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The boy has been identified through accompanying genealogical research as Elbert Dean Elsea (1901–1967), known as Dean. He stands beside an unidentified girl wearing a plaid dress with contrasting light-colored trim, large dark hair bows, light stockings, and strap shoes. Dean wears a striped shirt, knee-length trousers, dark stockings, and lace-up shoes. Both children face the camera with their hands held behind their backs. The portrait is presented within an oval vignette surrounded by a broad light border.
The reverse bears a handwritten notation reading “Elsea Family,” followed by a Center Street address in Findlay, Ohio. The handwritten house number appears to read 428, although the Elsea household is documented at 423 Center Street in historical records.
GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
The 1910 federal census places George and Laura Elsea and their son Dean at 423 Center Street in Findlay’s Ward 2. The original census image names Dean, although the searchable transcription supplied with the research omits his given name.
The accompanying FamilySearch family-tree information identifies him as Elbert Dean Elsea, born in 1901 and deceased in 1967, son of George Frederick Elsea and Ann Laura Spitler.
Additional contemporary documentation supports the family’s connection to this address. The 1902 Findlay city directory lists George F. Elsea and his wife Laura at 423 Center Street. A July 23, 1912 notice in The Morning Republican also identifies their young son Dean at that address.
The girl’s identity remains unknown. She should not be assumed to be Dean’s sister; her relationship to him has not been established. The identification of Dean is based on the handwritten family notation and supporting historical research, rather than an individual name written on the photograph.
POSTCARD DETAILS
• Original photographic image on postcard stock, commonly collected as an RPPC
• Estimated date: circa 1910, early twentieth century
• Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio family association
• Divided back with printed correspondence and address sections
• AZO photographic-paper stamp box
• Not postally used; no postage stamp or postal cancellation
• Handwritten family identification and address on reverse
CONDITION
Antique condition with age toning, fading, scattered spotting, surface marks, and edge and corner wear. The photograph has visible scratches or crease-like marks, including a curved mark extending inward from the left edge. Additional small dark spots and areas of discoloration are visible in the image and surrounding border. The reverse has pencil writing and a handwritten price notation.
Please review the front and back scans carefully, as they form part of the description and show the item’s complete condition.
An interesting piece of Findlay and Hancock County local history with an Elsea family genealogy connection. The clothing, hair bows, children’s footwear, and formal studio pose also make this an appealing example of early 1900s childhood portrait photography.
You will receive the original antique postcard pictured. Census screenshots and online family-tree pages are research references and are not included as physical items.
Collector keywords: Findlay Ohio, Hancock County OH, Elsea family, Elbert Dean Elsea, Dean Elsea, Spitler family, genealogy, family history, identified photograph, local history, real photo postcard, RPPC, AZO, antique photography, studio portrait, children, boy and girl, childhood, plaid dress, hair bows, knee pants, Edwardian era, early 1900s, Americana, photographic ephemera.
