today on the ancestral findings podcast
there are a lot of things you can use as clues in identifying old photographs
hairstyles clothing styles and the type of photograph it is are just a few of them
[Music]
there are a lot of things you can use as clues in identifying old photographs
hairstyles clothing styles and the type of photograph it is are just a few of them
knowing the photo studio that took the photo can be another big important clue in identifying the
people in a photograph you may not think the photo studio or name of the photographer is
important in photo identification and in modern photography it really isn't
since most modern photos are taken by family members or friends with their own cameras
in the 19th century however going to a photo studio was the only way to get your photo taken so
knowing the studio that took the photo becomes an important clue in your genealogical search
many times the back of an old photograph will have the name of the photographer or the name of the
studio on the back of it this was an important way of photographers advertising themselves when
people had their photographs taken in the 19th century they would show them to their friends and
family and point out the name of the photographer on the back to recommend him during and after the
civil war when it became possible to make copies of photos the distribution of photocopies to loved
ones served as almost a business card for the photographer who took the photos most photography
studios in the 19th century operated independently in one town for a certain number of years if you
have an old 19th century photograph with the name and sometimes the address of the photographer or
photography studio on the back you can research that photographer and or studio you will actually
be able to find information on it online or by calling the area's local historical society
archives or genealogy library when you get the location of the photography studio you can do
additional research to determine where the next closest studio was located this will give you an
idea of what towns likely used that particular studio if you discover the dates the studio
operated it will tell you the time frame in which the photo had to be taken both of these clues will
help you narrow down the possible identities of the person or people in the photo when you combine
the information you received about the photography studio with the approximate ages hairstyles
clothing styles and photographic type you will have a nice collection of clues that can allow you
to identify the person or people in the photograph with a strong degree of reasonable certainty if
you know the branch of your family the photograph came from and where they lived and discovered the
photograph was taken near where they lived well that is a strong clue if it was taken far away
it could be photos of friends of your family members or distant relatives who moved away
knowing the photographer or photography studio is an important clue in identifying old photographs
use it and be amazed at what you discover in your family tree thanks for listening to the
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