Orphan Photo #93
This is an unidentified CDV. It looks like someone did some hand-coloring on the ribbon in her hair.
Picture
Monday, August 1, 2011
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.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
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.
Monday, July 25, 2011
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.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
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!
Monday, July 18, 2011
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 |
| 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?
Monday, June 27, 2011
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.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Orphan Photo #87
The little stuffed animal she is holding certainly isn’t helping her camera shyness…she looks terrified…in an adorable way.
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Julie Cahill Tarr, Genealogist
Julie is a genealogist who specializes in writing, editing, and graphic design. If you are looking for someone to help organize your family data into a book or prepare a research article for publication, Julie can help. Other services include the development of educational materials such as books/booklets, articles, and online courses. See "About Julie" for additional information.
