Old photographs can tell or hint at a story of long-ago people and places. Sometimes they draw us to them, due to the subject matter or an inscription on the back. Such was the case of two photographs of William Howard “Billy” Gray that were given to Morrison Historical Society, on Monday, February 20, 2017. Chicagoan David Magdziarz–who described himself as “an amateur genealogist”–also included a CD of his research about Gray.
Morrison, IL, was home to a summertime circus drummer! One of his drums is on display in the Hearth Room of Morrison’s Heritage Museum, 202 E. Lincolnway. This interesting former resident lived from 1860 to 1957, just shy of his 97th birthday; his life spanned the Civil War to the Vietnam War. Gray died in Freeport, IL, according to research gathered by serious genealogist Carolyn Aiken of Morrison.
Magdziarz stated he visited his sister in Dubuque, IA, last year and stopped in Galena, IL, to peruse antique shops. He purchased two photos, below left, because they were companion pieces, showing the same man, and they had a rustic, outdoorsman appeal. He originally thought to sell them as decorative items on eBay. But the back of the smaller photograph held a penciled notation, “Grandpa Gray.” Magdziarz knew Mr. Gray had been a family man. There might be descendants to find. On the front, a photographer’s mark named the source of that picture: H. Barnum, Morrison, Ill.” The fisherman was no longer an obscure figure from an unknown place. “Grandpa Gray” is in the center of the group photo with 19 fish.
He began internet searches on FindAGrave.com, You Know You Grew Up in Morrison if…, and census records. “Others helped, too.” Magdziarz found a marriage certificate for Gray’s son, John Bernard Gray. He noted a resemblance between William and the younger man to his left in the group picture.
These were “lost photos. Now they’re back,” he concluded.
