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History
Hunting for the Photographer of an Old Family Photo
The photo was taken at Griffin & Capen, 49 Tremont Street, Boston. That was the trail I followed.
I recently found this photo of Nellie Crowell in one of my old photo albums. Nellie was a sister of my grandmother’s mother, making her my great-great-aunt. My family referred to her as “Aunt Nellie.” The photo was in one of my albums from the 1970s, so although I do not remember, I assume that my grandmother gave it to me.
Nellie lived near us in Sharon. She died when I was only 4, so I do not remember her. I have a very vague memory of the house on Billings Street, where Nellie lived, but I do not know if I was taken there to meet her or if I simply recall the house pointed out to me at a later time. My two older sisters gleefully recall that she gave them paper dolls from the newspaper with an arms or a head cut off!
That’s all I know about Nellie. My interest here is in the photograph itself and the photographer.
Internet research of history leaves many gaps as so much has not yet been digitized or is hidden behind paywalls. This story tells what I have been able to find out so far.
Griffin & Capen
