Orphan Photos #107 & #108

These two photo appear to have been taken about the same time.  I suppose they could be related, but we have no idea who they are.

The imprint on thee cabinet cards reads:  A.R. Fowler, Meadville PA.

The photographer is probably Albert Fowler, found in both the 1900 and 1910 censuses as a photographer living in Meadville, Pennsylvania.  Albert was born about 1858 and his wife was named Flora.

Update 01/28/12 – These photos are likely Edward Collins and one of his daughters, Julia, Alice, or Margaret, and have both been reunited with family.  See the “Comments” for more information. 

Orphan Photos #107 & #108

Orphan Photo #106

I just love her little dress!  Too bad we have no idea who she is.

Orphan Photo #106

Orphan Photo #105

This is a photo of three unidentified little boys.  Aren’t they adorable?

Orphan Photo #105

Orphan Photo #104

This is a photo of Mary Lydia Webster.  Mary was born on 11 June 1904 at Cambridge, Guernsey, Ohio to Willis Vance Webster and Emma Stanton.¹  Mary died at the age of 98 on 2 June 2003 at Columbus, Franklin, Ohio.²  She was a school teacher retiring after 44 years of service.³

The photo was probably taken about 1907-1908 when Mary was about three or four years of age.  The photo itself measures 3-1/8” x 5-3/8” and is mounted on a decorative board measuring 5-1/4” x 8-7/8”.

I have compiled a family tree for her family, but since Mary and two of her siblings passed away within the last 12 years (one as recent as 2009), I’ve decided not to post the tree.  Mary never married and does not have any descendants of her own, but she had many nieces and nephews and was referred to as “Aunt Mary” in her obituary.  I will begin contacting them to see if they would like this photo.

What I will share is the following:

• Mary’s parents, Willis Vance Webster and Emma Stanton were married on 23 August 1888 in Belmont County, Ohio.⁴ 
• Willis was born on 1 March 1861 at Quaker City, Guernsey, Ohio,⁵ and died on 15 April 1945.⁶  According to his death certificate, his parents were Thomas Webster and Lydia Richardson. 
• Emma was born in October 1864 in Ohio,⁷ and died on 30 October 1958 in Columbus, Ohio;⁸ I have no information on her parents.

Some of you who read my main genealogy blog know that Websters run deep in my family tree.  And it is quite possible that Mary is a very distance cousin of mine.  As much as I would love to keep the photo for that reason, there are nieces/nephews and grand-nieces/nephews that deserve to have this photo among their family treasures.

---

Sources

1.  "Mary L Webster ‘Aunt Mary,’" The Columbus Dispatch, 5 June 2003, p. 9C; database, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : accessed 2 December 2011), Newspaper Obituaries.  Also, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Columbus Ward 2, Franklin County, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 51, sheet 12A, p. 119 (stamped), dwelling 216, family 235, Willis V Webster; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 2 December 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll 1180. 

2.  "Mary L Webster ‘Aunt Mary.’"

3.  Ibid.

4.  "Ohio, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database and digital images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org : accessed 2 December 2011), Webster-Stanton (1888).   Also, 1910 U.S. census, pop. sch., Columbus Ward 2, Franklin County, Ohio, ED 51, sheet 12A, p. 119 (stamped), dwell. 216, fam. 235, Willis V Webster. 

5.  1910 U.S. census, pop. sch., Columbus Ward 2, Franklin County, Ohio, ED 51, sheet 12A, p. 119 (stamped), dwell. 216, fam. 235, Willis V Webster.  Also, "Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953," database and digital images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org : accessed 2 December 2011), Willis V Webster (1945). 

6.  "Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953," database and digital images Willis V Webster (1945). 

7.  1910 U.S. census, pop. sch., Columbus Ward 2, Franklin County, Ohio, ED 51, sheet 12A, p. 119 (stamped), dwell. 216, fam. 235, Willis V Webster.

8.  "Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007," database, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 2 December 2011), Emma C Webster (1958).

Orphan Photo #104

Reader Question – Unidentified Photos

A reader asked the following question in a comment today:  Are there any sites that are strictly for unidentified photos?

I’m not really sure if there are any that solely post unidentified photos.  Most websites/blogs I’ve come across have a combination of both identified and unidentified, such as the following:

• DeafFred
• Adopt a Photo
• Forgotten Old Photos
• Save the Photos

Reader Question – Unidentified Photos

The Power of Google

Over a year ago, I posted this 16 x 20 portrait of Irvine and Anna Rebecca (Wertz) Bennett.  While I did find living descendants, nobody wanted to claim the portrait.  A few days ago, another researcher, who is working on this Bennett line and revising a book on the family, found the original blog post through a Google search and contacted me.

After trying to figure out how to ship a 16 x 20 flat object (more difficult than you’d think—I had to get creative!!), it will be on it’s way to West Virginia tomorrow.  I’m so happy I finally found a home for this portrait…it’s certainly a one-of-a-kind piece and deserves a good home.  And, the researcher will likely reproduce it in his book.

The Power of Google

Orphan Photo #103

These cute little boys appear to be brothers, but unfortunately, we don’t know who they are.

Orphan Photo #103

Orphan Photo #102

A distinguished-looking gentleman indeed.  Unfortunately we do not know who he is or where this photo was taken.

Orphan Photo #102

Orphan Photo #101

Photo of an unidentified woman.

Orphan Photo #101

WWTTS Reaches a Milestone!

The Who Will Tell Their Story? blog has reached a huge milestone today by posting its 100th orphan photo.  Since January 2009, this blog has been posting orphan photos in the hopes of reuniting these cherished family mementos with their rightful owners.  I have successfully reunited a few with family and am still working on a handful of others, some in part through the help of readers who have done some digging on their own.

The 100th photo is a special one for many reasons.  First, it’s identifiable.  The photo is of a Canton, Ohio, lawyer, William A Lynch.  I spent a LOT of time on this family, more than I usually do, simply because his family was so interesting and no matter what the year, I always found something in their hometown newspaper.

Second, this photo marks the beginning of a new practice I’m implementing on this blog.  Typically, when I piece together these family, I take a bunch of notes by hand (or as part of the blog post).  However, after working on #100, I decided it would be a better idea to post a family tree on Ancestry to help people identify the family, encourage additional research by my readers if they choose to do so, and preserve the family history of the families depicted in these orphan photos.  This also means that I will go back to the other identifiable photos previously posted and create a family tree for them on Ancestry as well as continue the practice for the new orphan photos I post.

WWTTS Reaches a Milestone!

Orphan Photo #100

This is a photograph of William A Lynch, who was a prominent Canton, Ohio resident during the 19th century.  His is a interesting story, along with several relatives, prominent in their own right.  Among these relatives are teachers, lawyers, doctors, journalists, a cancer researcher, and a Pulitzer Prize winner.

William A Lynch was born 4 August 1844 in Canton, Stark, Ohio, to parents Arnold Lynch and Frances Horan.¹  He was a prominent attorney, having served as Prosecuting Attorney for Stark County for two terms in addition to general practice until his death.  In fact, he died while representing Corwin D. Bachtel in the Canton State Bank trials in February 1907.²

On 14 October 1874, in Canton, Stark, Ohio, William married Eliza R Underhill, daughter of Judge James W Underhill and Henrietta Widgeon.³  Together they had three children who lived to adulthood.

1. Alice Allen Lynch, b. August 1875, probably in Canton, Stark, Ohio;⁴ d. 3 January 1949 in Miami, Dade, Florida;⁵ m. George Paull Alexander, 26 December 1907 in Canton.⁶
2. Frances H Lynch, b. 30 August 1878 in Canton, Stark, Ohio;⁷ m. John J Miller, 2 September 1914 in Canton.⁸
3. Clara Julia Lynch, b. 6 March 1882 in Canton, Stark, Ohio;⁹ d. 8 December 1985 in Alexandria, Virginia;¹⁰ she never married.

Following is a listing of select family members and their accomplishments:

Arnold Lynch – Arnold is William’s father, who served as the Stark County Surveyor and Recorder for many years.¹¹  He was very involved in the establishment of the railroads, particularly the Ft. Wayne RR and the Cleveland & Mahoning Valley RR.¹²  Arnold was born about 1812 in Ireland and died between 1855 (last known child born) and 27 December 1856 (probate administrators appointed).¹³

Clara Julia Lynch – William’s daughter Clara was a well-known cancer researcher, who in 1926 was “credited with introducing Swiss mice into American laboratories.”¹⁴  She earned her undergraduate degree at Smith College in 1903.  She then earned her graduate and doctorate degrees from Columbia University in 1912 and 1919 respectively.  Dr. Lynch worked for Rockefeller University for 53 years as a teacher and researcher.  She died in 1985 at the age of 103.¹⁵

Price Day – Although William never met his grandson-in-law, I’m sure he would have approved.  Williams’ granddaughter Alice A Alexander (daughter of Alice Allen Lynch and George Paull Alexander) married Price Day in 1931.¹⁶  Price was an accomplished journalist and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for his article “Experiment in Freedom—India and Its First Year of Independence” that was published in the Baltimore Sun in 1948.¹⁷  Price and Alice had four sons, who were all involved in news and media during their careers.

There are many more interesting people associated with William A Lynch.  While not every detail is included (due to time), you can learn more about the family, by visiting the family tree I created here on Ancestry.

As of this posting, no direct descendants have been located.  This is still an ongoing process and I hope to find someone to pass this photograph on to in the near future.  There are living descendants, and you are welcome to contact me with information if you have found someone.  Email is preferable, but the comments are private until I approve them (I won’t approve the comments if living relatives are mentioned).

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1.  "High Soaring Hopes of Bachtel Crushed By Death of Lynch," Stark County Democrat, 8 February 1907, p. 1, col. 1-3; digital images, Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 27 October 2011).  Also, William Henry Perrin, editor, History of Stark County, With an Outline Sketch of Ohio (Chicago, Illinois: Baskin & Battey Historical Publishers, 1881), 620; Ancestry (ancestry.com : 5 November 2011).

2.  "Had Hard Day's Work But Was At Ease; Dr. Brant Tells of Mr. Lynch's Death," Repository, 6 February 1907, p. 1, col. 2-3; digital images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 27 October 2011), Historical Newspapers.

3.  "Lynch-Underhill," Repository, 16 October 1874, p. 3, col. 3; digital images, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : accessed 7 November 2011), Historical Newspapers. 

4.  1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 105, sheet 7B, dwelling 118, family 155, William A Lynch; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 4 November 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 1321. 

5.  "Mrs G P Alexander Dies at Miami Beach," Repository, 5 January 1949, p. 20, col. 3; digital images, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : accessed 5 November 2011), Historical Newspapers.

6.  "Wed 'Neath the Holly," Repository, 27 December 1907, p. 5, col. 1; digital images, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : accessed 4 November 2011), Historical Newspapers.

7.  "U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925," database and images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 4 November 2011); Frances H Lynch, no. 36071 (1910).

8.  "Society," Repository, 23 August 1914, p. 10, col. 1; digital images, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : accessed 5 November 2011), Historical Newspapers.

9.  "U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925," database and images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 4 November 2011); Clara Julia Lynch, no. 36070 (1910). 

10.  "Dr. Clara Lynch; Noted Researcher on Cancer, Aging," Los Angeles Times, 12 December 1985, online archives (http://articles.latimes.com/1985-12-12/news/mn-16215_1_clara-lynch : accessed 4 November 2011).

11.  Perrin, History of Stark County, 620.

12.  ibid.

13.  1850 U.S. census, population schedule, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, p. 499 (stamped), dwelling 52, family 52, Arnold Lynch; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 3 November 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll 730.   Also, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, p. 54-55, 150 (stamped), dwelling 410, family 410, Francis Lynch; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 3 November 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll 1037.   Also, "Estate of Arnold Lynch," Repository, 11 February 1857, p. 3; digital images, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : accessed 7 November 2011), Historical Newspapers.

14.  "Dr. Clara Lynch; Noted Researcher on Cancer, Aging".  Also, "Newspaper Obituaries," database, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : accessed 4 November 2011), Dr Clara Lynch, 103 Led Cancer Research; citing New York Times. 

15.  ibid.

16.  1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Mansfield Ward 1, Richland County, Ohio, enumeration district (ED) 191, sheet 11B, dwelling 229, family 270, George P Alexander; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 4 November 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T625, roll 1430.   Also,  "Mrs G P Alexander Dies at Miami Beach."  Also, Elizabeth A Brennan and Elizabeth C Clarage, Who's Who of Pulitzer Prize Winners (Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1999), 326; via Google Books (books.google.com : 5 November 2011), limited preview.

17.  Brennan and Clarage, Who's Who of Pulitzer Prize Winners, 326. 

Orphan Photo #100

Another Orphan Photo Blog!

Just came across Save the Photos, which is another orphan photo blog.  It makes me smile when I see more blogs of this nature pop up!

Another Orphan Photo Blog!

Orphan Photo #99

I just love this one.  This little girl is so adorable, and as always, I love the little boots (perhaps they will come back in style so I can wear them!).

Orphan Photo #99

Orphan Photo #98

This looks like schoolchildren outside a schoolhouse with their teacher.  Too bad we have no idea where this photo was taken or who’s in it.

Orphan Photo #98

Orphan Photo #97

This photo is of an unidentified woman.  According to the imprint, it was taken in Hornellsville, New York; the photographer’s name could be Sutton, but it’s very hard to read.

Orphan Photo #97

Orphan Photo #96

This cabinet card features an unknown gentleman.

Orphan Photo #96

Another Photo Blog

Claudia, who authors Claudia’s Genealogy Blog, started a new blog Found at an Auction.  This new blog features old photos, and like me, Claudia is interested in learning more about the people in the photos.

Another Photo Blog

Orphan Photo #95

I just love this photo…the hat, the fur boa, and the boots.  Sure wish I knew who she was.

Orphan Photo #95

Orphan Photo #94

What a nice looking young man.  Unfortunately, there is no identifying information for this cabinet card.

Orphan Photo #94

Orphan Photo #93

This is an unidentified CDV.  It looks like someone did some hand-coloring on the ribbon in her hair.

Orphan Photo #93

Check This Out!

Thanks to some friends on Facebook, I was just introduced to a new blog with a very interesting concept.  It’s called Dear Photograph.  The basic idea is to “take a picture of a picture from the past in the present.”  You then submit your photo with a caption that starts with “Dear Photograph.”  This is a really neat concept…now go on, check it out!

Dear Photograph,  I am my mother’s daughter.

Check This Out!

Maureen Taylor to Lecture in St. Louis Area This Weekend

Maureen Taylor, the “Photo Detective,” will be the speaker at the St. Louis Genealogical Society’s all-day seminar on Saturday, July 30 at Orlando Gardens on Watson Rd. in Webster Groves, Missouri.  The seminar, “Clues to the Past in Family Photos,” will feature four lectures:

• Identifying and Dating Family Photos
• Discovering Genealogical Clues in Photos
• Reading Immigrant Clues in Photos
• Photo Editing Programs:  An Overview

The cost is $65 ($55 for StLGS members) and includes lunch.  Pre-registration is required.  To learn more or to register online, visit the StLGS website.

Maureen Taylor to Lecture in St. Louis Area This Weekend

Orphan Photo #92

This appears to be a pretty old photo.  It is very worn and in bad shape.  Too bad we don’t know who these women are.

Orphan Photo #92

Maryland Genealogist Reunites Photo Album With Family

I recently found an article about a genealogist in Maryland who found an old photo album in an antique store, purchased it, spent several hours researching the photos, and eventually reunited the album with family.  The article can be found here.

The article also mentioned that the genealogist had blogged about the photos and the research.  A quick search turned up the blog; the link to the “master” post containing all of the posts related to the story can be found here. 

Another “feel good” story!

Maryland Genealogist Reunites Photo Album With Family

Orphan Photo #91

What an adorable baby girl!  Before we get into the research, here’s the transcribed version of the back of the postcard:

Postmark	Hard to read, but the stamps are from Norway
Addressee	Miss Charlotte Murphy 619 so 10 st Minneapolis Minn U S America
Message	Dear Miss Charlotte I am now in Norway and will send you a card so that you hear that I am still alive how is cupid I often wondered how you all where [sic] maybe I will Return to America this fall, have been sick most of the time since I came home Clara is getting big now best Regards to all from Carrie Vicken [Wicken]

Charlotte (the recipient) has been identified.  She is found in both the 1900 and 1910 censuses living with her parents William and Josephine Murphy.  In 1910, the address matches the one on the postcard.  The 1900 census has them listed at 603 S. 10th, with an entry for 619 right under it; this could be a simple recording error.  I was unable to find the family in the 1895 or 1905 Minnesota state censuses or in the 1920 federal census. 

In the 1910 census, a “Caroline Wicken” is in the Murphy household as a servant.  She is 27, born in Norway, immigrated in 1901, and single.  A “Carrie" Wicken” with a daughter Clara is also found in the 1910 census living in Elmore, Minnesota, which is about 150 miles from Minneapolis..  She is 44, born in Norway, immigrated in 1884, and widowed.  These appear to be two different people.

It makes more sense that the postcard was written by the “Caroline” found in the Murphy household, sometime after 1910.  Another clue is that Carrie references “cupid” and I would assume that at the time the postcard was sent, Charlotte would be around the age to start looking for a husband.

I did investigate the “Carrie” in Elmore seeing as she had a daughter Clara.  But the reference to Clara “getting so big now” would lead me to believe she’s talking about a very young child, not an adolescent (Carrie’s daughter Clara was 12 in 1910).  I realize the photo could have been taken at one time and sent some many years later, but the reference doesn’t really tie in with that theory.  Additionally, it is my understanding that real photo postcards were not around prior to 1900, so this is probably not Clara from Elmore.  Too bad that postmark isn’t legible; that would have helped!   The photo could be of one of her grandchildren, but her son Elmer died in 1922, her daughters each had one known son, and her son Carl Morris had two known daughters neither named Clara (but his wife’s name was Clara).  And from what I can tell, other than a same-name individual, there doesn’t appear to be any connection between the Wicken of Elmore family and the Murphy family through people or places.  I have found descendants of the Carrie in Elmore, but I just don’t think this photo belongs to their family.

Since the author of the postcard was between Norway and America, I tried to locate passenger records or passports to help guide the research but was unsuccessful.  The records available on FamSearch for Norway led nowhere.  So I’m pretty much stuck on this one.  Any ideas?

Orphan Photo #91

Orphan Photo #90

How cute is she?  I suspect mom is behind the blanket propping her up…you can see the blanket gripping the little girl’s waist on her right side, which I suspect is a hand.

Orphan Photo #90

Orphan Photo #89

This little lad doesn’t appear to be too happy….

Orphan Photo #89

Orphan Photo #88

Two distinguished gentlemen.

Orphan Photo #88

Orphan Photo #87

The little stuffed animal she is holding certainly isn’t helping her camera shyness…she looks terrified…in an adorable way.

Orphan Photo #87

Orphan Photo #86

No identifying information for this little girl, who is so “matter-of-fact” in her pose.

Orphan Photo #86

Orphan Photo #85

I wonder who these adorable children are…unfortunately, we may never know.

Orphan Photo #85

Free Photo Webinar

Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor, presents a 30-minute webinar entitled, Photo Detective Live:  Solutions to Your Photo Mysteries.  In the webinar, she discussed how to use photo type, clothing and background as clues to dating and identifying photos.  She also discusses the preservation of photos.

To watch this free webinar, click here.

Free Photo Webinar

Orphan Photo #84

There is no identifying information for the couple photographed in this CDV.

Orphan Photo #84

Orphan Photo #83

There is no identifying information for the gentleman depicted in this CDV. 

Orphan Photo #83

Orphan Photo #82

There is no identifying information for the woman photographed in the CDV.  The photographer's imprint on the back reads:  “Q. P. Knight, Photographer, Batavia, New York.”

I located a Q P Knight, photographer, living in Batavia, Genesee, New York in the 1880 census. [1]  A Google search turned up a family tree that showed the same individual, with a full name of Quartus Parsons Knight. [2]  According to this source, Quartus died in 1894.

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Sources

1.  1880 U.S. census population schedule, Batavia, Genesee County, New York, enumeration district (ED) 4, p. 20, dwelling 170, family 189, Emily Thral; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 April 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 835. 

2.  Descendents of Richard and Sarah Rogers Knight
(http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~knight57/direct/knight/index2.htm).

Orphan Photo #82

Orphan Photo #81

There is no identifying information for this group of girls presented in this CDV.  I wonder if they’re siblings.

Orphan Photo #81

Orphan Photo #80

Unfortunately there is no identifying information for the man in the CDV.

Orphan Photo #80

Orphan Photo #79

Such a cutie…too bad we have no idea who she is.  The imprint on this cabinet card reads:  G. Palmer, 512 Main St., Buffalo, N.Y.

The photographer is probably George Palmer, born about 1837 in England. [1]  He is listed in both the 1880 and 1900 censuses living in Buffalo, New York with the occupation of a photographer. [2]

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Sources

1.  1880 U.S. census population schedule, Buffalo, Erie County, New York, enumeration district (ED) 158, p. 12 (written), dwelling 65, family 88, George Palmer; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 February 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 831.   Also, 1900 U.S. census population schedule, Buffalo Ward 24, Erie County, New York, enumeration district (ED) 208, sheet 98A, dwelling 280, family 273, George Palmer; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 February 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 1032. 

2.  Ibid.

Orphan Photo #79

Orphan Photo #78

No identifying information for this gentleman, who is likely from the Bangor, Maine area.  The cabinet card imprint on the front reads: Weston, Bangor.  On the back it reads:  F. C. Weston, Artistic Photographer, 2 Smith Block, Bangor, ME.

The photographer is likely Frank Weston, born in Maine about 1852 and listed as a photographer living in Bangor Maine in the 1900 census. [1]

---

Sources

1.  1900 U.S. census population schedule, Bangor, Penobscot County, Maine, enumeration district (ED) 76, sheet 121A, dwelling 1, family 1, Frank Weston; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 February 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 597. 

Orphan Photo #78

Orphan Photo #77

Unfortunately there is no identifying information for this family depicted in this cabinet card, likely from the Meadville, Pennsylvania area.  The imprint reads:  I. E. Hall, Meadville, PA.

Orphan Photo #77

Orphan Photo #76

This cabinet card features a handsome young man, probably from the City of New York.  The imprint reads:  Rud Bachmann, 6 East 14th St., New York.

The photographer was likely Rudolph Bachmann, born about 1850 in Switzerland. [1]  He came to the U.S. about 1880.  [2]   By 1884 he was running a photography business at 1437 Broadway in New York and remained at that location until 1892. [3]  From 1892 to at least 1922, the business was located at 6 E. 14th Street in NYC.  [4]  From 1914 to 1922 most directory listings note “& Son” when referencing the business. [5]

Since cabinet cards were produced from in the late 1800s through the 1920s, and given the address of the business on the photograph, it can be assumed that the photograph was taken between 1892 and 1920s.  However, cabinet card popularity began to taper off in about 1905, so a better estimate is probably 1892 to 1905.

---

Sources

1.  1900 U.S. census population schedule, Manhattan Borough, New York City, New York County, New York, enumeration district (ED) 103, sheet 163A, p. 163 (stamped) dwelling 88, family 147, Rudolph Bachmann; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 February 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 1085. 

2.  Ibid.

3.  “City Directories – New York,” digital images, Footnote (www.footnote.com : accessed 5 February 2011), citing years 1884-1922.

4.  Ibid.

5.  Ibid.

Orphan Photo #76

Orphan Photo #75

This CDV includes two children, with one appearing to be Lisle Washborn/Washburn.  The photographer imprint on the back reads:  “Mrs. M. J. Wyatt’s Art Gallery Roseville, Ill.”  The photographer is actually Mary Jane (Sears) Wyatt, who started her business back in the early 1870s in Roseville, Warren, Illinois. [1]  There is even a book written about Mary Jane (Sears) Wyatt entitled, She Rode the Rails, by Beverly S. Adam.

Mrs. Wyatt was still living in Roseville, as a photograph, in 1880.  By 1885, she was living in Nebraska, still working as a photographer. [2]  Therefore the photo was taken between the early 1870s and 1885 at the latest, which also fits to time period of the production of CDVs.

Moving on to the identifying information on the back of the photo, at first I thought Lisle Washburn was the young man in the chair.  But after I found a 1900 census record for a Lisle Washburn, wife of W R, in Lee County Florida, I wondered if perhaps Lisle was actually the young woman in the photo.  This is how the name was indexed on Ancestry and to be honest, looks like it could be the name written, but the writing is pretty bad.

 

Finding no other viable options using various search criteria and alternate spelling of names, I continued to work under the assumption that this was the person in the photograph.  However, after tracing the family, I’m no longer so sure.  In fact, after reexamining the handwriting on the photo, I even wondered if the name was Lisle or perhaps Liale (comparing the “a” and “s” in Washburn makes me wonder).  At any rate, here is what I uncovered and why I don’t think “Lisle” Washburn, wife of W R, is not the person in the photograph.

As mentioned, a search of censuses uncovered a “Lisle Washburn,” born in Illinois in 1864, wife of W R,, living in Ft. Myers, Lee, Florida in 1900. [3]  Fortunately, they had children listed, so it was easy to find the family throughout the 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses, since the initials “W R” were vague and “Lisle” was not to be found.  Instead, her name was Laura, as she is enumerated in all the post-1900 federal censuses and the 1935 and 1945 Florida state censuses.  And, as it turns out, “W R” is William R. [4]

Based on the accumulated information from the censuses, it was suspected that the couple was married in Illinois (their first daughter was born in Illinois in 1884, the second daughter was born in Florida in 1887).  A search of the Illinois State Archive state-wide marriage index was conducted.  Since the photograph was from Warren County, I expected to find a viable Washburn marriage in that county or surrounding counties, but no such luck.  I did find a probable match for a Wm R Washburn and Laura M Brown in Jersey County, Illinois, with a marriage date of 31 January 1883. [5]

I located Laura Brown in the 1880 census and then 1870 census in Jersey County, and given the previously known information about Laura Washburn (age, birthplace, parents born in Tennessee), it was a probable match. [6]  Seeing as William was born in Indiana, I wanted to place him with his family either in or near Jersey County to be sure.  I knew from the Florida death index record at FamilySearch that his parents were L C and Mary (Milligan) Washburn.  L C was born in Ohio and Mary in Indiana, which is consistent with the 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses for William.

The Washburn family was found in Jersey County in the 1880 census [7], which for me, solidified the connection between Wm R Washburn and Laura Brown being the same couple found in Florida from 1900 onward.

This brings me to the conclusion that Laura/Lisle is probably not the person in the photograph.  Her family was found in Jersey County in both 1870 and 1880.  Jersey County is about 140 miles south of Warren County, where the photo was taken.  Since I cannot place her family in Warren County during the period when the photographer was in business, I conclude that this is not the correct person.  Furthermore, I believe her parents and two older sisters were living in Waverly, Morgan, Illinois in 1860, [8] which is 110 miles southeast of Warren County.  It appears this family has no connection to Warren County.

So who is actually in this photo?  There are no Washburns in Warren County in 1880 and only one unlikely subject in 1870.  There are a few in surrounding counties, but no Lisle.  It is possible that Lisle left the area before 1880, although no viable options exist in later censuses.

Notes

1.  Beverly S. Adam, She Rode the Rails (Lincoln:  iUniverse, 2005), 84-87; Preview version at GoogleBooks.

2.  1880 U.S. census population schedule, Roseville, Warren County, Illinois, enumeration district (ED) 296, p. 34, dwelling [blank], family 286, Mary J Wyatt; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 256.  Also, 1885 state census, Nebraska, population schedule, Sheridan County, p. 11, line 13, Andrew Wyatt; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011).   

3.  1900 U.S. census population schedule, Ft. Myers, Lee County, Florida, enumeration district (ED) 77, sheet 1A, p. 11, dwelling 8, family 9, W R Washburn; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 172

4.  1910 U.S. census population schedule, Ft. Myers, Lee County, Florida, enumeration district (ED) 79, sheet 1A, p. 17[?], dwelling 6, family 6, William R Washburn; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll 163.  Also, 1920 U.S. census population schedule, Ft. Myers, Lee County, Florida, enumeration district (ED) 108, sheet 19B, dwelling 365, family 441, William Washburn; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T625, roll 221.  Also, 1930 U.S. census population schedule, Ft. Myers, Lee County, Florida, enumeration district (ED) 8, sheet 3A, p. 106, dwelling 38, family 38, William R Washburn; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T626, roll 323.

5.  State of Illinois, "Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763–1900," database, Illinois State Archives (http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases.html), Wm R Washburn and Laura M Brown (Jersey County, 1883). 

6.  1880 U.S. census population schedule, Ottervile, Jersey County, Illinois, enumeration district (ED) 99, p. 11, dwelling 96, family 98, E F Brown; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 216.  Also, 1870 U.S. census population schedule, Township 8 Range 13, Jersey County, Illinois, p. 17, dwelling 125, family 125, Elias F Brown; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll 233. 

7.  1880 U.S. census population schedule, Fiedon, Jersey County, Illinois, enumeration district (ED) 102, p. 5, dwelling 46, family 49, L C Wasburn; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2011); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 216.

8.  1860 U.S. census population schedule, Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois, p. 272, dwelling 1863, family 1831, Franklin Brown; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed January 21, 2009); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll 213.

Orphan Photo #75

Orphan Photo #74

This cabinet card portrays a young woman from the Boston, Massachusetts area.  The photograph was likely taken in the 1880s or later.  The imprint on the front reads:  Purdy, 146 Tremont St., Boston.  The imprint on the back reads:  J.E. Purdy & Co., 146 Tremont St., Boston, Successors to Hastings.

Orphan Photo #74

Orphan Photo #73

This lovely couple hails from the Cresco, Iowa area.  Unfortunately there is no identifying information.

Given the gold beveled edge, it is possible that this cabinet card was produced between 1885 and 1892.  The imprint reads:  Borlaug, Cresco, Iowa.

Orphan Photo #73