I came across this old photo of my great-grandfather, Jack Gooch and thought I would share it.
The back reads, “old tintype, Grandpa Gooch” in my grandmother’s handwriting, but I don’t think it is a tintype after reading about the characteristics of a tintype in Maureen A. Taylor’s book Uncovering Your Ancestry through Family Photographs, 2nd Edition (Cincinnati, Ohio : Family Tree Books, 2005).
He is wearing what I presume to be a sheriff’s badge, but I don’t know when or where he was a sheriff. This is going to take some detective work. Hmmmm.
This chronology report, printed from my Legacy Family Tree genealogy program will give me a starting place for my search—Llano and Ellis Counties, Texas, Nichols Hills and Pottawatomie Counties, Oklahoma, and Greenlee County, Arizona. If I can date the picture type it might help me narrow down the localities I need to search.
Your genealogy software has a variety of reports that will help you in the research process. Explore this feature by looking at the “print” or “reports” option and see what your program has to offer.
On Granny's Trail 
With a name like Sheriff Gooch…who cares…that is the absolute best cowboy sheriff name I have ever heard! Fabulous!
Yeah, you could put just about anything in front of the name “Gooch” and it would be the best! It is just one of those names that is fun to hear.
Love that photo! thank you for sharing its a fascinating story, Ive got a couple of mystery photos in my collection where the name someone has written on them cant possibly match the tin style photo they are! As yet we don’t know who they are actually of.
Just goes to show us that we need to be careful about believing what is written on the back of photos! Like you, I’ve found some wacky stuff on them.
Be sure to check on Wednesday for a follow-up to the mystery!
He could have been a Texas Ranger
That is a really good point. Thank you for suggesting that! I am really curious now to find out more about the Texas Rangers and if he might have been involved. I will be sure to post my findings!
I followed your suggestion. Check back on Wednesday for a post about the results of my search for Texas Ranger information.