The 15th annual Bucks County Ancestry Fair, “Solving Genealogical Mysteries with Maureen Taylor, Photo Detective,” is set for Saturday, Oct. 2 via Zoom. This event is hosted by the Bucks County Genealogical Society.
In a day-long symposium, Taylor will present an overview of using photographs to augment genealogical research and how to ensure your photographs – both paper and digital – are well organized and safely preserved for future generations to enjoy. The day will wrap up with the Photo Detective Road Show. Taylor will interpret photographs you submit with your question about the photograph.
Session one, “Using Photographs in Genealogical Research,” takes place at 9 a.m. A single photograph can unlock a family mystery. The details are in the photographic clues. Pictures document births, deaths, marriages and more. In the first session, you’ll learn to use an image as genealogical proof by understanding the language of family photographs.
Session two, “Photograph Preservation and Organization,” takes place at 11 a.m. Photographs are ephemera – valuable but fragile relics that must be cared for and carefully stored to preserve them for future generations. From daguerreotypes to digital imaging dilemmas, this in-depth lecture covers everything a family genealogist needs to know about caring for photographs. Topics include printing and sharing digital images and how to safely label grandparents’ pictures.
A lunch break will take place at 12:30 p.m. There will be an optional game show/quiz to practice what you’ve learned so far.
Session three, “Photo Detective Road Show – Virtual Show and Tell,” takes place at 1:30 p.m. Registrants are invited to submit photos ahead of time. Taylor will select 10 to 15 of the submissions to review during the third session and interpret them during the afternoon session and reveal the hidden clues in the photos.
Registration cost is $25. Visit ancestryfair.org or facebook.com/ancestryfair for more information.
