Letter #18: Succeed With My New Job

Letter #18: Succeed With My New Job

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In Letter 18 of the Grandpa's Love Letters series, Grandpa is stuck in Scranton for the weekend. He seems very focused on his job and has got a recent promotion.  

Letter #17: Took Some Work Home

Letter #17: Took Some Work Home

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

The 17th letter in the Grandpa's Love Letters series discusses work and, of course, travel plans for the upcoming weekend. 

Letter #16: Make It Bearable

Letter #16: Make It Bearable

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In the 16th letter, Grandpa mentions his family. He asks Grandma if she visited his sister, Lena, recently and asks about his father's health.  

‘Speed, Perfection, Cheapness:’ The Ambrotype’s Epoch in Photographic History

‘Speed, Perfection, Cheapness:’ The Ambrotype’s Epoch in Photographic History

I presented this paper at PhotoHistory XV, the 15th Symposium on the History of Photography, on October 21-23, 2011. These symposia are organized by The Photographic Historical Society, the oldest such organization in the world, founded in 1966. During the conference, historians, collectors, photo experts, and dealers from around the world meet at the George Eastman House, the International Museum of Photography & Film in Rochester, New York.

Letter #15: Without One More Kiss

Letter #15: Without One More Kiss

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

The 15th letter in the Grandpa's Love Letters series raises some questions. 

Letter #14: Introducing Adolph

Letter #14: Introducing Adolph

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

The 14th letter in the Grandpa's Love Letters series is quotidian. With each letter, I expect to find a hidden meaning, a beautiful turn of phrase, or some insight into my grandparents as young people, lovers, and individuals.

Preserve Your Travel Memories

Preserve Your Travel Memories

I've crafted a travel memory workbook with 30 questions to capture family memories about their travels. The questions are crafted to give you more than yes or no answers and are tailored to uncover information about your loved ones. You can ask family members about their favorite trips, or use it yourself to write the next Eat, Pray, Love.

Letter #13: 72 Hours To Go

Letter #13: 72 Hours To Go

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In the 13th letter in the Grandpa's Love Letters series, Grandpa has changed boarding houses. He refers to the "three of us," which I think refers to himself, Otto, and Fred (Otto's cousin). This is another letter about when he'll be returning to Paterson, which depends on the weather. 

How to Identify and Date Photographs

How to Identify and Date Photographs

In your collections, you will often come across photographs in a format that you cannot identify. These are primarily early photographs. By understanding the type of photograph you have, you can begin to learn when or why it was taken. Knowing the format is also helpful in finding out the best way to preserve the images. 

Letter #12: Valentine's Day Blizzard of 1940

Letter #12: Valentine's Day Blizzard of 1940

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

The 12th letter in the Grandpa's Love Letters series is all about a major snowstorm in the area. The Valentine's Day Blizzard of 1940 hit the east coast by surprise. New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. It was one of the most memorable snowstorms on record in Boston because of the heavy snows and high winds.