Late 19th and Early 20th Century Pell Family Photographs Provided To Office of the Historian

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site

Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.

A descendant of John Pell, 2nd Lord of the Manor of Pelham has made a wonderful collection of late 19th Century and early 20th century Pell family photographs -- many of which are photographs of Pell family members who lived on City Island -- available to The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham in exchange for efforts to enhance the photographs digitally.

Michael Anderson's grandmother, Bernice C. Pell, was born in the Samuel Pell House located at 586 City Island (about which I blogged in an April 26 posting entitled "The Samuel Pell House on City Island, Once Part of Pelham"). His grandmother's brother, Samuel Francis Pell, Jr., died a few years ago in Las Vegas and, apparently, maintained a large collection of photographs of his own father (Samuel Francis Pell of City Island) and other members of the extended Pell family. Mr. Anderson has graciously made available to The Office of The Historian a large number of the photographs.

Below is a "Before and After" example of one of the photographs after I have worked on it using the software program known as "Adobe Photoshop Elements". The original (on the left) is what is left of an undated post card from Rye Beach, New York. It shows Melvin A. Pell on the left. Bernice C. Pell, Mr. Anderson's Grandmother, is in the center. Samuel F. Pell Jr. is on the right. Mrs. Pell, who is now 93 years old, appears to be about two or three years old in the picture, suggesting that it was taken in about 1914. On the right is my effort to reconstruct the photograph using digital enhancement.



The photographs provided by Mr. Anderson will provide local historians and genealogists with an opportunity to learn more about the Pell Family and the important role that family played in the history of the area. Many thanks are due to him and his family for sharing such an important historical record.

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.