Everyone has a big box of pictures...or maybe they're all in albums with photos that are glued, taped or otherwise held secure for generations to come. I'm asking you to stop what you're doing and go get ALL those photos right now! All right, maybe later when you have an hour or two to devote to a project that can be classified as "Genealogically and Historically Significant".
Look carefully at each of the pictures. Do you know who those people are? Good! Now get a #2 pencil for the soft lead that creates legible writing. Turn the picture over and identify everyone in the shot AND where the photo was taken. First names and their relationship to you or the others in the picture is important. But most important is to INCLUDE THEIR LAST NAMES!!! I wish I had a nickel for every picture I have that says "Aunt Edie with Joan". Who is "Aunt Edie" and why is she in a picture with Joan? And who is "Joan"???
If you know where or about about what year the picture was taken, it would be a good idea to put that on the back as well... "about 1912 at City High School"
Don't press too hard or you'll make indentations that will show up on the front.
I suggest a #2 pencil because it creates fairly thick letters as opposed to the harder #3 or fine leaded mechanical pencils.
At the beginning of this post I said "...for generations to come." Well, YOU are the generation that came and you've inherited these pictures. Now you'll be helping future family researchers.
They'll thank you for requesting a "Photo ID"!
Better still...write the names down on a white label and stick it onto the back of the photo...no danger of making indentations then! :-)
ReplyDeleteNot a bad idea... Thanks for the comment! I'd be a little concerned about the adhesive causing a problem long term. Maybe I'm being too paranoid!! What does everybody else think??
ReplyDeleteGuilty!
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone who reads this does what you ask. But not only with their old pictures but with the newer ones that they have taken. I use archival ink with an easy flow ink. I believe I have seen archival labels in the scrap booking section in craft stores. I say use whatever method that you like that is safe for your pictures. Just make sure you make it a priority to get this done.
ReplyDelete