Mystery Photo- John Borgos- Faribault Co, MN

I recently obtained this interesting photo in an antique shop. It is of a floral arrangement, and the ribbon reads "At Rest".

On the back side, someone wrote "Flowers of John Borgos  March 4th, 1911    Photo by C.J. Hansen"

After a brief bit of research, I find that John Borgos, resident of Faribault County, Minnesota died 24 February, 1911. 

The date of this photo would indicate that these flowers are from his funeral. 

This neat old cabinet card, which does have some age & wear, should really be reunited with a family member who will treasure it. 

Mystery Photo-- Galarneau(x) family

I recently rescued this cute Thanksgiving postcard from an antique shop.

It's written to Harry Galarneau, Jr --- from his Mother.
At the time Harry was living in Oregon and the postcard was sent from California.






Brief research indicates that Harry Galarneau(x) was born in 1894, the son of Harry Sr & Henrietta "Etta". It appears his parents divorced at some point, probably around the time of this postcard, judging from the message.  I did find a Findagrave memorial for Harry, but otherwise have done little research into the family.

























It'd be great to reunite it with a relative who would treasure the postcard written 106 years ago, in a Mother's loving hand.

Mystery Photo... Gustie Scheer- Henderson, MN

This recently rescued picture postcard, is identified as-

"Miss Gustie Scheer - Henderson, Minn"

A brief search finds an "Augusta Scheer" who lived in Sibley County, the daughter of William & Bertha. It appears that this Augusta died in 1923, an unmarried woman in her late 30s. Further research would need to be done to confirm these are the same person, though Henderson is a small town.

It's a wonderful original photo.. and hopefully I am able to reunite it with a family member who will appreciate it and be pleased to add it to their collection.

[**Update-- this photo has been reunited with a family member where it belongs!]

Mystery Photo... Peter Pogatschnick

I often spotlight photos or other family memorabilia I've been able to rescue...

I recently found this wonderful framed portrait at a Southern Minnesota antique shop. The backside identified the photo as  "Peter Pogatchnick father of Elizabeth Pogatchnick Schulz".

It is a great print, in a very lovely heavy frame. Unfortunately, it is priced at $69, which is out of my price range to "rescue" items... but I'm hoping to find a descendant of Peter & his wife Ursula, that I can help reunite this print with.

Brief research shows that this family lived in Stearns County, Minnesota... Sometimes the name is spelled Pogatschnick and other times Pogatchnick...

Peter Pogatschnick died in 1927.... at this time I have not actively searched for descendants, though I have shared this photo within other online groups, hoping someone will claim it.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to get this portrait out of the shop and onto the wall of a descendant who will treasure it!


[**Update: Thanks to the efforts of readers, especially Pam, this lovely portrait was connected to a great-granddaughter, who drove to the store & purchased this amazing heirloom!]

Lost Photo... Wiberg sisters- St. Peter, MN

I recently spotted this great photo at an antique shop... From a Fergus Falls, Minnesota photography studio, 

Christine, Anna, Martina, Elna
Wiberg

On the backside someone has written  
"Christina, Anna, Martina, Elna    Wiberg"

After a big of brief research, it appears that these young ladies eventually lived in St. Peter, Minnesota.

It would be great to find a descendant of one of these sisters who would appreciate this fine photo!

-=-==-=
A little further research, in hopes of finding a home for this photograph. These 4 young women are the daughters of John Wiberg, a native of Sweden, who eventually settled near St. Peter, MN.

Research of marriage records finds that-
Christina married Frank Wylie
Anna married Swante Randahl
Martina married Nels P. Johnson
Elna married Gust Thelander

[update 4/30/17- This photo has  been reunited with a relative!]

LOST Ferris Family Bible... Redwood Falls, MN

Last Summer I was at an estate auction and up came this old leather bible...

A gift to Jay W. Ferris from his wife Rhoda (Driesbock) Ferris

This large bible is not in perfect shape.. the front cover as come apart from the binding... but the handwritten pages contain lots of genealogical information...

It seems a sad tragedy for this bible to not be in the hands of some descendant who would appreciate it.

It appears that this family ended up living in Redwood Falls after moving from Wisconsin.



I would love to return this great family heirloom to a descendant who would treasure it!

[update- 04/30/2017- This lovely family heirloom was returned to a relative! Thanks to all who assisted in the efforts to find a permanent home for this treasure]

Mystery Photo... Viola Borman... St. Peter, MN

Viola Borman... St. Peter, Minnesota

Recently, I rescued this great cabinet card photo from an antique shop!

It comes from a St. Peter, Minnesota photography studio. And was actually purchased about 8 miles away...

Someone wrote "Viola Boremann" on the back side....

I've done some searching and there doesn't appear to be many "Boremann's" around. I wonder if perhaps the person who wrote this, misspelled the last name? The handwriting appears much more recent than the days of the actual photo.

It is likely that the person misspelled 'Borman' vs 'Boremann'

How nice would it be to figure out just who this little girl is... and while she is most certainly deceased today, I'd love to find a child or grandchild (or anyone!) who would treasure this lovely baby girl!

**[update- it appears that Viola Mabel Borman was born 23 July 1901 in Nicollet County, MN-- the daughter of Henry & Effie (Dougal) Borman]

[**Update- the photo was returned to a granddaughter, thanks to all readers who assisted!]

Mystery Photo... Mary Warneke... Minnesota

I recently purchased this photo from an antique shop...

It's a great cabinet card photo!

Someone wrote 'Mary Warneke' on the reverse side

It's from the Hennepin Studio, in Minneapolis, MN

I'd love to find a relative of Mary's that is interested in genealogy who would treasure this great photo!

[** Update- 10/30/15- the photo of Mary is now reunited with a cousin who will treasure it!]

Alfred Windhorn... Brown County, Minnesota

Alfred Windhorn... of Brown County, Minnesota


I recently rescued this nice portrait from an antique shop!

Someone has written "Alfred Windhorn" on the backside

After a brief search, I find an Alfred Windhorn born 22 March 1886 in Brown County, Minnesota and it seems that Alfred eventually settled in Mankato, Blue Earth Co, Minnesota which is where he passed away in 1961.

It would be wonderful to find a descendant of Alfred, or at least Windhorn genealogist who would appreciate this fine portrait!

[**Update- 10/30/15- Alfred has been reunited with a relative to keep & preserve this photo!]

Mystery Photo... Arthur Bonderson... Winthrop, MN

I recently rescued this photo from an antique shop

Someone wrote on the back

"Aurther Bonderson    Adolfs son"

It was taken in a Wintrop, MN photo studio

I did a brief search and it appears that Arthur Bonderson was born in 1896 and lived in the Sibley-Nicollet County area.

It seems that there were a couple of Arthur Bonderson's from Minnesota.

I'd love to find a descendant or other relative that would love & appreciate this nice baby photo


[5.27.2014-Update* Photo has been returned to a relative!]

Mystery Photo... Sleepy Eye, Minnesota

Meyer-Windhorn-Grundmeyer familes of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota

This lost photo was recently rescued from an antique shop... and on the back is written

"The Groom Otto Meyer (seated)  

Al Windhorn  

William Grundmeyer"

I did a brief search and it appears that Otto Meyer lived in the Sleepy Eye area, and died in 1927... his wife was Alvina Grundmeyer... I assume that the William Grundmeyer in this photo is a relative of the brides... not sure how/if Windhorn connects.

It's a very nice cabinet card photo... and it would be wonderful to reunite it with a family member who would appreciate adding it to their genealogy archive!

[** Update 5/6/14- Photo was returned to a Meyer descendant! Thanks to Barb for helping in the quest]

Mystery Photo... Gottschling from Martin County, MN

I recently rescued this photo from an antique shop...

 and it isn't exactly a 'mystery photo'... as someone has written on the back  

"Grandpa & Grandma (Herman & Eva) Gottschling  

Wedding 1894"

I did some very brief research and it appears that Herman & Eva continued to live in Martin County, Minnesota, near the small town of Welcome, Minnesota.

It is a very nice cabinet card photo and it would be nice to return it to a family member who would appreciate it.

[** Update 5/6/14- Photo was returned to a Gottschling descendant! Thanks to Barb for helping in the quest]

Lost Bible... Amund Olesen Flo of Rapidan, Minnesota

I purchased this Norwegian[?] bible at an auction recently.

There was so much writing in the front & back covers that I had to rescue this book, since it went for only $15.00.

**According to a response from Cliff posted below, this appears to be a bible belonging to the family of Amund Olesen Flo, who was from the Stryn Parish in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.  By 1900 they were residing near Rapidan, in Blue Earth County, MN. See the below comment section for the rest of what Cliff had to say.

Of course, I don't understand Norwegian... so I can't really make out any of the information that's written... I'd love to reunite this book with a family member!

Or if anyone out there can read the pages... it'd be great to have a translation of what is written

 [update- It would appear that this is actually in Norwegian, not Danish, as I originally thought... or was told at the auction. I have made a few updates to this post to reflect the information I received from Cliff, below]

***Update- 2014, this bible was reunited with a Flo descendant living near the original Flo home in Norway***

Mystery Photo Sunday- Bert Round & wife... Freeborn County, Minnesota

Mystery Photo Sunday

I have such a large photo archive... of both relative & nonrelative photos... that I've decided to do a weekly spotlight of one of the 'mystery photos' in my possession.

"Bert Round & Bride"

Possibly of the Twin Lakes area...
or Northern Iowa...

My Great-Grandma told me years ago, that this photo was of "Bert Round & his wife".... They aren't relatives, but must have been good enough friends that their wedding portrait ended up in our family photo scrapbook.

There is, of course, the possibility that Grandma misidentified the photo... but I think she was right.
It is a great photo... and I'd love to be able to reunite it with a family member...

[** Update 5/6/14- Photo was returned to a Round descendant! Thanks to Barb for helping in the quest]