How to Find Ancestor Photos: Hidden Sources and Creative Strategies

For genealogy enthusiasts, discovering photographs of ancestors can feel like striking gold. While many genealogists are familiar with the go-to resources like FamilySearch, Ancestry, and FindAGrave, there are several creative ways to uncover those precious historical photographs.

Start with the Basics

Of course, your first stop should be family members. That distant cousin might have a treasure trove of old photos tucked away in their attic. Don't forget to check popular genealogy websites like FamilySearch, Ancestry, and FindAGrave, where other researchers might have already shared family photos.

How to Find Ancestor Photos in Digital Archives

Dive into Yearbooks

School yearbooks are an often-overlooked goldmine for family photos. Many schools have digitized their old yearbooks, making them accessible online. If you can't find them digitally, visit your ancestor's local library – they often maintain collections of yearbooks from area schools. Don't limit your search to just your direct ancestor – be sure to look for their siblings and cousins too. These extended family members might bear a strong resemblance to your ancestor, and their photos could help you identify other family pictures. Plus, yearbooks not only provide photos but also offer glimpses into your ancestors' activities and interests during their school years.

Master the Google Search

Here's where things get interesting! A strategic Google search can reveal surprising results. Start with a simple search of your ancestor's name, but don't stop there. Try different combinations and variations of their name, including nicknames and middle names. Most importantly, don't forget to click on the "Images" option under the search bar – this will filter your results to show only photos and pictures, making it much easier to spot family photographs that might be scattered across various websites. You might be surprised at what turns up in historical society collections, local news archives, or even other family researchers' websites.

The County History Hack

Let me share a powerful technique that recently helped me find a photo of a person I was searching for, Foster B. Seager. Here's how it works:

1. Go to Google and search for "History of [location]" – try different combinations of state, county, and city where your ancestor lived

2. Click on the "Books" filter in the search bar

3. Look for digitized county histories (these were very common and often included photos and biographies of local residents)

4. Once you find a digitized book, use the search function to look for your family name

In my case, I searched for "History of Goodhue County" and found a digitized copy of "History of Goodhue County, Minnesota" by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge from 1909. Using the search function, I typed "Seager" and struck gold – there on page 912 was a photo of F.B. Seager, along with a detailed biography!

F.B. Seager - History of Goodhue County, Minnesota

Why This Method Works

County histories were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Local historians would compile these books, often including photographs and biographies of prominent residents. Many of these books have been digitized and are freely available online. 

Final Tips

• Be thorough and systematic in your search – keep a log of where you've looked and what you've found

• Save copies of photos immediately when you find them

• Include the source information in the file name (e.g., "John_Smith_1910_GoodhueCtyHistory_p123.jpg")

• Reach out to local historical societies in areas where your ancestors lived – they often have unique photo collections not available online

• Check newspaper archives for photographs in articles, advertisements, and obituaries

• Try various spelling variations of names

• Don't forget to check multiple locations where your ancestor lived

• Look for business directories and church histories too

• Be patient and persistent – sometimes the perfect photo is just a few clicks away

  
  

Remember, every photo you find helps paint a more vibrant picture of your family's history. Happy hunting!