Sinclairville or Gerry, New York Family: 1920 or So

This photo is from Kenneth Olmstead's album. I cannot identify the people. I scanned a smaller area to try and get a better image of the people but it needs photo editing, and I don't have such a program. The woman on our right, standing by the corner of the house, could be an Olmstead but I'm not sure. Other possible families are Damons, Strongs, or McCulloughs.


Updated 25 March 2015: Does anyone recognize the house?

Olmstead/McCullough: Gerry, NY 1950

The woman on the tractor is likely an Olmstead or a McCullogh, possibly a Damon. The photo was taken in August 1950 at the farm of Clifford McCullough in Gerry, Chautauqua County, NY.

Grandmother and Two Boys

The first photo below is of an older woman, I presume a grandmother, and two little boys. She is holding a book and the boy in back also has a book. There is no writing on the back of the photo and no photographer's name on the front. The original belonged to my great grandfather Wallace Gifford Olmstead of Gerry, New York. He died in 1916. I do not believe the woman is his 2nd wife Lillian McCullough Olmstead. I think she is more likely a Damon, McCullough, or possibly a Strong.

The second and third photos are, I believe, the same two boys in the first photo.  They are of slightly different heights so they could be fraternal twins or brothers 1 to 2 years apart in age. I'm guessing the sailor suits' photo was taken a year or so before the peasant outfits' photo. These photos are also from Wallace Gifford Olmstead's collection. Edited to add : I found a note I made about 10 years ago after talking with Nellie Weismann in Gerry. She thought the boys could possibly be Norman and Lester Damon. Lester was born in 1899, Norman was a little older. She did not recognize the woman. 

I think these photos are likely of people who lived in Gerry, Chautauqua County, New York. They are probably related to the Olmstead family, possibly by marriage. 

Family Reunion Western New York

This photo, the original of which is very dark, is of a family reunion in Western New York, most likely Gerry, Chautauqua County. I can only clearly identify two people: Blanche Olmstead Cowden, who is the first woman in the back row, and her daughter Mneatha Cowden, in the middle of the back row holding a little boy. Blanche's husband was Morris Cowden, M.D. I don't recognize him in this photo.

I do not believe this is an Olmstead reunion as I don't recognize any other Olmsteads in the photo. It might be a Strong reunion but I would expect to see more Olmsteads at it since Blanche's mother was Mahala Strong Olmstead. It could be a Cowden reunion. It could also be a McCullough reunion as this photo came from the photo album of Kenneth Olmstead, whose mother was Lillian McCullough Olmstead, 2nd wife of Wallace Olmstead. That is my best bet until proven otherwise. Another possibility is that it is a Damon reunion, although I'm not quite sure of the Damon connection but Kenneth had other Damon photos in his album. I wish the photo was of better quality. I've lightened it but it is still hard to make out several of the people.

As for when it was taken Mneathea Cowden was born in 1897. She looks to be in her late teens or early twenties.

Little Girl with a Lamb

I have tried for years to find out who this little girl is. The photo was in Wallace Gifford Olmstead's collection of photos, and of course there was no writing on the back. I believe it was taken around 1890, probably on Wallace's farm in Gerry, NY.  His wife was Mahala Strong Olmstead. The little girl could be an Olmstead, Strong, McCullough, or Damon as they all lived close to Wallace's farm. My Dad didn't know who it was. It's possible she isn't related to any of the families named above but given the time period I doubt that.

Update 25 March 2015: I wonder if this is Mahala Olmstead, oldest child of Austin and Emma Torrey Olmstead. She was born in December 1897 and died on March 25, 1903.

Unknown Family 1921, Probably Gerry, NY

This photo comes from Kenneth Justus Olmstead's album. He was my great half-uncle. His mother was Lillian McCullough Olmstead, his father Wallace Gifford Olmstead. I think the people in this photo might be relatives of Lillian's. The Olmsteads and McCulloughs lived in Gerry, New York. This photo was taken in 1921. On the back it says Merry Christmas and happy NewYear to Lillie and Kenneth. "Hughs have baby girl borned Dec 24 1921."

Wallace had died in 1916. Kenneth lived with his mother until her death.