Kate Van Dyck

A photo of Elenor Virginia Drewry

Mary Jane Barnett (1907 -- 1997) and sister Elizabeth (Barnett) Doyle.
People in photo include: Elizabeth (Barnett) Doyle

A photo of WWII Nurse Vivian Bullwinkle. Escaping Singapore on 12th Feb 1942 with 65 other Australian war nurses on the SS Vyner Brooke along with hundreds of other men, women and children, she found herself and 21 other nurses on Radji Beach, Banka Island.

When Japanese troops arrived, they killed all the men, then they gathered 22 nurses together at the beach.

Vivian said nothing aloud. None of the nurses did. Except for the sound of the water hitting their thighs, the beach was silent. Vivian, sad to think her mother would never learn what happened to her, suddenly felt peaceful when she realized she would soon see her deceased father. She wanted to communicate her new emotion to the other nurses. She turned and smiled at them. They returned her smile 'in a strange and beautiful way.'The Japanese and ordered them into the sea, where they machine gunned them.

Nurse Bullwinkel, badly wounded and feigning death, was the only survivor..

On the back of the photo board it states that 'This is Paul Zimdars son age 3.' in one hand, and in another hand immediately above it states 'Elmer Zimdars'
People in photo include: Elmer Zimdars

I've "rescued" an old photograph of Paul DUKER which was taken at the Foehlinger Studio in Burlington, IA sometime in the early 1900's. Paul appears to be about 6 years old at the time the photograph was taken. Based on limited research I was able to locate the following information regarding Paul and his family:

Paul George DUKER was b. 14 May 1905 in Burlington, IA to parents William Theodore DUKER (b. 1872) and Frances KEINER (1871-1952). Paul was one of 5 children born to this couple including, Beatrice C.; Brady; Paul George; Carl O.; and Mary DUKER, all born between 1903 and 1912. It appears that Paul married twice, he married Charlotte KALETSCH (d. 1990) and together they had one child, he also was married to Lillian Elaine GRAHAM (b. 20 Oct 1908 in Waynesboro, MS-d. 12 Jan 1973 in Texarkana, TX the dau of Robert GRAHAM and Genie WATTS) sometime after 1940. Paul died 13 Jul 1978 in Texarkana, TX.

Census records provide the following details:

1910 census of Burlington, IA:

William Theo DUKER, age 38, married 11 years, born LA, parents born Germany, a Meat Market Butcher
France M. DUKER, wife, age 38, married 11 years, 4 children/3 living, born IA, parents born Germany/IA, a Meat Market Butcher
Beatrice C. DUKER, dau, age 6, born IA
Paul Geo DUKER, son, age 4, born IA
Carl O. DUKER, son, age 1, born IA

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

Thanks,
Shelley

A photo of George Benning, age 16, holding up his girlfriend. We don't know who she is. :(

A photo of Frances Dryll. Photo rescued from antique shop in Hillsboro, Oregon, October 2018. Francis Dryll or Dryell, 1918.
People in photo include: Frances Dryll

Rev. J.W. Pettit on his return home from China.
I am not sure what the J. W. is as I am researching this side of my family. My Grandfather was George W. Pettit, Great Grandparents were Arthur And Sarah (Leggett) Pettit. Since this photo was in the family album my guess is that he is a relative. If you have any info on this family Please email me at [contact link]
People in photo include: J. W. Pettit

A photo of an unknown Hechinger woman at Point Comfort. One of many photos that should be reunited with their family.

This photo is of my grandparent's Arthur Sydney Charles Cook and Ellen Veronica Hart. wedding.20-4-1919.Taken in Fulham England..anglican

A photo of Cousin Albert Walter Lewis of Chicago. Baby 'Bertie' W. Lewis was born July 28, 1868 to my Great Uncle Walter Robert Braden Lewis & Hannah Louise Jenness. I don't know whether he ever visited at my grandfathers in California or if he is indeed the same Albert Lewis who signed my Uncle Jim's autograph book in 1884. It could have been sent to him. They were about the same age. Albert married Loretta Held in Baltimore and they had no children. He died Feb 26, 1931.

When we moved to Hammonton, my father and Uncle Ira Briggs built both of our houses. They were right next to each other. Our house had one bedroom. Kid was our dog. We brought him from the ranch in Auburn (where my dad was raised). I was 4 years old.