Rescued Photo: Ballweg-Block Family Photo

Shelley Cardiel rescues photographs from flea markets, eBay, you name it. She does what research she can to identify the family and then posts her findings on mailing lists, message boards, and photo sites in an attempt to reunite the pictures with family. What she does is awesome. I contacted her recently to see if she thought including them here might help. I hope it does! Please contact Shelley if you have information about her photos or project.


I’ve “rescued” an old photograph of Louise BALLWEG BLOCK which was taken sometime in the 1880’s. The photograph was taken at the Arcade Gallery Studio in Peoria, IL with Louise appearing to be in her early teens at the time. In addition to her name someone has written “Aunt Lou” and “Nana’s Sister” and “born about 1873” on the back of the photograph. Based on limited research I was able to find the following information:

Louisa BALLWEG was b. 18 Nov 1868 in Minnesota to parents Charles BALLWEG (1843-1919) and Minnie MASTENBROOK (1844-1910). Louisa was one of 6 children born to this couple including, Louisa; Helena Catherine “Minnie”; William Charles; Charles Edward; Frank Joseph; and Clara Agnes BALLWEG, all born between 1868 and 1884. Louisa married Charles W. BLOCK (b. 1870) and she died in Napa, CA on 29 Oct 1947.

I am hoping to be able to return the photograph to her family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Shelley Cardiel

Leave a Reply