Photo Postcard of Eliza Ernest, Wife of D. Eugene Ernest, Royalton NY

My Genealogy Good Deed for the Day:

I am both a postcard collector and an avid amateur genealogist. Recently I bought an estate lot of antique postcards and found an amazing item. It is a one of a kind postcard, a real photograph, and the writing on the back identifies the woman as "Mrs Eliza Ernest" of Royalton, NY.

The photo was probably taken around 1910. It shows a stately looking woman sitting in her parlor next to a table. On the other side of the table stands a boy about 14 years old.

A quick check of Royalton burial records & census 1900 & 1910 shows Eliza as the wife of D. Eugene Ernest born 1853 died 1907 Royalton, Niagara Co NY. Eliza was born 1858 and died 1944 Royalton NY.

The young man in the photo is likely their adopted son George Reed Ernest, whom they adopted sometime around 1900. He is in census with them. I do not know if they had any other children previous to 1900, as I was unable to find more records. There were other Ernest families in Royalton. Eliza & Eugene were in their 50s when they adopted George. He too is buried in the Royalton cemetery and records indicate he died 1957.

I am not at all related to the Ernest family. If you are a descendent, or know of any descendents, please contact me,  I am going to hold on to this postcard in the hopes of returning it the family. 

I have sent a scan of this postcard to the Niagara Co NY Genweb site coordinator, but have not heard back. Also have posted this info on Genforum for Ernest family & Niagara Co NY.

Betty