Sunday, 15 March 2026 by Sagacity

More Donaldson Pictures

Scanning and working through the photos of Dave & Betty Donaldson continues to be a gold mine. While many of the photos are more routine or mundane, once and a while a few pop up that are an insight into the past we did not previously have. Here are some of those photos. I hope there are even more yet to be found.

Likely in southern California, Dave looks like a young teenager. Dave was born in 1928, I guess he is about 12-14 in the photo.

Maxine, Gladys, Dave, Dena and Dora Donaldson

This photo is fun as it shows a glimpse into the young Donaldson family kids. I don’t have many photos of my Grandma Gladys and every extra one gives more reality to her childhood. Dave was born in 1928, I am guessing he is about 7 or 8 here. Even though Dena and Dora are twins, you can tell they are not identical. I still cannot tell them apart though. I love the wallpaper advertisement in the back ground. It looks like the boonies, but close enough to town to have a large sign advertising wallpaper.

What is the Donaldson family doing in Long Beach, Los Angeles, California in 1932? What is the occasion? Who were they visiting? The neighborhood looks nice. They are dressed nice too.

Dave & Betty Donaldson in Jackson, Wyoming

It looks like a fun ride, but Betty also seems to be holding on extra tight.

This photo is a bit of an enigma to me. I believe this is a pre-war Milo Ross. I haven’t seen this photo before. But why would Dave & Betty have it in their possession, how did they get it if it predates my Grandma Gladys? The hat is similar to some other photos I have seen.

You can see both of these two photos have Grandpa with probably the same hat. The last one, with the horse in the field, probably dates this into the 1930s. I don’t know how to track down that planter and date it. But I am guessing late 1930s, maybe early 1940s.

Here is another with the same gun.

John Telford, Jan Birch, Richard Michaelson, Milo Ross

This photo was a delight. Another young photo of my Dad with his first cousins. I am guessing he is 6 or 7, so about 1950-1951.

My Great Grandma Berendena Van Leeuwen Donaldson with Eddie, Irene, Mary, and John Telford

Dena Michaelson and Berendena Donaldson at Will Rogers house (that I believe burned down in 2025)

Dena Donaldson and Dena Michaelson at their home in California. Interesting partial reflections in the water on the sidewalk.

David Donaldson and friends in San Francisco.

This photo appears to be a postcard of sorts. Here is the back of it.

The back gives us more information. The date – 11 December 1917. Taken at 225 Market Street, San Francisco, California. Jack and Byron both appear to have signed their names, but the rest of the writing is David’s. David and Jack are from Ogden, Utah. Byron is from Evanston, Wyoming. I don’t know which is Byron and which is Jack. I also cannot tell Jack’s last name and have been unable to locate something that matches. Kielman? Kiefman? Kilfner?

I located Byron Powell, born 21 July 1894 in Winters Quarter, Carbon, Utah and died 12 September 1957 in Ogden. Byron registered for the military draft in Uinta County, Wyoming, which includes Evanston in 1917-1918.

Dena, Dave, Dora, Maxine, David inside vehicle, and Gladys Donaldson on a trip

Again, I don’t know for certain which is Dora and which is Dena. But another fun photo of my Grandma I did not have before.

I don’t know where this photo is from, but I believe it is somewhere in southern Utah. Probably near or in Zions National Park.

Sunday, 8 February 2026 by Sagacity

Heyburn Gill Family

The Heyburn Citizens group received some photos from a Rose Pederson in Vancouver, Washington. These were given to the City of Heyburn. I took the opportunity to scan them and make them available more widely.

Burley Idaho Feb. 1920 – Mr. E. Bowman – Jossie & Flossy (Bays) – Walt Gill

I was able to track down Walter Arthur Gill fairly easily. Walter Arthur Gill born 19 July 1889 in St. Edward, Boone, Nebraska. The 1900 Census has him with his family still in St. Edward. The 1910 Census has him in Heyburn, living with his parents. His brother, Amos, is living next door with his family.

This letter from 1911 indicates he was now the owner of some real estate in Heyburn, Idaho.

This letter indicates his homestead application is allowed in Section 14, Township 10 South, Range 23 East. This would put this farm east of Heyburn’s A Street (400 West), west of 300 West, south of 400 South, and north of 500 South. Nothing on the 1910 census tells me exactly where they were living, but I don’t know that was where he homesteaded either.

Walt Gill (holding son Art Gill – born in 1922), Eva Lenore Anderson (from Edith’s prior marriage), Edith Marion Howell Gill, Amy Jane Hall Gill

Walt is the son of Arthur Erwin Gill (1854 – 1923) and Amy Jane Hall Gill (1858 – 1935). He married Dolly Genevera Baily (1891 – 1966) on 11 January 1911 in Albion, Cassia, Idaho. I do not see any children and do not know how that marriage ended.

He married Edith Marion Howell (1899 – 1940) on 19 July 1921 in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. The 1920 Census does not provide where he lives, but Dolly is not with him. Ralph Arthur Gill was born 4 April 1922 in Jarbridge, Elko, Nevada. Aimee Jean Gill was born 21 January 1924 in Idaho (not clear where).

I cannot tell how long he was on the homestead he claimed. It doesn’t seem to have been very long.

Burley Idaho – Feb. 1920 – Anona Gill on Flossy – Lady & Rock (Blacks) – Walt Gill

Anona Gill (1912 – 1974) is his niece, daughter of Amos Hiram Gill (1881 – 1940) and Jane A Vizzard (1881 – 1953).

Edith remarried to Robert Earl Taylor (1894 – 1953) on 27 January 1931 in Elko, Elko, Nevada.

The 1930 Census has Walt living in Inyo County, California. He appears to be in or around Bishop, Inyo, California for the 1940 Census and reports he was also living there in 1935. The obituary for his mother lists him as living in Taft, Kern, California in 1935. When he registered for the draft in 1942, he was living in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. He remarried to a Jessie Opal Shafer, nee Fowler, in California. She was using the Gill name for the 1940 Census, so likely married before then.

I don’t know what Nancy is as referenced as a name on the photo. Maybe that is her shadow on the horse?

Walter died 13 February 1943 in Hollywood. He is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Sunday, 7 December 2025 by Sagacity

Pearlie letter to Jim

This letter was shared with me by Erron Alvey. Erron and I are cousins descending from James Thomas Ross/Meredith and Damey Catherine Graham. I have written about them before. In 2020, I shared that some more photos of James/Jim were found and I hoped that more would be found. Erron is a descendant through Robert “Bob” Leonard Ross, brother to my John “Jack” Ross. Bob’s daughter, Mary, is Erron’s Great Grandmother. It appears that some of Jim’s possessions and photos have come through the generations to her. She provided some photographs and other documents for scanning, I scanned 215 documents in all. Among them, was this letter. Pearlie was married to James Thomas Ross/Meredith Jr. Envelopes suggest Jim was living in Winton, California. None of the letters have an address on them.

The letter is dated 1934. That is right in the depths of the Great Depression. During this time in California, Jim is planning on making his way to the Salt Lake City Temple. There he will make covenants only available in temples. His closest temple at that time would have been St. George. But he has family and friends in Salt Lake City. I don’t know if he made it to Vernal and Lapoint to visit James and Pearlie and their family. But this certainly gives some more insight into the ongoing conversations and relationships that existed. I will share the scans of the letter below. I will also share some of the stash of photos that have come over, unfortunately most are unnamed individuals. Jim was baptized and confirmed 17 April 1898. He received his endowment 20 June 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Damey, who has passed away in 1933, also received her endowment vicariously on the same date. They were also sealed that same date. This letter is 11 months before Jim made the trip and received these ordinances.

Pearlie May Marshall was born 16 September 1892 in Gladesboro, Carroll, Virginia and died 17 September 1976 in Vernal, Uintah, Utah. She married to James Thomas Ross (1895 – 1964) 4 June 1913 in Laurel Fork, Carroll, Virginia. They divorced and she remarried to Ashley Bartlett in Vernal, Utah, 22 November 1938. James Jr and Pearlie had six children: Vesta Virginia Ross (1914 – 2007), Eugene Dale Ross (1915 – 1986), Iola Inez Ross (1918 – 1976), Ernest Howard Ross (1919 – 1922), Sydney Bea Ross (1922 – 2010), and Carma Ross (1924 – 2015). All but Sydney were born in Lapoint, she was born in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. Ernest died in Rupert while there.

Lapoint, Ut

July 20, 1934

Dear Dad,

We were surely pleased to get your letter as we half been expecting one for some time.

How are you and what are you doing? We are all well as usual and not doing much of any thing.

Are times getting any better down there? Don’t seem to be any better here, besides the water situation is getting serious.

Just enough for gardens and maybe that won’t last.

No hay or grain raised if under the White Rocks Canal and not much under the Government Canal.

Glad you are coming to Salt Lake City to go through the Temple.

Nothing would please me better than to go through with you, but I haven’t a penny now and don’t suppose I will then, but if it is possible I will be there.

One of my neighbors used to work in the Temple. She said you could get some one there to go through with you, but I will if I can get there.

I wish Tom would go and be sealed to you and have our work done but I’ve about given up all hopes.

You must be sure and come on out here whether I can meet you there or not.

It won’t cost much more and we want to see you so bad. The children talk about your a lot. Sydney and Carma are getting to be quite big girls now. Eugene hasn’t grown much since you saw him. Surely sorry to hear Jack had cancer of the stomach. Hope he is better by now.

How are Fannie’s folks?

I wrote her 2 or 3 weeks ago but haven’t heard from her.

Do you still stay with Florence? How are her and her family? Tell her to write and tell all about herself and kiddies.

Where is Orson? How are he and his wife getting along. Where does Mary live and how is her health now.

Dad and Mother are getting quite feeble. They ask about you often. Said give you their love. All the rest are quite well. The depression has hit them all.

Irma and Bill are still here but would like to lie in Calif.

Well, Dad don’t wait so long to write us as we are always anxious to hear from you. Be sure you make your plans to come on here when you come to Salt Lake.

Would like for you to come stay with us. It was not cold here last winter so maybe it won’t be this.

Any way come for awhile. I’ll meet you if I can.

Please write soon.

Love from all

Pearlie

Sunday, 19 October 2025 by Sagacity

Golden Gate International Exposition

The Golden Gate International Exposition, held on Treasure Island in San Francisco, was the 1939-1940 World Fair to showcase technology and culture. It is fun to see evidence that my Great Grandparents made the trip.

“Airplane View from Oakland

“Showing San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate International Exposition.

“In 1939, San Francisco, Oakland and the cities around the Golden Gate invite the world to join them in celebrating the completion of the world’s two largest bridges, spanning San Francisco Bay to the East Bay, and northward to the vast Redwood Empire.

“In the foreground of this picture is an architectural sketch by Chesley Bonestell of the Golden Gate International Exposition. Forty million dollars will go into the staging of California’s World Fair, which will open February 18, 1939, for a period of 228 days.

Dave, David, and Dena Donaldson at the Golden Gate Exposition

I tried to pinpoint more of where this photo was taken. But much of the World Fair is no longer there. I am fairly certain that is the Tower of the Sun in the background, but nothing else seems to line up with the limited maps.

Sunday, 5 October 2025 by Sagacity

Navy Air Show – 1945

Back (l-r): Bob Reading, Smo Smolinsky, Dick West, Jack Seabolt, Norm Reid, Bill Plunkett, Skull Nelson, Wes Harper, Junior Locher; Front: Jack Simmerman, Bob Johnson, Mike Michaelson, Al Thorngren, Norm Schram, Hoot Nejdl, Ted Wallover.

I continue to scan photos that belonged to my Great Uncle and Aunt, Dave and Betty Donaldson. This one had names typed on the back. Chauncey “Mike” Michaelson married my Grandma’s sister, Dena Donaldson on 7 December 1943 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

This photo says “Navy Air Show” at “NAS Santa Rosa, Calif.” on 31 March 1945. Dena and Mike had a son born 29 October 1944 in Brigham City, Utah.

The back of the card has the names written on it. I assume it is accurate as it was likely from the time, but the handwriting gives further definition. I can also tell there are a number of nicknames, so I wasn’t able to find most of the people listed in the photo. Either the name was too common or the name given is not sufficient.

Wes Harper – could be Wesley Raymon Harper (1922 – 1982) of Larned, Kansas.

Bob Johnson – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Junior Locher – could be Junior Lewis Locher (1919 – 2003) of Glasgow, Virginia.

Chauncey De Orr “Mike” Michaelson (1922 – 2006) of Montpelier, Idaho.

Hoot Nejdl – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Skull Nelson – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Bill Plunkett – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Bob Reading – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Norm Reid – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Norm Schram – could be Norman Hayner Schram (1922 – 2011) of Pontiac, Michigan.

Jack Seabolt – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Jack Simmerman – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Smo Smolinsky – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Al Thorngren – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Ted Wallover – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Dick West – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Sunday, 14 September 2025 by Sagacity

Drops of Water

Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean

And the pleasant land.

Thus the little minutes,

Humble though they be,

Make the mighty ages

Of eternity.

Julia A Fletcher

That poem seemed to fit as I work through more photos that belonged to my Great Grandparents. These photos found their way to my (Great) Uncle Dave and (Great) Aunt Betty. I scanned and worked through these photos, in some cases over 100 years later. I wonder what thoughts or emotions my own family’s photos might evoke in 100 years. The little minutes add up.

David Donaldson was born in 1894. If this photo were taken at 18 years old, then it would be 1912.

These are the two same women from the separate photos above, probably the same day. No clue if related or some other occasion.

David certainly appears older in this photo than the prior one. His 20s or 30s?

I can recognize Dena and David on the left, along with David’s mother Mary. I would have been guessing on Alvin, but his age and size appear to match. Who is Ms. Berry? There are so many Berry/Barry/Beery ladies in Ogden in 1920, even within a mile and half of the house, that I cannot make any identification. The Donaldson family in 1920 were living at 2270 Ogden Ave, Ogden, Utah. I have written a biography about my Great Grandparents, David Delos Donaldson and Berendena Van Leeuwen.

David Delos Donaldson holding little girl

This photo has a couple of interesting pieces. I don’t immediately recognize the little girl as one of David’s children. The family lived in Ogden. The mountains seem to line up. But I generally think it is early 1920s. Interesting note, I appreciate that the baby clothing between boys and girls were somewhat interchangeable. Perhaps this is actually David William Donaldson and the same day as this photo:

Berendena Van Leeuwen Donaldson holding child

This photo is interesting to me as I don’t see Dena as quite as young as when her first kids were born in 1920. I cannot tell if it is a boy or girl she is holding, but if it is David/Dave, then this could be around 1929-1930. Dena was born in 1898, so 1930 would put her at 32 years old.

Berendena Van Leeuwen Donaldson with the three Ross grandchildren, Milo, Caroline, and Judy

Milo was born in 1943, Judy in 1946, and Caroline in 1948. This photo seems it could have taken place in 1950 to 1951.

I don’t know whose car it is, or the make and model. The plate says 1949. I don’t know if plates had to be replaced every year, or if they were longer time increments. If they are only one year, then this would appear to place the photo and the one above in 1949 or 1950.

This photo is interesting. It had 1940 written on it, so my Grandma turned 19 that year. She married in 1942. Doing an AI search, it showed one of the locations near Grotto Geyser. The small piece of the sign to the right appears to begin with the letter G. Here is a modern shot from Google Maps from 2013. It really does not look like the Grotto Geyser features have changed much in 85 years.

This photo was a fun photo of Grandma. Her teeth in the picture are different than I remember. Going back through all the photos I have of her and Grandpa, I don’t have many pictures of her full-toothed smile. Having her tongue in her teeth distorts how her teeth look.

This photo is interesting in that the back says it was taken 28 June 1939 in Napa, California. The only explanation for the photo must be while they were in California for the 1939 World Fair. Here is a photo from that occasion.

Here is another fun photo. Berendena Van Leeuwen Donaldson and Catharina Johanna Van Leeuwen Collins are sisters. Dena was born in 1898, Kate in 1902. Dena passed away in 1959 and spent the last 4 years of her life in a wheelchair, so this is before that. You can see she is standing on the right and holding on to the side of the image. Guessing, this is probably early to middle 1950s.

Sunday, 3 August 2025 by Sagacity

Eisenhower Lock

“HELP BUILD LOCK. These foremen and supervisors are working on the Eisenhower lock in placement of concrete. They hail from various parts of the country. Shown are Ward Turner, supervisor, from Arkansas; Manuel Martinez, vibrator, from Mexico; Golden Andra, general foreman, from Idaho; John Catera, foreman, from Utica.

This newspaper article and photo were in the records of Golden Andra. Golden is named in the newspaper, I don’t know/think the second photo is of Golden. It says it came from the Department of Interior, he kept it for some reason unknown to me.

I know this was a significant time in the life of the Andra family. Golden worked and is shown as a general foreman. But I also know that Golden’s brothers Donald and Ross both also worked on the St. Lawrence Seaway. I believe they both worked on the Eisenhower Lock as well.

Golden and Utahna adopted a boy born in 1957 at Bombay, Franklin, New York.

Donald married in 1957 at Hogansburg, Franklin, New York.

Ross told me multiple stories of New York. Unfortunately, I don’t remember any to share.

Since this is Golden, and this article also shares some information in New York, I share it here as well.

“Andra, former Preston man, gets Silver Beaver. The Citizen (Preston, Idaho) 20 March 1986.

“A former Preston man was awarded a Silver Beaver award from the Mt. Whitney Area Boy Scout Council in California recently.

“Golden Andra, son of William F. Sr., and Mary Wanner Andra, of Preston, was one of the two Tulare, Calif., scouters to get the prestigious award, the highest given on the council level.

“Andra, who has been involved in scouting for more than 20 years is serving as district commissioner for the Golden State District, and Explorer advisor for Post 234.

“An active member of the LDS church, he married Utahna Bird of Salina, Utah in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

“He worked for Morrison Knudsen Construction and the government for many years. He now works in sales for Selig Chemicals and has been in sales for 20 years. He is now buying the old Willard Wanner home in Preston for retirement.

“Andra organized the first charter for the Boy Scouts in Hogansburg, N.Y., for Mohawk Indians, becoming scoutmaster; worked with youth in Pierre, S.D.; Page, Ariz.; Roseville, Calif.; Crows Landing, Calif.; served as a counselor to a branch president and scoutmaster in Manteca, Calif.; scoutmaster, stake missionary, president of the Seventies, president of the MIA in Tulare.

“He also served as High Priest group leader, stake assistant secretary and scoutmaster over all scouts, last year being given the district award of merit.

“The Andras have six children (four living) and three foster children.

Thursday, 5 June 2025 by Sagacity

Europe Trip – June 4-5

We have arrived in Belgium! What a relief. I cannot tell you.

We flew out from the Boise airport. We were fortunate to catch a non-stop flight, from Los Angeles!! Boy, if there is anything near torture, try flying through the night in a very cramped space. After 9.5 hours on the plane, we landed at London Heathrow. We found our way through the Underground to Kings Cross Station.

Amanda went and found Platform 9 & 3/4 of Harry Potter fame and took a few pictures. We waited, checked in for Eurorail at St. Pancras Station, and enjoyed a Cornish Pasty. A first for Amanda, a beloved memory for me.

We climbed aboard the Eurorail which treated us to a trip through the Chunnel. France proved to have beautiful scenery. We got off at Lille, France and switched trains.

Lille, France, walking from one train station to another

We rode to Kortrijk, Belgium. James met us at the station and now we are in our digs at Oostrozebeke, Belgium.

Funny thing, we knew we needed to get to Kortrijk but we forgot to bring James & Catherine’s phone number and address. Meaning, when we arrived, we were totally at their mercy. We couldn’t catch a taxi to their home, and we could not call them. It is sure a good thing James showed up with his Toyota.

We find ourselves babysitting while James & Catherine are off to Branch Council. We put the kids to bed in 15 minutes, took a shower, and crashed ourselves! We are exhausted.

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