My father passed away two years ago and he did not know everyone in the photos. There is one photo, from I think the late 1800s, that is VERY intriguing. It is a professional portrait of a very attractive light skinned black man, my family is white. Does anyone know how I can track down who this person may be?

If you have any idea what state and county the person might have been from or even what state and county your people lived in the late 1800s, you might see if the county historical society could help you.

Thank you

Hi, Marie,
Saw your queries.
That photo of the black man may be a member of the family that lived across the street from your folks on Minot Place.
I am trying to dredge up their names now.
But if you go to the census records you will see, as I did, that your great grandfather Edward lived on Minot Place from the time he came to Newton. (Well, actually I think I found him on Prescott St in Newtonville one year.) But he was a driver/chauffeur for the man who owned the carriage (taxi) stable that was at the end of Minot Place. Then he and Mary bought # 17.
Ferd was the man's name that I remember. He may have worked for the stables also. I remember him from when we would visit in the summer. He would sit on the porch and wave. If we went over to say hello he would give us a quarter.
He became depressed in the sixties and went down to the Charles River one night and threw himself in.
If the picture isn't Ferd it might have been a relative. Ferd was in his seventies in 1966 or so. It would have to have been his father if they are the same family.
Judy

Right, the Jackson Homestead near Our Lady's Church would have old records of the commercial stables that were in Newtonville. You can also look in the Newton City Directories. I used them to find all the family places of residence. They list all the adults in the family, their occupations, and if they own or board at the address. They are all at the Newton Free Library in the Newton Room, but they may have taken them away--they were really falling apart--but they will be on microfilm. You can look up the street, and find the families that lived on Minot Place including the business. Then you can look up the names Dooley etc. They give slightly different info.
I still can't remember Ferd's last name, but will keep trying.
Judy

Marie, If you can e-mail me copies of the photos I may be able to tell you about some of the people in them.
You have my e-mail still? jaford2@comcast.net?
Judy