One of my favorite pictures is that of great-grandmother Mitchell. She is the great-grandmother of my mother-in-law, Betty (Parry) Ferguson. So far, my research has not turned up her first and maiden names. Seated on her lap is the child of Uncle George, also unknown. The picture was taken by H. A. Chapman, Silver Medalist, High Street, Swansea, Wales. Henry Alfred Chapman was a well-known photographer in business from about 1865 to 1915.

On the back of the picture, written in Betty’s handwriting are the words, “Mother’s Grandmother, Great-Grandma Mitchell holding Uncle George’s little girl.”

Betty was born in 1911 to Thomas Morgan Parry and Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell.¹ Sarah was thirty-five when Betty was born.

Sarah was born on 12 Nov 1875 to Richard Mitchell and Margaret Evans.² Her father, Richard, was twenty-eight when Sarah was born. Then the trail goes cold.

At times when I have looked at the face of my mother-in-law and her sister, Jane, I have seen glimpses of great-grandmother Mitchell. I have also seen her in the faces of my Ferguson nieces.

My goal for 2022 is to continue my research into the Mitchell family. I would love to give a name to this lovely Welsh woman.

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¹Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics, 536 (1911), Mary Elizabeth Parry; Ohio Department of Health, Columbus; 

²Sarah E. Mitchell  Certified Copy of Birth Record, 1875 (Youngstown, Ohio: Common Please Court, Probate Division, 1876); owned 2012 by Dave and Tonya Ferguson, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,].