Photographs and Local History

Old photographs are an important source of evidence for local historians, as well as a means of greatly enhancing the presentation of their work. They can be problematical to deal with - the historian may well be equipped to research written archives, but how does he or she set about locating the best sources for photographs? And what about the technical aspects of dating, care and reproductions? The value of photographs in the study of any period after about 1840 is stressed in this work. They are mostly a reliable source of information as changes are difficult to make and easy to detect, and the data they provide on dress, occupations, the environment, leisure and almost every aspect of past life is unique. The book continues with guidance on likely sources of photographs, on searching them out from individuals, collections and organizations of various kinds and on their selection and processing for reproduction. It concludes with a chapter on photographic techniques useful for local historians and a guide for further reading. The text is supported throughout by photographs, each with a caption which gives clues to dating and interpretation.