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.
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Welcome to the December 2024 solo episode of The Photo Detective with Maureen Taylor. In this episode, Maureen shares the story of Amy Barlow, who solved a photo mystery with Maureen’s guidance during a consultation. Amy’s photograph depicted a family standing in front of a store. Using resources like eBay, WorthPoint, city directories, Sanborn map…
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Preserving Everyday History: Kiki Smith's Journey with the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection
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Kiki Smith, a professor from the theater department at Smith College, joins the “Photo Detective” podcast to discuss her unique journey with the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection. Initially joining the department temporarily, Smith found herself organizing a chaotic costume storage area into a vital educational and research resource. Her b…
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In this podcast episode, we are thrilled to have Paul Frecker, an expert on 19th-century photography and the author of Cartomania: Photography and Celebrity in the 19th Century. Paul brings a unique perspective from his days as a dealer specializing in 19th-century photography, focusing on the intriguing format of Carte de Visite. His journey from …
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In this episode, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective TM explores the power of a photo through a series of case studies. She introduces a new photo storytelling option for clients. The Power of a Photo Decoding the Context The Emotional Landscape Integrating Technology Case Study: Putting it into Practice. Related Episodes: Episode 237: How Storied.…
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In today’s episode of The Photo Detective, guest Sharon Carmack introduces her groundbreaking book, Telling Her Story, a comprehensive guide to researching and writing about historical women. Sharon’s work, spanning 370 pages, is rich with resources, case studies, and examples that empower genealogists and family historians to uncover the hidden li…
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Erin Moulton discusses her book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing, Scavenger Hunt,” which is uniquely designed as a workbook. Moulton, a local history librarian at Derry Public Library, shares her journey from genealogy enthusiast to cemetery researcher. The book serves as a practical guide for collecting key details from cemeteries, whi…
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Exploring family history is a personal journey, often sparked by familial influences and nurtured through personal curiosity and research. My mother’s passion for family history was contagious, influencing my own exploration of our ancestry. This shared interest led us on numerous adventures, uncovering the stories and places connected to our linea…
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In this episode of the podcast, Katherine Manthorne returns to discuss her book “Women in the Dark: Female Photographers 1840 to 1900.” The conversation explores the overlooked contributions of female photographers during the early days of photography, highlighting their innovative approaches and resilience in a male-dominated field. Manthorne shar…
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Kurt Deion, author of Presidential Grave Hunter, shares his lifelong journey of visiting every U.S. president and vice president’s grave. Sparked by early interests in presidential history and inspired by books and family trips, Kurt’s unique quest began in childhood. His book combines memoir and historical facts, recounting adventures and discover…
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Join Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, in a solo episode where she delves into the fascinating world of tintypes. This episode covers everything from their historical emergence in 1856 to their resurgence via modern itinerant artists. Discover why tintypes remained popular through the 19th century and explore their unique characteristics, includ…
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In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor speaks with Amanda Meeks, the Community and Partnerships Manager at Permanent.org. They discuss the recent developments at Permanent.org, focusing on the Legacy Lab, a new program designed to help users create and publish public archives. The Legacy Lab includes an email course that breaks…
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In this episode, Hannah Carlson, author of “Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close,” discusses the historical and social significance of pockets. Inspired by a personal experience where she had no pockets during an emergency, Carlson explores how pockets have evolved from medieval times to modern days, highlighting their gender di…
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In this solo episode of Maureen Taylor’s podcast, “The Photo Detective,” Maureen delves into the captivating world of postcards. She explores their historical significance and practical uses, both as travel memorabilia and valuable tools in family history research. The episode highlights the evolution of postcards from the early 1900s, including th…
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Clare Hunter, author of “Threads of Life,” joins Maureen on The Photo Detective podcast. A Scottish native with a background in theatre, community art, and creative writing, Clare discusses her book, which intertwines memoir and history, highlighting the social, emotional, and political significance of sewing. “Threads of Life” explores the profoun…
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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…
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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 a…
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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 …
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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 foc…
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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 …
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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 use…
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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 visua…
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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…
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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 appli…
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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. …
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In today's solo episode, Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, delves into the essential practice of interviewing relatives for family history research. Following the feedback from newsletter subscribers and podcast listeners, this episode focuses on the collective wisdom and personal insights shared on this topic. We will explore the nuances of con…
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Today, we dive into the flavorful world of Andrew Scrivani, a renowned food photographer and author of “That Photo Makes Me Hungry”. Andrew shares his extensive experience spanning over two decades, revealing insights into the evolution of food photography, his creative process, and the broader implications of visual storytelling in our culinary ex…
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Mitch Goldstone, from ScanMyPhotos.com, returned to the Photo Detective Podcast to discuss the growth and evolution of his photo-scanning business. Having preserved over a billion pictures, the company specializes in digitizing old photographs, slides, and films, thus safeguarding personal and historical memories. Mitch shared the journey of adapti…
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In this solo episode, Maureen shares invaluable advice from her listeners, guiding beginner genealogists on their journey to trace their ancestry. From the critical importance of verification to the joy of discovering untold family stories, Maureen navigates through the collective wisdom of her audience, offering a treasure trove of tips and insigh…
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Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal discusses the popular Relatives at Rootstech feature, which allows conference registrants to connect with family. It’s free to sign up, easy to participate in, and only available until March 31, 2024. Elizabeth shares her strategies for using it. Register for RootsTech to access recorded content and participate in “Relatives…
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In this episode, we explore the fascinating journey of Joseph Quaderer, founder of StorySavor.com. Learn how this unique company is changing the landscape of biography writing, making it accessible to everyone. Joseph shares his transition from a finance professional to a passionate writer and entrepreneur. He discusses his experiences, from writin…
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Welcome to another captivating episode of our podcast! In today’s show, we’re joined by the remarkable Howlin Davis, a genealogy enthusiast with an extraordinary story to share. After tuning into one of our newsletters, Howlin revealed his unique tale of rediscovery. His journey began with an unexpected phone call that led him to a treasure trove o…
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In this episode, we delve into the heartwarming and intriguing world of Julian Rebello, the founder of the Chosen Families Project. Julian, a recent graduate with a unique blend of chemistry and graphic design expertise, has embarked on a poignant mission to reunite lost photographs, documents, and letters with their rightful families. His journey,…
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Maureen Taylor is thrilled to have Dr. Michael Pritchard on the podcast. He’s a celebrated historian and the author of A History of Photography in 50 Cameras. They discuss cameras, history, and the art of capturing moments. Introduction to Dr. Michael Pritchard: His background and expertise in the history of photography. Discussion on “A History of…
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In this episode, Maureen Taylor talks with Tammy Kirby, a Senior Lead Ambassador at Forever.com. Their conversation delves into the innovative world of Forever.com. As someone who transitioned from traditional scrapbooking to embracing the digital era, Tammy offers a unique perspective on how Forever.com is redefining how we store and preserve our …
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In this episode, Maureen talks with Richard Thompson Ford, author of “Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History.” They explore how fashion has been used throughout history as a way to reinforce class structures, gender roles, and social norms. Though dress codes are not as overt today, Richard explains how unwritten fashion rules still dict…
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Northeast Historic Film is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to preserve and share historic films from Maine and the broader New England region. Based in Bucksport, Maine, their extensive collection includes home movies, local TV news, documentary films, and more. In this episode of the Photo Detective podcast, co-founders David Weiss and Ja…
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This week on the podcast, Maureen is joined by Elisabeth Smolarz, who created the Encyclopedia of Things. They discuss the items that define our lives and why we keep them. Related Episodes: Episode 187: Building a Story with the Ancestry.com App Episode 180: Photos, Memories, and English Genealogy with Emma Jolly Links: Elisabeth Smolarz Sign up f…
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This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective TM, is joined by Greg French. Greg is an antique photograph enthusiast who buys and sells his images, as well as lending images to projects such as the 1991 book “American and the Daguerreotype, as well as placing a rare stereoview of Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration in the Library of Congress. Gre…
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This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, an award-winning fashion historian and curator from Los Angeles, as well as the author of multiple books on fashion history. The two discuss skirts and how one piece of clothing can help us learn about history and how the skirt showed changes in ideals towar…
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In this week’s bonus episode, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by author Amanda Quay Blount. Amanda has recently been taking the literary scene in Rhode Island (and beyond) by storm, as she recently published Meet Me at the Biltmore, a historical look at The Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, which has been around for over 10…
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This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Heather Radke, whose first book Butts: A Backstory, has taken the world by storm. Don’t let the title fool you – this book takes a deep look into women’s history and fashion. From bustles to Broadway to Coco Chanel, the two dive into the meaning of fashion and how it has shaped not only ou…
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This week on the podcast, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Amelia Soth. Amelia is a Wisconsin-based writer who has been writing the column “Cabinet of Curiosities” for JSTOR, which focuses on historical oddities. Maureen and Amelia discuss her process in writing and finding these stories and how the nuanced parts of history can oft…
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This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by fashion historian Darnell-Jamal Lisby, who is currently the Assistant Curator of Fashion at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the first to take this role. They discuss the latest exhibition, “Egyptomania: Fashion’s Conflicted Obsession,” and how the fascination with this time period has led…
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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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This week on the podcast Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Colin Mustful, author, publisher, and founder of History Through Fiction. He and Maureen discuss the differences between historical fiction, and what Colin calls “History Through Fiction,” where individuals write high-quality fiction that is rooted in historical research – o…
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This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Dr. Kate Strasdin, author and honorary deputy curator at the Totnes Fashion and Textile Museum. In this episode, Kate examines her upcoming book - inspired by The Dress Diary of Anne Sykes. This is a brilliant look into one of the rarer artifacts Kate has uncovered - a dress diary featurin…
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This week on the podcast, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective is joined by Francois Brunelle. Francois is a professional photographer and author, who resides in Montreal. Francois and Maureen discuss his fascinating project “I’m Not a Lookalike” where Francois photographs individuals who look similar – and then compares them. These individuals are …
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This week on the podcast Maureen is doing a solo episode! This episode is an intimate look at Maureen’s life and behind-the-scenes of how she became The Photo Detective. Additionally, Maureen details her journey over the past year as she’s updated her book Family Photo Detective, from getting the publishing rights to going through to update all lin…
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This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Will Hansen, the Director of Reader Services and Curator of Americana at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Will and Maureen discuss several collections at Newberry Library, including their 1.6 million books, 600,000 different maps, and one collection with 44 glass lantern slides that docume…
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This week on the Photo Detective Podcast, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Daniel Patt, a software engineer and descendant of three holocaust survivors. It’s this familial relation that inspired Daniel, in his spare time, to create an artificial intelligence platform called “From Numbers to Names” that aids those descended from ind…
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