What happens to family photographs when they are separated from the family they belong to? Discovering the familial connections is revealing. Alan Govenar found the Logwood family album in an antique mall in San Antonio, Texas around 2000. Each of the photographs had a price tag sticker. In reviewing the photographs, he realized that the history of this family was going to be sold off piecemeal and wondered how and why anyone in this family would want to part with the album.
Can the truth of this family be found in this photo album? What facts can be gleaned? The name William H. Logwood printed on one of the baby photographs made in San Antonio, opened a window to public records that give a glimpse into what appears to be the history of the family represented. But the various public records – census documents, death certificates, marriage licenses, and cemetery records – often present contradictory information. The dates of birth, name spellings, and other contextual details vary, making it hard to discern the truth.
Can the truth of this family be found in this photo album? What facts can be gleaned? The name William H. Logwood printed on one of the baby photographs made in San Antonio, opened a window to public records that give a glimpse into what appears to be the history of the family represented. But the various public records – census documents, death certificates, marriage licenses, and cemetery records – often present contradictory information. The dates of birth, name spellings, and other contextual details vary, making it hard to discern the truth.
The father was William Logwood, born in West Virginia sometime between 1841 and 1851, a street laborer who died February 15, 1921. His wife, Lucy Deshield Logwood (or Dashield or Dashiell) was born in 1854 and died either October 24 or 27, 1895. There is one photograph in the album with purple ink labeling the image “Lucy Deshill Logwood.” They had several children, some of whom are identified in the album. William H., Joe, and Lucy. But public records list other children: Minnie, Katherine (or Catherine), and Arthur. Cemetery records have two different graves labeled Logwood Infant, one from 1881, and one from 1887. Were these other children of William and Lucy?
William Logwood can be seen as an old man in some of these photos, surrounded by men and women. Are any of them his children? He outlived Joseph who died in his 20s in 1897 and Lucy, who died in 1918. Is one of those men one of the sons? Is one of those women one of his daughters?
And who are the others who appear in the album: Katie Camilla Arthur, Aunt Sallie Herbert, Bob and Mary Herbert, Bishop Grant, and all those unnamed?
The Logwood family album is part of the collections of the Texas African American Photography Archive. By making these images accessible to the public at large, perhaps the truth they contain can be established. If you have information about these photographs, or the family members in them, please contact us via our Submissions form.
And who are the others who appear in the album: Katie Camilla Arthur, Aunt Sallie Herbert, Bob and Mary Herbert, Bishop Grant, and all those unnamed?
The Logwood family album is part of the collections of the Texas African American Photography Archive. By making these images accessible to the public at large, perhaps the truth they contain can be established. If you have information about these photographs, or the family members in them, please contact us via our Submissions form.
|
Delve deeper |