4. 1. Journal making
2. Journal writing
3. Genealogical Photography
4. Genealogical Study
Genealogy 101 – Getting Started
(including local materials housed in libraries)
Internet Mega databases
Government Genealogical Research sites
Non-Government Genealogical Research sites
5. Every Photograph Tells a Story
From the Revelations Genealogy Series By Julie Sikes-Speir
6. Scanning needle work, small 3-D objects
Scanning newspaper articles, obituaries, family bibles
Photographing vital records in courthouses
Photographing tombstones
Photographing homes or home sites
Recipes and other primary handwritten documents
Scrapbooks
Saving old photographs through digital scanning
These digital documents can be readily shared with
many friends and relatives.
7. Note how short the legs
of the chair are. These
were worn down from use or
the rockers were cut off.
Collins‟s Chair
17. Steve Jobs Obituary, 2011
Newspaper obituaries of the 19th and 20th centuries were many times
written by family members as was this one. Lafayette Sun, 1935
23. A photograph
would be of
Better quality.
This was the connecting
Link to Adventurers of
Purse and Person.
The will proved that
Mary Heard Cook was
Thomas Heard‟s daughter. Page 1 Page 3
Photocopied will of Capt. Thomas Heard
Green County Courthouse, GA
30. of early photographic techniques
in the deep South
To effectively analyze old photographs your must understand a bit
about how those photographs were taken.
31.
32.
33. Note the “blown out”
effect in areas
of the photo
Note the blur of the
child‟s face on the
front row----
movement
34. The carte de visite was a type of small
photographic visiting card which
originated in Paris in 1854 and
remained popular well into the 20th
century.
It was usually made of an albumen print which was
a thin paper photograph mounted on a thicker
paper card. The size of the mounted a carte de
visite was about 2.5 x 4 in.
The Carte de Visite gained popularity in 1859 Napoleon III
when Emperor Napoleon III„ used the cards
This format became an overnight success, and was
so popular it quickly spread throughout the world.
Each photograph was the size of a visiting card,
and such photograph cards became enormously
popular and were traded among friends
and visitors..
35. The Cabinet card was the style of photograph which was
universally adopted for photographic portraiture in the 1870‟s.
It consisted of a thin photograph that was generally mounted
on cards measuring 4¼ by 6½ inches.
36. Handle photographs by the corners. Oils form
fingerprints over time will damage photographs.
37. Enemies of Photographs
•Sunlight or fluorescent light
•Insects (particularly silverfish)
•Rodents
•Sulfur compounds given off by wood or rubber
cause fading (use metal frames)
•High humidity – encourages mold growth
For these reasons don‟t store photos in attics,
basements or garages.
40. Use a home all-in-printer that has
a scan option.
(relatively inexpensive >$200)
Printer/scanner/copier Take photos to a commercial
graphic or printing shop. May be
necessary for large photographs or
charcoal sketches. (relatively
expensive)
41. Scan photos at no less than 300 dpi.
This will allow for crisp images that
can be enlarged a bit.
43. The family bible is only a primary
source if events were recorded at
or around the times that they
actually occurred.
A family bible obtained in the
1800‟s that lists birth dates, or
other events, from the 1700‟s is a
secondary source.
44. Secondary Source
Bibles that belong to others are best photographed because you
won‟t have to take it home with you for scanning.
Note: Be careful not to get closer than the minimum focal length
of your camera (At least 18 inches form the pages is usually
far enough away not to get a blurred image.) If available, the macro
setting on a camera would be better.
45.
46.
47. WWII cereal box back found
in my great grandmother‟s
kitchen.
52. Lightly pencil the date and names of individuals
in the old photos that you own on the back of the photo
Do the same with newer snapshots and studio
photographs. Indicate the age of the subject as well
as the location if known.
Years from now, this will help
correctly identify the subjects.
Babies from individual families
Tend to look alike decades later.
53. Family Reunions are an excellent source of genealogical
information as well as photographs.
Relatives may be willing to loan you family photos
in exchange for a digitized archival copy .
A digitized photograph of a charcoal
16x20 portrait. (Copied on a copy stand)
Photocopy of an ad
from the LaFayette Sun
Oct, 1874.
56. The first steps in your research involve finding out
who is in the photograph and when it was taken.
While there are undoubtedly numerous photos of
relatives among your family photographs, there are
probably many images of friends, neighbors, and other
associates as well.
Note: Be especially careful with portraits
found in albums as many young men and women
collected images of famous personalities. That
distinguished portrait you have been trying to identify
may be of royalty from a distant land or stage.
57. White
1858-1869 The earliest cards were on white cards( May have darkened
or yellowed with age.
1871-1874 White was also commonly used but the cards were thicker.
Gray or tan cards were used 1861-66.
Gray was also common 1872-80, though on a thicker card.
And "soft" gray was again used, on very thick cards, 1902-1910.
Yellow was common 1869-74.
A variety of pale colors, lavender, green, blue, etc. were used 1873-1910.
Some of these have one color on front, and another on the back.
58. As a general rule, older “carte de visite” or
visiting cards (CDV's) have square corners,
while later cards have rounded corners, up until
about 1902 when square corners again came
into fashion.
Rounded Edge
60. Tax stamps were required on photographs from 1 Aug 1864 to 1 Aug 1866.
The amendment allowing one cent stamps for very cheap cards was begun
in March 1865, so cards with one cent stamps date between March 1865
and 1 Aug 1866.
Tax Stamp on the back of a US CDV firmly dates the card to the Civil War era.
Revenue taxes were imposed to help pay for the war effort. Better yet, they were
supposed to be cancelled by the photographer with his initials and the date, though
often the stamp was just marked with an "X" or left un-cancelled. The amount of the
stamp was dictated by the selling price of the card: 2 cents for cards selling for less
than a quarter; 3 cents for cards selling for 26 cents to 50 cents; and 5 cents for cards
selling for 51 cents to a dollar. Another category was added later, 1 cent stamps for
cards selling for less than 10 cents each.
If you have a card with a tax stamp, look closely at the cancellation, it may give
an exact date!
61. Small image, 20mm x 20mm or less - 1860-64
1. Image 20 to 30mm x 25 to 40mm - 1860-67
2. Image larger than 30mm x 40mm - 1866-75
3. Large head, covering 3/4 of print (typically 50mm x 75mm) - 1874-90
1 2 3
62. One of the most important clues in a
photograph is the clothing.
The shape of a woman‟s sleeve, the cut of a
man‟s coat, or the selection of a hat or other
accessory can help you date an image within
a few years.
Clothing can even indicate the occasion for
the portrait.
64. Excellent site to assist in dating clothing in old photographs.
http://www.fashion-era.com/
65. Sometimes the simple details in a photograph provide clues.
•A handkerchief held by a couple signifies a deceased child.
•The presence of flowers in nineteenth-century
images usually was significant. Victorian women studied books
like The Language of Flowers . Flowers in a picture, may reveal
something about the relationship between the people in the portrait.
White roses- virtue and chastity
Yellow roses still stand for friendship or devotion.
Sunflowers- haughtiness or respect
Gerber Daisy -innocence or purity.
Anemone- disappearance of hope
Pansy- thought
Daffodil- regard
Ivy-fidelity
66. Who
Originally this was thought
To be my Gt. Gt. Grandfather,
because it resembled him so
much.
However, it turned out to be
his son and his bride on their
wedding day.
67. When
The T-Model Ford in the
background dates this photo
dates this photo in the 1920‟s.
68. When
New England Historic Genealogical Society
http://www.americanancestors.org/every-picture-tells-a-story/
Family Chronicle
http://www.familychronicle.com/dating.html
http://www.billblanton.com/date.htm
69. Where
Furniture elements
can give clues as
to the location.
The principal‟s office
71. Storing photos in polypropylene boxes would
be a better alternative then shoe boxes and
corrugated cardboard boxes.
To determine it is pp, look for the recycling
symbol on the bottom, with the number 5
and the letters "PP".
72. American Museum of Photography
Provides Information on:
Early photographic processes
Protecting and preserving photographs
Archival products
http://www.photographymuseum.com
73. American Institute of Conservation
Provides Information on:
How to care for personal archival materials
Finding a conservator (referral service)
http://www.conservation-us.org/
80. One or two lines rectangular border near the front edge - 1861-69 or later.
Oval frame for picture, sometimes printed, other times embossed in the card - 1863-68
Faint geometric patterns on backs of cards in the 1881-88 period.
Photo PreservationMany of our family memories are captured in photographs. Whether they are from last month's vacation or are treasured heirlooms from generations past, you'll want to preserve them for the future. But how do you do this? Remember that photos are basically paper, so the actions you would take to preserve documents apply also to photos.THEmost harmful agent in photo degradation isacidbecause, over time, it will deteriorate (age) a photo and cause it to become brittle. Many plastics and papers, as well as "e;magnetic"e; photo albums, use materials that are not acid free. So you might want to "e;dig"e; out your wedding pictures and albums of family snapshots and make sure that they are stored in albums made from the proper materials. Some preservation tips:All albums, storage containers, envelopes and the like must be archival quality, meaning acid free.The paper you put the photo on should also be acid free and lignin free. Lignin is a substance found in wood fibers of untreated paper. Over time it breaks down into acids that will harm photos and documents.Avoid "e;gluing"e; original pictures on a page, rather, use acid-free photo corners for mounting. This allows removal without damaging the picture.Excessive temperatures will accelerate the aging process. Try to store photos below 70°F. So your attic is out, or anywhere near a furnace or similar heat generating appliance.High humidity areas should also be avoided as this can cause mold or fungi development. Ever look at a book stored too long in a basement? Yuck! Imagine your pictures looking like that. So avoid basements, garages, or a closet in your bathroom.Water and fire can ruin an entire collection. Keep pictures away from fire places, hot water tanks and the like. Avoid water damage by storing them up off the floor and not in a basement.Prolonged exposure to light, especially natural sunlight, can cause fading due to UV rays. This doesn't mean you can't display your pictures, though. Two suggestions are to display a copy, or if you must use a one-of-a-kind original, have it framed with UV-protection glass at a frame shop.You may want to consider making a copy of the pictures you want to show most often. The copy can take all the wear and tear of handling while your original sits safely in its archival storage location. There are many ways to get copies of a picture if you do not have the negative: Have a photographic copy made, either by a studio, or even with your own camera.Scanning to create a digital file that can be printed. Another benefit with scanning is that the electronic file can be put on a CD for storage.Use a Kodak Picture Maker, often found in photo processing centers.Avoid photocopying as this process uses heat and intense light.Minimize handling as your fingers can leave dirt and oil that can cause damage. Although you may not see your fingerprints when you touch a picture, you're leaving a residue that might show up over time. If you must handle a valuable picture, wear cotton cloves.Try not to write on the picture, especially the picture side, as it's a detraction. If you must write, do it on the back with an acid free pen (don't press too hard or the pen indentation will be visible on the picture side), or pencil. An alternative is to write on the paper next to the picture.http://www.webyfl.com/photopreservation.aspx
Properly Labeling Your PhotographsOne of the most critical needs in almost all families is to properly identify photographs, because little Julie, age 2, can look a lot like little Debbie, age 2, after forty years of faded memories. When you identify photographs, take care not to destroy them in the process. Note that writing on the back of some photographs will damage them. Depending on the quality of the paper, a pencil, pen, or other means may be appropriate. You should be make some or all of the following notations: Date of the photograph Names of the individuals in the photograph, in the order in which they appear, recorded in such a way as to not confuse anyone at a later date. The ages of the individuals. The circumstances around which the picture was taken. Who took the photograph. If there is an original negative, where it is located. If the photograph is a copy of an original, where the original is located. It should always be noted when a professional photographer took a picture, so that his archive or collection can be evaluated for additional family pictures. To locate information about 19th century photographers, try taking a look at the City-Gallery Web site. You can post a query on their 19th Century Exchange, and someone who reads your message may be able to help you.
Tax stamps were required on photographs from 1 Aug 1864 to 1 Aug 1866. The amendment allowing one cent stamps for very cheap cards was begun in March 1865, so cards with one cent stamps date between March 1865 and 1 Aug 1866. Tax Stamp on the back of a US CDV firmly dates the card to the Civil War era. Revenue taxes were imposed to help pay for the war effort. Better yet, they were supposed to be cancelled by the photographer with his initials and the date, though often the stamp was just marked with an "X" or left un-cancelled. The amount of the stamp was dictated by the selling price of the card: 2 cents for cards selling for less than a quarter; 3 cents for cards selling for 26 cents to 50 cents; and 5 cents for cards selling for 51 cents to a dollar. Another catagory was added later, 1 cent stamps for cards selling for less than 10 cents each. If you have a card with a tax stamp, look closely at the cancellation, it may give an exact date!
Unmounted Albumen PrintsUnmounted albumen prints (and those that have been removed from old, deteriorating mounts) provide a special problem: they have an alarming tendency to curl. Some collectors and institutions hinge them at four corners, but we believe we've stumbled onto a much better solution: carefully slip each print into a strong, crystal-clear polyester envelope. The envelope can then be attached to a piece of mat board with a hinged overmat, and framed if desired. This holds the image flat and provides support for the print; the envelope can not be seen once the print is framed. Of course, polyester envelopes containing unmounted albumen prints can be kept unmatted in an archival box, avoiding the weight of the mat board. Fragile photographic prints on materials other than albumen paper can benefit from the same treatment.
