Getting Started - Label Those Photos!

Too often we think we'll remember photo details, or assume all our photos will forever remain together in their current state.  This rarely is the case in reality, however.  The ease of storing photographs online and electronically has led us to labeling them less than ever before.

During your family history research journey, it won't be uncommon to uncover old family photos and not recognize anyone in them.  Your curiosity will lead you to ask older family members if they remember who is in the photo.  Unfortunately, they won't always remember. Don't let your descendants down the same way.

LABEL PHOTOS WHILE YOU STILL REMEMBER THE DETAILS!

It seems cumbersome and time consuming, but it will prevent disappointment and help better tell your own personal history, even long after you're gone.

Unlabeled Photo of Unknown Swiss Family Members

Print Your Photos

It's never been easier to store photos electronically.  This is an important piece to preserving photographs as long as they are accessible to our descendants.  Today's problem is we've virtually stopped labeling photos altogether since they are rarely printed.  Make sure your electronically saved photos are saved with meaningful titles to explain the photograph for future descendants, and make sure to print and label your favorites.

Use Pencil

Pencil won't rub off onto your other photos, and won't have a negative impact on your photos over time the way some ink does.

The Details

These are the most important details to include when labeling your photos:

• First and Last names of all in the photo (and how they are related: uncle, neighbor, friend, etc.)

• As specific a date as possible for when the photo was taken

• The specific location of the photo

• Other pertinent details include: who took the photo, the occasion for the photo, uniforms or apparel explained, etc.

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Getting Started - First Steps

There are so many resources to help you discover your family's history that it's easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about where or how to start. The resources you should start with usually depends on what you already know. Take these 4 steps BEFORE digging in to documents, searching online genealogy websites, or visiting archives and libraries.

1. Write down what you want to know

Just like everything else in life, having a purpose helps provide structure and focus to your efforts. It’s especially important when researching.

2. Write down what you know

• Names: yours, your parents', grandparents', great-grandparents'

• Dates: birth, marriage, death

• Places: birth, marriage, residences, death, burial

3. Write down what you don't know


4. Ask your relatives if they know what you don't

Once you've gathered this information, you will have a clearer understanding of what you are missing. This will help determine your next steps.

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Resources - Images of America

The Images of America books bring past days into present eyes and allow us to better understand the world of our ancestors.  These books focus primarily on photographs, with some commentary to help put each image into perspective.  We highly recommend finding these books for the areas in which your ancestors spent time.

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