Family Photographs, 1860-1945: A Guide to Researching, Dating and Contextuallising Family Photographs (Public Record Office Genealogists' Guide)

There can be few people who do not have a box or album full of fading photographs of half- forgotten ancestors somwhere in their home. These photographs can be a treasure trove of information for family historians. Apart from showing your ancestors looks, photographs can reveal much more about them, including their social class, profession and origin. This book is designed to help you research, date and contextualise these family photographs.

The book traces developments up to 1945, starting with the invention of popular photography in the mid-nineteenth century and continuing with the Box Brownie which made photography accessible to a wider public. It shows how to date photographs to a surprisingly accurate degree and how to interpret public and official photgraphs, as well as private ones. It includes sections on how to best present and preserve your photographs and features illustrated case studies with a fascinating selection of examples that help to explain the techniques involved.