In this episode of “The Photo Detective,” host Maureen Taylor welcomes Kendall Hewlett, CEO of Storied.com, to discuss the revolutionary platform that fills a crucial gap in the family history industry by emphasizing the importance of storytelling over mere data collection. Inspiration Behind Storied.com : Kendall Hewlett created the platform to focus on the storytelling aspect of family history, inspired by research showing that knowledge of family stories increases resilience in children. Uniq...
Jul 07, 2024•28 min
In this solo episode of Ask Maureen, I’ll address a common genealogist’s dilemma: managing and organizing digital photos, including handling duplicates. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or a beginner, mastering photo organizers and duplicate detection tools can simplify your work and enhance your family history projects. Key Topics Importance of photo organizers for genealogists Key features to look for in photo organizing software Popular photo organizing tools and their benefits Strategie...
Jun 23, 2024•18 min•Ep. 236
Today, I am thrilled to have Crista Cowan, Ancestry.com’s Corporate Genealogist, also known as “The Barefoot Genealogist” on YouTube, as our guest. Crista has been a pivotal figure at Ancestry, helping countless people uncover their family histories. Introduction of the “Memories” feature, previously known as “Storymaker Studio.” Details on how users can share and collaborate on photo albums. Privacy settings and sharing options on Ancestry. Integration with Family Trees Overview of Pro Tools fe...
Jun 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 235
Today, we have a special guest, David Vascovich, the CEO and founder of Mylio.com, a revolutionary digital photo organizing site. In this episode, we delve into the inspiration behind Mylio, its innovative features, and how it stands out in the crowded field of photo organization tools. Key Features of Mylio The Life Calendar: A unique way to visualize decades of memories. Automatic face recognition and its efficiency. Support for photos, videos, and documents. Integration with other tools and a...
Jun 02, 2024•41 min•Ep. 234
In this third solo podcast episode on organization and documentation, listeners shared tips to improve genealogy research. Weekly Paper Organization: Ann Marie recommends setting aside one hour each week, similar to Cindy Ingle’s “Filing Friday”. Note-taking Advice: Stress on thorough documentation to avoid forgetting crucial sources during intense research. Initial Organizational Plan: Barbara underscores the importance of a solid plan from the start to manage growing family documents. Using Ge...
May 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 233
In this episode of "The Photo Detective," guests Steve Little and Mark Thompson return to discuss AI's integration in genealogy photo projects. They discuss historical breakthroughs in image analysis, such as the ability of AI to recognize visual jokes and extract text from images, such as tombstone inscriptions. They also cover the practical applications of AI in managing and tagging large photo collections, greatly reducing the time and effort required. The discussion emphasizes the importance...
May 12, 2024•44 min•Ep. 232
In this episode of the Photo Detective Podcast, Maureen was joined by Mark Thompson, a professional genealogist and IT expert, and Steve Little, AI Program Director at the National Genealogical Society. Main Discussion Points : Comparisons of AI's current impact to the dot-com era. The role of small companies and startups in driving AI innovations. Potential applications of AI in genealogy and historical research. Ethical Considerations : Discussion on privacy issues related to AI. Ethical use o...
May 05, 2024•45 min•Ep. 231
In today's solo episode, Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, delves into the essential practice of interviewing relatives for family history research. Following the feedback from newsletter subscribers and podcast listeners, this episode focuses on the collective wisdom and personal insights shared on this topic. We will explore the nuances of conducting effective interviews, the importance of capturing oral histories, and how these personal accounts enrich our understanding of family lineage a...
Apr 28, 2024•20 min•Ep. 230
Today, we dive into the flavorful world of Andrew Scrivani, a renowned food photographer and author of “That Photo Makes Me Hungry”. Andrew shares his extensive experience spanning over two decades, revealing insights into the evolution of food photography, his creative process, and the broader implications of visual storytelling in our culinary experiences. As we explore his journey from capturing the essence of food to coaching emerging creatives, Andrew illuminates the intricate relationship ...
Apr 14, 2024•28 min•Ep. 225
Mitch Goldstone, from ScanMyPhotos.com, returned to the Photo Detective Podcast to discuss the growth and evolution of his photo-scanning business. Having preserved over a billion pictures, the company specializes in digitizing old photographs, slides, and films, thus safeguarding personal and historical memories. Mitch shared the journey of adapting from traditional photo labs to digital scanning, fueled by shifts in technology and public events. He highlighted the emotional impact of rediscove...
Apr 07, 2024•26 min
In this solo episode, Maureen shares invaluable advice from her listeners, guiding beginner genealogists on their journey to trace their ancestry. From the critical importance of verification to the joy of discovering untold family stories, Maureen navigates through the collective wisdom of her audience, offering a treasure trove of tips and insights for anyone embarking on their genealogical quest. Overview of the episode’s theme: collecting advice for beginner genealogists from experienced lis...
Mar 31, 2024•20 min•Ep. 224
Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal discusses the popular Relatives at Rootstech feature, which allows conference registrants to connect with family. It’s free to sign up, easy to participate in, and only available until March 31, 2024. Elizabeth shares her strategies for using it. Register for RootsTech to access recorded content and participate in “Relatives at RootsTech” for family tree connections. Opt-in to participate in “Relatives at RootsTech” and ensure you have an updated family tree on FamilySear...
Mar 24, 2024•23 min•Ep. 223
In this episode, we explore the fascinating journey of Joseph Quaderer, founder of StorySavor.com. Learn how this unique company is changing the landscape of biography writing, making it accessible to everyone. Joseph shares his transition from a finance professional to a passionate writer and entrepreneur. He discusses his experiences, from writing novels to starting a successful blog, and how these experiences led to the birth of StorySavor. Discover how StorySavor is democratizing the biograp...
Mar 10, 2024•25 min•Ep. 228
Welcome to another captivating episode of our podcast! In today’s show, we’re joined by the remarkable Howlin Davis, a genealogy enthusiast with an extraordinary story to share. After tuning into one of our newsletters, Howlin revealed his unique tale of rediscovery. His journey began with an unexpected phone call that led him to a treasure trove of lost family memories captured in old film reels. Approximately 11 months ago, Howlin received a mysterious call asking if he was related to someone ...
Feb 18, 2024•17 min•Ep. 227
In this episode, we delve into the heartwarming and intriguing world of Julian Rebello, the founder of the Chosen Families Project. Julian, a recent graduate with a unique blend of chemistry and graphic design expertise, has embarked on a poignant mission to reunite lost photographs, documents, and letters with their rightful families. His journey, which began with a chance discovery in an antique store, has evolved into a passionate project blending genealogy, history, and storytelling. Julian ...
Feb 04, 2024•20 min•Ep. 226
Maureen Taylor is thrilled to have Dr. Michael Pritchard on the podcast. He’s a celebrated historian and the author of A History of Photography in 50 Cameras . They discuss cameras, history, and the art of capturing moments. Introduction to Dr. Michael Pritchard: His background and expertise in the history of photography. Discussion on “A History of Photography in 50 Cameras”: Insights into the book’s approach to storytelling through cameras. Evolution of Camera Collecting: Trends in camera coll...
Dec 24, 2023•26 min•Ep. 222
In this episode, Maureen Taylor talks with Tammy Kirby, a Senior Lead Ambassador at Forever.com. Their conversation delves into the innovative world of Forever.com. As someone who transitioned from traditional scrapbooking to embracing the digital era, Tammy offers a unique perspective on how Forever.com is redefining how we store and preserve our digital memories. She explains its distinct features compared to other cloud storage solutions and how it ensures the longevity and safety of our digi...
Dec 10, 2023•25 min•Ep. 221
In this episode, Maureen talks with Richard Thompson Ford, author of “Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History.” They explore how fashion has been used throughout history as a way to reinforce class structures, gender roles, and social norms. Though dress codes are not as overt today, Richard explains how unwritten fashion rules still dictate what we wear. The “Straw Hat Riot” of 1922 erupted over men wearing straw hats past September 15th High heels originated as a masculine fashion, f...
Nov 26, 2023•37 min
Northeast Historic Film is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to preserve and share historic films from Maine and the broader New England region. Based in Bucksport, Maine, their extensive collection includes home movies, local TV news, documentary films, and more. In this episode of the Photo Detective podcast, co-founders David Weiss and Jane Donnell discuss their mission to save endangered films and make them accessible through digitization and online platforms. They provide film preser...
Nov 05, 2023•27 min•Ep. 219
This week on the podcast, Maureen is joined by Elisabeth Smolarz, who created the Encyclopedia of Things. They discuss the items that define our lives and why we keep them. Related Episodes: Episode 187: Building a Story with the Ancestry.com App Episode 180: Photos, Memories, and English Genealogy with Emma Jolly Links: Elisabeth Smolarz Sign up for my newsletter. Watch my YouTube Channel. Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos. Need help organizin...
Oct 22, 2023•31 min•Ep. 218
This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective TM, is joined by Greg French. Greg is an antique photograph enthusiast who buys and sells his images, as well as lending images to projects such as the 1991 book “American and the Daguerreotype, as well as placing a rare stereoview of Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration in the Library of Congress. Greg and Maureen talk about photo collecting, photo identifying, and all about what it means to be a photo enthusiast in this week’s episode. Related Epi...
Oct 08, 2023•28 min•Ep. 217
This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, an award-winning fashion historian and curator from Los Angeles, as well as the author of multiple books on fashion history. The two discuss skirts and how one piece of clothing can help us learn about history and how the skirt showed changes in ideals toward women and fashion, as well as how we present ourselves to the world based on what we wear. Related Episodes: Episode 210: The Dress Diary of Anne Sy...
Sep 10, 2023•30 min•Ep. 215
In this week’s bonus episode, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by author Amanda Quay Blount. Amanda has recently been taking the literary scene in Rhode Island (and beyond) by storm, as she recently published Meet Me at the Biltmore , a historical look at The Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, which has been around for over 100 years, and seen many famous visitors, including John F. Kennedy and The Rolling Stones. In this episode, she and Maureen discuss the hotel, Amanda’...
Sep 03, 2023•24 min
This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Heather Radke, whose first book Butts: A Backstory, has taken the world by storm. Don’t let the title fool you – this book takes a deep look into women’s history and fashion. From bustles to Broadway to Coco Chanel, the two dive into the meaning of fashion and how it has shaped not only our history, but also our media, our photos, and so much more. Related Episodes: Episode 155: Ancestral Handbag History Episode 127: Toxic Dress and Cri...
Aug 29, 2023•28 min
This week on the podcast, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Amelia Soth. Amelia is a Wisconsin-based writer who has been writing the column “Cabinet of Curiosities” for JSTOR, which focuses on historical oddities. Maureen and Amelia discuss her process in writing and finding these stories and how the nuanced parts of history can often lead to great discoveries. Related Episodes: Episode 150: Victorian Mourning Curiosities Episode 61: Mourning Jewelry: Fact and Fiction Links: Cabi...
Aug 20, 2023•27 min•Ep. 214
This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by fashion historian Darnell-Jamal Lisby, who is currently the Assistant Curator of Fashion at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the first to take this role. They discuss the latest exhibition, “Egyptomania: Fashion’s Conflicted Obsession,” and how the fascination with this time period has led to fashion influence throughout the centuries, as well as how it can impact your family photos. Darnell-Jamal and Maureen also delve into the history...
Aug 06, 2023•21 min•Ep. 213
I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations . Support the show...
Jul 23, 2023•25 min•Ep. 212
This week on the podcast Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Colin Mustful, author, publisher, and founder of History Through Fiction. He and Maureen discuss the differences between historical fiction, and what Colin calls “History Through Fiction,” where individuals write high-quality fiction that is rooted in historical research – or, as they call it on the podcast – history with footnotes! It’s a way to tackle history that encourages its readers to place themselves in the story ...
Jul 09, 2023•23 min•Ep. 211
This week Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Dr. Kate Strasdin, author and honorary deputy curator at the Totnes Fashion and Textile Museum. In this episode, Kate examines her upcoming book - inspired by The Dress Diary of Anne Sykes. This is a brilliant look into one of the rarer artifacts Kate has uncovered - a dress diary featuring fabric swatches from the 1800s. These types of diaries are so rare - and hard to find intact - that Kate believes there are only one or two in the U...
Jun 18, 2023•34 min•Ep. 210
This week on the podcast, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective is joined by Francois Brunelle. Francois is a professional photographer and author, who resides in Montreal. Francois and Maureen discuss his fascinating project “I’m Not a Lookalike” where Francois photographs individuals who look similar – and then compares them. These individuals are not related and typically have never met. The idea is to show how sometimes we can have physical similarities to someone we don’t even know. Francois ...
Jun 04, 2023•24 min•Ep. 209
