Becky Banuet

I’ve “rescued” an old photograph of Ferdinand SCHMIDT and his bride along with two unnamed witnesses which was taken at the Hingtgen Studio in Wahpeton, ND. The photograph appears to have been taken in the early 1900’s with Ferdinand and his bride appearing to be in their 30’s or 40’s at the time. Ferdinand is also identified as the brother of John S. SCHMIDT. I’m hoping to locate someone from this SCHMIDT Family so that the photograph can be returned to the care of family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley

A photo of Nicole Cario. Nicole and her father were deported to Auschwitz in 1944.

A photo of Florence Annette Smithson (1882-1936) - British Soprano and Stage Actress - "The Welsh Nightingale" was born on 13 March 1882 in Leicester, Leicestershire to parents theatrical manager, William Smithson (1859-1927) (formerly Smith) and Laura Mary Courts (1865-1947). She was raised mostly in Wales where her father owned and managed the "New Theatre Royal and Opera House" in Merthyr Tydfil which opened in 1893.

After attending The London College of Music, Florence was performing with a small opera company in "La Fille Du Regiment" when she was spotted by impresario, Robert Courtneidge (1859-1939). She toured with his company as "Nanoya" in "The Cingalee" and made her London debut in 1905 at The Lyric Theatre as "Chandra Nil" in "Blue Moon". In what is regarded as the highlight of her celebrated career she appeared as "Sombra" in "The Arcadians" which ran for a remarkable 809 performances. Twice touring in Australia (1914 and 1923) she also visited South Africa in 1926. She formed her own theatre company in 1928 in a production called, "Evening Stars" and last appeared on stage in 1932.

Florence first married George William Robinson in 1901. They had one son William Robinson born in 1903. She then married comedic actor, Alfred Herbert Taylor aka Dan Rolyat (1879 – 1927) in 1904. They had one daughter Florence Lilian Rolyat born in 1907. Florence Smithson died following an operation on 11 February 1936 in Cardiff, Wales aged 53.

additional information

Thanks to enthusiasts, a number of Florence Smithson recordings can still be found on the internet including; The Waltz from Tom Jones, Temple Bell, Sings My Samisen and others.

A photo of Absolon family taken in Bohemia (Austro-Hungarian Empire) in early 1900s. Cecilia Benda (née Absolonová) standing in the dark dress on the right.

A photo of Susanne Belle Bell nee Brummett

A photo of 3 unknown children taken in Ohio, found in a family album with NO NAMES.

Who are these siblings from Ohio ?

I've "rescued" an old photograph identified as Luther MEDLEY'S Baby which was taken at the Sextus Ross Studio in Marshall, IL. The photograph appears to have been taken in the early 1900's with the baby about 1 year old at the time the photograph was taken. I believe that this is a photograph of Luther's daughter Eleanor E. MEDLEY. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding this family:

Eleanor E. MEDLEY was b. abt 1909 in Wabash Township, Clark Co., IL to parents Martin Luther MEDLEY (b. 26 Aug 1877-d. 18 Jun 1927 in Marshall, IL – son of George MEDLEY and Elizabeth CHISLER) and Estelle “Stella” MORGAN or CRUMRINE (1872-1932). Eleanor’s father Martin Luther was a Storekeeper in Marshall, IL when he registered for the draft in 1918. He is buried in the Livingston Cemetery in Marshall, IL.

Census records provide the following details:

1880 census of Sugar Creek, IN:

George MEDLEY, age 41
Elizabeth MEDLEY, age 39
Alice MEDLEY, age 15
Benjamin MEDLEY, age 12
Callie B. MEDLEY, age 9
Martin L. MEDLEY, age 2

1900 census of Wabash, IL:

George MEDLEY, age 60, born Dec 1839, married 38 years, born IN, parents born IN, a Farmer
Elizabeth MEDLEY, wife, age 55, born Jul 1844, married 38 years, 4 children/4 living, born PA, parents born PA/VA
Benjamin MEDLEY, son, age 32, born Oct 1867, born IN, a Farm Laborer
Arabell MEDLEY, dau, age 28, born Dec 1871, born IN
Martin L. MEDLEY, son, age 22, born Aug 1877, born IN, a Farm Laborer

1910 census of Wabash, IL:

George W. MEDLEY, age 71, a widower, born IN, parents born NC/KY, a Farmer
Luther MEDLEY, son, age 33, married 6 years, born IN, parents born IN/PA, a Farm Laborer
Estella MEDLEY, dau-in-law, age 34, married 6 years, 1 child/1 living, born IL, parents born IL
Elner E. MEDLEY, granddau, age 1 year and 11 months, born IL

1920 census of Wabash, IL:

Luther MEDLEY, age 42, born IL, parents born IN/PA, a Grocery Store Clerk
Estella MEDLEY, wife, age 46, born IL, parents born NC/IL
Eleanor MEDLEY, dau, age 11, born IL

I am hoping to locate someone from this MEDLEY Family so that I can return the photograph to their care. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley

A photo in a New York City store after Christmas shoppers have left.

A photo of Rosa, Robert, and Rudolf de Beer (children) with their mother and a nurse. Rosa was only 8, Robert was only 23 months & Rudolf was only 4 years when they were sadly murdered at Sobibor on July 2, 1943.

A photo of Bird Millman (1890-1940) Highwire Artiste born "Jenna Dean Engleman" 20 October 1890 in Canon City, Colorado to high wire performing parents Dyke Frank Engleman (1868-1943) and Genevieve Patton (1869-1941). In 1904 the Millman Family Trio of wire walkers toured the Vaudeville stages. By 1913 Bird became a solo premiere attraction with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Bird Millman's first marriage with Harry Underwood in 1909 was annulled. Her second marriage to ticket agent Charles Thomas (1889-) in 1920 ended in a quick divorce. Her third marriage was to military veteran Joseph Francis O'Day (1893-1931) in 1925, who died in 1931 after losing his fortune in the 1929 stock market crash. Devastated and destitute Bird returned to Canon City, Colorado where she died of uterine cancer at the age of 49.

additional information:

Bird Millman appeared in The Ziegfeld Follies of 1916 and Ziegfeld's Frolics. In 1920, she performed a specialty number in 'The Deep Purple', a silent film directed by Raoul Walsh (1887-1980).

A photo of child actors in NYC onstage at Christmas time.

A photo of Santa Claus, Zachariah Thomas Mackey Hargis, and maybe Shirley Temple(?) taken by American Photo Service, Hollywood, California #AP-5512. Zack was in some older movies, posed for painters, worked circus and sideshows. I have tried to identifly the little girl from family photos and found her not to be a family member. I have wondered if this was Shirley Temple sitting on his lap.

If any one can identify the little girl or the clown, please let me know, or even if a date range may be given. Thank you.

A photo of Thelma Andrews Condon, taken when she was approximated 1 year old (around 1908).

A photo of James "Jim" Thurston Nabors, as Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith Show. His character was so popular that he went on to have his own show, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.

He was also a wonderful singer and, in addition to recording and appearing in specials on tv, he sang the song "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the Indy 500 almost every year from 1972 through 2014.

Nabors was able to legally marry his partner of 38 years, Stan Cadwallader, in 2013. He died from natural causes at home on November 30, 2017 - Cadwallader survives him.

A photo of Clarissa Gurnett (1832-1903), American actress who used the stage names of "Mrs. Clara Walters" and "Jean Clara Walters" was most likely born in Troy, New York to shoemaker John Gurnett (1809-). In 1849 she married Henry Van Warren "Jack" Masten (1828-1859). He died in 1859 from injuries sustained after being run over by a wagon at Fort Defiance, New Mexico. Much to the displeasure of her relatives she turned to the stage as a form of employment and married comedian Charles F. Walters (-1876) in about 1860. She was particularly popular in the provincial theaters of Leavenworth, Kansas and San Francisco, California. Her second husband Mr. Walters was at one time a popular "burnt cork" comedian, though his 1876 Colorado epitaph says that "whiskey became his master".

Jean Clara Walters continued to perform with various stock theater and touring companies from 1860 until 1900 when illness put an end to her long career. While appearing earlier in San Francisco, Clara discovered that she had a daughter, Mary Ann Masten (1850-1917) whom she was told had died in childhood. The daughter was now married to Dr. Andrew Fine (1841-1906) and had two sons. Mother and daughter eventually became estranged during Clara's final illness and she was cared for until her death by a friend, Mrs. Missouri T. Shumate (1847-1921). Clara died in Oakland, California 1903 aged 71.

additional information:

These photographs were taken by the Mathew Brady Studio in about 1860. If anyone has or can find other photographs of "Jean Clara Walters" it may help to provide further evidence regards her identity.

A photo of Catherine Beile Beermann before her marriage to Herman Leonard Beermann, Sr. on June 24, 1902 in St. Louis, Missouri.

A photo of the Wolner twins - Robert and Richard.

A photo of Gene David Wolner

Edwardian actress Elizabeth "Betty" Bellairs was born about 1890 in England. In this photograph by Elwin Neame she appears as "The Duchess of Portsmouth" in a London production of "Sweet Nell in Old Drury" circa 1912. She went to America in 1914 and starred in two silent films, "The Spanish Jade" in 1915 and "God's Man" in 1917. She also appeared a few times on Broadway, "Somebody's Luggage" 1916, "Trimmed in Scarlet" 1920, "The Squaw Man" 1922 and "The Gift" 1924.