Lieucinda Emma Loper Thompson was a neighbor of Robert Johnston. This image was captured when she was 16 years old in 1893. Robert "Brave Bob" Johnston and his wife lived next door to Emma, and they had no children. They enjoyed keeping in touch with their families and exchanging photographs. Fortunately Robert kept a photo album. When they died Emma kept Robert's photo album in case a Johnston relative should come by. It was her intention to give them the album so that it could be kept in the family. No one came.

The Johnston Photo Album remained undisturbed in a cardboard box in a closet on the Thompson farm in Michigan for some 80 years. Eventually it was discovered in 2004 by a descendant of Emma who searched the internet to see if she could find a relative of Robert Johnston. She did. She found me. After confirming the names, dates and places in the album with my family history she sent the album to me in the fall of 2005. I was thrilled, to say the least. She asked to remain anonymous, and she wouldn't accept any money for the photo album, but she did send me a photo of the "Guardian of the Album". We are deeply indebted to them all. Thank you.