Archives for Maureen A. Taylor
Multi-Generation Portraits
It's Thanksgiving! If you're planning a family gathering and are wondering how to keep folks occupied until the meal is ready, try getting them to chat about family photos. It doesn't matter if they are identified images or a group of mystery pics. I'll be taking out a box of...
View Details
A Veterans Day Salute
This weekend I attended the annual Daguerreian Society 24th annual symposium in Baltimore, Maryland. I love those early images. The shiny reflective surface makes the viewer a part of the image because you can see your reflection. There were approximately 56 vendor tables full of mostly unidentified images. These pictures...
View Details
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 Details
Photo 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 Details
Photos 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 Details
Old 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 DetailsSign up for the Family Tree Newsletter
Plus, you'll receive our 10 Essential Genealogy Research Forms PDF as a special thank you!
Get Your Free Genealogy Forms
"*" indicates required fields
Giant 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 Details
Photo 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...
View Details
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 Details
Preserving 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 Details