Noni Mahoney

A photo of Christine Silver - British Actress born "Christine Isie Silver" on 17 December 1883 in Fulham, London. Her parents were Arthur Silver (1853-1896) and Isabella Charlotte Walenn (1856-1936). Her father was a textile designer and founder of the influential "Silver Studios". She married theatre manager, Walter Hamilton Maxwell (1878-1960) in 1908. They had one daughter Ellen Barbara Maxwell Sturgis (1912-2004). She then married writer, Roland Jocelyn Russell Sturgis (1888-1980) in 1918.

Christine Silver made her stage debut in "The New Idol" at the Royalty Theatre, London in 1902. She went on to play the part of "Nibs" in the original stage production of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie in 1904. She appeared in "Fanny's First Play" by George Bernard Shaw in 1911 and performed the role of "Titania" in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1913. She was in the film "The Pleydell Mystery" in 1916 and worked for the London Film Company in the early 1920s. Involvement in other well known productions include the title role in "Tess of the D'urbervilles" by Thomas Hardy in 1926. Film credits include "Barrabas" in 1935, "Dead Men Tell No Tales" 1939, "Heaven is Around The Corner" 1944, "Room to Let" 1950, "The Hornet's Nest" 1955 and "Companions in Crime" 1954. In the 1950s she took parts in six television series, lastly "Stryker of the Yard" in 1960.

Christine Silver had a long and successful acting career lasting nearly sixty years, appearing on stage, in over twenty films and on television until the year of her death. She died 23 November 1960 in Kensington, London aged 76.

Additional information: Christine Silver wrote the play "Doorsteps" which was made into a film, "Chicken Casey" in 1917.

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

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.

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

A photo of a Christmas tree for horses in 1918. In addition to the Christmas tree which was hung with apples, ears of corn and other horse dainties, well filled nose bags were provided.

Lady Diana Manners, born Lady Diana Olivia Winifred Maud Manners, the original "Diana" She was officially born to the union of the 8th Duke of Rutland and his wife, the former Violet Lindsay but her biological father was thought to be writer Henry Cust.

Considered the most beautiful young woman in England, she starred on the British stage as well as some early silent films. She used the name the Lady Diana Manners from 1892 -1919 and went by several other names throughout her life. This photo, therefore may have been taken during her stage career about 1918.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Bain News Service

A photo of New Year's Eve in a cafe circa 1910 - 1915.

Currier & Ives was a New York City printmaking business that operated between 1835 and 1907 and advertised itself as "the Grand Central Depot for Cheap and Popular Prints". Shown here is one of their lithographs celebrating a New Year circa 1876.

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

Who are these siblings from Ohio ?

A photo of Susanne Belle Bell nee Brummett

Florence Collingbourne (1880-1946) British Stage Actress was born "Florence Eliza Collingbourne" in 1880 Camberwell, Surrey to parents Henry Ashdown Collingbourne (1859-) and Maria Eleanor Witham (1858-1888). Her mother died when she was eight years old and she was then raised by her Aunt and Uncle.

Her brief stage career as a "Gaiety Girl" and "Cross Dressing Artiste" began in 1894 at Daly's Theatre, London. Her credited appearances include, "A Gaiety Girl" in 1899, "San Toy" in 1899, "The Wicked Uncle" in 1900 and "The Toreador" in 1901.

After her marriage in 1902 to hosiery manufacturer, Laurence Margetson (1875-1928), she retired from the stage. The couple had three children, one of which was the author, Stella Margetson (1912-1992). Florence Collingbourne died on 8 July 1946 in Bognor Regis, Sussex.

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.

Song sheet photograph of Madge Evans (1909-1981) - American Actress was born as "Margherita Harrison Evans" on 1 July 1909 in Manhattan, New York to parents Arthur John Evans (1874-) and Maud Mary Harrison (1878-). Madge Evans began her career as an infant model and a popular child actress. By the age of ten she had appeared in about thirty films and was identified as the most photographed child of her time. She was pictured on Fairy soap advertisements and song sheets as well as having her own brand of girl's hats. She also appeared on Broadway with John Barrymore in the 1917 production of "Peter Ibbetson".

While working on stage in 1927 she was signed by MGM Studios. As an adult performer she went on to make more than seventy two films and numerous stage appearances. In adult roles, by her own admission, she was usually typecast as the "ingenue". In 1939 she married playwright, Sidney Kingsley (born Sidney Kirschner) (1906-1995) in York Village, Maine. After her marriage she retired from the film business, but made a few radio and television appearances in the 1950's. She died on 26 April 1981 in Oakland, New Jersey aged 71.

additional information:

The Dramatists Guild Fund in conjunction with the Kingsley Estate administrate the "Madge Evans and Sidney Kingsley Award for Excellence in Theater". This annual award goes to a playwright and an actor for their body of work.

A photo of Grandma and Grandpa Ruth and Oliver Wolner

I’ve “rescued” an old photograph which was taken at the Harnish Studio in Noblesville, IN. It appears to have been taken in the 1880’s and identifies the children in the photograph as “Bertha age 10 years and Harry age 7 years”. I’m hoping to locate a family in the Hamilton County Indiana area that might be a match so that the photograph can be returned to the care of family. If you know this family please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley