Friday Finds – 05/28/10

Weekly column sharing genealogy-related things that I’ve learned or found.

Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog – I am happy to report that we have launched the society into the social network.  Be sure to visit our ISGS blog, become a fan at our Facebook Fan Page, and follow us via Twitter.

Illinois State Historical Society Journals – This publication is now available online for the years 1950-2006.

A Century of Population Growth: From the First Census of the United States to the Twelfth, 1790–1900 – This book published by the Census Bureau in 1909, is available via Google Books.

Birth Records Available to Those Adopted in Illinois – On 21 May 2010, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill that allows adoptees born in Illinois to access their original birth certificate, WITHOUT a court order.  “Adopted adults born before Jan. 1, 1946, can immediately request copies of their original birth certificates, and those born after Jan. 1, 1946 can do so beginning Nov. 15, 2011. The law is effective immediately.”  I wonder if, come15  November 2011, my step-father will try to obtain a copy of his birth certificate.

Forgotten Old Photos – This blog was introduced to me through a comment on my other blog Who Will Tell Their Story?  This person does about the same thing I do with orphan photos, so if you like my orphan photo blog, be sure to check out this one.

The Chicago History Journal – A neat blog about Chicago history.  There are also companion sites to the blog.

Introducing My New Blog!

In honor of National Photo Preservation Month, I decided to create a new blog dedicated to my collection of old orphan photos.  Hop on over to Who Will Tell Their Story? and check it out!

Only 4 Elusive Photos Remain

I am an organization freak.  Prior to the GeneaBlogger Games back in August, I had already started to organize my photos.  While participating in the games, I finished the task and have since been busy scanning them.

After the initial sort, I had a stack of unknowns and unsures.  My visit with mom and Aunt Flo over the holidays, while wonderful in many other ways, was very helpful in identifying that stack of photos.

I am now left with only FOUR unknowns.  There is no identifying information whatsoever to go off of, and neither my mom, nor my aunt could identify them.  The topic of "Who Are You?" for the 9th edition of Smile For the Camera couldn't have come at a better time.  So without further ado, I present to you my four remaining elusive photos.

 

Do you recognize any of the people?

Photos in Need of a Home

lj-mood: intrested

If you read my post yesterday, you know that I rescued some orphan photos while out antiquing with my husband.

Here's some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Frank Trapp, Taylorville, Illinois Postmark:  Colorado Springs, Colorado, 27 Jul 1925 Signed:  Vin Postcard imprint reads:  Mt. Manitou Scenic Incline At the Summit of the longest and highest incline on the globe.  You cannot afford to come to Colorado and not take this grand trip. The message reads: Sure am seeing the sights.  Look in Pike's Peak Saturday, seeing sunset from top & coming down after dark.  Would like to put in a month out here if I could afford it.  Vin There is no other identifying information.  Oddly enough, this could be one of my Trapps, but I don't know yet...will be looking into...what a find if he's related!

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Hello Ida.  We are all well.  The weather is very dry here.  Harry Duncan and Hattie was out to visit us.  We had a big fire in Dayton it burnt one block on Main St.  It started in the Exchange Hotel and burnt to the Bank.  One woman burnt and died Wednesday morning.  Will write you soon, ans soon.  Good by, From Clara There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location. I got this one simply because of the story.  I did a quick (very quick I might add) to see if I could find out more about this fire.  Oddly enough, the first search result was an article written in September of this year about the "100th anniversary" of the fire.  So based on that info, this postcard was probably written in September 1908.  The end of the article provides more information about the fire and even states the name of the woman who died that was referenced in the postcard.  Pretty interesting!

 

Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 5 October 2008.

Julie

Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 4

Continued from Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 3

Here are some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos in the future!

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Freda Blanche Evans 8 months old weight 22-1/2 lb. There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Harold Leslie Nelson to _____ Paula There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  George Summer Myers, Hastings, Michigan, c/o Royal Myers Postmark:  Probably Mottville, Michigan (although not 100% legible), 13 January 1915 Signed:  Aunt Grace The message reads: Dear Summer am sending you a picture of your cousin his name is Pruan [?] Dee[.] Uncle Shirley has gone to New Mexico and I'm so lonesome[.] How I wish I could see your mother and have a good visit, Galen has the whooping cough, many thanks for the "Baby Boo" like it so well, Love to All Aunt Grace Lots of interesting info here!

 

Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 5 October 2008.

Julie

Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 3

Continued from Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 2

Here are some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos soon!

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: Hello Lucy.  How I would love to see you and your baby. I suppose it is a wonder.  I know mine is.  [cannot read signature] There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Josefa Ejavec, 1011-13 N. Chicago St., Joliet, Illinois Postmark:  unreadable The message is written in I'm guess Slavic, as the stamps appear to be from Slovenia.

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. The message reads: For her Great Grandmother Tower From Ruth Evelyn Tower Taken when she was 10 weeks old Born June 6, 1913 Glendale, Calif. Lots of interesting info here!

 

Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 5 October 2008.

Julie

Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 2

Continued from Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 1

Here are some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos soon!

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Melissa S. The message reads: This is the red headed baby when 7 mo old.  Would you like to have it. There is no other identifying information, postmark, date, or location.

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Miss Gertrude Bontz, Glasford, Illinois Postmark:  Hanna City, Illinois, 19 September 1910 The message reads: Thomas Walter Gibbons at the age of 6 months. There is no other identifying information.

 

This postcard photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008. Addressee:  Mrs. Homer Moore, Homer, Illinois Signed:  Mabel Postmark:  City not show, Washington, 26 January 1912 The message reads: Dear May: Lula's Terre Haute address used to be 1815 N. 10th St.  I don't know where she is now but wish I did.  She was in school at Granville, Ohio the last I heard from her but that has been several years ago.  Mabel Lots of interesting info in just this small bit!

 

The message reads: Glenella Florence Davison.  Age 5 months & 3 weeks.  Nov. 1, 1914 There is no other identifying information, postmark, or location.

 

Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 5 October 2008.

Julie

Cute Kids, Are They Yours? - Part 1

If you read my post yesterday, you know that I rescued some orphan photos while out antiquing with my husband.

Here's some of those photos.  Are they yours?  If so, let me know; I'm happy to reunite you with your family photos!

I will be posting additional photos soon!

 

These two photos were together in a cardboard frame (forgive me, I'm not up on my terminology).  There is no identifying information, nor a photographer/studio, time period or location.  My guess is, they are brother and sister.  These photos were rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008.

 

This photo is presented in a cardboard frame.  Davis Studio in Blue Earth, Minnesota is imprinted on the frame.  There is no identifying information.  This photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008.

 

This is a postcard photo.  The following is printed on the back:  W.T. Caldwell Photographer in Milford, Illinois.  There is no identifying information.  This photo was rescued from the Antique Mall in El Paso, Illinois, by me, on 05 October 2008.

 

Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 5 October 2008.

Julie

Funny, Ha-Ha

The 6th Edition of Smile for the Camera is upon us. This edition is being hosted by Becky Wiseman @ kinexxions.

Becky's word prompt for the 6th Edition of Smile For The Camera is Funny Bone. Show us that picture that never fails to bring a smile to your face! An amusing incident, a funny face, an unusual situation. Share!

Choose a photograph of an ancestor, relative, yourself, or an orphan photograph that tickles your Funny Bone and bring it to the carnival. Admission is free with every photograph!

I actually thought this one would be easy; I have a lot of "funny bone" pics. However, many of them involve relatives who are still around somewhere and would probably kill me if they came across their funny (or embarrassing) photo on the Internet.

If you read my post from yesterday, you know that I went antiquing and rescued some orphan photos. There was one in particular that made me chuckle so I purchased it with this carnival in mind.

I though it was cute. The little girl on the right looks so mischievous, while the baby looks spooked. The expressions are priceless and made me smile!

I have no idea when or where this photo was taken, nor who is in the photo. If anybody wants to claim it, I'm happy to share.

Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 5 October 2008.

Julie