My
Sepia Saturday post for the week is this photo of James Frederick Grandy (1876-1955):
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| Jim Grandy, Everett, WA - c.1909 |
This was originally a mystery photo. It was in the album that I inherited from my great aunt Gladys Phelps Roberts. It was taken at
Rigby & Rigby run by the Rigby sisters in Everett from 1905-1915. A lot of my family lived in the area, so that information alone didn't give me an immediate answer. On the back of the cardboard in very light pencil is written what looks like, "Jim S." Since from what I could tell, Gladys' albums only contained family photos, I thought it was a family member, but just couldn't figure out who it was. So, I emailed a couple of my genealogy cousins who are related through this line and one of them came up with the idea that it could be James Grandy. That was a very good (educated) guess since, according to the US Federal Census, he lived in Everett in 1910 and was 34 years old at that time. Then, another cousin visited the Everett Library and, from the city directories there, he found that Jim Grandy was in Everett and working as a millwright and a pipe-fitter in 1909.
Upon reexamining the back of the photo, I believe what I originally thought was an "S" is, in fact, a "G," which fits perfectly with the theory that it was James Grandy. I held the cardboard backing of the photo up to the sunlight and it looks like it may have even said, "Grandy" at one time, but has been rubbed away over the last 100 years. The writing goes at an angle and holding it upright, it looked like "Jim S," but if you turn it slightly with the angle of the writing, it looks like "Jim G!" Since Jim was the half-brother of Gladys' mother Jennie Cole Kint Purdy Phelps, it makes sense that she would have his photo. From the beginning, we all agreed that the man in this photo resembled the Cole family. Also, finding that he was living in the area and working with pipes in 1909-1910 further clinched it for me.
Working together I am confident that my cousins and I have successfully identified this mystery photo!
*James Frederick Grandy was the son of Amanda Cole and John Ira Grandy. He married Ida and had a daughter named Mabel.
I enjoyed reading this post and what a great piece of detective work - and the photo is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWell done you and cousins. How satisfying to work out his identity.
ReplyDeleteWonderful detective work. We are all so used to providing more questions than answers : it is good to see some answers for a change.It's a great photograph as well.
ReplyDeletewell, mission accomplished, Sherlock!!
ReplyDelete:)~
HUGZ
You certainly have some interesting photos. I guess that does look like a 'pipe' he is holding and a paint can? and perhaps tools in the bag...
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a diligent, happy worker. Isn't it so satisfying to solve a mystery?! It's a great photo, besides.
ReplyDeleteHello! I am Amanda Mary Wells Adams, and I am James Frederick Grandy's granddaughter! I was just tagging some FaceBook photos of my paternal relatives, and thought I'd just google the other side because "new things appear on the internet"- AND THERE'S MY GRANDFATHER! We have this photo, too. (Or my elder sister does, in Puyallup, Washington.)
ReplyDeleteNow I'd better read what you've got here and figure out whether you and I are related. Incidentally, my mother was named Mabel Amanda Grandy for her paternal grandmother, and I have a document telling me "Jim"'s mother was named "Mary Amanda". But I never knew the surname "Cole" or if I heard it I have forgotten it. Jim died when I was three. If you wish to get in touch, please do so!
Hi! I am Richelle Wolff McComas and the great-granddaughter of James Frederick Grandy! I've followed Amanda to your blog!
ReplyDeleteAmanda and Richelle - This is FANTASTIC! I will email Amanda, but I do not see any contact info for Richelle on her profile. I can't wait to hear more!!!
ReplyDeleteI am Amanda (Mary Wells Adams)'s daughter and currently live in Parkland WA. Reporting for duty! I can put you in touch with her elder sister who has the duplicate photo. Please feel free to contact me.
ReplyDeleteHello to another cousin! This is so exciting! I sent you a friend request on FB. I am looking forward to finding out more!
ReplyDelete(I never had a profile here before - I put it up just for you, CeCe!)
ReplyDelete