You might want to read the last two posts before reading this one–it might make more sense if you do. You can find part one here, and part two here.
We are discussing pictures found recently by this author Helen’s sister in Richmond,Virginia. There were about fifty pictures of family members found in a small album never seen by any of the living siblings of this family, all in our 60’s and 70’s now. Only two of the fifty pictures were identified, but thanks to that, and to other family pictures allowing us to identify some others, we decided that more than likely, these were pictures that belonged to our Father’s family–his Dad’s German Youngblood family,and his mother’s Scotish Hogue family.
Since I am the active amateur genealogist of the family and family historian, who is also most in touch with other family members, cousins, and DNA matches, through social media groups, etc., I eagerly took pictures of the newfound 100 year-old photographs to work on trying to identify as many as possible.
Who are the most likely family members in these pictures? For that answer, I went to our family tree. Even though I include all the parents and siblings, I truly believe most of these pictures come from the family of Edwin Spear Youngblood and his wife Helen Blanche Hogue, which includes my father.

The family of Robert Fulton Hogue, Sr. b. 1850, with his children and grandchildren. One of those children is my father’s mother i–Helen Blanche Hogue, child III.

The family of Lewis Jacob Youngblood with his siblings, his children and grandchildren. My father’s family is shown with his father Edwin Spear Youngblood as child #5.
With that in mind, I wonder if Edwin Spear Youngblood and /or his wife, Helen Blanch Hogue Youngblood, my paternal grandparents, are in any of these found pictures! Two of my cousins wrote to me yesterday to identify Helen B. –and look–these are known portraits of them that I have on my own living room wall.
What happens if I compare these to some of the found pictures on the family search compare-a-face site? Yes! Helen is a match!
- unknown picture to identify, now seen as Helen Blanche Hogue-Youngblood
Here below, is an older, known picture of my paternal grandmother, Helen Blanche Hogue Youngblood that I took myself when I was about age 15! She would have been 84. How does it compare to the picture of her younger self above? Wow! 95%! Wow!
Below is one of the unidentified pictures of a young man–it looks a bit to me like it could be Edwin, could it be? I’m not at all sure, but look,family search compare-a-face says it is more than likely! What do you think?
Here’s another unknown single young man, is this Edwin Spear also?
This is so very interesting! I hope a lot of relatives will stop by to comment and give advice, on ancestry, Facebook, or where ever you find me! Thanks and happy ancestor hunting!
PS, I think there might have to be one more post— part 4, and I promise to stop then! LOL Well…maybe.
October 3, 2019 at 4:08 pm
As one who is not related AT ALL, but with some art (thus some portrait study) experience, I don’t think there is any mistaking of Helen B. Her mouth, wide chin and nose did not change from youth to elderly.
The same opinion for Edwin: the high as well as bilateral receding hairline (maybe covering it up on one side? (😊), low eyebrows, hooded eyelids, deep “philtrum” (area between the upper lip and nose), prominent “cupid’s bow”, full lower lip and the full chin. At least that’s my interpretation!
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October 3, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Dear Vivian, thanks so much for this feedback, how interesting! I’ve been wondering how the site might measure or make the comparison! You have given me/us some great info! I appreciate your reading! love you, Helen
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October 3, 2019 at 6:59 pm
Helen, I love your enthusiasm. It’s hard not to share the excitement so evident in your writing!! Love you.
Linda McLaughlin ________________________________
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October 3, 2019 at 8:49 pm
I love you too, and appreciate your continuing support! love you!
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