October is Family History Month, and I wanted to show you another family that long-time residents might be familiar with.
The June 17, 1954 issue of The Romeo Observer Press displayed this photo of the Edward Battani and Myrna May Troden wedding party right after the couple got married. This is the same one used in last year's Family History Month display at the Romeo District Library Kezar Branch. However, if you look at the newspaper edition itself, you will find this version of the picture.
But why is it cropped? Well, when The Romeo Observer had articles about weddings, they contained a picture of the bride and groom or sometimes, just the former. This makes sense since it's their wedding day, so the focus should be on them.
On the other hand, we're lucky that the archives has the original photo, and we know the people in it. The maid of honor is Colleen Jones, and the best man is Theodore Jacobowski. The other groomsmen are Raymond Battani, Edward's brother who is on the far left, and Dean Quick, who is on the far right. Patricia Conley is the flower girl. The rest of the bridesmaids are Patricia Reid and Kathleen Quinn even though it's not clear which one is which. Despite that, we are grateful to have this picture of a wedding party, which is a family in of itself.
Now, you probably want to know how the wedding went down. Well, I'll tell you.
Edward and Myrna got married in a double ring ceremony at the St. Clement's Catholic Church at an 11am ceremony on Saturday, June 12, 1954. It was performed by Father John McMillan. Along with members of the wedding party, the parents - Mr. and Mrs. Bert Battani, John Troden, and Mrs. D. Amquist - were present.
As mentioned in previous articles, the newspaper loved to talk about the bride's wedding gown. For the ceremony, Myrna wore "a gown of nylon lace over layers of nylon tulle."
Additionally, she wore a fingertip illusion veil fastened with a seed of pearls and matching lace as well as a string of pearls as a necklace. The latter was a gift from her father.
As for the flowers, Myrna's bouquet was a "cascade arrangement of stephanotis with an orchid in the center."
The article also gives time to describe the dresses the bridesmaids and the flower girl had on. Maid of Honor Colleen wore "a waltz length yellow nylon tulle gown with a jacket and matching cap."
Bridesmaids Patricia and Kathleen doned similar outfits in pink and blue. Flower girl Patricia was dressed in "a floor length yellow tulle gown similar to that of the maid of honor."
I quickly did an Ancestry search to see how the couple faired out. They remained married until Edward's death in 2014. In all, they were together for nearly 60 years!
Also, if the name Edward Battani sounds familiar, he was the history and gym teacher at the Romeo High School from 1953 to 1986. He was also a part of the Romeo and Bruce Township Fire Departments.
To see more wedding articles and photographs, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890.
Images and sources courtesy of the Romeo Community Archives; Melvin E. and Joan D. Bleich Collection, The Romeo Observer Press, June 17, 1954, p.I-3, The Romeo Observer, March 12, 2014, p.2-A; and Ancestry