Bland
Edward Cashel
(born 1881, married 1917)
apparently had an affair
with the married Myrtle Bland
(born 1895, married 1914).
He may be the father of some of Myrtle's children, though hard evidence of that is lacking.
If true, then DNA from some of Myrtle's descendants should strongly match DNA of our family.
Nothing has been found so far.
It is of course possible that Edward had the affair, but no children, and Myrtle's children in the 1920s are from another affair.
(She was meant to have had multiple affairs.)
Myrtle Bland,
born 1895 in Washington state.
She married in 1914 [her age 19] in Washington state
to
Bernie Converse [Wilbur Bernie Converse].
The marriage record says it is her 1st marriage.
They lived after marriage in
Juneau, Alaska, where they had children.
The Converse family story is that she had affairs, and some of their children were the product of her affairs,
and her husband knew this and tolerated it.
Myrtle apparently had an affair with
Edward Cashel.
Her dress in photos suggests this was around 1918.
However the children that are meant to be from her affairs were born in 1924-28.
Edward was a bachelor, living in Douglas/Juneau up until his marriage in 1917 to Jane West.
He and Jane then lived in Washington state for a few years.
Then they came back to Douglas/Juneau.
Myrtle had issue (thought to be by her husband):
- Clarence Converse, born c.1916.
- Berna Converse, born 1917.
- Viola Converse, born 1919.
- Sonny Converse [George Herbert], born 1921.
- Betty Jean Converse, born 1930.
- Billy Converse [Wilbur Bernie], born 1931.
- (son) Converse.
Myrtle had issue (thought to be by affairs):
- Bobby Converse [Robert Donald], born 1924.
- Ryder Converse [Ryder Bernie], born 1925.
- Sammy Converse [Sammy Belfried], born 1928.
Edward Cashel
and Myrtle Bland.
Photo inherited by the family of Myrtle Bland.
Tidied up and edited.
See
full size.
See
original (not edited).
On the
back
is written:
"Myrtle - Eddie Cashel".
Apparently there is another photo which makes clear this is Myrtle in this photo, and the date is around 1918.
Picture from Bernadene Whitten, descendant of Myrtle Bland.
Similar photo of Edward Cashel and Myrtle Bland.
This came from
Susan von Konsky,
originally from
Bob Fleek (died 2002).
It was thought that Bob Fleek thought it was
the wedding photo (1870) of
Edward Francis Cashel and Marre-a Olgin.
But we know this is wrong
because: (a) the clothes look far too modern,
(b) the photo is of too high a quality,
and (c) now we know this is Myrtle Bland,
and Edward Cashel junior.
See larger
and full size.
Myrtle Bland and Bernie Converse
and 4 of their sons.
Would be in WW2.
Picture from Bernadene Whitten, descendant of Myrtle Bland.
