Thursday, June 20, 2019

Two photographs of the Berg family, purchased on Ebay from a Washington seller.

The first one is labeled "1894 or 95" on back. The individuals are not named on the back, but a comparison with the second photo allows for the identification  of three persons, and genealogical research identified the rest. The photograph did not have a studio mark.

Standing back row Lydia, Fannie, and Samuel. Seated: John Peter Berg and Christiana Berg, holding Esther. In front are seated David and Sarah.

It is unclear whether the second photo was taken at the exact same time. The clothing appears the same, but with slight differences. Christiana has some sort of bow at her collar in the family group, but not in the smaller photo. David has a lace collar in the family group, but not in the smaller photo. If not taken at the same time, the photographs were likely taken close together. The back of the photo has "Christiana Berg Esther & David" on its back.

Christiana Berg holding Esther, with David to the right.

The Moblo studio operated in Traverse City from 1893 through at least 1913. 

The 1900 US census lists the Berg family in Peninsula Township:

BERG, John P. b. March 1844 Germany
BERG, Christine b. December 1850 Germany, mother of 17 [or 11] children, 7 living
BERG, Lizzie b. December 1880 Michigan
BERG, Samuel b. February 1884 Michigan
BERG, Sarah b. November 1886 Michigan
BERG, David b. May 1889 Michigan
BERG, Ester b. June 1890 Michigan
BERG, Rosa b. July 1893 Michigan.

Rosa is not in the photograph, probably suggesting that the photo was taken sometime early in 1893, before Christiana would have been visibly pregnant.

The family moved to Washington State where John died in 1909 and Christina in 1928.
An Ebay purchase. The photograph does not have a studio mark on it. On the back it states "Traverse City Will Huebel on left?"


William Huebel was born in 1847 in Austria, came to the United States in 1885, and died in 1932 in Traverse City. He lived in Peninsula Township and worked as a farmer in 1900 and 1910.