The initial identifications of the individuals in the photo  were made by Reah Freeman in April, 2006. Her  identifications still left about half the individuals unnamed. This start was supplemented by additional names from one of the people she identified: Hjortur "Babe" Hjartarson. Mr. Hjartarson had written an autobiography that included his mailing address in Arizona. A letter and copy of the photo was sent in May 2006.

After several phone calls and a mail exchange, Mr. Hjartarson  was able to add several new names along with another clue to solving this puzzle: contact another person in the picture who was residing in Ferndale, Washington. 

A letter and copy of the photo were sent to Stan Brunner in Ferndale, who completed the identifications when he sent a letter back on June 27, 2006. Mr. Brunner not only confirmed earlier identifications and established identities for the final mystery figures, he also corroborated what Mr. Hjartarson had stated, that the picture was taken in 1937 for the Blaine High School Annual.

Mr. Brunner said the picture was published in the 1937 "Borderite." He went on to say, "Oh! But we were a fine orchestra! The three Hjartarsons were natural musicians - they could play anything - by ear."

Click here for an additional photo of the Hjartarson family.

Below is the same picture with partial identifications. To see a larger version of the band photo,  with each person identified, click on the photo.  Click here to return to the home page