Photos Without Families

Telling the stories of strangers
in lost photos

“What will become of the other woman?” – Hedwig Faulkner from Tacoma, Washington

I found this photo in an online shop in Germany. It was taken in Portland, Oregon, and was probably sent to relatives in Germany - like many of the other photos I’ve come across. The sitter in this photo was Hedwig Faulkner. My Instagram community kindly pitched in with suggestions regarding her maiden name:

Marie Hoheisel née Perzina with children Konrad "Kurt" and Emmi

This lost photograph, taken in Vienna, found its way to me through an online shop in Germany. As so often, the real clues were on the back: a few handwritten names: Marie Hoheisel née Perzina with Emmi and Kurt.

Austria

Margaret "Gretchen" Stapf from New York

I can’t resist old photos of my namesakes! It’s always a special treat for me to research their stories and discover how they lived. This photo of Gretchen Stapf found its way to me in Germany. Gretchen is a sweet nickname for Grete or Margret, and many adults in my childhood used to call me Gretchen—so piecing together little Gretchen’s story feels extra special.

USA

Harry C. Johnson from Chicago, Illinois

Harry Charles Johnson was born on November 19, 1891, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Henry Johnson and Caroline “Carrie” née Nonnast. Henry and Carrie, devoted members of the local German Lutheran church, First Saint John, had him christened there on December 13, 1891.

USA

Family Süld from Saaremaa with Kristiine Mihkels

Oskar, Elli and Ingel Süld with Kristiine Mihkels from Saaremaa Island, Estonia

This lovely group photo found its way into the PWF archive from an antique shop on the Estonian island of Saaremaa. It shows the following persons: Süld Oskar and Süld Elli Süld Ingel Kristiina Mihkels Olga Põldmaa and Roobert Säkk

Estonia