackson. Family Search has a profile for Vivian M Jackson, so I uploaded two photos to her profile ID: G7WS-MDK Family Search Memories. 

Confirmed to be Vivian M. Jackson, the daughter of  Mabel L Jackson (shown below), by a 1st cousin 2x removed .

John Quattrucci, of Portland, Maine, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mr. John Inotticci, 48 Middle St #671.”

John Quattrucci, of Portland, Maine, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1940 Portland City Directory identifies three individuals who lived at 48 Middle St.
    • Merolla Agostino
    • Pasquale and Katherine DeSarno
    • John Quaittrucci
  • The 1937 Portland City Directories identifies three people with the Quattrucci surname:
    • Frank & Mary living at 48 Middle
    • Guy & Theresa, living at 18 Middle
    • John was also living at 48 Middle.
  • The 1940 US Census lists John Quottuci (Quattrucci), a 23-year-old laborer with the Power Light Co. living with his parents, Frank & Mary Quottucci.

Although there is an inconsistency in the surname between different documents, I feel confident this photo is of John Quattrucci, born 6 March 1917 when he was about 20 years old.

Ancestry has seven public trees that refer to Gennaro Samuel Quattrucci, born 6 March 1917 in Portland, Maine, the son of Francisco and Philomena Mary (Paolino) Quattrucci. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for John (Gennaro) Quattrucci, so I have added his photo to Dead Fred. I also uploaded an additional picture of John to my Flickr photostream. 

Phillip York Ilsley, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Phillip Isley, 33 Colonial Rd, #253.”

Phillip York Ilsley, circa 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

    • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Phillip Y Ilsley, and his wife Bernice, living at 33 Colonial Road.
    • The 1940 US Census lists 44-year-old Philip Y Ilsley and his wife Bernice, living at 19 Rosemont Ave.

This photo is of Philip York Ilsley, born 3 Nov 1895 in Maine and married to Bernice May Glidden.

Ancestry has 15 public trees that refer to Philip York Ilsley. Family Search also has a profile for Phillip York Ilsley, so I uploaded two photos of him to his (KCTJ-X4V) Family Search Memories. 

Confirmed to be Philip Ilsley by a nephew. 

Mabel L Jackson (NĂ©e McCracken), circa 1937.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Mabelle Jackson, 556 Forest Av – #1023.”

Mabel L Jackson (NĂ©e McCracken), circa 1937.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists William E and his wife Mabelle L Jackson living at 556 Forest Ave.
  • The 1940 US Census lists William E and his wife Mabel, living at 29 Revere Street. Mabel was 59 years old and born in Canada.
  • Ancestry public Trees indicate that Mabel L McCracken, born 1878 in New Brunswick, Canada, and married William Edward Jackson on 28 Jun 1905 in Portland, Maine.

This photo of Mabel is from about 1937 when she was about 59 years old.

Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Mabel McCracken. Family Search has a profile for Mabel, so I  have uploaded two photos of Mabel to her Family Search (ID G771-29B) profile.

Confirmed to be Mabel L Jackson (née McCracken) by a 2nd great-grand daughter.

Conclusion

  • I identified all five Four of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • One individual did not have a Family Search profile and did not appear in any Ancestry trees. I uploaded his photos to Dead Fred and my Flickr Photostream.

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.

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Donna 100 Years ago – Binghamton Theater, Binghamton, New York

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Don Taylor

100 Years Ago
Donna Darling & Boys
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.[“Donna 100 Years Ago” is my reporting of items relating to my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). Hers was the exciting world of 1920s vaudeville. She crisscrossed the country with her many shows.]

I first learned about Donna being at the Binghamton Theater from a clipping from the Donna Darling Collection that showed in the theater’s magazine. It told that the program for January 26, 27, and 28 included:

    1. Pathe News
    2. Dale & Young
    3. Peel & Corovan
    4. Farrell Taylor & Co.
    5. Donna Darling & Boys
    6. Loney Haskell
    7. Billy Bouncers Circus
    8. A Cosmopolitan Production “Just Around the Corner”

Another clipping indicated the year was 1922 and included,

“Donna Darling and Boys, as might be gathered from the title, is a musical number or rather a collection of musical numbers, all of them good.”

Finally, there was a small ad clipping that showed the same acts as the theater program. I don’t know which paper the clippings were taken from, but the same ad appeared twice in the 27 Jan 1922 issue of the Binghamton Press.

One hundred years ago, Donna played in her vaudeville act, “Donna Darling & Boys,” at the Binghamton Theater, Binghamton, New York.

Posted in Donna Darling & Boys (1922), Donna Montran | Tagged , , | 1 Comment