The Gibson, Rowell, and Mains Families


Recently, I came across a wonderful, crowded group photo taken on the steps of a clapboard house. But the real magic happened when I flipped it over to read the delicate handwriting on the back.

​The note on the reverse side gives us a list of who gathered that day:

​"For Father & Mother"

"at Gibsons back door"

  • ​Mr. Mrs. Gibson
  • ​Arch, wife, 2 children
  • ​Charley Laurence, wife & 1 child
  • ​Old Mr. Rowell,
  • ​John & Jim Rowell,
  • ​Mr. & Mrs. Mains,
  • ​Mr. & Mrs. Jim M. & children
  • ​Eldon & wife,
  • ​Little Jo an orphan
  • ​"dog Jack" all facing the sun

​What makes this handwritten roster so special isn't just the list of names, it's the life it breathes into the image itself:

  • ​The Setting: Knowing this was taken "at Gibsons back door" sets the image in a real place. You can see the simple clapboard siding, the wooden steps, and the screen door frame where generations of a family went in and out.
  • ​The Multigenerational Gathering: The photo captures multiple branches of a community. We see patriarchs like "Old Mr. Rowell" with long white beards at the top, young couples starting their families, and a cluster of children spread across the steps.
  • ​The Heartwarming Details: The writer didn't just record the heads of household; they made sure to include "Little Jo an orphan," ensuring Jo's place in the family history was remembered.
  • ​A Good Boy Named Jack: Perhaps my favorite detail on the entire card is the final line. Tucked right down in the bottom left, keeping watch beside the steps, sits "dog Jack." Even the family dog got a shout out in the notes!
  • ​Squinting in the Light: The final remark, "all facing the sun", explains all the tilted hats, shaded brows, and serious expressions. They were all squinting directly into the bright daylight as the photographer capured the scene.

​Photographs like these remind us that genealogy isn't just about dates and census records. It’s about community, gatherings on back porches and keeping track of everyone who showed up, from old grandfathers to little orphans and four legged friends.

​As I continue researching the Gibson, Rowell, and Mains families to map out their exact relationships and census records, having this handwritten key makes all the difference in turning quiet faces into a vivid story.


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