When this cabinet card photograph was created in 1884, Mary was 15 years old. We know this because someone has recorded this information on the reverse of the photo. Unfortunately, while we're told this is "Aunt Mary," we haven't been given a surname. The image was taken at the Blaul & Baumgardner Studio, 1937 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA. Louis Blaul, a well-known Philadelphia photographer had two studios in the city by 1890. Adolf J. Baumgardner was his business partner for a time in the 1880s. By 1890 Baumgardner was working with Louis H. Helbing on Lancaster Avenue.
We know that Mary was born around 1869, but with a common given name like Mary, a big city like Philadelphia and with no last name, we don't have much chance of learning more about her. Pity.
In the small world department, my g-g-g-grandfather and his family lived only three blocks away from where this photo was taken. Makes me wonder if there are any Mary's b. about 1869 in the tree. :)
ReplyDeleteThat would be one of those great serendipitous moments in genealogy if it turned out Mary was related to you. Such things do happen. Ever read any of Henry Z. Jones' "Serendipity in Genealogy" books? Fun stuff. I even had a couple of stories appear in his second book.
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