A Mystery Sort of Solved (Mystery Photo #23) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Photograph and Text, Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette) Several weeks ago I posted a photo of a group where many of the young ladies (and one gentleman) were wearing bows.  I thought the photo seemed a little funny at the time with everyone wearing similar hair bows.  I decided to go back and take another look at the page in the album in which the original photo appears.  The parade photos in this post appear next to the bow photo in the previous post.  On reflection my guess is all the photos were taken on the same day at the same event.  Apparently the people in the photos were involved in a parade in Worcester, MA. 

The parade route was heading north on Main St. in Worcester.  You can see Worcester City Hall in the background on the left in the top photo along with a long line of ladies carrying parasols.  The photo looks as if it was taken from one of the taller buildings on Main St. along the parade route.  The bottom photo is a close up shot of several of the young ladies in which you can clearly see them holding parasols and wearing neck bows!  My guess is the parade photos were taken earlier in the day, and the photo of them wearing the bows in their hair was taken after the parade, possibly at a post-parade picnic.  Also interesting is the Slater Building in the background of the bottom photo.  If you zoom in you can clearly see "Slater Building" above the arcade sign.
 

One mystery for Mystery Photo #21 is partly solved.  I think I now know why everyone had the same bow in their hair.   Now I want to know what the parade was for or about.  It looks like the same group, so the marchers probably represented St. Mary's Church in the parade.  The parade happened during the warmer months, maybe spring because the ladies are wearing light/white dresses.  The photo was probably taken in either 1916, 1917 or 1918.  My grandfather, Adolf Szerejko, was in the army by spring of 1918, and he is in Mystery Photo #21 .  Some of the business signs along the parade route are clearly identifiable.  It may be possible to narrow down the date further with additional research in city directories.

If you recognize anyone in either Mystery Photo #21 or Mystery Photo #23 or have some information about the parade I'd love to hear from you!

Cute Little Kids (Mystery Photo #22) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image.  Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Photograph and Text, Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette) My mom, Christine (Szerejko) Shenette, is the little girl on the left holding the doll.  I don't know who the other children are.  Friends from Worcester's Vernon Hill neighborhood? Cousins perhaps?  My guess is it's not a school photo, because I doubt my grandmother would let my mom take a doll to school.

Mom was born on 20 July 1921, and clearly the photo was taken in the warmer months.  I wonder if it was a birthday party, and maybe the doll was a present.  I'm just guessing, but my mom looks about six or seven years old in the photo which would date the photograph to about 1927 or 1928.  The building in the background is also interesting.  It doesn't look like a house with those bricks or that type of window.  I know my mom won a doll dress sewing contest at the Quinsigamond branch of the Worcester Public Library, but that doesn't explain all the boys. Maybe the photo was taken in front of the library or perhaps in front of the brick St. Mary's school building.

If your parents or grandparents were kids in the 1920s and grew up on Vernon Hill take a look at my photo, and maybe you will recognize someone you know.  Family names for possible cousin connections include Bulak, Bullock, Szerejko, or Kowalewski.

If you do recognize any of the children in this photo I'd love to hear from you!

Beaux and Bows (Mystery Photo #21) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Photograph and Text, Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette) Hair bows definitely seem to be the fashion!  I'm not sure if almost all of the ladies are wearing bows for a particular reason or they just happened to wear all those bows by coincidence.  One of the young men in the top row seems to have gotten in on the bow action.

I thought I would post this because it is such fun photo and a nice group shot.  I recognize three people in the photo.  My grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko, is the young woman in the middle of the bottom row with her head turned to the side.  My great-aunt Helen Bulak, my grandmother's sister, is the young woman in the second row almost directly behind her.  My grandfather, Adolf Szerejko, is the first young man on the right in the second to top row.  I don't recognize any of the other ladies or gents.  My guess is the photo was taken at one of St. Mary's (Our Lady of Czestochowa) parish picnics sometime between 1916 and 1919.

If you recognize anyone in my photo I'd love to hear from you!

Kick Line! (Mystery Photo #20) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Photograph and Text, Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette)  My grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko, 1896-1990, was a long-time parishioner at St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa) in Worcester.  Apparently back in the early part of the twentieth century St. Mary's had tradition of holding parish picnics on the weekends.  I don't know for certain, but I suspect my grandparents probably met at one of these picnics.  My picnic photos are among the most fun photos in my collection!  They are mostly candids.  The pictures are all small and were likely taken with a Brownie camera. The novelty of the Brownie probably encouraged people to put on a show for the photographer.  I don't know exactly when this photograph was taken, but my best guess is the late 1910s, probably between 1916 and 1919.  I don't recognize any of the young men in this photo.  If you do I would love to hear from you!

A Cute Trio (Mystery Photo #19) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette.)  Aren't they cute?  I wonder who they are.  These children were probably the children of members of Worcester's Polish community.  Look at the fancy clothing!  Are they wearing their Easter best?  Clearly they look like they are dressed up for some sort of special occasion.  My grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko (1896-1990) was a seamstress.  I've seen other formal wear that she made with the same kind of point design as the little girl has in her dress.  I'm not certain, but my guess is my grandmother may have made the clothing that  the children are wearing in the photograph.  The photo was probably taken around 1920. Unfortunately there isn't any photographer information on the photograph itself.  The original is on a postcard backing.

If you recognize any of these little cuties I'd love to hear from you!

Young Lady in Fur and Feathers (Mystery Photo #18) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette) I hate to say it, but I wonder how many animals died to make this young lady's outfit.  She has a fur muff and a fur stole, and her hat appears to be made out of some kind of furry material.  Given the popularity of ostrich feathers back in the day I hope the feather harvesting process was not unkind to the ostrich.  I don't know who the young woman is, but she does resemble my grandmother's family somewhat, so she could be related to the Bulaks or Kowalewski's of Worcester, MA.  The photograph was probably taken in the late 1910s.

If  you recognize this very warmly (and fashionably) dressed young woman I'd love to hear from you!

Young Man In A Fur Coat (Mystery Photo #17) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image.  Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette) I will admit I couldn't wait for a cold day in January to post this photo!  Brr.  I love this man's fur coat.  My how snappy he looks with his top hat, tie, and cane!  Who is he I wonder?  This photo is from my grandmother's collection of photos so my guess is he was a member of the Polish immigrant community of Worcester, MA.  Take a look at the bottom of the photo and you will see an embossed head that is part of the photographer's stamp.  The photographer was Le Roy, 34 Front St., Worcester, Mass. and the photograph was printed on postcard stock.

If you recognized this dapper young man I'd love to hear from you!

Rt. Rev. Boleslaw A. Bojanowski - Funeral Card Friday

(Digital Image. Card Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Rt. Rev. Boleslaw A. Bojanowski
Died June 9, 1964
Age 88

I have several funeral cards for Father Boleslaw Bojanowski in my collection.  Father Bojanowski was the long-time pastor at St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa) in Worcester, Massachusetts.  He served in the parish from 1913 until his retirement in 1956.

World War I Red Cross Nurse (Mystery Photo #16) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette. Photograph and Text, Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) I think this young woman was either a friend, a relative, or a neighbor of my grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko.  My guess is the photograph was taken around World War I, obviously in the winter, so perhaps sometime during the winter of 1918 would be a good guess.  I don't know for certain, but I believe the young woman is standing in front of one of my grandmother's homes on Endicott St. in Worcester.  I have other pictures in my collection that show the same Greek Revival home in the background.  My grandmother lived at 139 Endicott St. from 1913 to 1917 and at 137 Endicott from 1918 to until February of 1920.  I think the house in the background is the home at 139 Endicott.  The young woman was probably a member of Worcester's Polish community and a parishioner of St. Mary's Church.

If you recognize the nurse in the photo or can confirm the location of where the photo was taken I'd love to hear from you!

Young Lady In A Pretty Dress (Mystery Photo #15) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image.  Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) This young woman was probably either a friend of or related to my grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko.   In reviewing my photographs I believe she may be the bridesmaid in this photograph on my other blog, Heritage Zen.  The bride in that photograph also appears in this photo here.  My guess is the photograph above was probably taken in the late 1910s, and the young woman was probably a member of Worcester's Polish community.

Many of the photos I have in my possession don't have any photographer information, but this particular one does.  "Schervee Worcester, Mass." is embossed on the mat of the photograph.  I did a quick search on Schervee and learned that Herman Schervee was a relatively well known and regarded photographer. According to his obituary he photographed a number of famous people including presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.  He is also responsible for the famous group photo taken during Sigmund Freud's visit to Clark University in 1909.  Herman Schervee's obit says he died on July 30, 1923, so my photograph was probably taken before that date.

If you recognize the pretty young woman in my photograph or have additional information to share about photographer Herman Schervee I'd love to hear from you!

Young Lady in Costume (Mystery Photo #14) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image; Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) Since it it almost Halloween I thought a costume photo would be appropriate for a post.  This young woman looks very much like my grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko, but I don't believe it is.  I suspect that she is probably related to my grandmother somehow, either from the Bulak side of the family or the Kowalewski side of the family, though given the resemblance I suspect the Bulak side of the family is most likely.  My grandmother said she performed in many amateur theatricals at St. Mary's Church in Worcester.  I have photos of my grandmother in similar costumes here and here.  While the woman in the photo looks quite young she is old enough to be engaged.  There appears to be an engagement ring on the ring finger of her left hand.  I suspect this photo was taken in the late 1910s.

If you recognize the young woman in the photo or know about the history of theatrical productions at St. Mary's Church I'd love to hear from you!

Three Young Ladies (Mystery Photo #13) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image; Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)  Are these three ladies sisters, cousins, or friends?  I don't really see a lot of a resemblance between the three.  The young woman seated appears to be the same young woman named Kasi or Katherine in this wedding photograph here.  The young lady standing on the left is almost painfully thin.  I wonder if she had recently recovered from an illness when the photograph was taken.  The photograph was probably taken in the late 1910s.  Again, I believe all of these young women were members of Worcester's Polish community.

If you recognize any of the ladies in this photo I'd love to hear from you!

Update 10/29/12 - I recently noticed that the the thin woman on the left is the bride in a wedding photo posted on my other blog, Heritage Zen.  Thankfully, she looks healthier and is clearly not so thin in her wedding portrait.

Bathing Beauty (Mystery Photo #12) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image.  Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette. Photograph and Text, Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) Here is a lovely young lady in her beach costume.  I don't know who she is, but I do know she was a friend or relative of my grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko.  She was probably from Worcester, MA and a member of Worcester's Polish immigrant community.  I don't know exactly when the photo was taken, but I suspect about 1918 or 1919 given hints I have from other photos in my collection. Notice the high breakwater in the background.  Does that look familiar to any of my New England Geneablogger friends?

If you recognize this bathing beauty or can place the location of photo please let me know.  I'd love to hear from you!  

I sure bet those stockings were comfortable when wet...

Submitted for the 119th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy.

Wedding Time! (Mystery Photo #11) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photography Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) Two years ago I started posting wedding photos from my "mystery collection" on my other blog, Heritage Zen. Here is one of the photos I posted there a while back.  My guess is this photo was taken sometime in the 1920s, judging by the style of clothing. Though I don't know for certain, it was probably taken in Worcester, MA and the wedding probably took place at St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa). The maid of honor next to the bride resembles my grandmother, Anna (Bulak) Szerejko, but I don't think it is her. There is a definite Bulak resemblance though. The bride and the other bridesmaid have similar features, so they could be Bulak (sometimes spelled Bullock) relations as well. If you recognize anyone in this photo let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

Pomp and Circumstance (Mystery Photo #10) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette. Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) I bet his parents were proud of him, whoever they were.  I have no idea who this handsome young man is, but once again I suspect that both he and his parents were members of the Polish immigrant community of Worcester, MA.  There is no identifying information on the photograph.  The graduate looks so young my guess is the photo was taken to commemorate a high school graduation, but I'm not certain.  If it is a high school photo then he probably graduated from a high school in Worcester.

If you recognize this young man I'd love to hear from you...

First Communion Girl (Mystery Photo #9) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette. Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) What a cute little girl!  I don't know exactly when the photograph was taken, but my guess is sometime in the 1920s.  The girl and her family were probably members of the Polish immigrant community of Worcester, MA, and were parishioners of St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa).

Take a closer look at the photo.  Do you notice anything interesting about the dress?  Look at the huge hem.  There also seems to be a lot of material built into the sides of the dress.  My guess is the extra material was added intentionally so the dress could be let out and lengthened to wear again as the girl grew.

If you recognize the little celebrant in the photo and can put a name to her face I'd love to hear from you...

Pretty Girl with Flowers (Mystery Photo #8) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) What a pretty young lady.  She looks like she's celebrating some kind of special occasion.  A graduation or confirmation perhaps?  The style of clothing looks like the photograph was taken in the late 1910s.  I don't have any photographer information, and nothing is written on the back of the photograph.  She and her family were probably members of Worcester's Polish community.  If you recognize her let me know.  I'd love to hear from you...

A Family Portrait (Mystery Photo #7) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)  Isn't this a lovely family portrait?  I wonder who these people are.   Once again, I suspect they are members of Worcester's Polish immigrant community.  Unfortunately there is no photo studio information or information of any kind written or stamped on the photo. Judging by the style of dress my guess is the photo was probably taken some time in the late 1910s.  I love the Mary Pickford style curls on the older girl and the hair bows on both girls.  It's kind of hard to tell because her face isn't showing, but I suspect the girl with the curls might be the oldest child.  The children look to be about two years apart in age, and the baby (who I think is a boy) looks to be about two.  Given the ages of the children, the man and woman were probably married around 1908, give or take a couple of years.

If you recognize any of the people in my photo I'd love to hear from you!

Easter Bonnet (Mystery Photo #6) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) I don't know if this is an Easter bonnet or not, but it has plenty of frills upon it and is a fun photo to post for Easter week!  I love the woman's fancy hat, and given that she is holding a large bouquet of flowers it is probably a special occasion of some kind.  An engagement perhaps?  The photo is on a cardboard mount stamped with the following photographer information: Park Audia, 503 Main St. Worcester, Mass., H.W. Karlson Prop.

Little Blond Girl and Her Dolly (Mystery Photo #5) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) What a beautiful little girl!   I wish I knew who she was.  I don't have any photographer information for what is obviously a studio portrait.  It was probably taken in Worcester, MA, sometime in the 1920s.  The little girl looks to be about two or three years old.  If you recognize the girl (or her dolly) for that matter, please let me know!