by AGS Member Michael Blackledge
Recently, I sent two black and white photo images to my sister with this note:
“I am attaching two black and white photos, perhaps I even received them from you! Both are printed on cardstock AZO postcards which tells me they were printed sometime during 1904-1918.
The little girl by herself is Zelda, as the handwritten caption on the back reads:
“Mama says Zelda puts her in mind of Hobert when he was small – in so many of her little ways.”
I am guessing that “Mama” would be Gertrude who was 8 when Hobert was born.
Perhaps Zelda also appears in the family group shot.
Any ideas?”
Response: My sister apologized, as she did not have any recollection.
This morning I asked Gemini: I want to simplify my collections of family artifacts and photos. I am considered the family historian but mainly that means I end up with family stuff that no one else wants or can explain. I am 84 years old and my sister, with a good grasp of family history and memory, is 89. I ask her about some photos but sometimes there is no knowledge about some of the photos in ‘my collection.’ There is a website named Dead Fred as a repository or exchange for family photos when one doesn’t know who is in the photo. How does this work, and are there other suggestions on what to do with old photos for which I have no knowledge, and cannot find anyone in my family with any recognition of these items?
Here is the response from Gemini: That’s a very common and challenging task for the family historian, and it’s wonderful that you and your sister are working together to preserve these memories. It’s smart to start simplifying and organizing now.
“You are correct about the website Dead Fred’s Genealogy Photo Archive (often just called Dead Fred ).
How Dead Fred Works
Dead Fred is a free, searchable archive dedicated to helping people reunite identified historical photos with the families of the subjects, and also helping people identify unknown subjects in photos.
- Submission: You can upload your unidentified photos to the archive. They have a few guidelines:
- Photos generally should have been taken prior to 1965 and all subjects should be deceased.
- You are asked to provide any identifying information you have (even partial names, dates, locations, or photographer names). If you have no names, you can still submit them and mark them as a Mystery.
- Crucially: Photos submitted become the property of Dead Fred’s Genealogy Photo Archive and cannot be returned, as they are considered donations.
- Searching/Reuniting:
- Genealogy enthusiasts search the archive using surnames, locations, photographers, or other keywords.
- If someone finds a photo of a direct ancestor, Dead Fred will send the photo to them for free, and it is considered a Reunion.
- People also browse the Mysteries section hoping to recognize someone.
It’s a great option for photos you are prepared to part with and donate to the larger genealogical community for preservation and potential reunion.
Other Suggestions for Unidentified Photos and Artifacts
Given your goal to simplify and the difficulty in identifying some items, here are several other strategies:
- Utilize Online Genealogy Communities & Resources
- Facebook Genealogy Groups: Search for Facebook groups dedicated to genealogy for your family’s specific surnames (e.g., “Smith Family Genealogy”), the locations where they lived (county or local history groups), or groups dedicated to unidentified photos (like “Family Treasures Found” or “Lost & Found Vintage Pictures”). Post your photos there and ask the community for help.
- FamilySearch Photos: The free FamilySearch site allows you to upload photos to its Memories section. You can tag known individuals. While finding unknown people is still a long shot, it is a huge public repository browsed by genealogists who might recognize a face or location.
- Google Reverse Image Search / Google Lens: Scan or take a clear digital photo of your old photo. Upload it to Google Image Search or use the Google Lens app. It might match the photo to one already posted online by a distant cousin, a historical society, or an auction site, sometimes providing clues.
- Clue Analysis: Look closely at the photo:
- Photographer’s Mark/Studio: If there’s a stamp or name on the photo’s front or back, search for that studio’s history. This can pinpoint a location and a rough date range.
- Clothing/Hairstyles/Context: Search for online guides on dating photos by fashion, car models, or architectural styles. This helps narrow down the when and where for the subjects.
- Local & Specialized Repositories
If an item relates to a specific place or organization, consider donating the unidentified items there. They may have a better chance of identification and long-term preservation.
- Local Historical Societies or Museums: If you know the general town or county a photo is from (even if you don’t know who is in it), the local society might recognize the background, building, or studio photographer.
- Genealogical Societies: Your local or state genealogical society may have resources or a network of volunteers willing to look at “mystery” photos.
- University or State Archives: Especially for documents or artifacts related to a significant school, business, or public figure.
- General Simplification & Preservation Plan
- Prioritize for Your Immediate Family: For the truly unknown items, you must decide how much effort you are willing to spend. If you have exhausted all avenues, the most pragmatic step for simplifying is to decide which items are essential to keep and which can be released.
- Release the Unknowns: If you have photos that no one in the family can identify and they don’t have a clear location/photographer clue, services like Dead Fred, the Facebook groups, or local historical societies are the perfect way to release them from your collection while ensuring they are preserved and available for a family member to find decades from now.
The “Rule of Three”: A simple simplifying rule is the “Rule of Three” for unknowns: Ask your sister, ask a handful of other relevant cousins/family historians, and post to one online resource (like Dead Fred or a Facebook group). If all three efforts yield nothing, you can feel confident in releasing the item for general preservation/genealogical use.”
I hope you find the website, as well as Gemini’s detailed response, useful in your research!
