There is a Cora A. Seeley, age about 32, single, listed as a servant on the 1905 New York State Census, Saratoga County, living with Herbert A. Shaw, his wife Edna, and daughter Mary. Curiously, the census taker only marked an “x” in the place for city. The 1900 Federal Census for Milton (just southeast of Rock City Falls) shows Cora listed as “foster sister” to Herbert Shaw. Cora was born in New York, November 1872 according to this census.

The unknown sender of this card did not write a message to Cora, but mailed it from Rochester, Minnesota (exact date unreadable). I love the postcard header though, with it’s heart design in the middle and it’s surrounding Art Nouveau lines that incorporate two leaves flanking the header. And note the “wings” that flank the center portion above the heart. The front is a bit unusual, depending on how this strikes you, a little stark perhaps, a little odd with the red-orange earth that looks more like a basketball than anything. It’s copyrighted by M. Stein, 1907 of The Stein Company out of Chicago.

Undivided back, used postcard. Postmarked 1907 from Rochester, Minnesota. The Stein Co., Publishers, Importers, Jobbers, Chicago, Illinois.

Price:  $10.00

Sources:  New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: E.D. 07; City: Milton; County: Saratoga; Page: 3 (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1900; Census Place: Milton, Saratoga, New York; Roll: 1158; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0119; FHL microfilm: 1241158 (Ancestry.com)