Louise VanderVelden photo album

Collection

Identifier: Collection 487

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of one photo album created by Louise VanderVelden from 1911-1946. Both she and her brother, Fred, grew up in Detroit, and both lived in Grand Rapids for a period of time. The album was found by the donor, Marjorie Marks, in her home in Huntington Woods, Michigan and was donated to the Grand Rapids Historical Society, who gave it to the Grand Rapids Public Library. The donor's notes are included in the collection. They are genealogy notes related to Omer A. Forrester, Louise VanderVelden's first husband.

In addition to photographs from trips Louise took with her mother, there are interior photographs of 40 Benjamin Ave. and photographs of Fred Warnars in front of Creston Transfer Company trucks and in front of his Grand Rapids home, possibly 1124 Scribner Ave NW.

Dates

1911 - 1946

Biographical / Historical

Louise VanderVelden was born to John K. VanderVelden and Christina (Warnars) VanderVelden in Bessemer, Michigan 13 July 1891. In 1911 Louise married Omer A. Forrester. They moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan around 1916 and were divorced a few years later. Louise returned to Detroit and resided with her mother. Louise married John Shumaker in 1933. She died in Detroit in January of 1981.

Fred John Warners was born Fred VanderVelden in 1893 to John K. VanderVelden and Christina (Warnars) VanderVelden. Fred served in World War I. He married Leah H. Williams in 1942 and worked for the Creston Transfer Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He died in November of 1970 and is buried in Oakhill Cemetery in Grand Rapids.

Louise’s parents divorced in 1913 and her mother, Christina, and brother, Fred, began using her mother’s maiden name, Warnars.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Louise VanderVelden was born in Bessemer, Michigan in 1891 to John K. VanderVelden and Christina (Warners) VanderVelden. In 1911 Louise married Omer A. Forrester. They moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan and lived for a few years at 40 Benjamin Ave. Louise's photo album contains interior photographs of the house. In or around 1917 Louise and Omer divorced and she returned to Detroit. Louise married John Shumaker in 1933 and died in January of 1981.

Louise's brother Fred Warners, who took his mother's maiden name after his parent's divorce, was born in Bessemer, Michigan in 1893. He served in World War I and later married Leah Williams in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fred worked for the Creston Transfer Company in the 1940's and there are photographs of him in front of the company truck. Fred died in November of 1970.

Louise's album also contains photographs of Congress School in addition to Fred in front of his home in Grand Rapids, possibly 1124 Scribner Ave NW.