Don’t Forget the Women and Children in Old Photos
Last week, I examined the cataloging record and photo format clues for this stereograph picture, taken between 1860 and 1864, from the Library of Congress online photo collection. This week, let’s talk about the individuals shown. Who’s in the Photo? The Library of Congress caption states they’re members of the Wallack family of New […]
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How to ID Strange Faces in Six Kinds of Old Group Photos
Whether an old family photo has two or 20 people (or more), it's considered a group portrait. When you find one in your collection, it may generate a groan rather than a cheer. Solving those types of picture mysteries is a challenge and a some might say a curse. You...
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Photo Detective: An Afternoon Outside Premium
Uncovering clues in historical photos to help you decode your family tree
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Searching for Family Photos with Google
I have an ancestor, James Wilson, who drives me crazy. I bet you have a few of those too! It took decades to piece together what I know about him. Despite all this research, I still can't find a photograph of him or anyone in his wife's family. It's doubtful...
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World War I Uniforms for Little Boys
A few months ago I featured a picture of a little boy in a German style military uniform and discussed how boys could dress like the servicemen in their family. Paul Daraghy sent in three photos of his father wearing a miniature World War I uniform complete with belt and...
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Clues to Identify Old Family Photos: Dentist’s Office Premium
Finding clues in an old storefront photo of a dentist's office.
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Lives Cut Short Premium
There's more to find in old family photos than just what your ancestors looked like. Here is an example of how to delve into old photos and uncover clues to your family's history.
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Photo Detective: Using Photos to Discover Relatives Premium
To the careful viewer, family photos can tell a lot more about your relatives than just where they were at a particular point in history. See what the Photo Detective can infer about her relatives from looking at this picture.
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A Memorial Day Tribute
Today we equate Memorial Day with the start of summer, but it's important to recognize it as a somber occasion as well. A few years ago I wrote about the roots of the holiday in Decoration Day 1868.This stereograph from the Library of Congress shows the first Decoration...
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Civil War Photo Clues Revisited
Last week's mystery photo featured a mother and daughter. Winston Cochrane owns the image and wanted to know if it depicts the daughter's wedding. I tentatively dated the image to circa 1868 until more details became available. The back of a card photo can reveal other facts. The presence of...
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