When I purchased three 19th century photographs in Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico, I had no idea where the three men staring back at me would lead. If you are just joining, and want to read my previous posts in this series, start here. After all that I discovered about H.P. Perrine, I felt brave enough to investigate the next photograph of a man with a name I couldn't decipher. I originally thought the name on the back of the picture was J. WyCough. But I didn't get anythin

If you are just joining me in this hunt for three 19th century men whose pictures I found in Albuquerque New Mexico, and want to read part one of this series, begin here. I began my next history detective adventure with a hunt to find H.P. Perrine. Though his photograph had no date, I felt sure I was looking at an 1870s Carte De Visite. The curved corners of the photograph hints that this photo was probably taken 1870 or later. The clothing with the loose jacket and pants, h

To find out how I picked up three 19th century guys in Albuquerque, New Mexico, read my first post in this series here. Albuquerque was beautiful but so different than where I live on the east coast. This is the view we had as we had dinner at the home of the president of the board my husband serves on for his company. The higher elevation and dry air affected me but the views were worth it. The Carte De Visites I had in my luggage weren't from Albuquerque. The three 19th cen

I know I've been absent for a while. I have a valid excuse. I can't wait to tell you what I have been working on! But you'll have to wait a little longer. Stay tuned... Like many of you, the pandemic had sucked the life out of me. Ok, not life. but creativity, energy, motivation and opportunity. I was isolated in my bedroom with COVID when my dear husband popped his head in the bedroom two months ago to see if I was still alive. He told me that he had a work trip to Albuquer

This post is part of a series. To start from the beginning, go here. I had the most trouble finding information on Shirley "Jersey" Buhl and her big sister, Marilyn. Marilyn was born in 1932 and though I looked and looked, I couldn't find any record of her graduation from high school or any trace of her as an adult. Marilyn Buhl: Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook

This post is part of a series. To start from the beginning, go here. In researching Shirley Buhl, nicknamed 'Jersey', I also wanted to know more about her parents, Oscar and Clara Buhl. Here is Clara Buhl with her daughters, Marilyn and Shirley Buhl. Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. Clara was born in 1907 to Theodore and Julia Betzler. She married Oscar Buhl in 1931. The Independent Press newspaper from Bloomfield, New Jersey, revealed that Shirley an

This post is part of a series. If you would like to start from the beginning, go here. I had so much fun uncovering all I could about "Jersey", otherwise known as Shirley Buhl, and her family. With help from my history detective sidekick, Valerie, I was also able to uncover information about her siblings. I found several news items about her brother, Joseph George Buhl. Joseph was born on October 22, 1925 to Oscar and Clara Buhl. Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with

This post is part of a series. To read part 1, go here. My hunt for a little girl nicknamed "Jersey" discovered in a collection by Paul Holbrook, a collector of vintage negatives, began with a desire to know the identity of the girl with the big eyes. The pictures were often out of focus, but I didn't care. I simply wanted to know more about her and her family. Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. Th

My hunt for little "Jersey" and her family was about to get a HUGE boost! Paul Holbrook, the owner of the glass negatives said that he remembered writing on one of the envelopes. He was able to discover that one envelope said "Joe Buhl Newark NJ" Could these be the Buhl children? Perhaps Joe Buhl was the father? Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. A father with one of his girls: Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. Unfortunately seve

Although I was instantly enamored with the pouty doe-eyed girl from New Jersey I knew that identifying her would be difficult, if not impossible. But from the moment I first saw 'Jersey' on my friend Paul Holbrook's Facebook page, I knew I had to try. It can be very difficult to identify vintage photographs and I had learned that I needed to collect clues to see if there was anything to go on to uncover 'Jersey's' identity. Picture courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permiss

I don't know what it was about her. Probably those big eyes. Or the sweet baby cheeks. Whatever it was, the little girl from the 1940's grabbed my heart (and a few other's too) after she was featured on my friend Paul Holbrook's page - Camera Americana. Photograph courtesy of Paul Holbrook. Used with permission. Paul has been a great resource for vintage material to research. He collects vintage glass negatives and we have worked together on several projects. I immediately c