What to do with photos?

[Sandra Parker]

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be sent some family photos by kind folk who were close friends of deceased relatives, in both England and Canada. In both instances, those friends had been the ones to let us know of the relative's deaths, there being no close family.
Some of the photos I recognise, some fill gaps in my collection, but there are a considerable number that I don't have a clue about. Most were taken in England between the wars and have no names or anything to help identify them.
A few years ago, I was sent items belonging to my unmarried aunt, including photos and letters to and from, a married man whom she loved.(he was separated). Given an ultimatum by her father, of being with him and disgracing the family or doing the 'right thing', she chose the latter and never married. Because I had times, names and places, I was able to locate his family and sent them the items.
But these have no identification or any clue as to names or places. I hate the thought of throwing them away, but they are useless to me or my family.
Any suggestions?

Sandra

 

[Philippa]

I have exactly the same problem, Sandra, but a little closer to home. I inherited Mum and Dad's photos and so many of them are unidentified by name, date or even place. Some of the people I recognised because I used to go through the photos with my parents and my grandmother, but some I have absolutely no idea about.

The fact that Mum and Dad had them for so many years makes me certain that they meant something, so I am really reluctant to toss them in the bin. I know that if I can't identify them then when I'm not around they will mean less than nothing to my family, other than maybe a sentimental connection with me and their connection with my parents was remote to say the least.

For now I'm just hanging onto them and I guess that will be the way it plays out until the end.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but it's nice to know someone else is in almost the same boat as me!!!!

 

[Ma-dotcom]

I hate the thought of throwing them away, but they are useless to me or my family.

AAh! throw away? never. Who knows when someone may pop up with the answer as to who they were?
Why not put them on disc or similar with appropriate title-'Unknown photos from Aunt..' Even if not of your Family,..mayhap you can later help some seeker looking for piccies from that Family.
I still hope to identify people with my G'Parents & their children taken in Croydon c.1832/4. (my album), as I remember to update my lines other than Mum's Paternal lot, I find more candidates for those people.
Just do not tossem yet pumpkin.
edit: remember there are websites for unknown photographed persons out there too.

 

[Nightryder]

Sandra why dont you put them on photobucket with what info you do have & allow anyone to look at them, you never know who might see them

 

[mugwortismy cat]

don't chuck them

have a look at this to see what can be done

http://
blog.eogn.com/2014/08/13/use-crowdsourcing-to-identify-the-people-in-photographs/

 

[Sandra Parker]

I'm glad to know I'm not alone. The suggestions are good ones - but, it does now mean I will have to scan and file dozens more photos on my computer to join the many hundreds I've already got, sometimes in multiple copies! And I've still got a big box of unknown photos.
Why can't some entrepreneurial type open a repository for unknown photos, then I could just hand them over and they'd be someone else's concern?
They could develop a museum of unfamous people and places, and anyone could visit and choose some for themselves!
This could be from real recognition, but it would also give the 'family tree specialists' a golden opportunity to put pictures to the numerous 'additions' on their expansive tree!
Sandra

 

[Philippa]

I don't think it's a commercial site so hope it's OK to mention.

There's a site called "Bonzle" which I stumbled across when searching for some of the rellies out in western Queensland. I didn't find them (or their property) but I did find a huge number of photos of the home town covering a rather large time frame and there were snaps of some of the families I knew when growing up.

I don't know how they work but the collection seems to be growing all the time. I did a bit of a check on how to contact them but can't find that information - maybe you have to be a member to get that step further. It would be interesting to see if they have an "I don't know who these are and I'm not sure when or where they were taken but they could be interesting" section - might be worth further investigation.

 

[thalauafu]

Please DON'T throw out your photo's! In recent times new knowledge that has come to light has enabled me to put names to some people in old photographs that I once believed were just people whom I would never be able to name, and from those photo's I have been able to knock down brick walls with some of the knowledge that I gained, so I beg you never to throw them away as you never know when something might come to light (for example, a comment about your Mum or whoever, going on a holiday to xyz with xyz and xyz, and you having a photo of that very place with people who are obviously the ones mentioned).
Diana

 

[Chimp]

I don't think it's a commercial site so hope it's OK to mention.

There's a site called "Bonzle"

It is OK to name a commercial site as long as you don't give a direct link to the site

 

[crazycatlady22]

I have my Grandmothers photo album and there are 200 photos that I have been unable to identify. I have copied them all to disc. Since then I have been able to identify a couple. It would be nice to put them on the net, because I am sure that when I am gone nobody in my family will want to keep them.

 

[Ma-dotcom]

Here's anothery Sandra:

http://www. familyoldphotos.com/3c/1-unknown.htm

Lot's of scanning yes, but if you scan them to stick or disc, they're then not taking up space on your desktop or whatever.
p.s. edit- try a Family history branch somewhere....

 

[Sandra Parker]

Unfortunately, the only members of my family are my children and my sister, much younger than me, so no hope of anybody recognising anyone. The photos are not of family members, but obviously friends, or in laws of people long gone. Like these 2.
Sandra

 

[Ma-dotcom]

Lovely background Sandra. find the church -find the people, maybe?
You might follow Chimp & make your own websight. Post the photos & invite others to do same. His Knighton site.

You not on facebook? Why not parcel them out to folk you know from here or there & have them post a photo on fb. for you?

 

[Sandra Parker]

I do have a facebook page, but only use it to access all the stuff that is not available anywhere else these days. I do not like, friend, or even check up on anyone. All my family live within 2 klms of me, so don't need it to keep in touch (though I realise the value of it for others)
I had a note of Morecombe on these photos, but other photos could be of anyone, anywhere in UK and are not even in groups of people, or one person appearing in more than one photo. (Apart from ones above)
I really do not have time, nor really the inclination, to have a website for pictures of people and places I know nothing about. It's just I can't bear to throw them out, although I know that that is exactly what will happen when the next generation come to sort out my chattels.
The Darwin family history society is very small and really don't need boxes of unknown photos from the other side of the world cluttering up their very limited storage area.
Ah well, in the meantime they will remain in a sealed container in the spare room, where they've been for quite a while. Our tropical climate is not conducive to effective storage of either documentary or photographic records.
Sandra

 

[Ma-dotcom]

If you are of a mind to do so, I'd be happy to show occasional photos for you starting with the above. Saves making up silly conversations to stay in touch with folk. If not,-no probs. Going now-late lunch, been going through old church visuals.

 

[Ma-dotcom]

No knowledge I guess of whether Morecombe is a place or a person?

 

[Sandra Parker]

A place, should be Morecambe, I think. But maybe it is Morecombe, a name.
The older churches in Morecambe, Lancashire are
Holy Trinity Church, Morecambe
St Barnabas' Church, Morecambe
St John the Divine's Church, Morecambe
St Laurence's Church, Morecambe
but can't find pictures to see if they match.

 

[Ma-dotcom]

Among many others, this church has similarities to the one in your photo, admitting lack of leaves in trees, no pathway shown, but gravestones are where required as are trees ( if full leaved), Church roofing is similar to liddly bit shown in your photo. Most photos seen so far had higher roof drop above entry, will try for better photo of this one.
St.Peter's Church, Heysham.Lancs.
Heysham is 2.8 miles from Morecambe.Lancs.

 

[Ma-dotcom]

Just had to add this one, nearly convinced myself these people married here.

 

[Sandra Parker]

Wow it certainly looks like it. Now if any forum members live near, or are involved with a local history society, maybe there's a chance my bridal group will find a family.
Sandra