While looking through archives and databases at the Lafayette Historical Society, two photographs of a mystery woman have surfaced. One includes Mamie Joseph in a traditional class photo at the Moraga School, with all participants looking solemnly at the camera. Mamie is named with 17 other identified students, while three of her classmates remain unknown.
The second photo of Mamie is in portrait style. Titled Minnie Joseph, 1893, it was found among Margaret “Jennie” Bickerstaff’s photograph collection. The image is signed “To my dear loving teacher—Mamie Joseph—Age 11—Moraga Valley 1893.” And so, the only absolute information known about Mamie is her birth year, 1882, and her attendance at the Moraga School in the Orinda School District around 1893.
In this second photograph, the subject poses most un-lady like, with one leg resting upon a stone, revealing the inner-fabric of her dress. Dubbed the “Annie Oakley” of Lafayette due to her nonchalant manner and no-funny-business pose, Mamie Joseph has captured the interest of the Lafayette Historical Society.
If you have any information about this mystifying woman, please contact the Lafayette Historical Society at (925) 283-1848 or email lafayette.history@comcast.net .
-Kyra Mitchell
Hi Kyra, The 1880 census for Lafayette has a Frank and Annie Joseph both born in New York with their daughter Mary Joseph born 1879 in California. Frank is a farmer. It is not unusual for birth dates to be out a little. They are the only family with the last name Joseph in Lafayette or close surrounding areas at this time. There is no census for 1890 which is tricky but I will keep searching and let you know. Interestingly, in 1901 there is an article in the Newspaper Archives for a Mamie Joseph appearing in a production in Salt lake City? Gathered this information from a quick search. I will look into it a bit deeper. Please feel free to call me if you would like!
Sue 925 284 2656
Sue,
Thank you so much for your response! I was not aware of Mamie’s parents names or her father’s occupation. How interesting to see that she may have been affiliated with a SLC production. We have now looked into the census and found that indeed, Mamie’s birth year is slightly off. A colleague of mine mentioned most of the 1890 census was burned in a fire. However, please do look into the 1901 production. It would be fantastic to see if Mamie was in fact there in 1901 and where her life may have taken her. Keep us posted!
Kind Regards,
Kyra Mitchell