Don Taylor Genealogy – 2021 Year in Review

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Don Taylor

The primary purpose of my blog is to help me understand my genealogical findings. It is like a diary or journal that focuses me on what I know. It helps me to stay focused not to become distracted. As time has passed, it has become more and more a vehicle for me to share some of what I’ve learned and what I am working on. I think both are important. I would like to remind readers that I do accept guest submissions. If you would like to write something, particularly of interest to readers in my six primary topics (Brown, Darling, Howell, and Roberts lines as well DNA discoveries or understanding and Donna Montran’s vaudeville career), I’ll be happy to consider your submission as a guest post.

What I do.

  1. I am the Historian and the “genealogy & technology guy” for the Scarborough Historical Society. As the “technology guy,” I manage their web page and regularly post to their website. Before Covid, I also recorded monthly presentations and edited them for uploading to YouTube. 
  2. I am a past president and regularly participate with the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society.
  3. My big project is my “Photo Friday” project using negative images from the Ethel Wight Collection. I was given access to and was able to photograph the negatives. I edit them to make positives, and then, using my genealogical skills, I identify the individuals in the photos and share them with likely family members.
    1. I think the most touching story was from a man in his 80s, whose photo of him sitting with his mother when he was a small child he had never seen. His stepmother threw away all the pictures of his mother, and the photo from the Collection was one of two photos he has of his mother.
    2. Another story was of a photo of a man’s father he had never seen. His father died during WWII.

I am so looking forward to eliminating Covid-19 protocols so that all these groups can return to regular meetings. I miss my genealogy friends; Zoom meetings are just not the same.

2020 Website Statistics.

I wrote 146 posts during the year, up from 138 in 2020.  My goal was to post, at a minimum, once every three days, so I made my goal.

The number of “likes” has gone up substantially over the past two years, as have the number of comments. (If you like my page and work, please like the page or add a comment. I love hearing from you.)

I currently have 506 direct subscribers, plus the folks that receive updates from Facebook (249), Twitter (201), Google, and other feeds. If you do not subscribe to dontaylorgenealogy.com, please do so.

Referrals to my site are, as I would expect, from various search engines. Google is, by far, the most significant referrer. Bing is a distant 2nd and third was DuckDuckGo. Facebook is the biggest non-search engine referrer, followed by Twitter.  My old Blogspot site still referred individuals 15 times, so I guess I still can’t delete it.

My Top Five Postings for 2021

My number one post during 2021 has been #1 for six years in a row. “Why I’ll never do business with MyHeritage Again.” I guess people love reading rants.

My number 2 & 3 articles were My Genealogical Process – Part 1 and Part 2. That article’s success and several of my other “Tuesday’s Tips” convinced me to do more “General Help” postings.

My number 4 most read posting was a surprise. “Chin Chin” – The Illinois Theatre, Urbana, Illinois – 31 October 1919. I’m not sure why it is popular, but it is.

Finally, the 5th place posting goes to “Possible Relatives – Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Blake Lively.” I’m not surprised by this one; it is a fun read.

Next Year – 2022

I’m not sure where I want my genealogical activities will take me in 2022. Indeed, my Ethel Wight Photo Identification Project will be a constant source of work. I am also doing more with several projects that include Maine ancestors, keeping me busy. Finally, I want to create some “Location Guides” for some of my research areas. I’ll publish them on my General Help pages as I make them.

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.

By the way, Nasi is a great typest. She’s just a poor speller. She like to help me a lot.

Have a happy, safe, and healthy new year.

Don (and his cat, Nasi)

 

 

 

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 61

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Don Taylor

Hodgins, Hodsdon, Hoffman, Hoffses, & née Sholes

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.

Lynette Hodgins, circa 1934

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Lynette Hodgins, 96 Morning St, #184.”

Miss Lynette Hodgins, circa 1934.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Lynette G. Hodgins as a clerk who moved to Brewer. There was an Ardra Hodgins who resided at 13 Lewis.
  • The 1933 Portland City Directory does not list Lynette. I have been unsuccessful in finding Lynette G. Hodgins in any Census records or other documents in further research.

Neither Family Search nor Ancestry trees appear to include Lynette Hodgins.

I have uploaded one photo of Lynette to Dead Fred. 

Mildred Susanna Hoffses, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Mildred Hoffses, Eye & Ear Infirmary #948.”

Mildred Susanna Hoffses, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 and 1935 Portland City Directories list Mildred Hoffses as a student nurse at 79 Bramhall, residing at 804 Congress.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Mildred S Hoffses as an Assistant Tech at 79 Bramhall, residing at 792 Congress.
  • The 1937 and 1938 Portland City Directories list Mildred Hoffses as a supervisor at 79 Bramhall, living at 804 Congress.
  • According to the 1937 Portland City Directory, 79 Bramhall was the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary address.
  • The 1930 US Census lists Mildred S Hoffses, a 17-year-old Maine-born woman boarding at 226 Capisic Street in the household of Henry and Marion Chapman.
  • The 1930 Deering High School includes a photo of “Millie” Mildred Susanna Hoffses, whose ambition was to become a nurse. She is noted as, “A girl who came from way down east to get an education at Deering.”
  • Ancestry family trees indicate Mildred Susanna Hoffses was born 10 August 1912 in Jonesport, Washington County, Maine.

This photo was taken about 1936 when Mildred graduated from nursing school.

Family Search identifies Mildred S Hoffses, born 10 August 1912, as ID L8MY-T3C. Thirty-three public trees at Ancestry refer to Mildred Susanna Hoffse.

I have uploaded one photo of Mildred to her Family Search Memories.

Empire Theatre Mural, c. 1934.

This photo is from the Ethel Wight Studio, Portland, Maine.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Helena Hodsdon, 217 Stevens Ave #71 – Mural for Empire Theater.”

In this case, the photo is not of a person; instead, it is the photograph of a mural of Portland Head lighthouse that was once at the Empire Theatre.

The Empire Theatre was at 68 Oak. Converted from a horse stable, which later became a roller skating rink, the Empire Theatre opened 8 October 1913. It was renamed the Paris Cinema. It was demolished in the early 1980s.[iii]

Helena Susan Hodsdon, 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Helena Hodsdon, 217 Stevens Ave #547.”

Helena Susan Hodsdon, 1935

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Helena C. Hodsdon, the wife of Herbert S Hodsdon, living at 217 Stevens.
  • The 1930 US Census lists Herbert S Hodsdon, his 39-year-old wife Helena C., and his daughter seven-year-old Helena S. Hodsdon renting at 237 Brighton.
  • The individual in the photo is not in her 40s, so it must be their daughter Helena.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest their daughter, Helena Susan Hodsdon, was born on 8 September 1922 in Yarmouth. A photo of Helena from 1935 is clearly of the same young woman, she is even wearing the same dress.
  • This photo is of Helena Susan Hodsdon, from 1935, probably the same sitting.

Family Search identifies Helena Susan Hodsdon as ID L269-NN5. Also, eleven trees at Ancestry refer to Helena Susan Hodsdon.

I have uploaded one photo of Helena to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Hellen by two granddaughters (see comments on FamilySearch).

Eldora May Hoffman, née Sholes, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. W Leore Hoffman, 48 Allen Ave #228.”

Eldora May Hoffman, née Sholes, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists William L Hoffman and his wife Eldora M., living at 48 Allen Ave.
  • The 1940 US Census finds William L and his wife Eldora living at 203 St. John Street. Both were 32 years old in 1940.
  • Ancestry Family Trees include William Leon Hoffman and his wife Eldora May (née Sholes). Eldora was born 18 May 1907 in Portland, Maine.

This is a photo of Eldora about 1935 when she was about 27 years old.

Family Search identifies Eldora M Sholes, born 18 May 1907, as ID GM7V-NMX.  Eldora May Sholes (1907-1967) appears in 15 Ancestry public trees.

I have uploaded two photos of Eldora to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified three of the four individuals. They had profiles at Family Search, so I uploaded their photos to Family Search
  • Other than the name of the person who paid for the photograph and name confirmation, I could not identify one of the individuals. I posted her photo to Dead Fred.
  • A fifth image was of a mural at the Empire Theatre and not the photo of an individual, so I only posted that photo here.

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.

[iii] Cinema Treasures – Paris Cinema, 68 Oak Street, Portland. Today it is the home of The Oak Street Lofts – 37 efficiency apartments designed specifically with local artists in mind.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Donna Darling Collection – Part 84

Posted on December 30, 2021 by Don Taylor

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m looking at a page from the Donna Darling Collection. The page includes three clippings, all relating to the Grand Theater.

The Grand

This is the first week of the Grand’s new and permanent policy of offering a program of pictures and vaudeville at popular prices and judging from the reception accorded the entertainment yesterday by the patrons it should develop Into a successful institution. The Hollywood motion picture bathing girls present the variety entertainment, while the screen’s chief feature is a Monty Banks full length comedy, “Racing Luck.”

“The Evolution of the Bathing Suit” is what the Hollywood organization, of which Donna Darling is the star, calls its revue. The schedule is opened by a magnetic little miss who calls herself the poet or the show. She introduces Miss- Darling, who sings a song about the girl of 1860, to be followed by three girls who dance in bathing costumes of that period. Betty Bryant dances as the modern girl, Alice Louise is the Bowery type, Clarice Allyn the Chinese bather, Jerry Jean the Atlantic City model, Nattie Norine the Palm Beach stroller and Tom Watson and Al Ross as the life guards.

There are few slow moments in the production, the dancing is varied and pleasing and the singing of Miss Darling, who wears some beautiful costumes, is well worth the applause it receives. There is a hula dancer who is the most interesting hula dancer we have seen in front of the footlights of a Terre Haute theater this season, and the team of Watson and Ross is excellent in its eccentric creations. The show, as a whole, is a well-balanced piece.

The Grand orchestra, under the direction of George Jacob, violinist, who has Cliff Lowe, his pianist, as his trusty right-hand man, surprises one with its skill in handling the musical score of the show.

Along with the article is an advertisement and a photo of Donna with her beautiful cloak.  Both of the clippings also mention she is at the Grand Theatre.

Key features:

    • Venue: Grand Theatre in Terre Haute.
    • Cast: Betty Bryant, Alice Louise, Clarice Allyn, Jerry Jean, Nattie Norine Tom Watson, and Al Ross.
    • Also on bill:
      • The movie: “Racing Luck” with Monty Banks.

Analysis

According to Wikipedia[i], Racing Luck with Monty Banks was released on 11 May 1924, so the show needed to be after that.

Donna began her Bathing Girl Review in the fall of 1924 and played at Indiana theatres from February through May of 1925. My uncle Russell’s research indicated that Donna played in Terre Haute, IN, on 18 April 1925. I do not know where he got this information; however, this date fits in nicely with Donna’s itinerary being in Rushville, IN, on 26 March and Vincennes, IN, on 27 April.

Cinema Treasures indicates the Grand Opera House opened in 1907 and changed its name to the Grand Theatre when movies replaced live entertainment. This clipping shows that the name had changed by 1925 when it switched to having a film and vaudeville mix.

Terre Haute Saturday Spectator, 11 April 1925, Page 10. (via Newspaper Archives)

The 11 April Saturday Spectator[ii] ran an ad for The Grand Theatre showing the “Hollywood Motion Picture Bathing Girls featuring Donna Darling” to run all week starting Sunday. That ad suggests her show ran from 12 April to the 18th. Really interesting is that the Saturday Spectator of 18 April says that, “The Donna Darling Company will continue on the bill the remainder of the week. A change in songs, dances and costumes was made Thursday.” I had no idea that the show changed during the middle of a run.

Conclusion

During the week of 12-18 April 1925, Donna’s “Evolution of the Bathing Suit” played at the Grand Theatre in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Sources

[i] Wikipedia: Racing Luck (1924 film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_Luck_(1924_film).

[ii] Terre Haute Saturday Spectator, April 11, 1925, Page 10 (Via Newspaper Archives).

Posted in Treasure Chest, California Bathing Girls (1925), Donna Montran, Vaudeville | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wolcott – Surname Saturday

Posted on December 25, 2021 by Don Taylor

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Ancestry indicates that the surname “Wolcott” is a Habitational name for someone from Wollcot in Somerset, England. Possibly so named from the Middle English wolle meaning “spring” and cot, meaning “cottage” or “shelter.” Forebears indicate it is derived from a person from Wollscott in Warwickshire.

Geographical

Approximately 7,775 people worldwide bear the surname Wolcott, and 7,650 of them live in the United States. With the most living in New York, California, and Florida.

Wolcott Ancestors

I have eight known Wolcott ancestors:

    • 5th Great-grandmother: Mary Wolcott(1767-1857) b. Mass., d. New York
    • 6th Great-grandfather: Samuel Wolcott (1736-1802) – b. & d. Connecticut.[i]
    • 7th Great-grandfather: Samuel Wolcott (1713-1800)
    • 8th Great-grandfather: Samuel Wolcott (1679-1734)
    • 9th Great-grandfather: Samuel Wolcott (1656-1695)
    • 10th Great-grandfather: Henry Wolcott (____-1680)
    • 11th Great-grandfather: Henry Wolcott (____-1655)
    • 12th Great-grandfather: John Wolcott (____-____)

Historical

Mary Wolcott was born in Massachusetts and died in New York.

Her father, Samuel Wolcott, was born and died in Connecticut.

I do not have birth locations for the earlier ancestors; however, Henry Wolcott was one of the founders of Windsor, Connecticut, and was identified as one of the original persons identified in the 1662 Charter of Connecticut (the basis of Connecticut being the “Constitution State”).

Wolcott Descendants

I have 867 known descendants of John Wolcott; 121 Brown, 94 Wolcott, 31 Parsons, 17 Berg, 16 Hanson, 16 Larson, and 15 Briggs descendants. Six hundred eighty of those descendants are known descendants of Mary Wolcott. I have previously written about 5 of them.

Famous Wolcott’s

Wikipedia indicates fifteen famous Wolcott’s, including three governors, two senators, a representative, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Oliver Wolcott. There are also eight places named “Wolcott” in the US.

Sources:

Ancestry Surname Page: https://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts.
Forebears Surnames Page: https://forebear       s.io/surnames.
Ancestry – Don Taylor’s Roberts-Brown tree on Ancestry.
Wikipedia – Wolcott.

Endnotes:

[i] Ancestors before Mary Wolcott (1767-1857) have been potentially identified but not confirmed through my personal research.

Posted in Surname Saturday, Brown-Montran | Tagged | 1 Comment

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 60

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Don Taylor

Surnames: Hill (2), Hobbs (3), Née Robinson

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. 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.

Fred Lincoln Hill, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Fred Lincoln Hill, 139 Neal St #87 (for Mrs. Mosley).”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Fred Lincoln Hill, circa 1935.

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Fred Lincoln Hill, and his wife Katherine C, living at 139 Neal.

  • Maine Marriage Records list Fred Lincoln Hill, the son of Irving E and Sarah E (Oat) Hill marrying Katherine Caswell on 17 May 1918. Fred was 28 years old, suggesting his birth in 1890.
  • This is a photo of Fred about 1935 when he was about 45 years old.

Family Search identifies Fred Lincoln Hill,  bor 14 April 1890 as ID 9HPN-N3X. Twenty-four trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Fred Lincoln Hill.

I have uploaded two photos of Fred to his Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one additional photo of him to my Flickr photostream.

Photo confirmed to be Fred Lincoln Hill by a grand-niece.

Mildred Iris Hobbs (née Robinson) before 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Albert Hobbs – copy – Caldwell St. Woodfords #37.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Mildred Iris Hobbs (née Robinson) Unknown date but before 1935.

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Albert C Hobbs, and his wife Mildred R, living at 30 Caldwell.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Albert and Mildred still living at 30 Caldwell. Living with them are their two children, Janet I (age 14) and Albert R (age 9). Albert is 47, and Mildred is 45.
  • Ancestry Family Trees indicate that Mildred Iris Robinson was born 26 October 1894 in Aroostook County, Maine, and married Albert C. Hobbs on 4 May 1922.
  • This photo wasn’t taken at the Wight studio; instead, it was provided to the studio to be copied about 1935, when Mildred was about 41 years old; however, she looks somewhat younger than 41 in this photo.

Family Search identifies Mildred Iris Robinson, born 26 October 1894, as ID KC9D-8YS. There are Forty-one trees at Ancestry.Com that refer to Mildred.

I have uploaded this photo of Mildred to her Family Search Memories. 

Janet I. & Albert R. Hobbs, April 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Albert Hobbs, Caldwell St. #16 – 18 April. 1936.”

Why I believe this to be these individuals.

  • Janet I. & Albert R. Hobbs, April 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Albert C Hobbs, and his wife Mildred R, living at 30 Caldwell.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Albert and Mildred still living at 30 Caldwell. Living with them are their two children, Janet I (age 14) and Albert R (age 9). Albert is 47, and Mildred is 45.
  • On 18 April 1936, this photo was taken when Janet was about nine years old, and Albert R was about six years old.

Family Search identifies Janet Iris Hobbs, born 22 October 1925 as ID KW8K-MHN, and Albert Robinson Hobbs, born 12 May 1929, as ID KH4C-6JH.  Nine trees at Ancestry refer to Janet Iris Hobbs, and five trees refer to Albert Robinson “Robby” Hobbs.

I have uploaded two photos of Janet & Albert to their Family Search Memories. I also uploaded two additional pictures of them to my Flickr photostream.

Janet I. & Albert R. Hobbs, circa 1935

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Albert Hobbs, Caldwell St., Woodfords #16 (Janet Hobbs, Robert Hobbs).”

Why I believe this to be these individuals.

  • Janet I. Hobbs, circa 1935

    Albert R. Hobbs, circa 1935

    These photos are clearly the same two children of Albert and Mildred Hobbs taken about a year earlier. A note on the envelope even indicates the names are Janet and Robert.

Family Search identifies Janet Iris Hobbs, born 22 October 1925 as ID KW8K-MHN, and Albert Robinson Hobbs, born 12 May 1929, as ID KH4C-6JH. Nine trees at Ancestry refer to Janet Iris Hobbs, and five trees refer to Albert Robinson “Robby” Hobbs.

I have uploaded one photo of Janet and one photo of Albert to their Family Search Memories. 

Dorothy Hill, circa 1936 (age 3)

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Wilbur P. Hill, 535 Stevens Ave #409.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Dorothy Hill, circa 1936 (age 3)

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Wilbur P Hill, and his wife Elizabeth L, living at 535 Stevens.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Wilbur (age 44) and Elizabeth (age 38) living at 535 Stevens. They are living with Wilbur’s father, William Hill. Also with them are their three children, Frederick L (age 12), Dorothy (age 7), and Charles W (age 4).
  • This photo appears to be of a little girl about 2 or 3 years old, which fits the sex and age of Dorothy.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Dorothy Hill, daughter of Wilbur Powers and Elizabeth (Latham) Hill. Ancestry.Com also does not have a profile for Dorothy Hill; however, her father, Wilbur Powers Hill, married to Elizabeth, appears in two family trees.

 

I have uploaded Dorothy’s photo to Dead Fred.

 

 

Conclusion

  • I identified four individuals who had Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to Family Search
  • I identified another individual who did not have a Family Search profile, so I posted her photo 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.

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