Photographs Add A New Level To Family History
They're just names on a page. Relations, yes, but they just don't seem real. How can you transform your genealogical research from impersonal to personal, paying appropriate homage to your ancestors in the process?
The simple - or not so simple - answer is to include photographs or old portraits of every ancestor you can find one for.
Old family photographs often can be found sitting in a box, buried in an attic or basement. Nameless faces of the past that hint at their relation to the present generation with their familiar features, these photographs can find new life in a visual family tree.
Dealing with old photographs can present some challenges though, but nothing that can't be overcome. It's important, though, to treat each picture with care, negatives, too. Oftentimes these are one-of-a-kind pictures that have survived the test of time. To ensure they make the rounds to the next generation, it's important to take some actions. Whether you're dealing with small portraits, photos or even negatives, it's vital to exercise care.
Here are some ideas for dealing with family photographs in a history:
* Decide how to display them. Do you simply want to keep them in the box or put them in a scrapbook along with a family tree flow chart, written histories and other documents? The second option is recommended for those wanting to not only create an eye-popping presentation, but also for preserving the pictures.
* Clearly identify each person in an old photograph, but don't write on the picture itself unless using specialized pens for archiving purposes. Be sure to include as much information about the person as you can, too. Great Aunt Millie might seem like enough, but Great Aunt Millie, who was born in Prague and moved to America in 1913, went on to found a cookie company, give birth to 10 children and run in the New York Marathon will be a lot more interesting to read.
* Use specialized paper and binders for photographs, no matter the age, if you want to preserve them. Even newer photos deserve careful treatment. The moments don't come back.
* If photos need to be restored, choose a professional carefully.
Photographs are a wonderful way to personalize a family history and bring it to life. Marrying that old box of photos with actual family histories and lore can make your family's story be one for all to treasure.
