Genealogy Chat

Elaine That is a very good way of storage. I have also archived mine this way but I would not be confident that this way of labelling is good, as over many years labels have a habit of dropping off. Janet

Good idea, Re . storing photos i have just started using Jessops archival storage system.Theyre clear A4 sheets with holes punched so you can put them in ring binders.They have various sized sections for photos and you can buy little labels to slide in and label your photos.The best thing is theyre safe for old photos and you can get them online or at any photo shop. Sorry to sound like an ad! Elaine.

A Chinagraph pencil is one way to put names on the backs of photos. Otherwise ordinary pencil is as good as any but do not press too heavily. A plea to put surnames as well as first names on the back. My mother was very good at putting first names on the backs, even their ages but I now look at many of the photos and think who was Christopher Willie?? She knew the name so well and did not think about ancestors that may not have a clue! I have a wonderful picture of 2 men in scottish soldiers first w War uniforms with a woman in her late thirties early forties and 4 children ranging in age from 14 downwards, with all first names and ages and even the date of 1918 when the photo was taken, but WHO ARE THEY? The picture was taken in Hamilton and I am working on it, using all my detective powers. I may have to wait until the 1911 Census. Janet

Good idea, and while we're thinking photos, what about putting a name to all those that we've taken ourselves. I expect there are quite a few of us with some tucked into a box or whatever, that we keep meaning to put into an album. Someone will perhaps help on the best way to do this but I know ink can 'bleed' through to the print, if you write on the back.

This is a brilliant idea.I remember many years ago in my charity shop we were left some belongings of a lady who had died.There were photos that had obviously meant something to her and i remember thinking it was tremendously sad that her family had just dumped them.They didn't have any monetary value but memories are priceless.

hi folks, i know when we are looking into our various family histories,we would like to get hold of old photos,of our ancestors.heres an idea for everyone---if you move into a new house or are involved in a house clearance (due to someone dying), and you find any old photos,KEEP THEM.then if you post on this site,the address and the date where you found them,and your contact details,they may be of use to another researcher,and then these old photos wont go missing. i speak from experience as my ancestors had a family phot tokk in the 1890s', unfortunately it was lost in a house clearance. Do any of you think this is a good idea? let me know.