Laurel Cottage Genealogy
Genealogy Services, Old Photos, Postcards, Trade Cards, Etc.

Holly Christmas Greetings

Posted on December 19th, 2013 by

Holly Christmas Greetings1Holly Christmas Greetings2

Beautiful, rustic Christmas Greetings showing holly in foreground and log-framed nature scene in backgound. Card is addressed to “Mrs. Carrie Myers, Kechi, Kans.”  Nothing definite is showing (as of the date of this post in just a quick search) for Mrs. Carrie Myers in Kechi, although there are various Federal Census records and City Directory listings in the Wichita area. However, these entries show varying dates and places of birth, so there may be more than one person under this name, or there may have been errors in the census records.

The town of Kechi is situated in Sedgwich County, just northeast of Wichita. According to the city’s website, the name Kechi is derived from the Kechai band of Indians that were camping in the area in the 1800’s; it’s first non-native moved to the vicinity in 1868. See the first source below for more details.

Divided back, unused, embossed postcard. Printed in Germany. No. 7239 Relief, No. 7242 Brillant. Estimating the date from around 1910 – 1915. Publisher is PFB which stands for Paul Finkenrath, Berlin. See the second source listed below at the website The Postcard Album, with more information on this publisher.

Price:  $5.00

Sources:  http://www.kechiks.com/residents/city-history

http://www.tpa-project.info/html/body_paul_finkenrath.html

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Categories: Christmas, Postcards Unused With Writing, Printed in Germany

Sacramento, California State Capital

Posted on December 16th, 2013 by

Sacramento State Cap1Sacramento State Cap2

Beautiful postcard of the Sacramento, California state capital building. According to a Wikipedia entry, the building was completed between 1861 and 1874. The building, along with the grounds, were listed as a California historical landmark in 1974. The drawing of the shield in the left corner shows the state’s motto, “Eureka.”

Divided back, unused postcard, circa 1915-1920. Publisher IPC&N Co. (Illustrated Postcard & Novelty Company.) Series 97-2. This publisher can be found listed in a publication available online lodging protest through their legal counsel of the WWI era proposed stamp rate increase from one cent to two cents.

Sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Capitol

Revenue to Defray War Expenses. Hearings and Briefs Before the Committee on Finance. United States Senate, 65th Congress. First Session on H. R. 4280. An Act to Provide Revenue to Defray War Expenses and for Other Purposes. Washington Government Printing Office, 1917. (Google eBooks)

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Categories: Postcards, Postcards Unused

Wilma Taylor’s House

Posted on December 14th, 2013 by

Wilma Taylors House1Wilma Taylors House2

“Dear Fern: This is the picture of our home. Are you coming down to see me? I want you to be sure to come. I am going to look for you. As ever your friend, Wilma Taylor”

Divided back, real photo postcard addressed to Miss Fern Anderson, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, from her friend Wilma Taylor. Postmarked August 28th, but the year is unreadable. Estimating this postcard is from the 1910s or early 20s. The postmark does indicate it was sent from Farmington, (Whitman County) Washington, which is on the Idaho border. The distance between the two cities is about sixty miles; Coeur d’Alene being situated northeast of Farmington. The photo is of a side view of the Taylor house; a wooden, farmhouse type structure with a picket fence that has a very nicely designed gate. We can see that the house has a lovely front porch, even though we can’t see the porch too well, because of the angle of the photo.

Friends, Wilma and Fern have been located in the U.S. Federal Census records. The 1900 census, taken in Farmington, shows:  Holton G. Taylor, born Iowa, March 1858; his wife Hettie, born Iowa, January 1871; daughters Laura, born Washington, August 1890 and Wilma, born Washington, June 1892; sons Hollis, born Washington, September of 1894, and Willard, born Washington, June 1896. The father is listed as being in the milling business. Wilma is about seven years old on this census.

The 1910 U.S. Census, also taken in Farmington, shows the Taylor family, except for the eldest daughter Laura, who would be about 29 years old at this time. The father’s given name is recorded here as Houghton rather than Holton; the mother’s name is recorded as Margarette H., rather than Hettie, indicating that Hettie may have been her middle name, or a variation of her middle name, or possibly a nickname derived from Margarette. Houghton Taylor is listed as owner of a grist mill, which of course, coincides with the 1900 census info. Wilma is about 17 years old on this census.

The 1920 U. S. Census shows Houghton G. Taylor with wife Ester (Hettie), and new family member, son Gerald born Washington, about 1911. Houghton is still listed as owning his own mill. The street name given on this census is a bit difficult to read, but after looking at the prior page, and researching nearby streets, it would appear to be Chestnut. There is no house number given, so perhaps this would indicate that the area was still somewhat rural at this time, and that the house in the photo is possibly the same one that Houghton, Hettie and Gerald were living at here in 1920. Houghton is also listed as owning this residence on Chestnut. The prior census page to this one also shows “FM” for “Farm” in the house number category relating to Chestnut Street; this would seem to be further evidence that the photo here could be the Chestnut residence.

Further records (California Voter Registers) on Houghton Granger Taylor show that he was working as a miller in the Gridley area of Butte County, California in 1882 and 1884. Gridley is about 60 miles north of Sacramento.

Of course, the fact that Houghton had a long career as a miller, brings up the further search avenue for him regarding grist mills, old mills in Whitman County, Butte County, etc., however his name is not turning up in this type of search. Sadly, it appears that most of the old mills were destroyed over the years. The search did lead to locating a very intriguing-sounding book available from various online sellers entitled, Eastern Washington’s Vanished Grist Mills and the Men Who Ran Them, by Florence Sherfey. (Another one for the wish list:  so many books, postcards, old photos, so little time – grin.)

Fern Anderson, Wilma’s friend, shows up on the 1910 census in Coeur d’Alene, age 16, born Washington, about 1894. Her parents are listed as Andrew H. Anderson, born Denmark, about 1864, and Jessie, born California, about 1874. The residence address is 807 Second Street. Fern’s father Andrew, is listed as a self-employed broker in the mining industry.

After finding the 1910 census, the 1900 was located; showing Andrew, Jessie and Fern living in Spokane, Washington. Andrew’s occupation is listed as Blacksmith.

Divided back, used, Real Photo Postcard. Postmarked from Farmington, Washington on August 28, year unknown, circa 1910 – early 1920s.

Price:  $15.00

Sources:  Year: 1900; Census Place: Farmington, Whitman, Washington; Roll: 1753; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0100; FHL microfilm: 1241753. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Precinct 43, Whitman, Washington; Roll: T624_1674; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 0263; FHL microfilm: 1375687. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

California State Library, California History Section; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4 – 2A; CSL Roll Number: 8; FHL Roll Number: 976454. Ancestry.com. California, Voter Registers, 1866-1898 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Sherman, Kootenai, Idaho; Roll: T624_225; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0173; FHL microfilm: 1374238. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Spokane Ward 2, Spokane, Washington; Roll: 1751; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0063; FHL microfilm: 1241751. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

 

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Categories: Postcards, Postcards Used, Real Photo Postcards

Cool Guy With Seaside Backdrop

Posted on December 12th, 2013 by

Cool Guy With Seaside Backdrop1Cool Guy With Seaside Backdrop2

Great Real Photo Postcard of guy in suit and bow tie, posing in front of the photographer’s backdrop of what appears to be a seaside scene. He looks to be about 30 or 40ish, age-wise. Love the expression and the hands behind the back pose.

The backdrop is a scene showing a very long building, possibly a hotel; the type that one might have found in a seaside resort town, that might also house various amusements like arcade machines, a carousel, and a ballroom for dances. You can see five or six beach umbrellas in the foreground which help to identify the type of scene depicted here.

Real Photo Postcard, unused. The AZO stamp box has two triangles pointing up and two pointing down. Guessing this card is from the late 1910s to early ’20s.

Price:  $10.00

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Categories: Photos Without Names, Real Photo Postcards

Winter Cottage With Clematis

Posted on December 6th, 2013 by

Winter Cottage With Clematis

Gorgeous card showing country cottage scene in winter with what appears to be a clematis border in shades of purple. Note the sunset or sunrise sky colors, and the little birdie perched on the top branch of the bush. This is a beautiful card. Nothing on the back except for the glue markings from the person that put this treasured scene in their scrapbook.

Size:  About 4 and 1/2 x 3 and 1/2″

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Categories: Miscellaneous Cards and Other

Christmas Greetings

Posted on December 5th, 2013 by

Christmas Greetings1Christmas Greetings2

An elegant little Christmas card. It has the word “Bavaria” on the back in very small print, so this was likely the place it was printed. Winter cottage scene with decorations including mistletoe, holly, and bells. Embossed and with gold tone overlay. The lettering style of the greeting is really nice.

Size:  About 2 and 5/8 x 3 and 7/8″

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Categories: Christmas, Holidays, Miscellaneous Cards and Other

Myrtle Eyman

Posted on December 4th, 2013 by

Myrtle Eyman1Myrtle Eyman2

Cabinet Card photo of lovely young woman identified on the back of the card as Myrtle Eyman. It is unclear what type of decoration she wears on her blouse, as that part got caught up in the intentional softening photographic technique for the photo, but if it was not part of the blouse design, then perhaps it was a corsage. The scalloped edging on the blouse rather coincidentally (or maybe not coincidentally?) goes with the scalloped edging of the card.The photographer’s name was Nelson, of Fullerton, Nebraska. Further research on the photographer will be posted separately.

Scalloped edging on Cabinet Cards was popular in the 1890s, although photographers were sometimes using up old card stock, so this by itself is not enough to date this card. However, there is a Myrtle Eyman showing up in the census records for 1880 and 1885, as being born in Illinois, about 1878, and living in Lost Creek, Platte County, Nebraska in 1880, and in Genoa, Nance County, Nebraska in 1885. Other online entries under this same name, do not fit for date or place, or both, so I believe these two census records to be the correct person for this photo. If Myrtle is about 18 – 20 years old in this photo, that would place the date of the card around 1896 – 1898.

The 1880 Federal Census shows Myrtle, age 2, living with her parents, Hardin H. Eyman, occupation farmer, born IL about 1847 and his wife Sue, born Canada, about 1851. Living with them are Hardin’s brother John, a widower, occupation farmer, born IL about 1841, and John’s son, Frank, born IL about 1868.

The 1885 Nebraska State Census shows Myrtle and her parents living in the village of Genoa. Hardin’s occupation is difficult to read (looks like stock dealer.)

The city directory entries from 1906, 1910, 1912 and 1913 for Myrtle Eyman are very likely the same Myrtle in the photo. They show Myrtle living in the cities of Kearney, Lincoln, Hastings, and again Lincoln, respectively.

This photo was found along with two others. There is a slim, but probably not likely, chance there was some relation to the three; see the prior two posts for more info.

Sources:  Year: 1880; Census Place: Lost Creek, Platte, Nebraska; Roll: 754; Family History Film: 1254754; Page: 196B; Enumeration District: 095; Image: 0172. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

National Archives and Records Administration; Nebraska State Census; Year: 1885; Series/Record Group: M352; County: Nance; Township: Genoa; Page: 1. Ancestry.com. Nebraska, State Census Collection, 1860-1885 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

 

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Categories: Cabinet Cards, Photos With Names

Paducah, Kentucky Guy

Posted on December 2nd, 2013 by

Paducah Kentucky Guy

Cabinet Card photo of nice-looking young gentleman in a suit, bow tie, and holding a bowler hat. Photo taken in Paducah, Kentucky. The photographer’s name is hard to read here, but after a little research of Paducah city directories, W. G. McFadden appeared to be the likely photographer. His name was verified by finding other cabinet cards with this same distinct signature, that were a little easier to read. More details to follow shortly in a separate post, on W. G. McFadden.

In searching for more details in the photo, an up-close look at this young man’s left hand shows that he appears to be wearing a wedding band. This photo was found with two other photos of persons who may or may not be related to this man. See the prior post on Ophelia Bell Morrow, and the next post on Myrtle Eyman.

At the bottom left of the card is the word “Platinotype.” Per a Wikipedia entry, platinotypes or platinum prints, “…are photographic prints made by a monochrome printing process that provides the greatest tonal range of any printing method using chemical development.” The platinum group metals are very stable, more so than gold. “It is estimated that a platinum image, properly made, can last thousands of years.” Other advantages for using the platinotype process:  non-reflective, and no tendancy to curl, as in the photos coated with gelatin.

Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum_print

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Categories: Cabinet Cards, Photos Without Names

Ophelia (Bell) Morrow

Posted on December 1st, 2013 by

Ophelia Bell Morrow (1)Ophelia Bell Morrow (2)

Old portrait on heavy cardboard of lovely woman identified on the back as “Ophelia Bell Morrow.” Guessing circa 1910s or early ’20s. Wearing black dress with lace and bow over what was likely a white or possibly cream colored high-neck collar. The collar is in some type of patterned crocheted-looking material, with contrasting black showing just underneath, and cloth-covered button or decoration, to the side.

Size:  About 5 and 3/4 x 4 and 1/4″ including cardboard backing

Mary Ophelia Bell, born October 1, 1855 (per Find A Grave.) Daughter of Job Bell, physician and Ann or Maria Ann (Overall?) Married Richard D. Morrow December 3, 1874, McNairy County, TN. Died August 1,1930. Curiously, the New Orleans, LA death records show an Ophelia Morrow born about 1856, and died August 1, 1930. Find A Grave shows same death date, but buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Selmer, McNairy County, TN. There is an 1930 Federal census taken in April of 1930 in Paducah, McCracken County, KY which shows an Ophelia B. Morrow, widow, living at a boarding house, born about 1856 in TN, parents also born in TN, which seems to fit for Ophelia.

The 1850 Federal Census, taken in District 3, McNary County, TN shows Teresa (looks like Terry) Overall as head of household. With her is Elizabeth Gay (a possible daughter?), and Job and Ann Bell (Ophelia’s parents.) The 1870 Federal Census, taken in Purdy, TN shows Teresa Overall living with Job and Ann M. Bell, and their two children, Mary O. (Ophelia), and William T. Bell, born TN about 1858. No relationship is given for Teresa Overall on either record, but it’s possible she is Ann’s mother. Also in the household are William Marshall, farmhand, born SC about 1813, and Sarah Riddle, domestic servant, born NC about 1815.

The 1880 Federal Census, taken in Purdy, TN shows Ophelia and husband R. D. Morrow, whose occupation is listed as steamboat clerk, with their two children, Annie M., born TN about 1876, and Charles, born TN, age about 4 months. The Morrows are living with Ophelia’s parents. Also in the household are W. T. Bell, brother to Ophelia, born TN about 1858 and Sallie Prior, servant born TN about 1836.

These old photos are generally found loose, along with many others. This one was found at a Salinas, CA thrift store along with a couple of other old photos, as the only three photos from this era; the rest were postcards and other groups of newer photos. So, it’s possible there is some relation to the three people, as the young man’s photo was taken in Paducah, KY which is the same place as the last census record for the person listed as Ophelia B. Morrow in 1930. Could the young man be Charles Morrow, Ophelia’s son? This is just speculation; however, there are listings for other Morrows showing up in Paducah, so it’s also possible the unknown young man was some type of relation. The young lady’s photo, taken in Fullerton, NE is identified as Myrtle Eyman. Charles Morrow was married (per his death info) but no record has been found linking him with Myrtle, so they may be unrelated.

See the next two posts for the unknown young man in Paducah, and for Myrtle Eyman.

Sources:  Year: 1850; Census Place: District 3, McNairy, Tennessee; Roll: M432_888; Page: 65B; Image: 136. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

“Tennessee, Marriages, 1796-1950,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDQV-4Y8 : accessed 01 Dec 2013), R. D. Morrow and Ophelia Bell, 03 Dec 1874.

“United States Census, 1880,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MD75-Y3P : accessed 01 Dec 2013), Ophelia … in household of Job Bell, Purdy, McNairy, Tennessee, United States; citing sheet 100B, family 3, NARA microfilm publication T9-1268

Year: 1900; Census Place: Civil District 1, Houston, Tennessee; Roll: 1579; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 1241579. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Year: 1930; Census Place: Paducah, Mccracken, Kentucky; Roll: 768; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0008; Image: 338.0; FHL microfilm: 2340503. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

Orleans Death Indices 1929-1936; Volume: 200; Page: 1842. Ancestry.com. New Orleans, Louisiana, Death Records Index, 1804-1949 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: State of Louisiana, Secretary of State, Division of Archives, Records Management, and History. Vital Records Indices. Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

www.findagrave.com. Find A Grave Memorial# 78698152

“Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K3H3-TBW : accessed 01 Dec 2013), R D Morrow in entry for Charles W Morrow, 09 Oct 1935; citing certificate number 45773, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2116705.

 

 

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Categories: Photos With Names

Une Oasis

Posted on November 30th, 2013 by

Une Oasis pc1Une Oasis pc2

597. Une oasis. Un oasi.

Unused, divided back postcard depicting a desert oasis scene. The postcard’s stamp box contain the letters HUGF. The publisher’s logo on the bottom left consists of the letters LLT with a design on each side of the letters similar to an “equals” sign, (=) all of which are enclosed in a circle.

This postcard was very interesting to research. The stamp box, which was a major puzzler at first, became the key to identifying the location for this postcard. Although Hugf could be the name of the printing manufacturer, it does not show up as a company name in online research related to postcards, nor as a translation of “stamp.” However, we do find it as a place name, mentioned in the book entitled “In the Heart of the Desert” by Michael Quentin Morton. This book is a biography on the author’s father, Mike Morton (1924-2003), who was an exploration geologist in the Middle East. Of course, finding the Hugf reference doesn’t mean that this artist rendition of an oasis scene was a real place in the Hugf region, on the other hand, it could very well have been. Chapter 13, page 147 contains a description of the Hugf as an area of ancient rocks situated on the eastern edge of the Jiddat al Harasis plateau.

Map of Oman

In the map of Oman above we can see that Jiddat al Harasis is located just below the central region of the map, to the west of the seaside port of Duqm. And if we look for the nation’s capital (top right) we see that the letter “t” in Masqat, and just above that in Matrah, has a type of accent mark similar to the french cedilla. If we look closely at the postcard publisher logo, we can see a similar mark there under the capital T. This might indicate that the publisher was based in the country of Oman.

LLT logo

Sources:  http://www.greenmountainpress.co.uk/in_the_heart_of_the_desert_morton.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Morton_%28geologist%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duqm

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/oman-map.htm

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Categories: Postcards, Postcards Unused