As researchers, we have the incredible advantage of being able to conduct genealogical research right from the comfort of our homes. There is so much information right at our fingertips, and yet, not everything is online. Reaching out to descendants of our common ancestors can be a great way to gain inside knowledge that you will never get from a record. Finding a descendant is sometimes difficult, and in many cases, they might not know anymore than you do or be reluctant to share.
But I got lucky. I managed to find the great-granddaughter of my gggg-grandparents, Charles Robinson Hendrickson and Mary Ann Pearsall of Brooklyn, New York. We exchanged information and after several emails back and forth she shared with me some photos of Charles and Mary Ann. I was thrilled and incredibly grateful to be able to look into the eyes of my ancestors.
About the photos:
Photos were provided by Carolyn (Novak) Christie, great-granddaughter of Charles Robinson Hendrickson and Mary Ann Pearsall. She stated that the originals were tintypes, undated, sized at 3 1/4 x 2 1/4. She received them after her mother’s death in an envelope with the identity scotch taped to the back of each.1
Tintypes, invented in 1854 were produced by applying photographic emulsion to a thin iron enameled plate immediately before exposure. 2 Most popular during the 1860’s and 1870’s, they continued to be produced well into the early 20th century.[ cm_simple_footnote id=3] Compared to previous methods they were quick and inexpensive to produce. They were also small and lightweight and could easily fit into a pocket. 4 This made tintypes popular at fairs, carnivals and resort towns such as Coney Island. 5
One thing that stands out to Carolyn and I is that Mary Ann is wearing a coat. That suggests to me that this was taken at an outdoor venue where it might have been too cold for her to remove it. Back then it would have been common for an itinerant or a street photographer to set up a mobile booth to catch the attention of those walking by. We also talked about how modern her coat and hairstyle looked. We are not sure what to think about that.
Here’s a little information on Charles and Mary Ann.
Charles Robinson Hendrickson:
- Son of Charles Van Sise Hendrickson and Henrietta Babcock 6
- Born on or about 11 March 1842, Brooklyn, Kings, New York 7
- Died 3 May 1909 at the Home for Consumptives, Brooklyn, New York 8
- Cause of death: Pulmonary Tuberculosis 9
- Buried 6 May 1909 at Greenfield Cemetery, Hempstead, New York 10
- Primary occupations were a conductor for the railroad 11 and a watchman at the U.S. Navy Yard 12
- Served in the Civil War as a private in Company A, Regiment 13, Infantry 13
- Primary residences: 54 Carlton Avenue, 14 168 Park Avenue, 15 and 97 Carlton Avenue, 16 all in Brooklyn.
Mary Ann Pearsall
- Daughter of Clarkson Pearsall and Margaret Doughty
- Born on or about 22 October 1835, Long Island 17
- Died 12 February 1883, corner Of Park Avenue and Adelphi Street, Brooklyn, New York 18
- Cause of death: Pleuropneumonia 19
- Buried at Greenfield Cemetery, Hempstead, New York 20
- Primary residences, Hempstead, New York 21 and 168 Park Avenue, Brooklyn. 21
Charles and Mary Ann married 22 October 1863 at Christ First Presbyterian Church, Hempstead, Queens, New York. 23
Children:
- Clarkson Valentine Hendrickson Sr.
- George Sidney Hendrickson
- Sarah Frances Hendrickson
Quick tip: If you get lucky and connect with a descendant or family member who shares a family heirloom with you, like a photo or a family bible, make sure to ask how you can share or use it. Respect their wishes and if they give you the green light to post it to a blog, social media, in a publication or on a platform like Ancestry, give them proper credit. Thank them for contributing to your family history and share with them what you’ve done. This will go a long way in establishing a good relationship with them if they have anything else they like contribute.