I was scanning photos from my grandmother's album last weekend in preparation for a visit with my aunt, the oldest and last living relative I know on that side of the family. She identified the couple at right as Edna and Russell Pugh. She wasn't sure about Edna's maiden name and didn't know how Edna was related to her. However, she knew Edna had a sister named Zerelda and that the two sisters had lived with her aunts. Edna's maiden name is Hendricks. Her parents were Hannah Elizabeth Meinzen and John Harrison Hendricks. Hannah is my maternal grandfather William Carl Robert Meinzen's oldest sister. Hannah was born in 1875 and married in 1907. In quick succession she had three daughters: Edna in January, 1908; Elizabeth Zerelda in May, 1909; and Anna Bell in August, 1910. Hannah died two weeks after Anna was born. The three girls were sent to live with other family members. Edna lived with Naomi and Russel Rhome, Hannah's sister and brother-in-law. Zerelda lived with Lula and Charles Sticker, another of Hannah's sisters. And little Anna went to live with her father's family. Anna died a few months later.
When I look at the two ladies side-by-side I can't help but wonder if the woman on the right is Hannah, Edna's mother. The pose and expression are slightly different but there's something about the eyes and eyebrows that seem similar. Maybe the mouth, too, though one is smiling and one isn't. What do see? Is there a resemblance or am I imagining things?
I will never solve this puzzle: everyone who ever knew Hannah is long gone and I know of no surviving relatives who could identify her. If you are a collateral relative and recognize the lady in the photo at right, I would love to hear from you.
--Nancy.
Copyright © 2009-2016 Nancy Messier. All Rights Reserved.
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Oh yes, I see the resemblance. It is the eyes for sure but also the general shape of the face, especially the long and slender lines from eye to chin. Surely the dress of the unidentified woman puts her in the timeframe to be the other's mother.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you see a resemblance, too, Wendy. I think it means I'm not just trying to put two two people together because I want it to be so. I haven't researched the time period for the dress the unidentified woman is wearing but but it's clearly late 1800s or early 1900s. Thanks for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. I appreciate it.
DeleteIt's so frustrating isn't it? Especially that thought that someone will never be identified. But you did just remind me of a photo I have to be sure to take to a family reunion next year, hopefully someone will have a lead on this possible cousin!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is frustrating, Anna. Most of the family photographs I have are without names. I hope you find someone to identify the person in your photo at your family reunion!
DeleteThere is a definite resemblance. I empathize with your inability to identify the woman in the picture. I found a beautiful daguerreotype in amongst family pictures recently given to me. It is now the oldest picture in my collection - and I have no idea who it is a picture of and no one to ask about it!
ReplyDeleteIt can be frustrating to have the photo but not know who it is, isn't it, Leah. I always hope someone, somewhere will come forward and say, "I know who that is!" But it rarely happens.
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