Orphan Photos For Sepia Saturday

Once again digging through a box of “orphan photos” and became an on-line detective. Thought I’d share a few and some links to go with them.

This first picture I was able to ID by zooming in on the water tower and finding “Moirs Limited Chocolates Bread Biscuits”. Google quickly directed me to Halifax, Nova Scotia. I then found a Facebook link to old photographs of Halifax and then the following link which confirmed this was Halifax.

Here is a link to a photo of the old town clock at the left in this picture.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=314736756157&set=o.96551691468&theater

Check out this link below to see the assembly line at Moirs Chocolate Factory in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=377632891157&set=o.96551691468&theater

This next photo is a group shot of finely dressed people in front of "Lord Construction" "Work and Win Plant". Judging by the car and Work and Win slogan, I imagine this was taken during World War I. I did find a reference to a Lord Construction Company in Providence, Rhode Island that equipped/outfitted ships for the Emergency Fleet Corporation which was in operation from 1917 to 1920 to support the war effort. Check out the shiny shoes and the nice watch chain.

The last one I need some help with. It appears to be a BIG mock up of a World War I ship. Look at how many people are working on it. There is a subway entrance in the foreground. This was probably a set for a "Liberty War Bond" drive during WWI. Do you agree? Any ideas as to what city?

Followup: Brett Payne nailed the answer immediately after I posted the picture. Here is the link he directed me to:

http://longstreet.typepad.com/thesciencebookstore/2009/03/a-battleship-in-union-square-the-uss-recruit-1917-the-invention-of-the-word-landship.html

Old Postcards

I have a number of old postcards from all over the world. It is interesting to note the date on the postal stamp, to read the contents of a card, and to imagine what was going on in that time period. It is a great way to "escape" and get a little education at the same time.

I wonder how Tommy made out in World War II? Whatever became of his "sweetheart", Miss C. Erdman of Hartford, Connecticut?

Just found a second card from Tommy to Miss Caroline Erdman dated June 20, 1941 and mailed from Camp Wheeler, GA.

He addresses her as "Tootie" and lets her know he has been relocated to Camp Blanding, FL. He is Pvt T. A. Hubbs, Service Co, 169 Inf, 43 Div.

Just found this info on ancestry.com. It is Thomas A. Hubbs's Army Enlistment record. Appears he mailed the first postcard just two days after he enlisted at Fort Devens.


U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Thomas A Hubbs
Birth Year: 1916
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Connecticut
State of Residence: Connecticut
County or City: Hartford

Enlistment Date: 13 Mar 1941
Enlistment State: Connecticut
Enlistment City: Hartford
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life

Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Shipping and receiving clerks
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 66
Weight: 161


Source Information:

National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

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