Dianne Longerbone

A photo of Mary Ellla Marks. Known by my family as Aunt Mame and was married William Fitzgerald Kuhnley. Behind the groom on the back of the photo it written "Althouse".
People in photo include: Mary Ellla Marks

Elena Rionda, daughter of Francisco Rionda (1844 - 1898), visiting from Cuba.

A photo of a woman "dressed to the nines" in 1908.

A photo of Paul M. Jeannelle in Elwood Indiana. 2nd from right. Born in Liepvre FR 1869. Died st Louis MO 1911.

A photo of Maurice Chester Henson. Maurice is half brother of Arthur Junior Henson.

I’ve “rescued” two old photographs belonging to the FINLEY Family of Bradford, MA. The first is a photograph of Effie Maude FINLEY which was taken at the Willoughby Studio in Haverhill, MA. The photograph appears to have been taken in the 1890’s with Effie likely in her 20’s at the time it was taken. The second photograph is identified as Florence Gertrude FINLY and was taken at the same studio in Haverhill, MA. This photograph also appears to have been taken at the same time in the 1890’s with Florence appearing to be about 10-12 years old at the time it was taken. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding these two and their family:

Effie Maude or Maud FINLEY was b. 17 Sept 1872 and died 12 Dec 1968 in Haverhill, MA and is buried in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Danvers, MA. Florence Gertrude FINLEY was b. 4 Mar 1883 and d. 4 Nov 1978 in Haverhill, MA and is buried in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Danvers, MA. The two were sisters and are buried along with other FINLEY Family members including their parents John W. FINLEY; Marietta RADDIN (wife of John W. FINLEY); Margaret FINLEY; Margaret Anne FINLEY; and Robert FINLEY.

Census records provide the following details:

1880 census of Lynn, MA:

John W. FINLEY, age 34, Works in Shoe Factory, born MA
Marietta FINLEY, wife, age 34, Housekeeping, born MA, parents born MA
Isabella S. FINLEY, dau, age 8, born MA
Effie M. FINLEY, dau, age 7, born MA

1900 census of Haverhill, MA:

John W. FINLEY, age 54, born Jul 1845, married 31 years, born MA, parents born Canada, a Sole Layer
Marietta FINLEY, wife, age 54, born Dec 1845, married 31 years, 4 children/3 living, born MA, parents born MA
Isabel F. FINLEY, dau, age 28, born Jun 1871, born MA, a Shoe Trimmer
Effie M. FINLEY, dau, age 27, born Sept 1872, born MA, a Milliner
Florence G. FINLEY, dau, age 17, born Mar 1883, born MA, at School

1910 census of Haverhill, MA:

John W. FINLEY, age 64, married 39 years, born MA, parents born Scotland, a Shoe Factory Laster
Marietta FINLEY, wife, age 64, married 39 years, 4 children/3 living, born MA, parents born MA
Effie M. FINLEY, dau, age 37, born MA, a Dry Goods Store Milliner
Florence G. FINLEY, dau, age 27, born MA, a School Library Librarian

1920 census of Haverhill, MA:

John W. FINLEY, age 75, born MA, parents born Scotland
Marietta FINLEY, wife, age 74, born MA, parents born MA
Effie M. FINLEY, dau, age 47, born MA, a Dept. Store Saleslady
Florence G. FINLEY, dau, age 35, born MA, a Public Library Librarian

1930 census of Haverhill, MA:

Effie M. FINLEY, age 72, born MA, parents born MA, a Dept. Store Milliner
Florence G. FINLEY, sister, age 46, born MA, parents born MA, a State College Librarian

1940 census of Cambridge, MA:

Florence FINLEY, age 57, born MA, a College Librarian
Emily TAYLOR, partner, age 61, born MA

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

Thanks,
Shelley

A photo of William John Sparey on his wedding day 15th August 1953

I've "rescued" an old photograph of Opyl BLESSING which was taken at the Bryant's Studio in Indianapolis, IN in the early 1900's. Opyl appears to be less than one year old at the time. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding Opyl and her family:

OPYL BLESSING was b. 24 Feb 1903 in Marion, IN to parents William A. BLESSING (1869-1927) and Mary Grace STOUT (1876-1924). Opyl had one sister, Phyllis BLESSING (1905-1974). Opyl married Walter Edgel KIMSEY (1901-1988) and together they had four children including, Edgel D.; David Leon; Mary Ellen; and Esther A. KIMSEY, all born between 1923 and 1933. Opyl died 19 Apr 1978 in Pueblo, CO and is buried in the Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, CO. Her daughter Mary Ellen KIMSEY (1928-2016) is also buried in the same cemetery. It appears that Opyl may have been married more than once.

Census records provide the following details:

1910 census of Indianapolis, IN:

William BLESSING, age 40, married 9 years, born IN, parents born VA/KY, a School Teacher
M. Grace BLESSING, wife, age 32, married 9 years, 2 children/2 living, born IN, parents born IN
Opal BLESSING, dau, age 7, born IN
Phyllis BLESSING, dau, age 5, born IN

1920 census of Wayne, IN:

William A. BLESSING, age 50, born IN, parents born VA/KY, a Grade School Teacher
Grace BLESSING, wife, age 43, born IN, parents born IN
Opyl BLESSING, dau, age 16, born IN
Phyllis BLESSING, dau, age 15, born IN

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

Thanks,
Shelley

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 the Hauck Christmas tree that was found in the Library of Congress. It's estimated that this photo was taken between 1910 and 1935. This photo was a gift to the LOC by Herbert A French in 1947.

Hanging a stocking for Santa to fill around 1901.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; Merry Christmas Eve everyone, from our family to yours -1901

Children Nigel Cholmeley-Jones and Jeanette Cholmeley-Jones with poet Walt Whitman. The children were the niece and nephew of Jeannette Gilder, editor of The Critic and a friend to both Cox (the photographer) and Whitman. Gilder had delivered the frail poet to the photographer’s studio. He had just given a lecture on Abraham Lincoln.

Best known for Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman was a man of his times: complex, active, and with an interesting view of life. This photo was taken 5 years before he died.

In a newly discovered letter from Whitman to Gilder, he wrote:
328 Mickle Street
Camden New Jersey Sept. 13 Evn’g

Cox’s photos: came today & I have written my name on them & sent them back (addressing the package to William Carey, Century office)—All are good, but the one I like best is a head with hat on, the photo marked No 3—the pictures with the children come out first-rate—Give my love to the dear girl & boy & tell them I remember them well—I am here like an old hulk driven up on the sand or floating with spars & rigging all gone, & no more voyaging—Love to Watson and Joe
Walt Whitman

You can see other photos from this same sitting by clicking on his name in the upper right.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
People in photo include: Nigel Cholmeley-Jones and Jeanette Cholmeley-Jones

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

A photo of women Christmas shopping in 1937 London. Love their coats! (And the dress in the window.)

A photo of baby Maria Josephine Pena. Picture was taken in Mexico. When she was 2 yrs old her parents, Jesus and Petra Pena brought her to San Antonio Texas. Later she moved to Michigan. She married Antonio Alvarado.

This is a photo in my grandmother's collection. Is he related? Fannie Ethel (Chase) Davis born b 15 Oct 1885 Fulton Co, AR d 13 Nov 1960 Dade Co, FL
m 18 Oct 1903 William Milton Davis b 10 Dec 1880 Denton Co, TX


who is this?

I’ve “rescued” an old photograph of Oluf JOHNSON’S children including Jessie, Ivah, and Geneva JOHNSON. The photograph was taken in the early 1900’s with the three children likely about 4-7 years old at the time the photograph was taken. The photograph is of 2 girls and a boy with the boy appearing to be the oldest. There is no studio or location identified on the photograph though it was recovered in Washington State. I’m hoping to locate someone from this JOHNSON 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

People in photo include: Jessie Johnson, Ivah Johnson, and Geneva Johnson

A Frances Benjamin Johnston photo of school children taking a field trip to the Library of Congress, taken around 1899. Names of children unknown.

Photograph shows students writing in notebooks as a teacher looks on.

The photo is blue because it is a cyanotype - an expensive process that produced a blue photo.