The holidays are approaching fast, so I am trying to reunite more photos with descendants. I found this couple at the Antique Trove in Roseville, California.
This photo is of Charles Kays and his bride Almena Whitworth, probably taken on their wedding day, 28 March 1899, in Genesee, Idaho. I found the date in the Western States Marriage index on ancestry. The index itself is available for free here.
Charles was born in Kansas and Almena in Alabama. In the 1900 Census, the couple lived together with her parents in Moscow, Idaho. By 1910 Charles and Almena had moved to Brawley, California and had three children by the names of Byron 9, Shirley 3 and Katherine 1 years old. In 1920 the family lived in Los Angeles, California together with four children. The youngest one, Virginia was born in 1911.
The oldest child, Byron, was married by 1930 and lived in Los Angeles with his wife Marion. The 1940 Census shows one child, Barbara 7 years old. Byron’s Father, died suddenly in 1945 of a heart attack.
Chino Champion
Chino, California • Fri, Jan 19, 1945Page 1
The obituary mentioned Byron, his sister Mrs. Edward Hays, Mrs. C.S. Connors and the youngest sibling Charles all living in the Los Angeles area. No mention of Byron’s mother. She must have died earlier.
Byron’s only daughter, Barbara was born in 1933. I have not been able to find much more information about her, plus I do try to protect the privacy of descendants.
Byron’s younger brother Charles Shirley Kays was born in 1907 in Arizona and died 1971 in Eureka, California. He was married twice. I found one daughter on Find A Grave.
Byron’s sister Catherine Victoria was born 1908 in Oregon and died 1962 in California. I found her and her husband Edward Hays in the 1940 and 1950 Census with no children.
The youngest sibling Almina Victoria was born 1910 in California. She died young just liker her sister in 1964. She was married to Cornelius Connors. I found one son in the 1950 census.
I have found a few online family trees which I will contact first to see if they are interested in the photo.
I have been successful with my first two attempts of trying to return photos.
I wrote about three sisters a few months ago.
Have you ever had the privilege of returning a photo or other mementos to strangers rather than your own family?
Please leave comment below!
Thank you for reading my blog and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving which we are celebrating this Thursday here in the United States.
Genealogy Is An Adventure 
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