W.E. Hall, Alliance, Nebraska 1890's

There were no names, dates, or locations on this photograph other than what is seen in the picture: "W.E. Hall Meat Market". By searching through old newspapers, I found that the W.E. Hall Meat Market was located in Alliance, Nebraska. The man in the photo is likely Hall himself, along with his wife and children.

William Ellsworth Hall was born in Carroll, Iowa in 1864 to parents James and Sarah Hall. In 1884 he married Catherine Luella Banks and the couple had 4 children: Minnie, Mignon, Ward, and Vivian. In the 1900 census, William Hall is listed as a "cattle raiser". Hall died in 1901, probably not long after this photograph was taken. According to the Alliance Herald, the meat market was acquired by Edward S. Wildy in 1902. Catherine went on to become a dressmaker and died in 1938.

If you know who this family may be, let us know in the comments!

Sadie M Kopf 1910's, Kansas

This photo does not provide many clues other than the name, but I believe the Sadie M. Kopf here is Sadie Marie Kopf of Kansas, born 1904. She married Roy Dennis Self, with whom she had five children. In this photo, Sadie is wearing an unusually long knit cap- I've never seen one like it before!

If you know who this may be, let us know in the comments!
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You may also have noticed the new "donate" button at the top of the page- there's no pressure to donate! This is simply so that I might have an easier time buying photographs this year and so that I can post more regularly. Even just a couple dollars is helpful! :)

Grafton Porch 1890's, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

         

I've decided to start off the new year with a baby photo!

This little boy is Grafton Porch, the son of Annie Lehrman and George Porch, a physician. Grafton was the youngest of four children. As an adult, he became a druggist and married twice, first to Priscilla May Ross (who died of pneumonia in 1925), and then to Opal Miller. He went on to serve in both WW1 and WW2.

If you know who this may be, let us know in the comments!

2017 Found Family

Hey everyone! I thought I would finish off 2017 with a few of the photographs I've been able to return to families this year. Most of the time, I am able to contact family members before I even post the photo- I typically find them through findagrave.com or ancestry.

 These two photos are of Margaret Davis Doughty and of Rosa and John Doughty with their sons, Oliver and Bill. Margaret was the wife of Oliver. The pictures were found in an antique store in Galveston, TX. I contacted Elizabeth, a descendant of the Doughty family, through Find a Grave and returned them in January.

 In October, I purchased over 30 photographs of the Burkett/Blunk family in Jefferson, TX. Above are just a couple of these: A picture of Vina Burkett Blunk and family, and a picture of  Garrett and Amelia Burkett, Vina's parents. I found a direct descendant of the Burkett's, Cindy, also through Find a Grave. I was able to return all of the photographs last week.

I want to say a big thank you to everyone who reads this blog and loves old photographs. I hope to return many, many more in 2018!

Women in the Snow, 1920's

This is a snapshot of two fashionable women standing outside on a very snowy day. It is likely from the 1920's.

I hope everyone has a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year- stay warm!

Alma Lampman 1880's, Leonidas, Michigan

"Alma Lampman
Leonidas
St Joseph Co
Mich"

Alma Lampman was born in 1869 and was the only child of  George and Rachel Lampman. In 1893 Alma married Luman Ackerman, a farmer. They had one son, Keith, in 1897.  In this cabinet card from the late 1880's, not long before she was married, Alma is wearing a lovely dress with beadwork on the front and on the cuffs of the sleeves.

If you know who this may be, let us know in the comments!

Marjorie and Gene Cox on Thanksgiving, 1925

This is a snapshot of Marjorie and Gene Cox standing outside a home on Thanksgiving day in 1925. I don't know where the photo was taken, but it looks like it may have been chilly!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you know who these two may be, let us know in the comments!