Question/answer » How does a family archive help me to identify unknown photos?

Every researcher knows it: a box of photos, and nobody knows anymore who is in them. The people who knew are no longer there. Or you never asked them. A family archive helps to bring that knowledge to the surface after all.

How it works

1. Put the photo in your family archive.
2. Write in the description what you know, and ask the question: Who is the man on the right? Where was this taken?
3. Choose that participants get a notification.
4. Family members look at the photo and respond. "That is uncle Piet, this is at the farm in Staphorst."

The answer stays with the photo. For ever. Your grandchildren can still read it later.

Why does this work better than e-mail?

• Everyone sees each other's answers. One person adds to the other.
• Older family members often recognise more than you think. A photo on the screen brings back memories.
• Answers do not get lost in a mailbox.

Also for documents

An unreadable handwriting, a letter in German, a record with strange terms. Put the document in the archive and ask for help. There is a good chance that someone in the family can read it.

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