Donaldson

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Elusive Kinseys

David Delos Donaldson and Robert Charles Kinsey

I previously wrote about this photo of David Delos Donaldson and another unknown kid. The back of the photo had a name written on it but the name was very difficult to read. It appeared to be Roberty Rindly. I searched around for Rindley, Rindly, Kinsly, and Kinsey but nothing matched up enough to really be certain.

Then came another one of those blessings from heaven that helps things become more clear. The above photo was one my Dad had in a number of Donaldson photos and pictures.

After my Great Aunt Betty passed away, the Donaldson photos her and Dave had came into Dad’s possession. Included in those photos was this one.

David Delos Donaldson

My heart jumped when I saw the photo as I knew I had the other one. I located the photo with Roberty and sure enough, it was the same day based on dress and look. I had initially guessed Delos was about 12 years in the photo, which put it about 1908. As I worked more through the stack of photos that Betty left behind, I stumbled upon this photo in the same stack dated 1908.

David Delos Donaldson, 28 May 1908

This photo shows a much larger and older Delos Donaldson on 28 May 1908. If this is a 14 year old Delos in 1908, then the other photo must be more of a 10 year old Delos about 1904. Roberty appears to be a year or two younger, so I was guessing about 8 years old.

Then came the clue I needed to break the case and tie down the last name. This photo was also among the photos.

Chick Kinsey

The circular photo above appeared very reminiscent of the previous two. There might have been a chance they were taken the same day. The back of the photo clearly showed Chick Kinsey. I thought that this could be a relative to the other boy and the last name was Kinsey rather than anything else. He appeared to be several years older than Delos.

I started researching and knew I might have two brothers who somehow knew Delos. I then found the two brothers who fit.

Robert Charles Kinsey, born 8 June 1898 in Shoshone, Lincoln, Idaho. On the 1900 Census, his family was still living in Shoshone. However, on the 1910 Census Robert Kinsey was living in Harrisville, Weber, Utah. The right vicinity to have any contact or communication with Delos Donaldson. His father, Henry, was a farmer in 1900 but in 1910 was a real estate salesman. Robert was in Seattle when he was drafted in 1917. But the clincher was his brother Charles R Kinsey, born 18 March 1890 in Shoshone, Idaho, who had the nickname Chick. The ages of Delos, Chick, and Roberty all linked well and were in the same town for the limited years in age for Delos these could have been taken.

Chick died unmarried in Seattle, King, Washington on 22 January 1921. As far as I can tell, he was unmarried. Roberty married and died 19 June 1980 in Montclair, Los Angeles, California. As far as I can tell, Roberty had 2 children.

Of interest, two other photos were in the bunch.

David Delos Donaldson and Unknown
Delos Donaldson and Edward Leroy Higgins

I don’t know the relationship or the purpose of this photo with Edd (back of the photo says Edd Higgins). He was born 12 August 1890 in West Jordan, Salt Lake, Utah and died 6 August 1976 in Abilene, Taylor, Texas.

What more little miracles might still be coming? I worry that every passing year and change in ownership of photos the chances decrease. Hopefully we can find them before the time is too far spent.

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Dena, Dora, Gladys, Dena Donaldson

Dena and Dora, Gladys, Dena, and car

I have shared this photo before, but working through some old photos, it struck me again.

This is the twins, Dena and Dora Donaldson, on the far left. I cannot tell which is which in this photo, they are hard to tell when it is clear. Dena (1920 – 1992) and Dora (1920 – 2001) were beautiful identical twins.

My Grandmother, Gladys Maxine Donaldson (1921 – 2004), stands next to the wheel of the car. Even though he picture is fuzzy, I can tell it is her from the characteristics that show. Her very presence just seems to pull me in as my Grandmother. It probably isn’t the same for other people, but this is my Grandma. With any good Grandmother, they pull your heartstrings in love.

Standing to the right is their mother, Berendena Van Leeuwen Donaldson (“Dena”) (1898-1959).

Maxine was born in 1924, I presume this photo is taken before then. I guess Grandma is about 2 years old, putting this photo somewhere in 1923. Dena and Dora could be 4, Grandma 3, so maybe 1924, but Maxine was born in August 1924 and Dena doesn’t appear to be pregnant. This appears to be a summer or fall photo.

This photo is taken at the home at 629 8th Street in Ogden, Utah. Very, very early days for this part of Ogden.

I wish I had a better copy. I wish the family still owned the car. But I am grateful to have the photo we do have.

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More 8th Street in Ogden, Utah

I previously wrote about pictures of my Great Grandparent’s home at 629 8th Street in Ogden, Utah. Recently, working through some of Dave and Betty Donaldson’s photos, these three appeared. I thought I would share these, even though I don’t think they add much more in explanation of the history.

629 8th Street, Ogden, Utah

David Delos and Berendena Van Leeuwen Donaldson lived in this home from the early 1920s, maybe even from construction, until after 1935. My Grandmother, Gladys Maxine Donaldson, was likely born in 1920 while the family lived in this home. At the post above, there is a photo of all 5 Donaldson children sitting on the front porch.

629 8th Street, Ogden, Utah

The home is still there and apparently updated and remodeled as of 2017. My Grandparents, Milo James Ross and Gladys were married in this home in 1942.

629 8th Street, Ogden, Utah (with trees and garden)
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Dora Note

Phoenix, Arizona Tent City Auto Camp

Once again, a number of family history photos have found their way to my desk. This one doesn’t really give me anything to place it in context of anything else. What is written on the back is interesting to me.

“Dora”

“Dear baby all is Well with you Dear Dady and I am going to send you something nice soon now”

“your dear Dady”

I will post the back of the card so you can see the handwriting. This card/photo was in a stack of old photos that include teenager photos of my Great Grandfather, David Delos Donaldson, that I will share another time.

David Delos Donaldson (1894-1953) has a few undocumented parts in his life. In 1910 he was 16 and living in Ogden Utah. I have written more extensively regarding his life. He served in World War I, then married in 1919 with twins arriving 28 May 1920. One of those twins was Dora Donaldson. So at least those portions match with Delos and his daughter Dora.

I assume this must have been one of two cards that were sent home since Dena and Dora were twins. It seems strange to write a note to only one of them. I am unclear who wrote it as it states “you Dear Dady and I,” which would make it seem to be written by Dena and that she was present with him. One also gets the impression that this was written to a child, not anyone older. So I am guessing this is between 1924 and 1928.

We obviously do not know if Dena and Delos stayed in the Tent City Auto Camp. I assume they stayed there or at least visited someone there. What were they doing in Phoenix, Arizona? That is a long drive especially in those days. The card is not mailed, so it must have been sent as part of a package or other letter.

Why are the people standing around? Trying to look closely at the vehicles in the picture, they do appear to be early 1920s vehicles. This photo appears to have been a regular postcard that was available, not a photo taken by Delos or Dena. This website states the Tent City was located at 1850 East Van Buren Street in Phoenix. This website further talks about the auto camps and later motels that were common on Van Buren.

As mentioned in the last of the two websites linked on this auto camp, these auto camps became the forerunner of the classic American motel. Interesting to see Delos and Dena take advantage of what is so commonplace in our day yet so fundamentally different in its rudimentary state. What things do we do now that will be odd or so long ago in only a generation or two down the road?

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Ross at Ogden Utah Temple

1970

Working through a number of photos and other documents, I stumbled upon these photos I took of two cards that were glued into a scrap book my Grandma Ross had made. The first is a letter from my Grandma, Gladys Maxine Donaldson Ross, to my Grandpa, Milo James Ross. The handwriting is clearly my Grandma’s and it is as sweet as she ever was as I knew her.

There are so many things I want to read between the lines. But we will never know.

Grandma was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 30 August 1930 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. She was only weeks before she would turn 9. I don’t know when the letter above was written. I would imagine it was within a year or so of their attending the Ogden Utah Temple to do the temple Sealing.

Grandpa was baptized into the Church on 2 July 1939 in Ogden. He had turned 18 earlier that year. I recall Grandpa indicating that he did not have permission to get baptized so he had to wait until he was 18.

Grandpa and Grandma both received their washing, anointing, clothing, endowment, and sealing on 2 July 1976. Judy, their daughter, received the same ordinances at the same time, except she was sealed to her parents rather than to a spouse. I couldn’t help but notice that Grandpa’s baptism and confirmation are the same date as the other ordinances in the temple. Was that intentional or just coincidence?

Same day they were sealed, Caroline dated this card to her parents.

A few years later, Grandpa was sealed to his parents on 8 February 1980 in Ogden Temple. That, too, was the date Grandpa performed the temple ordinances on behalf of his father. Two days before, he had performed the ordinances for his brother Paul. After his parents were sealed, then Grandpa was sealed to them along with his brothers Paul and Earnest. Another special date in the Ogden Temple (Ethel’s ordinances were completed in 1978). The 2 July date did not carry over, so perhaps it was more coincidental above.

Milo, Judy, and Gladys Ross at Ogden Utah Temple

Caroline received her own blessings in the Ogden Temple and was sealed to her parents 25 October 1991 in Ogden. Years later, Grandma was sealed to her parents on 3 September 1998 in the Ogden Temple.

Grandpa and Grandma both worked as temple workers in the Ogden Temple too. They became pillars in the House of the Lord.

Milo Ross’ photo in the Ogden Temple Photo Album

The sealing of Grandma to her parents is curious to me. Dad and I received our own temple ordinances on 1 September 1998 in the Logan Temple. Two days later my Grandma was sealed to her parents, we were not present. Not that we needed to be, it was likely a personal private occasion with just Grandpa and Grandma present.

Dad was sealed to his parents 4 February 1999, Grandpa’s 78th birthday. I am certain he appreciated the birthday present.

Milo and Gladys Ross, 2004
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James & Nancy Donaldson Family

James and Nancy Donaldson family, order of 13 children, unknown for certain which are which in the photo: William Alexander (1861), Mary Elizabeth (1863), James (1864), Sarah Amelia (1864), Thomas Henry (1868), Archibald (1870), Annie Mathilda (1872), Robert Chambers (1874), Catherine Alice (1876), Francis Hutton (1878), Harvey Osborn (1882), Albert Edward (1884), and John Ross (1887)

This is the family of Nancy Hutton and James Wray Donaldson. James is the brother to my Joseph Russell Donaldson. James was born 20 November 1833 in Northern Ireland. Some list it as Bredie in County Tyrone. But I don’t have any documentation that even confirms that as yet. Same issue for my Joseph. James immigrated to Ontario Province, Canada. He appears for the first time on the 1861 in Pittsburgh, Frontenac, Ontario. It was in Joyceville, Frontenac, Ontario that he married Nancy Hutton. All 13 of his children were born in Pittsburgh or Joyceville. He was a farmer his entire life. It was in Pittsburgh he died 19 October 1907.

Nancy Hutton was born 9 May 1842 on Amherst Island, Lennox and Addington, Ontario, the 6th of 7 children of Archibald and Sarah Waddell Hutton. After James’ death she moved to Kingston with her daughter Catherine. It was in Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario that she passed 12 May 1933.

James and Nancy are both buried in the Sand Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Joyceville.

Obituary of James Wray Donaldson

Tombstone of James and Nancy Donaldson
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Joseph Russell Donaldson

Joseph Russell Donaldson

Miracles still happen! This is proof. The fact that these three photos traveled together without being separated, that there were hints as to their identity written on them, that some lady picked them up in Pennsylvania, and then spent the time to research them and found enough information to link to me, is phenomenal. Joseph, Sarah, and Hattie wanted to be found and the stars aligned with heaven. May there be many more such miracles in the future!

I had a lady who e-mailed me regarding three photos. They were found in an old store in Pennsylvania. The back of this photo above had written on it, “W.S. Donaldson, Evanston.” This lady traced that down to William Scott Donaldson, who did live in Evanston, Wyoming at from about 1890 to 1895. My Great Grandfather, William’s son, David Delos Donaldson was born in Evanston in 1894.

I knew it was not William Scott Donaldson. William, who I have written on before, was born in 1865 and died in Ogden, Utah in 1913 of cancer. A photo taken not too long before his passing does not have him as grey and not looking like this man.

William Scott Donaldson (1865-1913)

But I did have this photograph also in my records of William Scott Donaldson’s father, Joseph Russell Donaldson (1836-1925).

Unknown, Joseph and Agnes Donaldson, Hattie Lovell, Unknown

I have a couple of photos of Joseph Russell Donaldson, who I have also written on before. That nose, the double lines down the cheek, and that bushy goatee seemed to point me where I needed to go next. Here is another photo I have of Joseph Russell Donaldson.

Sitting (l-r): Joseph Russell Donaldson and George Donaldson. Standing: Unknown.

The next photo the lady had in the three-pack tied Joseph Russell to the mix. Here is the second photo.

Hattie Lovell and Joseph Russell Donaldson

This photo had written on the front “Hattie – Father.” As you can see from the photo above, Hattie is the same one as this Hattie, the sister to William Scott Donaldson, Harriet Edith Donaldson Lovell (1875-1961). On the back of this photo is written, “Grandpa Donaldson and Hattie Donaldson – Kingston, Canada.” Again, the tie between W.S. Donaldson and Hattie with “Grandpa.” William Scott was born in Joyceville, Ontario, Canada, but Joseph Russell lived in Kingston from at least 1901 until his death in 1925. Things were tying in nicely with each other.

Then there is this third photo. This one had written on the front, “Sarah Armina Donaldson, Papa’s mother.” The interesting part is the photo paper is of a photographer in Reading, Pennsylvania. So this must be a photograph of a photograph, and looking at it that does seem to be the case.

Sarah Armina Todd

That ties in nicely with Joseph Russell Donaldson and William Scott Donaldson as Sarah Armina Todd (1839-1880) is the wife of Joseph and mother of William. She died a little over 41 years old for what the death record states as “hemorrhage of lungs,” whatever that might be. I have an old, tiny photocopy of this photo but of poor enough condition I did not scan and upload to FamilySearch. This one isn’t necessarily a whole lot better but more complete.

Which then takes us back to the first photo at the top. The more I looked at it, it became apparent it was a younger version of Joseph Russell Donaldson. The way the goatee grows although trimmed, the facial lines, the lips (and the familiarity I recognize in my own father), and the eyes all match. Plus, the writing on the back probably indicates it was taken before or at the time that W.S. Donaldson lived in Evanston (1890-1895). Very happy to have found another photo of another ancestor. He is a handsome man too, nearly or at 60 years of age.

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Correction on Jordan/Williams Photo

CORRECTION: THIS IS NOT David D Williams and Gwenlliam Jordan, it is Joseph Willard Horsley and Erma Busenbark.

I am a bit disappointed to announce that this photo is not as we had believed. This photo was in a stack of Donaldson photos and I was told it was a photo of David D and Gwenlliam Jordan Williams. David and Gwenlliam is the parents of my Great Great Grandmother Mary Elizabeth Williams Donaldson.

We had no other photos of David and Gwenlliam in which to compare the photo. I posted the photo on FamilySearch in 2013, it is now removed. At the time, I had a hunch the photo was not them. Since the time of the photo, my Grandpa has passed away, Aunt Betty has passed away. I don’t know where the photo went that had writing on the back (and I didn’t scan the back).

I was contacted by another lady who indicated the photo is actually of Joseph Willard and Erma Busenbark Horsley.

Here is another picture of Erma. To me it is easily the same lady.

Erma Busenbark Horsley Oram

The fact that this lady is related to Betty Oram Donaldson and that I think she had the photo above, I am not concerned we had the wrong names. However, I wish I could see the back of the photo.

But I am convinced enough to remove it as David D and Gwenlliam Williams.