Lost to Time? Not on Your Watch
Stop the Erasure of Your Family Photographs
Many years ago, following my grandmother’s death, my granduncle sent a photograph to my dad. Inside the envelope was a young woman in a 1930s dress, standing outside a weathered cabin. My grandmother, it turned out, had been expecting my dad when that photo was taken. The only reason I know this is because someone had written her name and the year on the back.
That moment reinforced something I already knew: photographs are fragile, and without context, they can become meaningless. They’re more than just pictures. They’re time capsules, holding the faces, places, and emotions of those who came before us. But without thoughtful preservation, they risk being lost forever—to fires, floods, neglect, or simply time itself.
I’ve spent years working to safeguard my own family’s photographic history, and along the way, I’ve learned a few things. Sometimes the hard way. Here’s how you can ensure your family photos remain safe, accessible, and meaningful for generations to come.
Print Your Photographs: The Power of the Tangible
In a digital world, it’s easy to assume that cloud storage and hard drives will keep our photos safe. But technology changes fast, and digital files can be lost in an instant: a crashed computer, an outdated format, or an account that simply disappears.
A printed photograph, on the other hand, can last for centuries if properly stored. That’s why I make a point to print my most treasured family photos. I personally use Nations Photo Lab for printing because their quality is exceptional and their pricing is reasonable. Whether you print a handful of meaningful images or create archival-quality albums, having physical copies ensures your family’s history isn’t solely dependent on technology.
Make Copies and Share with Family
A single photograph is vulnerable. One fire, one flood, one misplaced album, and it’s gone forever. That’s why I make sure there are multiple copies of important images circulating throughout my family.
Think of it as photographic insurance:
• Share prints with your siblings, cousins, and children
• Consider giving photos as gifts. I often include them in birthday or holiday cards
• Set up a small family archive where everyone can access and contribute copies
A photograph is only truly safe when it’s in more than one place.
Label Your Photos — Because Memory Fades
An unlabeled photo is a mystery waiting to be lost. If no one knows who’s in it or why it matters, its significance disappears over time.
I make it a habit to label my photos with as much detail as possible. I store originals in protective sleeves and apply an adhesive label to the sleeve itself—never directly on the photo.
When sharing copies, I create identification labels using Avery Label Maker that include:
• Title: A brief description (e.g., “Smith Family Picnic, 1945”)
• People: Full names, using “L–R” (left to right) for clarity
• Location: Where it was taken
• Date: Exact or approximate year
• Photographer: If known
For those times when I must write on a photo, I use a photo-marking pencil designed for archival use. I want future generations to know who’s in these images—not be left guessing.
Store Originals in Archival-Quality Containers
Photographs are delicate. They don’t like heat, humidity, direct sunlight, or sticky albums from the 1970s. To keep them in the best possible condition, I use acid-free, archival-quality storage materials from Gaylord Archival and Hollinger Metal Edge.
Best practices for storing family photos:
• Use acid-free envelopes or sleeves
• Keep them away from direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures
• Avoid adhesive albums or PVC plastics that degrade over time
Your photos have survived this long. Help them last another century.
Digitization: Bringing the Past into the Future
Digitizing old family photos doesn’t just make them easier to share—it ensures they’re protected against loss.
I use an Epson Perfection V39 scanner to digitize my images at 300 dpi or higher. Once scanned, I store them online in two places:
Ancestry – Ancestry allows unlimited uploads, making it a convenient choice for maintaining a digital family photo archive. Ancestry is a $1.3+ billion company that’s been in business since 1983.
FamilySearch Memories – Sponsored by the LDS Church, FamilySearch Memories is a free and non-commercial platform. I believe FamilySearch offers one of the most stable places for digital photo storage. FamilySearch and its predecessor the Genealogical Society of Utah have existed since 1894.
Additionally, some libraries and historical societies offer photo-sharing platforms. One of my favorite examples is the Kenton County Public Library’s Faces and Places Archive, where I donated a digitized image of Bernard Ringswald, my 2nd great-grandfather. Imagine how powerful it would be if every library had a platform like this—making local history accessible to all.
Handling Fragile or Damaged Photos Before Digitization
If you have brittle, torn, or water-damaged photos, handle them carefully before scanning. For curled edges, mold, or severe deterioration, consult a professional conservator. Your local museum is a great place to start—they often maintain relationships with qualified experts and can help with referrals.
For minor damage, photo restoration software can enhance faded images, correct color, and repair imperfections, making sure your digital copy is as clear as possible.
Saving and Identifying Digital Photograph Files
Digitizing a family photo is just the first step. How you name and store the file matters just as much.
Avoid vague filenames like IMG_3421.jpg. They don’t help future generations.
Instead, I use a consistent structure like:
[Surname][FirstNames][Year]_[Event/Location].jpg
For example, instead of a generic file name, I save my grandmother’s photo as:
Padgett_MaryLee_1939_ExpectingFirstChild_GarnettsvilleKY.jpg
Additionally, I add metadata to the file itself, embedding information like:
Photographer’s name (if known)
Date and location
Names of people in the image
Chain of custody (who owned it over time)
A brief description of the event or context
This way, even if the image is separated from its original context, the information stays attached.
For best preservation, save your scans as TIFF files. They retain every detail. Then, make JPEG or PNG copies for easy sharing. Think of TIFF as your master archive and JPEG/PNG as the shareable version.
I run Apple and use a G-Technology G-Drive (HDD) for long-term TIFF storage. It’s reliable, high-capacity, and works seamlessly with Mac. For extra protection, I keep a second backup on a SanDisk Extreme SSD and also use cloud storage.
If you’ve already digitized family photos but haven’t labeled them, it’s never too late to go back and add names, dates, or metadata. A little effort now means their stories won’t get lost in a sea of unnamed files.
Respect Copyright and Preserve Provenance
Every photograph has an origin story, and preserving that story is just as important as protecting the image itself. A family photo isn’t just a picture—it’s a thread connecting generations. But if we don’t document where it came from, who took it, or how it got to us, we risk losing part of its meaning.
If a relative shares a photo with you, always ask permission before digitizing and be sure to give credit. Respecting provenance—the history of ownership—is essential for ethical preservation.
I keep detailed provenance records for every image in my collection. For example:
In the spring of 1939, Mary Lee Zweydoff Padgett stood outside a rustic cabin, cradling the quiet anticipation of motherhood. She was expecting her first son, and her aunt, Bernadine Ringswald Knight, captured the moment with her camera. The photo was taken on Richard Warren’s dairy farm in Garnettsville, Meade County, Kentucky, where she was living for a year while her husband was a tenant farmer for his cousin.
Over the decades, this single photograph passed through multiple hands before reaching me:
First, it was gifted to Thomas Howard Zweydoff
Then inherited by Delores Zweydoff
Later passed to William Zweydoff
Eventually gifted to Howard Richard Padgett
And finally, gifted to me, Christopher Padgett, where I digitized it on April 23, 2020
Without this documentation, the image might have become just another unidentified relic. Instead, it remains a cherished part of our family story.
Go Beyond: Rescue Forgotten Photographs
Photo preservation isn’t just about your family. It’s about the thousands of other histories being discarded every day.
I’ve come across countless boxes of abandoned family photos in antique stores, estate sales, and flea markets. Once-prized memories now orphaned and adrift.
But there’s something we can do:
Help an elderly relative label their photos before it’s too late.
Offer to scan and share images with family members who might appreciate them.
Encourage local libraries and historical societies to preserve community photographs.
For some people, a single photo may be the only visual record of their life. If we don’t act, those faces may fade into anonymity forever.
Your Ancestors Deserve to Be Remembered
Preserving family photographs takes time and care, but it’s worth it. Every labeled image, printed copy, and shared scan helps ensure that future generations will know the stories of those who came before.
So start today. Choose a few treasured images—print them, label them, and share them. The stories they hold deserve to endure.
After all, photographs aren’t just pictures. They’re proof that our ancestors lived.
Now, Your Turn
What’s the most meaningful family photograph you’ve preserved?
Share your story in the comments or with someone who would appreciate it.
Let’s keep history alive, one photo at a time.