Genealogy Chat

Hello, after much searching I have had huge breakthrough. Met a lady last week that has a photo album dating back to late 1800s full of original photos of my family. Does any know the best way to copy this. We don't want to take photos out as has been undisturbed for years. Any idea where I can take to be copied successfully. Thank you.

The only problem with not taking the photos out is that you may miss VERY useful info on the backs. If any of the subjects are unknown, then they may have names or dates or whatever, on the reverse. Also the photographers details are very often on the back, giving the town etc which might help with identification.....also any Royal Warrants etc for the photographers may help with dating them too....... Is the album the type with a slot through which the photo was slipped into place? Merry

We have had success taking photos of photographs in situ. Just photograph them with a decent camera. Gwyn

Pamela I have found that the best (and probably the cheapest) way of copying all of the photos is to take another photo of each one using a digital camera. These can then be downloaded into your computer and used with your data. It may take a while but should be worth it. Best of luck Brian

If you're going to take photos of the photos you need to make sure that you're using a tripod to avoid camera shake or the photos will never copy very well. It would be perfectly fine to scan them in situ as long as you're sure that putting the album on a flatbed scanner won't break the spine. This is the bestoption as you will get far more detail out of the photos from scanning them than you ever would from taking another photograph. If when you're done you need any help cleaning them up or removing marks - feel free to let me know as that's part of what I do for a living so I'm more than happy to help out. Zoe

Use a digital camera but make sure you use plenty of natural light? (do not use a flash) and if you use a tripod you will get better results. Roy

The only prob with taking photos of photos if they are in an old plastic cover is that you may get light glare off them. Its a shame you cant look at them on the back as Merry says, I was gobsmacked by the amount of info on some old photos that were in a tatty 60's photo album. In fact removing them and putting them in an archival album probably has saved them from damage.

The photos hubby has taken of photos are 100% equally as good as scanned copies - including being examined with a fine toothcomb on the computer!. (and he is EXTREMELY fussy!!! LOL) As well as avoiding camera shake, a tripod saves you not being exactly at right angles to the photo when taking the picture. I wouls still see if you can take the photos out of the album. I have done this with dozens and dozens of Victorian photos and caused no damage.....afterwards you cannot tell they have ever been removed!! Merry

Thank you all for replies. I did take a couple of the photos out as it is possible and, as you say, had writing on the back which was amazing. First photo my mum and my aunt (aunt nearly 80) will have seen of their father. Want to put album together for aunt's 80th birthday in August. Will let you know how I get on. Thank you all so much again.