Genealogy Chat

I know I am 'preaching to the converted' but can I appeal to everyone to keep all old family photographs for future generations of your family. I didn't have the oppertunity to meet any of my grandparents, they all died before I was born. I am unable to find anyone in my family who has a photograph of my matermal grandfather. It would have meant so much to me have a picture of him but as he died in 1933 there is little chance of finding one now. Please don't throw away any old photographs no matter how damaged they may seem. In these days of digital photography almost all photographs can be 'repaired' or enhanced.

And don't forget to say who is who and what the occasion was! nell

Daisy, Couldn't agree more! Have just seen a photo of my Great Grandfather (b1879) because a long lost cousin kept it although she didn't know who it was - it took another long lost cousin, only just found, to identify it. Also, I'm a great believer in 'leaving things where they are' - another LLC has found a bag of old unidentified postcards, photos in his garage. These have yielded messages from my (in fact, 'our') ancestors - although I haven't seen them yet. He wanted to post them to me, but I would rather visit, view/copy and leave them with him - that way someone else might be able to find them again later ... it may involve other families/surnames. Copies are fine for me. Do keep looking around for your Grandparents photos, they might turn up in a place you don't yet know exists - as mine did! Regs Jane

I have just been sent, via e-mail, a photo of my paternal Great Grandmother aged about 20. It was found in an old tin box by a relative of mine in Canada. I have found out that it must have been taken in London between 1891 and 1908 as that was when the photographer was in business at the address shown on the photo. My Great Grandmother emigrated to Canada in 1909. This site is fascinating and very useful - http://www.photolondon.org.uk/directory.htm I also discovered yesterday, quite by chance, that a maternal cousin once removed has inherited a Great Aunt's photos and has some of my Great Grandparents. I'm sure when I asked before she said she didn't have any! I'm hoping to see these next week - can't wait! Sue xx

It's important that the people in the photos are identified, but please don't write on the back of them in pen! Over the years the ink will bleed through onto the image.

How I agree with making a note of who the photo is I had thrown out a photo among others years ago. One day while out I saw a display locally and thought I know that picture (a photo copy of same picture and a newspaper article) turns out it was 5 generations dating back to 1897 an obituary to 'Owd Pete' b 1809 as he was then known.Turns out is was my ggg grandfather and my g grandmother was there too they had finished with the display and kindly gave it to me (has been scanned and sent to a lot of grateful people I can tell you.) Luckliy I didn't dispose of all the piccies and through Genes met a relative who had one the same photo's I had and has put a name to it my g grandafther on another line. Also search the back of old piccies carefully I have one always thought it was my g grandfather looking carefully in very very faint writing I found a name not Nana's father but her Grandfather so another treasure. Germaine

Just been given some found in an Aunt's loft who passed away lest year. None of them have names on so most of it is guesswork! Lovely to see them and even found 120yyear old birth cert too! KIM

Don't give up hoping to find a photograph, you never know who might have one. I now have a photograph of my great grandfather, who died in 1921. It is a copy of one passed down to a second cousin. I never knew her, or of her, until I started investigating the family history. Have you considered that although family might not have photographs, the person may feature at friend's weddings or on outings? Are there any local history groups, which might have access to old pictures, or could you ask for contact with family of known friends, - either on here, Trying to Find, - or in a local newspaper or even on Channel 4 Teletext Lost Touch pages? All is not lost yet.