In this solo episode of Maureen Taylor’s podcast, “The Photo Detective,” Maureen delves into the captivating world of postcards. She explores their historical significance and practical uses, both as travel memorabilia and valuable tools in family history research. The episode highlights the evolution of postcards from the early 1900s, including the introduction of Kodak’s folding pocket camera that could take postcard-sized photos, to the legislative changes in 1907 allowing messages on the back. Maureen shares her personal experiences and tips on collecting postcards, emphasizing their role in documenting local history and personal stories.

• Historical Evolution of Postcards: Tracing back to Kodak’s 1903 introduction of a camera for postcard-sized photos and the legislative change in 1907 allowing messages on the back.
• Practical Uses of Postcards: From travel souvenirs to event invitations, and even as a method for advertising and documenting local businesses and real estate.
• Collecting Postcards as a Hobby: Tips on starting a postcard collection that can reflect personal or local history, and how to manage and organize such collections effectively.
• Unique Postcard Collections: Insights into Maureen Taylor’s own collections, including real photo postcards and historical doorways, offering a glimpse into the early 20th century life.
• Interactive Postcard Projects: Highlighting innovative projects like the TikTok channel “Return to Sender,” which reconnects postcards with descendants of the intended recipients.

Related Episodes:

Episode 139: Collecting Postcards for a Half Century with Mark Routh

Episode 141: Postal History Stories of Selling and Collecting with Jim Mehrer

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective TM helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.

Clare Hunter, author of “Threads of Life,” joins Maureen on The Photo Detective podcast. A Scottish native with a background in theatre, community art, and creative writing, Clare discusses her book, which intertwines memoir and history, highlighting the social, emotional, and political significance of sewing. “Threads of Life” explores the profound impacts of needlework beyond its traditional domestic roles, demonstrating its importance in various social and historical contexts. Clare shares anecdotes from her personal life and research, emphasizing sewing’s transformative power in both personal and communal settings.

• Clare Hunter’s journey from theatre to writing, leading to her debut book “Threads of Life.”
• The book discusses needlework’s extensive historical roles, transcending mere hobbyism to include social and political significance.
• Insight into needlework in community settings, its therapeutic aspects, and its historical gender dynamics.
• Exploration of sewing’s portrayal in family photographs and its potential for storytelling.
• Clare’s ongoing work, including her new projects focusing on historical and personal narratives through textiles.

Related Episodes:

Bonus Episode: Stitching on Pictures: Stitchography by Emma

Episode 155: Ancestral Handbag History with Curator Jessica Harpley

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
Clare Hunter has been a community textile artist, banner maker and textile curator for over twenty years and established the award-winning community sewing enterprise NeedleWorks in Glasgow in the 1980s. Threads of Life: the History of the World through the Eye of a Needle, was her first book. It was warmly received, reaching The Sunday Times Bestseller List, chosen as Waterstone’s Book of the Month in Scotland and BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week and becoming joint winner of the Saltire Award for First Book. Her second book, Embroidering her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power, was published in March 2022 and has already reached the Scottish Books Bestseller list. Clare Hunter lives in Scotland.

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveÒhelps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.

Dr. Matt Lodder discusses his book Painted People: 5,000 Years of Tattooed History on The Photo Detective podcast.

• Focuses on tattoo history post-photography, noting tattoos often didn’t show up in early photos.
• Tattoos were private, often hidden under clothing, and not commonly photographed.
• Lodder's interest in tattoos started from family stories about his grandfather and great-grandmother’s tattoos.
• His research bridges common sailor tattoos with lesser-known tattoos on women and the middle class.
• Tattooing has a rich history, including 19th-century European aristocracy and tattoo tourism in Japan.
• He addresses common misconceptions: tattooing’s exclusivity to sailors/criminals and its introduction to Europe by Captain Cook.
• Lodder highlights tattooing’s historical continuity and its representation in art.
• The discussion covers various historical anecdotes and the evolution of color in tattoos.

Related Episodes:
Episode 210: The Dress Diary of Anne Sykes with Historian Dr. Kate Strasdin

Episode 215: The Story Behind Twentieth Century Skirts with Dr. Kimberly Chrisman Campbell

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
Dr. Matt Lodder is an academic, writer, curator, and broadcaster. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Art History and Theory and Director of American Studies at the University of Essex. He teaches European, American, and Japanese art, architecture, visual culture, and theory from the late 19th century to the present. His research primarily concerns the application of art-historical methods to the history of tattooing from the 17th century to the present day, with a principal focus on the professional era in the West from the 1880s onwards. Matt curated “Tattoo London” at the Museum of London in 2016. His latest major exhibition, “British Tattoo Art Revealed,” began at the National Maritime Museum Falmouth in March 2017 and toured through to 2021. He also served as the presenter of the landmark television series “Art of Museums,” which aired across Europe and beyond in late 2018 and early 2019. His first book, Painted People: Humanity in 21 Tattoos (HarperCollins), was published in 2022

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveÒhelps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Ma

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.

This solo episode of the “Photo Detective” podcast delves into the intriguing task of discovering photographs of Civil War ancestors. Host Maureen offers a wealth of strategies and resources that not only cater to finding Civil War soldier images but also generalize to uncovering historical family photographs. Emphasizing the personal connections and untold stories each photo can reveal, she provides a comprehensive guide to enhancing your family history through visual documentation.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Networking with Relatives: Beyond immediate family, connect with distant relatives found through online family trees and DNA matches to explore their photo collections.
• Library of Congress: Utilize their extensive Civil War prints and photographs collection by searching specific names or military units at loc.gov.
• Civil War Photo Sleuth: This tool uses facial recognition to help identify unknown soldiers in Civil War-era photographs, enhancing research through a user-contributed database.
• Historical Societies and Archives: Local historical groups often have unique collections; the story of finding an ancestor’s photo through a Facebook group underscores the potential of such resources.
• Online Resources: Websites like Fold3.com and DeadFred.com offer extensive archives of Civil War images and other historical photographs, which can be searched by name, location, or unit.

Related Episodes:

Episode 32: The Man Behind DeadFred.com

Episode 24: The Civil War Photo Sleuth

Links:

• Download a list of links mentioned in this episode
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveTM helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.

In this fascinating podcast episode, Dr. Dean Kirby, a historian, journalist, and professional genealogist based in Manchester, England, shares his deep-rooted interest in the Manchester slums.

• Key Inspiration: Discovery of great-great-great grandfather’s history in Angel Meadow, a notorious Manchester slum.
• Research Focus: Manchester slums during the Industrial Revolution, leading to a PhD and the book “Angel Meadow: Victorian Britain’s Most Savage Slum.”
• Living Conditions: Overcrowded homes, cellar dwellings, and poor sanitation in 19th-century Manchester.
• Impact of American Civil War: Blockade of southern ports affected Manchester’s cotton industry, leading to starvation.
• Scuttlers: Notorious gangs of street fighters in Manchester with distinct attire and territories.
• Genealogy Tips: Use of poor rate books, prison archives, and newspaper records for historical research.
• Historical Insights: The connection between Manchester and the American Civil War, and the Peterloo Massacre of 1819

Related Episodes:
Episode 180: Photos, Memories, and English Genealogy with Emma Jolly

Episode 197: What You Need to Know about Heraldry with Dr. Nathaniel Taylor, FASG

Links:

• The Manchester History Club
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.

About My Guest:
Dr Dean Kirby has a PhD in urban history and is an associate of the UK’s body for professional genealogists, the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives. His interest in family history was sparked when archaeologists dug up his Irish ancestor’s home in one of Manchester’s worst slums – the inappropriately named district of Angel Meadow. Dean now runs the professional family history research service www.manchesterfamilyhistory.com which helps families around the world research their Manchester and Lancashire roots. He also writes the Manchester history newsletter www.manchesterhistory.uk, which reveals forgotten stories from the streets of the Victorian city. His debut book, Angel Meadow: Victorian Britain’s Most Savage Slum, has been in the Amazon bestseller lists.

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveÒhelps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on Th

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.

In this episode of “The Photo Detective,” host Maureen Taylor welcomes Kendall Hewlett, CEO of Storied.com, to discuss the revolutionary platform that fills a crucial gap in the family history industry by emphasizing the importance of storytelling over mere data collection.

• Inspiration Behind Storied.com: Kendall Hewlett created the platform to focus on the storytelling aspect of family history, inspired by research showing that knowledge of family stories increases resilience in children.
• Unique Features: Storied.com offers an end-to-end family history platform where users can build family trees, document stories, and produce hardbound books.
• Storytelling Focus: The platform emphasizes creating bite-sized, engaging stories that are easier to digest and more appealing than lengthy tomes.
• Community and Relationships: Storied.com maps out not only family relationships but also significant non-blood connections, enhancing the storytelling experience.
• User Engagement: Users can create private or public groups, share stories, and invite family members to contribute, making it a collaborative effort.
• Advanced Tools: The platform includes AI-assisted writing tools, audio transcription, and a growing database of historical records and newspapers.

Related Episodes:

Episode 235: Exploring Ancestry.com’s New Photo and Storytelling Features with Crista Cowan

Episode 221:Permanent Digital Storage Solutions with Tammy Kirby of Forever.com

Links:

• Storied.com
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.

About My Guest:
Kendall Hulet is the CEO of Storied, is passionate about the power of family stories to strengthen us and bring us together. Earlier in his career, Kendall led product management at Ancestry, where he oversaw the search engine, international growth, mobile app, AncestryDNA features, and where he co-created the iconic “shaky leaf” hint and family tree.Kendall has an MBA from Wharton and lives in Provo with his wife, Carolina, and their 3 kids

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveTM helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pa

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.

In this solo episode of Ask Maureen, I’ll address a common genealogist’s dilemma: managing and organizing digital photos, including handling duplicates. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or a beginner, mastering photo organizers and duplicate detection tools can simplify your work and enhance your family history projects.

Key Topics

• Importance of photo organizers for genealogists
• Key features to look for in photo organizing software
• Popular photo organizing tools and their benefits
• Strategies for effective photo organization and duplicate detection
• Tips for maintaining an organized digital photo collection

Related Episodes:

Episode 234: Transforming Photo Organization: Insights from Mylios Founder David Vascovich

Episode 221: Permanent Digital Storage Solutions with Tammy Kirby of Forever.com

Links:

• Ask Maureen
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveÒhelps clients with photo-related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.

Today, I am thrilled to have Crista Cowan, Ancestry.com’s Corporate Genealogist, also known as “The Barefoot Genealogist” on YouTube, as our guest. Crista has been a pivotal figure at Ancestry, helping countless people uncover their family histories.

• Introduction of the “Memories” feature, previously known as “Storymaker Studio.”
• Details on how users can share and collaborate on photo albums.
• Privacy settings and sharing options on Ancestry.
• Integration with Family Trees
• Overview of Pro Tools features: Error Checker, Fan Chart, Charts and Reports, Map Feature
• Explanation of privacy settings for trees and photos.
• Crista’s upcoming podcast, “Stories That Live In Us.”

Related Episodes:
Episode 184: Byte4Byte: Permanent.org’s Grant Program for Non-Profits

Episode 180: Photos, Memories, and English Genealogy with Emma Jolly

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
Crista Cowan has been employed by Ancestry.com since 2004; her involvement in family history, however, reaches all the way back to childhood. From being parked under a microfilm reader at the Family History Library in her baby carrier to her current career as a professional genealogist, Crista has spent thousands of hours discovering, documenting, and telling family stories.

During her time at Ancestry, she has been a European Content Acquisition Manager, the Digital Preservation Indexing Manager, and the Community Alliance Manager for the Ancestry World Archives Project. For the past several years she has been the Corporate Genealogist, with responsibilities for speaking and teaching at genealogy conferences around the world and helping with family history research for public relations stories. Known online as “The Barefoot Genealogist” with a weekly internet show designed to help people discover their family history.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveÒhelps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the Show.