Archival Anecdotes: What's in a name

Archives are only as complete as the information within. In fact, there is one particular topic lacking information that bothers me­. Many of the women who resided in Eddy County during the early years remain unknown in the museum archives.

You see somewhere along the line cultural etiquette got in the way of cultural preservation. Addressing a married woman as Mrs. has been the proper rule for generations. So when folks named the faces in the photograph below, it was perfectly natural to list a woman using her complete married name. This left any understanding of a woman's character or contributions to reflect that of her husband.

The photo below features about 40 individuals who gathered to celebrate the birthday of Captain C.H. Culver in the early twentieth century. Of the 40, only four are identified with their full name: two unmarried women and two children in the front row. It was my hope to provide full names, but few could I discern. I encourage readers to contact me should they identify any of these women and know their full names.

Starting in the back row:

Mrs. J.A. McCrum; Mrs. A.R. Johns; Mrs. F.C. Davies; Mrs. H.G. Hudson; Mrs. Mahon; Mrs. Ben Rantz; Mrs. Fowler; Mrs. MacDonald; Dora Mahon; Mrs. E.R. Davidson; Mrs. L.L. Russell; Mrs. W. Carlson; Mrs. W. Radtke;

Mrs. J. Dafoe; Mrs. Adams Sr.; Mrs. J. Vanalman; Mrs. John Rager; Mrs. A.C. Olsen; Mrs. Booton; Mrs.W.C. Dresser; Mrs. Charles Culp,

Mrs. A. Johnson (Clara Johnson); Mrs. Lewis; Mrs. W.O. Baird; Mrs. Peter Crane; Mrs. H.C. Tarbell; Mrs. Ed Starks; Mrs. Crooker; Capt. C.H. Culver; Mrs. Melrose, Mrs. C.H. Culver; Mrs. John Goss; Mrs. G. Pike; Vannie Hall; Mrs. William Beardsley; Mrs. G. Thompson; Mrs. Harry Sexton; Mrs. Frank Fahrer; Mrs. W.C. Schwoebel; Jean Dresser, Mrs. H.J. Mitchell; Mrs. S.N. Putnam; Mrs. Newbre, Mrs. Vanmeter; Mrs. J. Hackney; Mrs. F. Reed; Mrs. E. Severtson; Ellen M. Roach; Mrs. George Fahrer.

If you know more about these lovely ladies, please send an email [email protected].