MOUNT VERNON — The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) is seeking the community’s help in locating an orphaned photograph album’s loving family. The photograph album (see sample photographs below) contains personal family pictures circa the 1860s. Recently, the album was discarded and left in a box of used books donated to the Burlington Public Library. The reference librarian discovered the antique leather bound album and in-turn donated it to the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society, knowing that SVGS would value its contents and endeavor to find the best care-taker for the album.

“There are many reasons why this treasured family heirloom was originally discarded. Perhaps the owner is now deceased and left no surviving heirs? Perhaps an inheriting family member  could care less about family history? That part of the mystery may never be resolved. What is important now to SVGS, as family historians, is that such a valuable source of family history be re-united with a family member that truly will cherish it, not for its potential monetary value on eBay, but as a prized family heirloom to pass along to future generations. As hard it is for genealogist to imagine, not everyone is interested in family history. Believe it or not, old photographs and antiques are often viewed as just burdensome “old things.”  But, fortunately there is a growing counter-trend cross the country.  More and more genealogy societies and individual family historians are volunteering to help relocate abandoned or unwanted family heirlooms so they are reunited with appreciative and caring family members,” said Margie Wilson, SVGS Genealogy Librarian.

The names captioned with the photographs include:  Grandpa Robert Scott, Grandmother Marinda Scott, Grandpa James Dulin (no photograph), Grandmother Almira Dulin (no photograph), Two un-named Union Army Soldiers with full beards, Laura Dulin-Shipp, Kate Dulin-Hoefer, Maria Louisa Dulin-Zuggler, Scott Dulin, Dennis James Dulin, Cousin Allie Dulin, Uncle Edgar Scott, Uncle Franklin Scott, Aunty Mary Scott, Uncle Newton Scott, Cousin Edgar Scott, Aunt Emma Scott-Preston, Uncle Eleazer Dulin, Aunt Elizabeth Dulin-Condron, Aunt Eliza Scott-Poage, Grandson of Marinda Scott, Mother – Lydia Maria Scott-Dulin, Uncle Alfred Dulin, Cousin Grace Poage (no photograph), Cousin Edna Schwartz, Frank Hubert Shipp, Uncle Lucian’s Children, Nellie McKinney, Eralza Bennett – Maria Scott’s cousin, son of Eveline Earl Bennett, Erastus Bennett, Maria Scott’s cousin, Charles Dewey, Aunt Rosetta Scott-McKinstry, Uncle Lucian Scott, Uncle Alfred Scott, Uncle Newton Scott and wife Amy, Uncle Lucian Scott, Aunt Emma Scott-Preston, Aunt Clara Dulin Schwartz.  Photographer studios mentioned are S.D. Loveridge’s Photographic Rooms Newton, Iowa; Brandt Studios, Avoca, Iowa; E. Slade Photographer, Avoca, Iowa; W.H. Scribner Photographer, Newton, Iowa;

If you recognize any of the individuals, either by name or from the sample photographs please contact genealogy0715@gmail.com or leave a message on SVGS’ blog: skagitvalleygenealogy.org. If you wish to look at the photo album in person please email Margie Wilson at rootsproject@frontier.com to make possible arrangements. The potential recipients of the album will be interviewed by SVGS board members to ascertain that the new owner’s intentions are to be the long-term family custodians of this beautiful antique family heirloom and not to sell it or abandon this orphaned relic of family history once again.

Sample photographs from the album:

Two un-named Union Army Soldiers, possibly Dulin family members.

Photographs captions left page: Uncle Lucian Scott; right page: Aunt Emma Scott-Preston

Photograph caption left page: Grandpa Robert Scott; Right page: Grandmother Marinda Scott

*** CONTACT THE SOCIETY TO SEE THESE (AND MORE) PICTURES.