Historical Fact or Fiction?
Last week I wrote about ways to spot manipulated photos in your family collection. My inspiration was an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Mathew Brady is the most well-known photographer of the Civil War. His studio documented well-known figures of the period as well as ordinary...
View DetailsPhoto Manipulation Before Photo Shop
Last weekend I was in New York City for The Genealogy Event. If I'm going to be in New York City, I always make time for a visit to the Metropolitan Museum. I can't resist their photo exhibits. This time I saw Faking It : Manipulated Photography Before Photoshop. It...
View DetailsPhotos and Family History Vacations
Last weekend I spoke at a meeting of the Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia (GRIVA). My last lecture of the day covered family history vacations and discussed ways to use photos of homes, cemteries and other places to create an itinerary. I talked about visiting old family homes in person...
View DetailsOld Family Photo Rediscovered After Three Decades
This year Jackie Corrigan's sister-in-law opened a suitcase that once belonged to her father. It hadn't been opened in 33 years! Bertram Corrigan lived from 1884 to 1979. The suitcase was in his belongings that family split up after his death. In the suitcase was a letter from 1892 and...
View DetailsGiant Grasshopper Mystery Photo—Solved!
Our Photo Detective Maureen A. Taylor cracks the case of this mysterious photo and uncovers a fascinating historical tale of one man's hobby.
View DetailsPhoto Restoration of Which Man is It
Last week I discussed the details in Lois O'Malley's photo of a crayon portrait and asked if someone could try to digitally restore it. I love the genealogy community! A woman named Shirley volunteered to see if she could restore the picture. Here's version three of the...
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Family Resemblances in Old Photos: Who Is This Man?
Last week I discussed how to care for a badly damaged photograph, and showed an image Lois O'Malley photographed back in 2005. Lois wrote: "As soon as I saw the man in the photo he minded me of my grandfather, William Alexander Simmons (1873-1934)." He's seen here: Her Dad's...
View DetailsPreserving My Family Photographs
When I decided to write a book on preserving photographs, I needed examples. For months I visited antique shops and photo shows looking for really damaged pictures. As you might expect, there was no shortage of problem images. As the oldest child, I've inherited our family photo collection...
View DetailsPhoto Detective: Hoppin’ Fun Premium
Once our ancestors got over feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera, they began having fun with photography. By the 20th century, family and friends encouraged silly poses for candid shots. This image shows three men, likely farmers, struggling against an oversized replica of the crop’s foe—the...
View DetailsThe Story Behind Unknown Faces in Photos
Last week, I featured Julie Magerka's genealogical photo mystery. As you know, I believe that every photo tells a story. By piecing together the clues present in a photo—photographer's imprint, props, faces, clothing and photographic format—you can let that photo talk. Even if you can't identify...
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