The Search for Annie Moore
If you don't know who Annie Moore is, you haven't been following Megan Smolenyak's research on her. For several years, Megan has been intrigued by her. Annie Moore was the first person to step foot on Ellis Island when it opened Jan. 1, 1892—a pretty significant first. There...
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A History of Hair: Using Hairstyles to Understand Our Ancestors
Understanding the history of hair will help you determine dates for photos—and give you more insight into your ancestors' personalities.
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How to Win the Family Photo Lottery
I've lost track of exactly how long I've been writing this column. The first edition of my book Uncovering Your Ancestry Through Family Photographs was published in 2000, and I started this column in February of the following year. That means you've been reading about identifying family photographs...
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Photo Fun with Friends
Way back in August, I asked for photos of people smiling. In response to that request Teri Colglazier sent me this photo. The woman in the back left has a toothy grin, probably because this group of friends has decided to have fun in front of the camera. No costumes...
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Head Toppers
As you know I love hairstyles, but I'm also a hat person. No, I don't wear one, but I wish I did. Given this fascination with brimmed accessories, is it any wonder I couldn't pass up Bro. Joseph F. Martin's challenge?This photo depicts his great-grandparents Nicholas and...
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Photo Identification in the News
Readers of this column will be as fascinated as I was with these two articles on photo identification. In the January 2010 issue of Smithsonian Magazine is the story of an unidentified daguerreotype owned by Jack and Beverly Wilgus. In it a handsome young man stands facing the camera holding...
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Texas Twosome Revisited
Last week's tease mentioned that I'd solved a persistent mystery. Ah ... I really thought I had the answer to the Texas mystery. Late last year I ran a three-installment story about these two men in their embroidered shirts. In the first piece, I showed you the pictures and mentioned some...
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True Colors Premium
Photography’s exciting evolution from shades of gray to a rainbow of color isn’t without a few dark clouds. Use this historical guide to understand the developments in your own family albums.
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The Toolkit: Free Online Photo Editors Premium
These free sites let you tweak and enhance photos on the fly.
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