Your Family Story Part 3
Finding Visuals That Tell the Story
While many family history researchers today benefit from extensive photo collections, those delving into past generations often find photographs scarce or non-existent. But even without numerous portraits of your ancestors, you can still incorporate powerful visuals into your story. The key is to think broadly about what constitutes a "family photo" in a historical context.
Visuals are crucial because humans are drawn to images, especially those depicting people. However, your ancestors' story can be illustrated and enhanced by much more than just photographs of individuals. Scanned documents and photographs of family treasures and artifacts are invaluable resources. Items like military insignias, tools, pieces of furniture, or even significant homestead features like buildings can add depth and context to your narrative. A photograph of an heirloom can serve as a prompt to tell its story, even if the physical item isn't readily available.
When selecting visuals, whether they are photos of people you are lucky enough to find, or images of documents and artifacts, look for those that are meaningful. Seek images that capture moments, details, or aspects of everyday life that reveal what your ancestor's world was like. This could be a photo of someone engaged in work or a leisure activity, or perhaps a document like a newspaper clipping or a school record. Consider visuals that evoke an emotional response or pique your curiosity. Sometimes, the most interesting stories come from images that seem curious or have a mysterious element. Even the physical condition of an old print—perhaps damaged or altered—can tell a story in itself.
Documents can add significant historical context. A photograph of a type of bobsled from a specific era or a potbelly stove can help modern readers visualise objects unfamiliar today. Newspaper clippings can quickly convey information that might require lengthy description in text. Scans of original documents like birth records or census pages can directly illustrate the research process and provide tangible links to the past.
If you are using old photos, aim for relatively clear images. When digitising photos or documents, scan them at high resolution (at least 300 DPI for photos), as this is the version you will carry forward. Adding metadata or captions as you go can help preserve crucial details about who, what, when, and where. It's often helpful to speak with older relatives while looking at these items to identify people, places, or dates before that knowledge is lost.
Ultimately, the best visuals are those that enhance your story rather than detract from it. They should add value by illustrating points, providing context, or sparking curiosity and emotion. Even without extensive photo albums, using a variety of scanned documents and images of artifacts can create a rich visual tapestry for your ancestor's history.