Chosen Families Project #7: Kelsey Family- RELATIVE FOUND

Hello! Welcome to another article of the Chosen Families Project. I wanted to share the story of the photograph I recovered from a Goodwill that we being sent out to a relative soon. I am a thrifty person and often go to Goodwill every couple of weeks to look at new finds. However, on this occasion I was shocked to see this beautiful framed portrait amongst the other houseware section and I knew, regardless if I could identify them or not, that they would be coming home with me.

I then reached out to vintage photograph groups and found a possible relative related to the Kelsey family, which is the name listed below the photograph as the only source of identification. They saw some striking similarities to members of the family, and I was happy to oblige in returning it to them. Although at one point I did consider keeping it for myself because of how striking the photograph is. This unidentified couple stands together on a balcony, with the woman holding a huge array of flowers. Other input was believed that this could be a marriage anniversary portrait due to it’s size and style.

Whatever the case, I am so happy to be able to return it the work to family. The relative who reached out to me had talked about the relatives William Kelsey and Henry Kelsey. William Kelsey was known to be one of first Kelsey’s in America, and Henry Kelsey, who was an explorer who established the Hudson Bay Company in Canada.