The Photo Detective

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**The Photo Detective**

Join The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor, each week as she discusses historical photos and how they fit into your family history. From ancestor identification to photo preservation, The Photo Detective Podcast covers it all. Featuring special experts from genealogy, fashion history, photo history, and restoration, it’s a not-to-miss for photo fans, genealogists, and lovers of history.

Latest Episodes:

The Hidden Stories of Tattooing: Dr. Matt Lodder on Tattoos in Photography and Society Aug 04, 2024

Show notes

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.

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 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.

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Discovering Civil War Ancestors Through Photography: Tips and Tools for Family Historians Jul 28, 2024

Show notes

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 leave a review on Apple Podcasts

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Uncovering Manchester’s Dark Past: Dr. Dean Kirby on Angel Meadow and the Victorian Slums Jul 14, 2024

Show notes

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

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.

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

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How Storied.com Transforms Family History into Captivating Stories Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

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, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

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

Support the show

How to Manage and Remove Duplicate Photos for Genealogy Projects Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

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

Support the show

Exploring Ancestry.com’s New Photo and Storytelling Features with Crista Cowan Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

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.”

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 Maureentaylor.com

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

Support the show

Transforming Photo Organization: Insights from Mylio's Founder David Vascovich Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

Today, we have a special guest, David Vascovich, the CEO and founder of Mylio.com, a revolutionary digital photo organizing site. In this episode, we delve into the inspiration behind Mylio, its innovative features, and how it stands out in the crowded field of photo organization tools.

Key Features of Mylio
- The Life Calendar: A unique way to visualize decades of memories.
- Automatic face recognition and its efficiency.
- Support for photos, videos, and documents.
- Integration with other tools and apps for editing and management.
- Compatibility with third-party editing tools like Photoshop
- Metadata management and its importance for organizing photos.
Support and Resources
- Mylio’s help system, user forums, and support team.
- Options for professional assistance and bundles for new users.

Related Episodes:

Episode 228: Joseph Quaderer: Democratizing Biographies with StorySavor.com

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

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:

David Vaskevitch’s career as visionary software architect, business innovator, and author spans more than 50 years. He built one of the first three email systems in the world in 1971. After joining Microsoft in 1986, he held various senior executive positions during his 23-year tenure, including chief technical officer. The founder of several software ventures, Vaskevitch is founder and CEO of Bellevue, Wash. Mylio.

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.

Support the show

Essential Genealogy Organization Tips: Listener Advice May 26, 2024

Show notes

In this third solo podcast episode on organization and documentation, listeners shared tips to improve genealogy research.

Weekly Paper Organization: Ann Marie recommends setting aside one hour each week, similar to Cindy Ingle’s “Filing Friday”.
Note-taking Advice: Stress on thorough documentation to avoid forgetting crucial sources during intense research.
Initial Organizational Plan: Barbara underscores the importance of a solid plan from the start to manage growing family documents.
Using Genealogy Software: Highlighting the benefits of integrating digital tools for data management.
Documenting and Citing Sources: Various speakers, including Beverly and Donna, emphasize the necessity to immediately record sources.
Labeling Photographs: Kathy and other guests discuss the importance of labeling photos and using metadata for future reference.
Digital Tools for Storytelling: Suggestions to use modern technology to record and transcribe family stories.
Physical Albums and Photos: Advice on creating tangible family albums for easier sharing and storytelling.
Genealogy Research Tips: Various speakers share personal anecdotes and tips for efficient genealogy research.

Related Episodes:

Episode 224: Tracing Your Roots: Key Strategies for New Genealogists

Episode 230: Unlocking Family Secrets: Expert Tips for Interviewing Relatives

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 Maureen Taylor:

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

Support the show

Harnessing AI for Family Photo Tasks with Steve Little and Mark Thompson May 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of "The Photo Detective," guests Steve Little and Mark Thompson return to discuss AI's integration in genealogy photo projects. They discuss historical breakthroughs in image analysis, such as the ability of AI to recognize visual jokes and extract text from images, such as tombstone inscriptions. They also cover the practical applications of AI in managing and tagging large photo collections, greatly reducing the time and effort required. The discussion emphasizes the importance of critical analysis in genealogy, noting that AI tools should complement but not replace traditional research methods. The episode highlights the evolving nature of AI technology, the ethical considerations in its use, and the potential future advancements that could further revolutionize genealogical photo analysis.

Key Topics:
- Historical development of AI in image recognition.
- Practical uses of AI in photo tagging and collection management.
- Detailed case studies of AI successfully identifying and analyzing elements in photos.
- Ethical concerns and limitations of AI, especially in facial recognition.
- Future prospects and potential improvements in AI photo analysis technology.
Insights:
- Discussion on AI's role in identifying visual jokes.
- How AI has revolutionized the task of managing and tagging massive photo collections.
- Ethical implications of advanced facial recognition technologies.
- Importance of maintaining a skeptical and analytical approach to AI-generated data in genealogy.
Conclusion: Emphasis on AI as a tool in genealogy that requires cautious integration and continual evaluation.

Related Episodes:

Episode 207: An Underutilized Source: The Newberry Library

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

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:

Stephen J. Little, is the AI Program Director for the National Genealogical Society and has lifelong passions for language, technology, and genealogy. His passion lies in AI & genetic genealogy, with a keen interest in endogamy, pedigree collapse, and the art of deciphering multiple relationships through DNA segment triangulation, and an insatiable curiosity to explore beneficial uses and current limits of artificial intelligence in genealogy.

Mark Thompson is a professional genealogist and educator who specializes in genetic genealogy and researching personal family archives. Prior to becoming a genealogist, Mark worked in leadership roles in information technology. Mark’s combined background in technology and genealogy uniquely positions him to introduce genealogists to the rapidly changing field of artificial intelligence

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Navigating the New Era of AI in Genealogy with Steve Little and Mark Thompson May 05, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Photo Detective Podcast, Maureen was joined by Mark Thompson, a professional genealogist and IT expert, and Steve Little, AI Program Director at the National Genealogical Society.

Main Discussion Points:
- Comparisons of AI's current impact to the dot-com era.
- The role of small companies and startups in driving AI innovations.
- Potential applications of AI in genealogy and historical research.
Ethical Considerations:
- Discussion on privacy issues related to AI.
- Ethical use of AI in processing sensitive genealogical data.
Future of AI in Genealogy:
- Predictions on AI's evolving role in research and data analysis.
- Integration of AI tools into mainstream applications like Microsoft products.

Related Episodes:

Bonus Episode: ChatGPT and Image Generators: What You Need to Know

Episode 205: Numbers to Names: A Holocaust Database

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 Guests:

About Maureen Taylor:

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

Support the show

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