Going Home, Going Home, I Am Going Home!

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things."

Thursdays, on Shades Of The Departed, is dedicated to many things,
and nothing in particular.

In the life of every collector of old photographs or of a family historian, there comes a defining moment. A moment when what you've always known in your heart, that this is what you were meant to do, becomes a reality. That defining moment came for me yesterday, April 30, 2008.

This year I started the digital publication Shades Of The Departed to write about my passion for collecting old photographs and how analyzing those photographs can fill in our family history. Every week I post a Photo Of The Week, one of those "orphan photographs" I buy on my many trips to flea markets, second hand stores, antique shops and auctions.

One of my first Photos Of The Week featured what is my favorite photograph in my private collection, the little girl wearing pearls. I was captivated by her from the moment my daughter brought her home to me. I would like to think that this connection was her reaching out from the past, urging me to find her family.

I analyzed the photograph and researched the name written on the back "Mary Irene Brunton Reynolds." I found the little girl had been married to a part of Northwest History - Edward "Tige" Reynolds, a famous political cartoonist. I wrote about what I had found.

There was more information concerning "Tige" Reynolds that I didn't include, because the focus was on the little girl. Every Reynolds' cartoon carries the image of a little Tiger. It is from this Tiger that Reynolds gained his nickname "Tige." It was from the Reynolds' Tiger that the Tacoma baseball team gained its name. All the information I have gathered I will make available to the family.

In a comment to the article, Nikki-ann of Notes Of Life wrote:

Somebody has gone to the trouble of writing the little girl's name on the back of the photo (something that few people do, as you know). I wonder how it found it's way to an antique store. I'd be mortified if a relative gave away family photos, especially one who can be identified.

A brilliant analysis. Thanks for sharing :)

I answered Nikki-ann saying:

Maybe by saving this photo and posting the information a member of her family will find her.

There is only one known photograph of my GGGrandfather Campbell. Every day I say a little prayer that someone will find it and do our family a good turn.

Yesterday, I received the following email:

Dear sir or madam.

Today I was looking for some cartoons of Edward Reynolds, and to my shock I came across your website. I am the great-great granddaughter of the little girl in the photo posted (Mary Irene Brunton Reynolds). My name is Krista Reynolds; I am the daughter of Stephen Reynolds (who you mention in the analysis). I don’t know how you obtained the Brunton/Reynolds lineage but I am ever so grateful. We have lost everything in regards to our family due to unfortunate circumstances and I know nothing of my history. I am almost in tears to know you have found such detailed information.

The handwriting (I would know it anywhere) on the back of the photo is from my grandmother, Winona Reynolds who was married to Edward Brunton Reynolds. Both Edwards shared the nickname “Tige”.

I know this is in your private collection, but I would be ever so honored if I might have the photo or at least a copy.

Very truly yours,

Krista M. Reynolds

A few minutes later I received the following comment from Linda Reynolds, Krista's mother answering Nikki-ann's thoughts:

Hello, my name is Linda Reynolds, wife of Stephen Edward Reynolds who is the son of Edward "Tige" Brunton Reynolds and Winona Dodson Reynolds. Our daughter Krista Reynolds, was playing on the internet and occasionally inputs family names to see what might pop up. Today was quite a suprise.

All family photos were lost when Winona "Nonie" took ill and a distant relative came to the home and took anything of value. A very sad event as Steve is left with no family photos.

Living in the Seattle area, you may recognize the name Steve Reynolds from Unlimited Hydroplane racing. He was the driver of several boats including the Circus Circus, 7-11 and Cellular One. Steve was injured in a racing accident in Madison Indiana in 1986.

The writing on the photo is that of Winona. She kept very accurate records. If there would be any opportunity to recover this one family photo from you I would be very grateful. Did you only recover this one photo or might there be more?. . .

I love this photograph, it is my favorite, but the "little girl wearing pearls" belongs to her family. I have just been her guardian.

I contacted Krista and told her I could not sleep at night if I did not return the photograph to her family. I received a lovely email from her this morning which read:

Thank you so much for writing back! I was literally in shock when I came across your site. I randomly search Google for family history, and very rarely to I find anything! Especially on Tige! And it’s so funny to see Mary’s photo because I can instantly see a resemblance to myself.

I’m so happy to know you had a connection to her. From what I hear she was an amazing lady. And you are amazing yourself. What you do for people, finding old photos, reconnecting is wonderful. And to know what a joy it is to solve a mystery! Thank you so much for what you have done. I truly mean that.

My Grandma Nonie (Winona is her real name), has very distinctive handwriting, that’s how I knew it was hers off the bat! She will be turning 93 on May 7th! I never knew Grandpa Tige. He died when I was only a year old. I wish I could have known him though.

So my "little girl wearing pearls" will be reunited with her family. Hopefully in time for Nonie's 93rd birthday.

Mary Irene Brunton Reynolds will be Going Home!