Are We Related?: Maxwell

November 25, 2024

My colleague Suzanne shared another surname with me, Maxwell. I started digging and quickly found several references to that name in the IHS collections. The search took a little longer because this surname is also a fairly common given name. I found 13 unique Maxwells pictured within the collections, a selection of those available in the digital collection and beyond. Only two of the images were in the same collection, but not connected as it was a large photographer’s collection and not a group of family photographs.

John D. Maxwell and the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company, New Castle, 1909; 1st Lt. Leslie B. Maxwell, from group photograph of the 7th Observation Battery F.A.C.O.T.S., Camp Zachary Taylor, 1918; Elsa Maxwell (with Cole Porter), New York, 1934. IHS, P0062 (cropped); IHS, M0195 (cropped); IHS, P0757 (cropped)

So, were any related to Suzanne’s Maxwells? The quick and easy answer is ‘no,’ at least not within the several generations I researched. Scrolling through Ancestry Library edition, Newspaper Archive, FindaGrave, and so on, I found connections in given names, James being the most common direct line ancestor found throughout several of the family histories I searched. Two of the James Maxwells were particularly interesting as they were both born in 1810 and died in 1865, but they were NOT the same person. They originated in different locations, having different parents. It certainly made me do a double take at first thinking I’d found the connection I was seeking. A selection of the Maxwells I found are pictured above.

Fannie B. Maxwell, Bloomington, ca. 1881; Dr. Leslie H. Maxwell, Indianapolis, 1919
IHS, P0477 (cropped); Bretzman Collection, IHS (cropped)

As I continued my search though, I did find a pairing, but not with Suzanne Maxwells. There is an image found in our Bretzman Collection of Dr. Leslie Howe Maxwell in his World War I military uniform. Dr. Maxwell was born in Indianapolis in 1884. His parents were Allison and Cynthia (Routh) Maxwell. Dr. Allison Maxwell was born the son of Dr. James D. and Louisa (Howe) Maxwell. The connection is one of a generation removed. We have an image in a different collection of Fannie Belle Maxwell. The photograph of Miss Maxwell is part of an album of the class of 1881 in our collection of Indiana University Portraits. Fannie Belle Maxwell was the sister of Dr. Allison Maxwell, and therefore, daughter of Dr. James D. and Louisa (Howe) Maxwell, making her Leslie Howe Maxwells aunt. I see a bit of a similarity in the nose, but to me, there isn’t too strong a family resemblance despite the close nature of their relationship.

Image Courtesy of Suzanne

I include a photograph of my colleague Suzanne here to show yet another Maxwell descendant that is not related within a few generations of these other Maxwells above. It was a fun journey to research, but alas the goal of this blog series is ‘Are We Related?’ and Suzanne is NOT related to the Maxwells included in this essay.

Continue to follow this series and other great blog content on the IHS blogsite.

Amy Vedra is the director of reference services. She is currently reading her way through the Great American Reads list.

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