"Well, the dress is 1890s. I estimated your age-- which, if you pardon my saying, seems to be in your late 30s-- and the likely number of generations since the 1870s-- their birth decade-- and saw the family resemblance."

Then (as politely as possible), I noted the resemblance between his ears (which stuck out prominently), nose (which was kind of pointy like a bird's beak), and hairline (which shared a specific balding pattern).

He snatched the photo off the sales floor.

It's funny how the value of an old photo changes when you know who's in it.

[Be sure to also read the #AltText for information about the posted photos.]

🧵 2/2

#Genealogy #EstateSales #Photographs #AntiquePhoto #AntiquePhotograph #VictorianPhotos #IdentifyingOldPhotos #FamilyTreasures #LostAndFoundPhotos #AuroraIllinois #LocalHistory #FamilySearch #Geneadons #GenealogyThreads @geneadons

One of my favorite moments from estate sales is years ago, when I saw an antique photo in a nice frame. It was a picture of a young couple with a nice horse and buggie. It was being sold for only $40.

I asked the estate sale lady if they were sure they wanted to sell it. A man came up and said that he was the owner, and yes... it was for sale.

I looked at him a minute, looked over the photo, then did some quick math.

"You really shouldn't sell a photo of your Great-Grandparents," I told him. "Whoever buys it is just going to rip out the photo, throw it away, and use the frame."

"How do you know they're my Great-Grandparents?" he asked.

"Well..." 🧵 1/2

[Be sure to also read the #AltText for information about the posted photos.]

#Genealogy #EstateSales #Photographs #AntiquePhoto #AntiquePhotograph #VictorianPhotos #IdentifyingOldPhotos #FamilyTreasures #LostAndFoundPhotos #AuroraIllinois #LocalHistory #FamilySearch #Geneadons #GenealogyThreads @geneadons

#WaterfallWednesday #LostAndFoundPhotos #VintagePhoto #Photo

Photos of Niagara Falls from several vantage points near rim and at water level.

The Maid of the Mist looks very much like a small toy boat, but you can see that the deck is absolutely packed stem to stern with passengers that are barely visible through the mist and scale.

Photos circa Summer of 1982...not seen since then.

A marking of time, of life, and of passing
Etched in stone everlasting
Concrete evidence listed
That a human once existed

A life sustained by earth’s grace
A corporeal return at earth’s pace
A memorial is all that remains
A mark as long as earth deigns

Considering all the earth has given
Is this the best decision?
Perhaps the best way to disembark
Is to try to leave no mark

#LostAndFoundPhotos #MonochromeMonday #VintagePhoto

Another of my #LostAndFoundPhotos #Monochrome
#VintagePhoto

Photo taken for photography class. Self developed/printed…from 35mm #Pentax K1000

Subject just some emergency exits from a dorm…but I do like the mix of shadows and highlights.

Most of this stuff I have not seen for 35 years…tucked away in notebooks and boxes.

#LostAndFoundPhotos #Monochrome #Photography #Science

To all the teachers who instilled a sense of awe…and especially Dr. Larsen who took us to Cape Arago…and made biology fun.

You sat me down and told me to push harder when grades were slipping due to spring fever. I still have fond memories of wildflower collecting and field trips to see the unique biology of serpentine dominated areas.

One never knows what they will do until they know. Lectures by US Parks Service Naturalists…an inherent need to understand…and maps. So many maps.

You almost made a biologist out of me, but finding a rock hammer left at an outcrop rang a bell that sounded true.

Reuniting with you, by chance, during fieldwork for my thesis was like meeting an old friend whose enthusiasm never wanes.

To all the academicians here, thanks for bringing your knowledge and enthusiasm. Science isn’t the only important thing, but all the important things rely upon it.

#LostAndFoundPhotos #ColumbiaRiver #PNW #VintagePhoto #Engineering

Photos of new navigation channel excavation at Bonneville Dam circa 1989. Access ramp to active channel excavation shows dewatering operations piping in first #photo.

In second photo, active excavation showing stepped benching and rock fall protection...along with scars in rock/earth along steep walls.

Columbia River (Bonneville Pool) can be seen in background along with elevated portion of interstate hwy I-84.

#LostAndFoundPhotos from New Orleans in early 1980s

Jazz Music, Cafe, Market and Street Scenes

Probably looks pretty similar today, minus the (likely) KodaChrome feel imparted to the images.

#Photography #NewOrleans #VintagePhoto #1980s #StreetScene
#Pentax K1000 with 50mm

#LostAndFoundPhotos #SpaceFlight #VintagePhoto #Space #Rocket #1980s #Shuttle

Found photos scanned from trip to Johnson Space Center in 1983, as preparations for a Shuttle Launch were underway. The public could tour through the facility as they readied for the launch just a week away.

The juxtaposition of high-stakes mission preparation and control with access by the public reflects a time when NASA struggled to maintain interest in programs...and the funding depended on an engaged public.