Celebrating Women's History Month

Unknown Woman

It is not known who this woman is or the man in the photo on the table. It is believed that this photo originally belonged to Sadie (Sarah) Kennedy Kennard MacKay. She does not appear to be a Kennedy sister.  She remains a mystery. There is nothing on the front or the back of the photo. The cardboard is 7" x 9".

Celebrating Women's History Month

Possible Church Women

This photo is a group of unknown women except for Sadie (Sarah) Kennedy Kennard MacKay. She is on the right end in the second row. The photo was probably either taken in Miles City, Montana or in Brookings, South Dakota. The building may be a church because there are stain glass windows. Sadie was a Presbyterian. Leave a comment if you can identify anyone or the location of the photo. The photo may have been taken circa 1930.

Celebrating Women's History Month

Women Attending A Wedding

Unknown women attending a wedding. The only known person is Eveleen Kennard who is standing third from the left. It appears that Eveleen is about age 12 year old. This picture was taken circa 1904. Presumably the photo was taken in Miles City, Montana. There is an accompanying photo of men. The bride is seated second from the left.

Please leave a comment if you know any of these unnamed women or the location.

Happy 100th Birthday Delbert Taute!!

Delbert Sydney Taute was born 100 years ago, January 7, 1910 in Tolley, North Dakota. This would have been his 100th birthday had he been alive. Delbert died October 21, 1994.

Two years prior to the Great Depression, Delbert's father died days before Delbert turned 18 years old. His father's illness had affected the family for several years.  His mother also was in ill health, Delbert struggled to help support his younger sisters and brother. The family pulled together and all of the siblings attended at least some college. Delbert graduated from South Dakota State College in 1936. Delbert also served his country during WWII in the South Pacific. This changed his life in ways that none of us can understand.

Blacksmith/Spring Maker Found in New Haven Connecticut

Anton Ditt is found again in another town!!! Thanks to the U. S. City Directories on Ancestry.com. City directories, in particular, have been very helpful in tracking this man who moved frequently across the United States. He was listed in the New Haven, Connecticut Directory in 1849, 1853-54, 1854-55, and 1856-57 editions. This is the earliest documentation for Anton Ditt in the United States. In 1849, Anton would have been approximately 21-23 years old.

No other Ditts are listed in the New Haven directories.  It makes one wonder if he came alone to the United States from Baden, Germany or did he come with a relative from his maternal side. He sometimes is listed as "Anton" and sometimes as "Anthony" in the directories. Anton may have been living near his wife's relatives. He married Catharine Margaret Fischer on November 4, 1851 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. There are several Fishers listed in the New Haven directories. It is interesting to note that the Anglican spelling of "Fisher" is used and not the German spelling of "Fischer". Of those Fishers listed, Charles, John and Joseph are of particular interest. These three men all had professions that involved metalwork. Although Anton's had various professions, they ALL were skilled labor involved with metal.

Another social factor to keep in mind, is that most of Anton's associates were German born or of German descent. Anton lived German speaking neighborhoods and attended German speaking churches.

The New Haven Directories are another clue; but Anton's parentage, hometown and immigration date still have not been found. It is time to obtain the church records from Connecticut and to track down any Fischers/Fishers that may have traveled or moved with Anton and Catherina.