Names, left to right:
Bertie Custer/Hurt (she married Sherman Hurt), Tom Custer, Mary Surface/Custer (wife of Tom), Joseph Marvin Custer (baby).
The lady sitting holding the baby is Arminta Wall/Custer (seen also as Custard),
The only thing I know of Arminta is that she is the out of wedlock daughter of Harvey Wall and Cyrena Price.
It is my understanding that Harvey claimed Arminta and took very good care of her.
Arminta married Robert Custer. The young man standing behind her is her son, Tom Custard.
I would love to hear from anyone at all, with information on either the Custer/Custard name or the Surface name connected with this family.
I would like to know more about Arminta as it could lead to more information about Harvey Wall as there is not much known about him.
August 29, 2005, I received an email from Mr. Tony Havens, helping to identify the baby in the photo and other information. Below is his email message.
"In reference to your photo of Arminta Wall on your website; She was my GGreat grandmother.
She married Robert Custer, father of Albert Thomas Custer who is also pictured in your photo, the baby on her lap is my grandfather, Joseph Marvin Custer, born 5 Nov 1913 in WV.
Unfortunately, I can't give you much information on Harvey Wall as my family doesn't have much either. Actually we don't have much on the Custers beyond Robert. The lady pictured, Mary Melvinia Surface, married A.T (Tom), 10 Oct 1906 in Merrimac, Va and I've managed to trace her family back 10+generations."
If anyone connected to this line would like to reach Tony, please let me know and I will forward your email to him. I will not give out his email address without permission, so it's best to forward to him and let him answer you.