A multitude of photos with no names attached!
I have an abundance of old family photos, which I assembled while on my last trip to Ireland in the summer of 2012. With over 3,000 images: family photos, documents and the necessary grave stone photos from a variety of family cemeteries; I certainly had/have my work cut out for me! It was a very successful genealogical trip; one on which I visited with my “living family” as well. I am very grateful to my extended family; as I would never have had the information I do, if they weren’t scouring their attics for boxes of photos and memorabilia.
Once I returned home, and the reality of real life and returning to work set in; I managed to squeeze in as much time as possible to sort through the “piles”. Diligently and with great excitement I’ve been working through the images and adding them to my family tree as I discover who they are. Being able to put a “face to a name” of an ancestor whose life I had been piecing together and seeing a story of… well, it was beyond exciting; it brought them to life for me; if only for a moment.

John Love – My 2nd Great Grandfather (originally an unknown photo)
Matthew Love (inset) – My 2nd Great Uncle (whose picture John’s was matched with)
Many “Faces Without A Name” remain. My sentiments for my nameless ancestors change on a daily basis; the emotions often changing from one hour to the next. It’s a wide range of feelings; sadness in not knowing who they are and therefore the life they lived; frustration that no one thought to write a name on the back; and excitement! Most certainly, excitement; which energizes me, knowing that someday, somehow… I WILL put a name to the faces!
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Keep at it. I know that in the end many if not most will go unnamed. All we can do is try and not give up. Also make sure your own family pictures have names and date to go with them. Best of luck in your search.
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Thank you so much; as I’m sure you know, some days it can get rather frustrating. Then the “work thing” gets in the way of research as well. Thank you too for reading my blog.
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