Friday, March 9, 2018

Looking for Thirza


Perhaps the name written on the back of some of those old photographs was really Thiega. But sometimes, the writing looked like it was trying to spell Thirza.

Handwriting can make such a difference. In this case, it will make the difference between locating a false lead, or finding the right ancestor's descendants so I can return not one, but several family photographs I've found in a northern California antique store.

Actually, all I had to go by from some of those photos was simply that first name, whatever it turns out to be. Thankfully, I had my mentor and genealogy angel Sheri Fenley on hand during that shopping trip to the antique stores of Gold Rush country; she was certainly ready to guard me from hasty decisions. Otherwise, I might have put some of those pictures back on the store shelf and walked away from them.

The more I research the possibilities, the more I realize that was a close call. Apparently, the "Thirza" affixed to the reverse of each of those pictures seems to be the thread that ties them all together, just as we had hoped. Whoever Thirza was, her cherished stash of family photographs were no longer treasureda thought that always gives pause to contemplate just what might have happened over the generations in her family's story.

Among the photographs was one, dated 1920, of a young woman, two baby pictures, and a very old and faded portrait of a young man. It was this last specimen that included an inked-in name just above his headthe only full name provided which I could read, out of all those photographs.

Next week, we'll begin piecing together the story of Thirza. Or Thiega. Or whoever sheor theymight have been. In the meantime, I'm quite thankful that that recurring name wasn't something as common as Jane. Or Mary. As we've already discovered, it is possible to return a photograph to long-lost relatives with only a first name supplied, but it does require using at least a few other hintsaccurate ones, at that.


6 comments:

  1. I look forward to each and every adventure! Can't wait to start the first chapter.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that, Miss Merry. I'm glad you enjoy these little experiments in seeing these abandoned photographs head home again.

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  2. I am so looking forward to this upcoming post. The name Thirza is not common and I have one in my daughter's paternal line. Her name was Thirza Consolvo from Virginia. She was born 1809 and married David Williams. Her story is woven with much sorrow, as she lost 3 sons in the Civil War. One son David, had a daughter named May Thirza. I have never come across this name anywhere else. This family was all east coast, mostly Virginia and Georgia. Thirza Consolvo's grandfather was born in Spain and died in Virginia.
    Thanks so much. I love following your hunts.
    Winnie

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    1. Thank you so much, Winnie! I'm glad you enjoy these adventures.

      That is fascinating about your connection to a Thirza. It is indeed an unusual name, at least in my experience, though I have heard of it before.

      It's interesting to see your Thirza's family connection to Spain. I expect that name's history may lead to another country's heritage. I'm looking forward to seeing how this search turns out, too. Wouldn't it be something if we found a connection between your Thirza and mine?!

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  3. I have seen Theresa spelled many way:) Probably because that was my husbands GRandmothers name and I see it spelled all kinds of ways in Grandpas Farm Diary he calls her Thersa and teresa...go figure:)

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    1. That's a good point to consider, Far Side. Thanks for mentioning that. I did run into that sort of issue with the name Theresa, as well, in my own family, where one ancestor sometimes had her name recorded as "Thersia" or even "Tursia." If nothing comes up in this search for Thirza, I'll have to try my hand at looking for spelling variations for Theresa.

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