Old (1920s) Photos...what to do with them?

[Sandy2005]

Greetings.

I have recently came to own quite a few old photographs, most from the 1920s and 1930s. They were left in a storage trailer years ago by what I assume must be the original owners. The back story that I know is the people used the trailer as storage of a number of items, including the pictures and let the trailer go. This has been some time ago and the people that gave me the pictures held on to these and never tried to find the owners.

There are a few names on the back of some of the pictures, as well as a reference to a photography studio in Montgomery Alabama. They almost seem as if someone was using family to test out some shots as a few have 2 copies, one black and white/sepia and another that was colorized. While there is an reference to the studio, I am doubtful that it is still there.

I wanted to know if anyone had ideas as to how to find the owners. They are beautiful and in excellent shape and I hate the thought that someone out there might like a photograph of their grandmother or great grandmother and not have it because of someone else's carelessness. Most are of one woman and a younger girl (they may be the same person, just different ages).

I am reluctant to send them to the archives as I am sure they have a lot of other documents or images to place. I don't want them to languish there. I was told I could sell them, but that doesn't seem right either as I would be horrified if someone found some old photos of me or my family and sold them.

I thought that if anyone would know what avenue I could pursue it would be a bunch of photographers! Chances are the photos are forgotten, it just makes me sad that they don't have a proper home.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!

Sandy

[fletch]

You could try posting some samples online and speading the word. A kind of do you know this person. If you tell just a few people and ask them to ask anyone they know in the area it won't take that long to find someone.

[Bluenoser]

You say you "doubt" the studio is still there. Why not check it just the same. Google it, google the phonebook for that area. Maybe some relative of the store's owner might show up. Never know where you'll find a lead, but exhausting those avenues is worth it imo.

[dakwegmo]

Yep. I'd say crowd sourcing is the best approach. Scan a couple of them and put them on flickr with as many details as you have. Where you came across them, the name of the studio, etc. Ask if anyone knows who they might be, then send the question out via Facebook, Twitter, and all the other social networking sites. If you're really serious, you could contact Civic Groups, or the local Historical Society, in Montogmery and find out if they can help.

[Sandy2005]

Thanks!

I was going to look up the studio in the off chance that maybe a relative still runs the place.

I live in PA so I'm not really sure how I would ask around. I just got these this past weekend and just got back home from vacation...so I haven't had a chance to really try anything yet.

The other ideas are great as well. I will get to work this week! Thanks!