When we focus on our family history research, we often think only about finding documents and records. Photographs can be a valuable research tool, providing clues that match people with locations, events, and other people.

The Family History Guide has some great resources for using photos to further your research, in Goal 7 of Project 4: Discover. Here is a brief summary of the links to essential articles and videos you will find there:

• Photo Sleuthing by FamilySearch (watch the video)
• Finding Ancestral Photos Online by Ancestry Academy (video series)
• 30 Tips for Using Family Photos for Genealogy by Aimee Cross.
• Identifying Old Photos by Time Period or Date by Nicky Smith (BYU Family History Library)
• Photo Tree site
• Can You Read the Hidden Clues in This Old Photo? by Family Tree Maker
• Reviewing and Studying Photographs by Ancestry Academy

At the beginning of Choice A in Goal 7, you’ll see links to two Class Outlines you can download for using photos in research – one for a beginning class and one for an intermediate class. Each class has a slide with customizable Speaker Notes that you can use to teach mini-classes on the topic with a minimum of preparation.

We hope you enjoy using family photos in your research!