Family photos are one of the most important components of your research.  They contain so much more information than just the record of what your ancestors looked like.

  

I have been collecting family photos for about 30 years.  Back then it was very expensive to have them copied and restored.  Fortunately in this era of digital technology that has all changed.  Now it is very easy and inexpensive to scan and repair old photographs.

 

I find family photos fascinating in what they tell you and the questions they raise.  Who is in the photo, how are they dressed, who is missing from the photo, where was it taken, who else is in the photo besides family members and many other similar questions. 

 

When you are starting your family photo collection there are a few important things to know about.  I received a lot of photos in my early research from my relations and some common issues arose.  Firstly it was often the case that the people in the photo were not identified.  Usually I was able to clear this up with another photo for confirmation but I still have photos where I am unsure who some people are.  Secondly the information that is written on the back of photos may be wrong or misleading.  This takes a bit of detective work but it is something else to be wary about in your research.  If the photo is unidentified, ask your relative to write down who they think is in the photo.

 

As you visit your relatives, borrow their photos and build up your collection you will probably notice some gaps.  To fill these it is often useful to consider who the photos may have gone to – perhaps the favourite daughter, or alternatively the oldest son.  I was missing a photo of my great, great grandmother and one of her daughters.  Sure enough both photos turned up with a third cousin who was the granddaughter of the oldest granddaughter (and a favourite).  Initially my cousin did not realise what she had.

 

Often portrait photos or family groups were taken to send to family members who did not see each other very often.  These photos would have had pride of place in the recipient’s home in very grand frames.  In my research I have found never before seen photos that had been forgotten.  When I go to visit a remote relative I am full of anticipation for what I might find.

 

Family photos can be a wonderful source of information about the family both from what is present and what is absent.  For example – who is in the photo, are there people missing from the photo – why are they missing, where was it taken – what is the context of the photo.  I have a series of photos taken at regular family gatherings.  None of them are dated but I have worked out the sequence based on the following – age of children, clothes people are wearing, presence or absence of wedding rings etc.  Dating of family photos can use all of this and more.  There are some very good books on this subject which I will share with you in a separate section on resources.

 

If you are borrowing photos from relatives make sure that you look after them.  A few years ago I purchased a lap top and portable scanner.  Now I do not have to take photos away with me. 

 

If you are scanning photos – and I absolutely recommend this as it is the best way to store them, use as high a resolution as possible.  If you want to display old photos then it is best to print a copy of the scanned image.  It is best to store the original away from the light in acid free tissue paper and protected from damage by insect pests.  Also do not write on the back of photos, this can also damage then.  I prefer to give them a code and then keep a separate record of the details of the photo.  (More on this subject under record keeping.)

 

Photos can be restored digitally – this is relatively easy if the damage is not on faces.  Where faces are involved you have to be very careful.  There are several very good programs around to help you restore photos.  I use Photo Studio, I find it does all I want but I have not tried any others.  I am completely self taught and I have had some very good results.  However I have learnt a few tricks which I will share with you in a separate section.