The Northeast Michigan Genealogical Society acquired these photographs from Bethany Waterbury in 2005. The group is seeking to provide names to these very early settlers of Alpena. In addition, these photographs offer a glimpse of the creativity and style of many early Alpena photographers. Notice the back drops, the side view of the face. Perhaps you may have match or a look alike picture in your albums? If you feel you have a match, send and email to nemgs@nemgs.org or contact Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley at The Alpena News at 989-358-5691.

Now for a little history of the album –these photos of early Alpena residents were found in an album belonging to William and Josephine Wilks. The young couple arrived in Alpena circa 1868. In the 1870 census, Will was a carpenter, born in 1846 in New York. Josephine (Rouleau) Wilks was from Detroit — she had immigrated from Quebec — in 1860. Initially they rented a home at 140 Chisholm St., but later moved to 702 Lockwood St., where they shared a house with the Placie family.

They were members of St. Bernard’s Church, where many of their children were baptized. Their children included John, Charles, Elizabeth, Carrie, Willis, Joseph, Ida, Florence, Alfred and May. Other surnames that interlink with the family include Phillips, St. Onge, Blanchard, Elora, McGuire, and Placie.

The family left the area for Detroit some time between 1900-1910. The photos cover years 1873-1913, with 90% before 1900. Jerry Blanchard and family and William Placie and family were neighbors.

Please check your old pictures. Perhaps you will have a match! Three of the photos here were taken by William C. Cain who had a studio on River Street in Alpena. He was first found in Alpena in 1873 and stayed in business here until 1881. Information of photographers dates was provided by Dave Tinder, of Dearborn.

There were two photographers in Alpena by the surname Gibson. Charles C. Gibson was 24 years old in the 1880 Census. He had a wife and four children and he was born in Ontario. The family lived on 3rd Avenue, and had a young woman as a servant. His father was born in Ontario and mother in New York. He was here from 1880 to 1883.

John Jefferson Gibson, then 28, was born in Ontario. It is suspected that they were brothers as his father was born in Ontario and mother in New York. He was boarding with a family on Mirre Street in Alpena. John arrived in Alpena and set up a studio in 1880-1883. Perhaps they worked together — it would seem logical. The 1883 directory does not include either Gibson.