A page from history: My mother passed away about 3 1/2 months ago and part of dealing with her belongings was what to do with all the photographs she saved. I have decided to scan each...

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

My mother passed away about 3 1/2 months ago and part of dealing with her belongings was what to do with all the photographs she saved. I have decided to scan each one and save them digitally for my kids to have. I'm considering putting together a book to give to each of my kids of their ancestors. This is a typical composite photo page of my mother's father. I'm thinking I could create a page for each of my family members and combine all of them into one book. I like the nostalgic feel to this page of my grandfather.
Please download it for best detail.

(Download)

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Sorry to hear of your loss, and what a good idea.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

What thoughtful gifts to your family, Brent, and I'm so sorry about your mother's passing away.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

These look like good scans and you should not consider making a book- but do it now while memories are still fresh.
It is a good idea to pass on these photographs to your children.
The problem with the digital age by comparison to the film era, quite a considerable number of photographs are lingering on hard drives and never get printed.

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

Wonderful! I'm in the midst of a similar adventure.

Cotondog Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada

Sorry about your Mom, Brent. This is a fantastic idea. I really like your composite page -- Very nicely done.

OutBack Loc: North Central Florida

Got stuff like that too but I am a Hancock so every aunt and uncle has been documented since 542 AD. Got a shot of my five time back grand Dad sent to a cousin I never saw of his photo she never saw. Does that make sense? it is kinda cool when that happens. Condolences and GOD bless you.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

BrentHarder wrote:

My mother passed away about 3 1/2 months ago and p... (show quote)

If you can identify each person in the photo and date. Also automobiles, location and if in uniform what branch and where stationed.
I have received hundreds of old photos like this from my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Some names have been lost which is sad but many still have names and places as well as dates and this makes the photos far more interesting to my children and grand children and nieces and nephews etc.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Architect1776 wrote:

If you can identify each person in the photo and date. Also automobiles, location and if in uniform what branch and where stationed.
I have received hundreds of old photos like this from my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Some names have been lost which is sad but many still have names and places as well as dates and this makes the photos far more interesting to my children and grand children and nieces and nephews etc.

Great ideas.
Also Build a family tree along with it and hide it behind one of the photos in the frame so there is a reference for who they are in the history of your family. Spend time researching.

I belong to the Steves (Steif) family tree. That family founded Moncton NB Canada from German loyalists that came from Pennsylvania in the 1700s and there is an entire family tree book.

The first time I visited my future wifes house, they had the same book. We found out we were related ! (Distant....our kids only have 1 head so genetics are ok there).

Anyway, you have a rich collection there!
(No surfers in that bunch? :-)

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

I know of what you speak Brent. This a grand idea you have. It is a gesture that will outlive you. Do it all & finish it. You will be glad when you have. If there are letters surviving they can be worthy of including in some manner also. And have some fun sorting out exactly what you want to do.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

I'm so sorry Brent.

My father passed away in 2009 and I regret not taking out all the hundreds of slides that he had and printing them for my mother and grandchildren. Your post is a reminder to do that ASAP! Thank you.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

crazydaddio wrote:

Great ideas. br Also Build a family tree along wi... (show quote)

Here is an example of a photo without a caption and other information I have would be meaningless to a future generation.
General Obregon was a friend and associate of my great grandfather in Mexico. He took this photo and added the history that this predates the revolution where Obregon lost his arm and then later became president of Mexico. This is what current great great great grand children have found interesting as much as the photo itself.

(Download)

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

RichardTaylor wrote:

Sorry to hear of your loss, and what a good idea.

Thank you Richard for your condolences. Thanks also for the "good idea" comment!

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Dixiegirl wrote:

What thoughtful gifts to your family, Brent, and I'm so sorry about your mother's passing away.

Thanks so much Donna for your sensitive reaction to my mother's passing. She was a wonderful person. This project will be a major undertaking to put together a book but I think it will be worth it.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Leicaflex wrote:

These look like good scans and you should not consider making a book- but do it now while memories are still fresh.
It is a good idea to pass on these photographs to your children.
The problem with the digital age by comparison to the film era, quite a considerable number of photographs are lingering on hard drives and never get printed.

Leicaflex, I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say "you should not consider making a book- but do it now while memories are still fresh". Why should I NOT make a book? I would make a book for each one of my kids so they could have it to look at whenever they wanted.