Dating photographs is one of the things the family history researcher is able to use, but often have a problem when it involves the age of the photograph. One of the reasons for this is due to the different types of paper or even tin that was used for the photograph.

One of the things that can provide clues is the hair styles of the women in the picture, because just like today they changed hair styles. While their hair would not be short, the type of bun, bangs or no bangs can provide hints to the age of the photograph. Men’s hair styles and facial hair is not as easy to decipher the photos age. The clothing can also be an indicator in the age of a picture, women whether they lived in the country or the city for most photographs would be wearing the latest fashions. Men, on the other hand can be difficult as suits did not change from year to year.

The paper backing on the photograph can tell the age of some pictures; this includes pictures that have tin that the photograph was placed on. There are pictures that used daguerreotype, glass plate, cabinet card, and the thickness of the cabinet card can also tell the age of the picture.

Looking at a picture and dating it, takes noticing all of the clues possible. Another clue might be the background, and on many the photographers name will be on the bottom of the cabinet card or on the back of the picture.

Daguerreotype photographs were 8 ½ inches by 6 inches, and the first of these were used in 1839. The process for these pictures was done by using a plate, made of copper and using silver iodide to expose the picture, along with exposure to light.

Tin type pictures were introduced in 1853, and became extremely popular. The one thing that was odd about these photographs, was that the picture would appear opposite of how the person was standing or sitting, just as they would appear in a mirror. The material that was used for these photographs was not actually tin, but became referred to as tin because they were made out of cheaper metal, rather than silver. The material was Melainotype and to cut these pictures apart a pair of tin sheers would be used.

Ozotope was another method that was used beginning in 1898, this was a process that used gelatin silver bromide, which transferred by contact with pigment paper.

Each of these different types of processes were used for many photographs, and just knowing which type of paper, glass or metal was used can give a range of years when they were the popular choice for photographers to use. The material along with, fashions, backgrounds and even photographers names can all indicate when the picture was taken.

Using clues to date photographs, along with family history research can often lead to the discovery of who the people or person was in the picture. One of the other things that help to distinguish when a photo was taken are clues in the setting; it was not unusual for doctors to have pictures with a skull in the setting. This can help to tell more about the person that might be in the picture and what they did for a living.