Please join us for a program series about finding family photos, how to restore and preserve them, and how to create photo books with your new-found photos! Our meetings are open to members and the public, are free admission and are held from 6:00pm-7:00pm. If you are on the CCGS website homepage, click on the “Read More” link to see more detailed information.
(Please be sure to RSVP for seating and handouts.)
Finding Old Family Photos Handout – April 2024
You are looking for photos of family who lived during the period of photography: 1839 until present.
Where to look / who to ask:
Relatives (close and distant) – photo albums, scrapbooks, portraits on walls, loose photos, cards, etc.
Neighbors of ancestors, Family friends, co-workers, siblings
DNA matches (close)
Visit homeplaces
Locate church histories and directories
Tombstones; obituaries – in newspaper and online, especially tribute videos
Yearbooks (school and military)
Career publications and photos
Clubs, activities, sports, hobbies
Veterans: Special publications; unit yearbooks; Navy cruise books; career publications; buddies
Libraries: genealogy rooms; family histories; vertical files; local interest books, microfilm
Historical and genealogical books: Heritage books; city and county histories; special publications
Local, regional, state, and national archives; museums
Newspapers: especially local and also online
Websites: Ancestry, Family Search, My Heritage; online family trees
Websites: Library of Congress, Digital Public Library of America, Digital Library of Georgia
Orphan photo websites: Cyndi’s List – Lost and Found link (click on Photos); Ancient Faces; FB groups
Genealogical societies; historical societies – in person and online websites
Family and class reunions; eBay; family Bibles; inside books; Google Books; Google image searches
Facebook, Instagram, blogs
Remember:
Always keep copyright in mind and ask for permission. Always give credit to the source. Cite your sources.
Never give up! New photos are discovered and posted every day, especially by ‘orphan angels.’