Ralph Guenther, longtime Chelsea photographer, was often  hired to take photos at Chelsea weddings.  Previously, we featured photographs from some of the weddings he worked in the 1950s; today, we’ll highlight photos from a single wedding.

On April 8, 1961, Donna Noah and Wilfred C. Lane were married at St. Paul’s church on Summit Street.  With Mrs. Lane’s permission, here are several photographs from their big day.

The ladies are getting ready before the wedding.  From left to right: Bertha Hedderick (Wilfred’s aunt), Esther Noah (Donna’s mom), Donna, JoAnne Beerbower, Francis Lane (Wilfred’s sister), Jennifer Lane.

Donna enters the church with her father Laurence Noah, Jennifer (flower-girl) and Francis (Maid-of-Honor).

The wedding party. From left to right: JoAnne Beerbower, Frederick Belser, Francis Lane, Donna Lane, Wilfred C. Lane, Duane Noah, Charles H. Lane, Lynwood Noah. Front: Jennifer Lane, Charles C. Lane

Les Eisenbeiser, Penny Eisenbeiser, and Tom Eisenbeiser decorated the car Donna and Wilfred would ride to the reception.

The two rode off to the reception which was hosted in Laurence and Esther Noah’s house.

Helen Johndro (middle) reaching up to catch the bouquet. On the far left is Darlene Beyer.  Right of Helen is Irene Stofer Hogan, Janice Fitzsimons, and Lynn Boham.

The couple honeymooned in New York, just missing the spring blizzard that hit Chelsea on April 10.

The following post was written by Brenda (Glover) Leyndyke and was originally published on her blog Journey to the Past on 1/11/2012.

Source:  Samuel Poor; Document Number 12757; United States Bureau of Land Management  “General Land Office Records: Land Patents,” digital images, Bureau of Land  Management General Land Office Records (www.glorecords.blm.gov: accessed 12  October 2011).

The above record states that” Whereas, Samuel Poor, of Steuben county New York has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Detroit whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Samuel Poor according to the provisions of the act of Congress of the 24th of April 1820, entitled “An act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands” for the north east quarter of the south west quarter, and the south east quarter of the north west quarter, of Section thirty three, in township two south, of range three east, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Detroit Michigan, containing Eighty acres according to the official plat of the survey of the said lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Samuel Poor.”

1874 Plat Map of Sylvan Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan; Section 33 Highlighted

My ggg grandfather Samuel Poor was a pioneer of Washtenaw County, Michigan.  Michigan became a state on 26 January 1837.  Samuel’s land grant was issued 1 April 1837, barely two months after statehood.  He was married to Eleanor Begole.  They can be found in the 1830 U.S. Federal Census in Stueben County, New York.  The 1840 U.S. Federal Census has Samuel Poor in Washtenaw County, Michigan employed in agriculture.  Samuel and Eleanor’s daughter, Elizabeth, married Daniel C. Fenn.  Daniel and Elizabeth Fenn are my great, great grandparents.

The Archives of Michigan has just published digitized copies of the original survey of Michigan’s township parcels.

1819 survey map of Lima Township - via seekingmichigan.org

To view the maps, visit http://seekingmichigan.org and choose the Advanced Search option (the green button in the upper right corner). Uncheck the box labeled “Death Records, 1897-1920” and check the box labeled “GLO Plat Maps.” Type the township name in the search box, and you’re good to go!

In 1986, Eastern Michigan University and the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce worked together to create a coloring and sketch book of Chelsea landmarks and historic moments.

Line drawings of local landmarks, such as the Depot, the Jiffy Towers, and the Clock Tower are prepped and ready for coloring.

Want to print your own copy of the full coloring book?  Email Sarah at sconrad@chelseadistrictlibrary.org and she’ll send you a pdf.

Chelsea Community History Project: Korean War from chelsealibrary on Vimeo.

We are proud to present our latest documentary, honoring the men who served in the Korean War and sharing their stories through film. The Chelsea Community History Project: Korean War was made possible through a partnership of the American Legion Post #31, Chelsea VFW Post #4076 and the Chelsea District Library. We thank our community sponsors as well. As part of the Chelsea Community History Project, this film was supported by the Chelsea Community Foundation. Thanks to Video Farm Productions for their creativity and hard work that went into this film.

Many thanks to the participants and supporters who made this film possible.