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AutorenbildPhotos Without Families

Elizabeth "Bessie" Connacher with colleagues


Seven colleagues sat down for a group photo some time in the 1920s. But where? I wish I knew! The photo is kind of identified. The back of the photo seems to say: front row (left to right): Bessie McConnacher (the Scotch girl) myself another Scotch girl Margaret de Vine back row (left to right): Scotch girl Miss Porter (another Scotch girl in our office) Miss Edwards (new girl)

I shared the photo on my Instagram page and my wonderful community helped me put together the story of one of our sitters:

Bessie McConnacher was probably Elizabeth McConnacher, born in 1896 in Glasgow. She, her sister Anna and their mother Elizabeth McConnacher née Byrne lived at 388, Victoria Road, South, in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1921.


In September 1922, Bessie arrived in Quebec in Canada. She was single and clerkess by profession. She intended to do domestic work in Canada. Her destination read: Montreal Government Scheme “Dorchester House”, Dorchester Str, Montreal. The "Dorchester House" later operated as Canadian Women's Hostel. It has also been referred to as immigrant reception hostel for women in other sources.


In December 1922 Bessie travelled from Canada to St. Albans in Vermont. She had been residing in Ottawa at the time and according to her entry card had never been to the US before. She intended to stay for 6 weeks.


She stayed 1,5 years. In May 1924, Bessie travelled from New York back to Glasgow .

In April 1930, Bessie arrived once again in New York, this time with the intention to stay permanently and to become a US citizen. Bessie was 5”5’ tall, had brown hair and brown eyes, and 100$ in her pocket. She was received by one Mrs Bone.


On Oct 10, 1932, Bessie married Gilbert E. Reid in Manhattan, a Scot from Aberdeen. But the marriage didn’t last long. By 1940, the couple had gone their separate ways.


I am now pretty sure that the photo of the colleagues was taken in Canada or the US between 1922-1924. I don’t know exactly where they all shared an office. Four of the ladies were from Scotland, according to the description.


I don’t know if Bessie kept her married surname after her divorce, or if she stayed in the US or returned to Scotland. I also haven't been able find anything on the other colleagues in the photo. The details are too vague. Margaret de Vine is the only one with a full name, but the search came back with too many options and I haven’t been able to find the connection to Bessie among them.


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