Unpublished photo of Elizabeth Taylor found in Manatee family album

Patricia Droegemeier who photo of a young Elizabeth Taylor.
(Photo by Grant Jefferies)



Elizabeth Taylor at California campground.



Elizabeth Taylor, a great actor and humanitarian, died this week and was laid to rest Thursday.

What a life she lived, with more than her share of highs and lows.

Bradenton resident Patricia Droegemeier shared a photo of Liz from her family album, apparently taken sometime in the 1940s.

The photo was taken by her late mother-in-law, Sylvia Kraemer, on a camping trip in California.

The fresh young  face gives no hint of the tempestous events, the pain, and the triumphs that would come and make Elizabeth Taylor so enduringly famous and fascinating.

"Sylvia noticed a family camping  nearby and their very beautiful daughter," Patricia told me. The girl was so striking that Mrs. Kraemer asked to take her photograph.

"The girl said her name was Elizabeth and that she had been in some movies. Sylvia wrote the information on the back of the photo," Patricia said. The back of the photo lists "National Velvet," "Lassie Come Home," and "The White Cliffs of Dover."

"I found the photo in Sylvia's things just prior to her passing. I asked Sylvia, 'Who is this girl?'" Patricia said. And that's when Mrs. Kraemer recalled the chance meeting in a California campground.

Patricia's plans for the photo? To give it to Miss Taylor's family, if they would like it.

Jim

Back of photo listed titles of early Elizabeth Taylor movies.