In May, 2013, we published the "rabbit hole" photograph (at right). Based on photographer information and basic vital statistics from the Mariencheck side, we were suspicious that this was Genevieve Mariencheck and her husband, Joseph "Happy" O'Callaghan.
After losing Genevieve in 1929, Happy married Mattie Mae Young in December of 1931. They had two children before she died while expecting their third in 1940. He was married to Florine C. O'Callaghan when he passed away in 1960. A few weeks after the photograph was published, a "cold call" email I'd sent to Happy's descendants was answered - by his grandson, Riley O'Callaghan! Riley shared the photograph below, showing Happy later in his life. Although the age difference and angles make it difficult to compare, the sloping eyes, pointed nose, chin shape, and hair line all point toward a match!
Later, in October 2013, a research trip to Memphis paid off in spades when this beautiful portrait of Genevieve Mariencheck was found in the collection of Lynn Jennings Park! Although, again, angles make it tricky to compare, the hair color/style, and nose and chin shape point toward a match!
Unfortunately, identifying the sitters doesn't solve the other mysteries within this photograph. Riley knew of no connection to Milwaukee, so we're unsure why they were there. We'll have to assume the flags-of-the-world quilt and unidentified photographs in the background were photographer props.
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