Villnow family photographs

Item — Box: 1

Identifier: 2019-040

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection consists of 114 glass plate negatives of photographs taken by the Villnow family of Rochester, New York. The photographs include family portraits and groups, local scenery and what appear to be early aerial photographs. While not all of the plates are dated, those that are dated are from 1910 and 1911.

Dates

Creation: 1910-1911

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical Note

Charles F. Villnow was born on July 27, 1842 in Belgard, Prussia (Bialogard, Poland as of 2019). He married Augusta Janson on November 16, 1866. They immigrated to Rochester, New York in either 1872 or 1873. With them came their first 3 children: Julius, Frank and Mary. In Rochester, they first resided on Monroe Avenue, later moving to 119 Central Park. Charles was a tailor, who ultimately owned a shop at 113 Central Park, near his home. In Rochester, Charles and Augusta had 4 more children: Emma, Bertha, Otto and Emile. Charles lived in Rochester until his death on December 12, 1917.

Charles' eldest son, Julius, became his partner in the tailor shop. Born in April of 1867 in Belgard, Julius ultimately came to own the shop, where he employed his father as a wage earner by 1910. Julius married a woman named Lucy, with whom he had 4 children: Edna, Julius Jr., Bertha and Elmer. Eventually moving to 295 Parsells Avenue, Julius moved the tailor shop to the corner of Grand Avenue and Webster Avenue in 1925. Julius was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and active in its Men's Club. He closed the shop and retired in 1942, passing away on February 25, 1951.

Which of the Villnows created this collection is unclear, though identities of those photographed versus those not photographed among the family memebers, along with language used to describe certain family members, strongly suggests Julius was behind the camera. The original donation to the Ontarion County Historical Society, as documented in notes included with this collection, included a substantial amount of camera equipment, including a Seneca Premo 3 1/4" by 5 1/2" dry plate camera (made in Rochester, New York by Seneca Camera Mfg. Co.). Also included were packets of film, dry plate holders, contacting frames, a drying rack, developing trays and paper mounting supplies. Additionally, the collection originally included packages of Defender Developing Out Paper (from Defender Photo Suppy of Rochester, New York), a box of 5 x 7 dry plates from Eastman Kodak, a box of 5 x 7 dry plates from Cramer's Dry Plates of St. Louis, Missouri, red darkroom filters, 3 boxes of Argo Developing Powder, and a brush from J. M. Devoe and Co. None of these photographic supplies were transferred with the negative collection, and that may still be at the Ontario County Historical Society.

Extent

0.29 Cubic Feet (1 box containing 116 glass plate negatives.) ; 11 x 9 x 5 inches

.29 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of photographs taken by a member or members of the Villnow family of Rochester, New York. The photographs consist of 114 glass plate negatives, containing images of family, friends and Rochester, New York-area scences. The images are dated from 1910 and 1911.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single box.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transfer from the Ontario County Historical Society, August 29, 2019. Notes contained in the collection from R. Slemmons of the Ontario County Historical Society date from March 10, 1977, meaning the collection was in the hands of the Historical Society by that time. However, details of the the original donor are not available. The notes also state that the donation included camera equipment and paraphernalia, which was not included in the transfer to the Rochester Public Library.

Bibliography

"Julius Villnow Dies; Custom Tailor." Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York). February 26, 1951, page 1 "Villnow." Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York). December 13. 1917, page 19. Year: 1910; Census Place: Rochester Ward 16, Monroe, New York; Roll: T624_991; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0225; FHL microfilm: 1375004

Condition Description

The negatives appear to be well-preserved; they were housed in individual envelopes and are not cracked or scraped.

Processing Information

All glass plate negatives were rehoused in acid-free sleeves. Notes on the original sleeves were copied over in full. Original sleeves were discarded due to advanced state of decay. Descriptive applied titles created for all negatives with no original information on sleeve.