Deborah Joy-Wieder

A photo of Elsie Louise Ferguson (1885-1961) stage and screen actress was born 19 August 1885 in New York City to parents attorney Hiram Benson Ferguson (1836-1885) and Amelia Lumann (1855-1917). Starting as a 17 year old chorus girl she progressed through a number of productions to become a leading lady and Broadway star by 1909. In 1917 with some persuasion in the form of a $5,000 a week contract, Elsie Ferguson began acting in films. Her salary at Paramount paid her an extra $1,000 per day of filming. After appearing in about 25 films she returned to the stage. She did however make one final sound film in 1930 aged 47. Her final appearance on Broadway was in 1943 at the age of 60.

She was married four times, firstly to estate agent Frederick Chamberlain Hoey (1865-1933) in 1908, they divorced in 1914. She then married banker Thomas Benedict Clarke (1877-1858) in 1916 they divorced in 1923. Thirdly she married actor and co-star Frederick George Worlock (1886-1973) in 1924, they divorced in 1930. Lastly she married British naval captain Victor Augustus Seymour Egan (1875-1956) in 1934 until his death in 1956. Elsie died 15 November 1961 in New London, Connecticut aged 76.

additional information:

Elsie's father died 7 months before she was born. Her mother raised their two children on her own. Elsie did not have the wealthy upbringing that is sometimes claimed. She was one of the original "Florodora Girls" and friends with fellow chorus girl, Evelyn Nesbit (1884-1967). During her film career she was dubbed "The Aristocrat of the Silent Screen". Due to the ravages of time almost all of her films have now been lost.

A photo of Ruth "Siastenu" Sehome Shelton.

A photo of Zamuel Gdulin

A photo of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich was a German pastor who was part of the German resistance and a conspiracy plot to get rid of Hitler and the Nazi regime. He was arrested for smuggling 7 Jews from Germany to Switzerland. When the July 20th plot to kill Hitler failed (in which he took part), he was sent to Buchenwald concentration camp in February 1945, then he was transported to Flossenburg concentration camp, then sadly executed by hanging on April 9, 1945.

He said "the ultimate question for a responsible man to ask is not how he is to extricate himself heroically from the affair, but how the coming generation shall continue to live."

A photo of Diego F. (1873-1927) and Anna Arena (1880-1954) D'Amico on their wedding day, October 27, 1901. They were married in Baltimore.

A photo of Walter Fredrick Demmerle

A photo of Sarah, Alice and Minnie Smith, 1888, Colorado. This is my great great great Aunts and my great great Grandmother (Minnie).
People in photo include: Sarah Smith, Alice Smith, and Minnie Smith

I’ve “rescued” an old photograph of Lawrence and Viola PRIMEAU which was taken at the Smith Studio in Escanaba, MI sometime in the 1890’s. Viola appears to be about 5 years old at the time and Lawrence just a baby. Based on limited research I was able to locate the following information regarding this family:

Viola PRIMEAU was b. October 1891 in Escanaba, MI to parents Pierre Napoleon PRIMEAU (1864-1925)and Laura SALVA (1872-1943). Viola was one of 5 children born to this couple including Viola; Lawrence N.; Hercules Homer; Charles Anthony; and Vilna Marie PRIMEAU, all born between 1895 and 1903. She married Cornelius Erastus BARTLEY (son of Casper BARTLEY and Nellie BURKE) on 25 Apr 1911 In Escanaba, MI. Her brother Lawrence N. PRIMEAU was b. 9 Jul 1895 in Escanaba, MI and married Blanche RICE (dau of William RICE and M. CHURCH) on 14 Apr 1919 in Menominee, MI. Lawrence died 5 Nov 1945 in Los Angeles, CA.

The following details are found in census records:

1900 census of Escanaba, MI:

Napoleon PRIMEAU, age 33, born Dec 1866, married 10 years, born Canada, parents born Canada, to USA 1881, a Saloon Keeper
Laura PRIMEAU, wife, age 27, born Jun 1872, married 10 years, 6 children/3 living, born MI, parents born Canada/WI
Viola PRIMEAU, dau, age 8, born Oct 1891, born MI, at School
Florence PRIMEAU, dau, age 3, born Jul 1896, born MI (I think this is actually the son Lawrence?)
Hercules PRIMEAU, son, age 1 month, born May 1900, born MI
+ 1 Hired Girl

1910 census of Escanaba, MI:

Napoleon PRIMEAU, age 44, married 20 years, born Canada, parents born Canada, to USA 1886, a Wholesale Liquor Merchant
Laura PRIMEAU, wife, age 37, married 20 years, 7 children/4 living, born MI, parents born Canada/WI
Viola PRIMEAU, dau, age 19, born MI
Lawrence PRIMEAU, son, age 14, born MI
Hercules PRIMEAU, son, age 9, born MI
Velna PRIMEAU, dau, age 7, born MI
Charles GRAVELLE, adopted son, age 7, born MI, parents birth unknown

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

Thanks,
Shelley

People in photo include: Lawrence Primeau and Viola Primeau

A photo of Debbie Reynolds with her children Carrie and Todd Fisher in 1960.

Debbie Reynolds, born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso Texas, was an actress, singer, film historian, and humanitarian. She first came to national attention at age 19 in the film Singin' in the Rain and went on to have a long career in movies, television, and on the stage. Married 3 times, her children Carrie and Todd were from her first marriage to Eddie Fisher. Both Carrie and Todd grew up to have careers in the entertainment business.

Carrie died on December 27, 2016 of complications from cardiac arrest and Debbie died one day later from a massive stroke. According to Todd, she said "I want to be with Carrie".

A photo of Diane Wieder and Elaine Wieder, Wedding 1994
People in photo include: Diane Wieder and Elaine Wieder

A photo of Robert Wieder about 1954 in Montclair, NJ
People in photo include: Robert Wieder

A photo of Maryanna Wieder and Debbie Joy, Easter about 1960
People in photo include: Maryanna Wieder

A photo of Mr. & Mrs. Wilbur Joy, 1940's
People in photo include: Wilbur Joy

A photo of Helen Wieder, Easter 1960. Born Helen Van Gieson, Montclair, NJ
People in photo include: Helen (Gieson) Wieder

A photo of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence McGarry on their wedding day. Former Evelyn Hughes
People in photo include: Lawrence McGarry

A photo of Donald W Joy, 1953
People in photo include: Donald W. Joy

A photo of Marion D. Joy, about 1952
People in photo include: Marion D. Joy

A photo of Henry Walker Joy with Deborah Joy, who made communion May 1959
People in photo include: Henry Walker Joy