Who Are The People in Your Pictures?!!

People tell me all the time that they have a box of photos they inherited from (fill in the name of a deceased ancestor here) and they have no idea who the people are.  Should they through the box away.  This is when I nearly faint and try to act really calm and say NO!!!  

One of the best ways of discovering who the people are in your mystery photos is to do a little family history research.  Often you can piece together whole families this way!

To get started, use these instructions to fill out your Pedigree Chart and Family Group Sheets.  Ask your oldest living relatives for help and you'll be surprised how much you can fill in!

Instructions:

“Key to Completing Your Pedigree Chart”

b. = born

p. = place (of birth)

m. = marriage date

p. = place of marriage

d. = death date

p. = place of death

1.     Fill in yourself on line #1

2.     Line #2 is for your Father

3.     Line #3 is for your Mother

4.  Line #4 is for your Father’s Father (your grandfather)

5.  Line #5 is for your Father’s Mother (your grandmother)

6.      Line #6 is for your Mother’s Father (your grandfather)

7.      Line #7 is for your Mother’s Mother (your grandmother)

8.      Line #8 is for your Grandfather’s Father

                                     (your Great Grandfather)

9.      Line #9 is for your Grandfather’s Mother

                                     (your Great Grandmother)

Continue with as much information as you can.

Important:      

§       Use each person’s full name

(indicate if they went by their middle name or a nickname)

§       Provide dates and places as completely as possible

§       If children’s names are known of any of the couples listed, include them on a Family Group Sheet

§       The more information you can provide, the better