Utter frustration!

[Kim1980]

I completely empathise! We have a family 'box' with probably well over 500 photos in. I have only been allowed little glances over the years and my aging aunt kept a very tight hold over it. However about a year ago, my mum managed somehow to get hold of the box and it's been at her house since. Unfortunately my mum is the youngest sibling so couldn't name many of the people at all. My aunt is the only person who could do it and asking her would prompt her to take the photographs back (which my mum was determined she couldn't do!). To cut a long story short, I got my mum and aunt together at Christmas and we went through the pictures. I recorded the conversations we had on my laptop as I scanned the images. I now have scanned copies of about 200 relatives with names and stories attached. The photos are still with my mum apart from a few that my aunt took back.

Kim

[Kim1980]

I forgot to say that on the other side of my family, we have no photos at all pre 1950s as the house next door to my granddad's received a direct hit during the blitz, in Rotherhithe. 

[Deb D]

Sadly, we have a similar situation with photos from my husband's side of the family.  In 1963, his parents were dairy farmers on the mid north coast of NSW, when they were flooded ... it was the occasion which prompted Slim Dusty to write his song "When The Rain Tumbled Down In July".

Very very few family photographs survived; - most were washed out into the Pacific, and many of those which remained were badly water-damaged.  Up to a point, maybe there's something to be said for storing photos in the roof space?

[danuslave]

Mum & Dad don't have a computer, and I don't have a laptop, so it will mean a long but enjoyable day with a pencil and reams of paper!

Many of the modern printer/scanner/copiers will act as stand-alone copiers (without computer).  I would be tempted to invest in one - it will save you hours of time and at least you will have some record of the images   

What a great treat for you when you can get back!!

Linda

[kooky]

Do you have a camera? Maybe you could photograph some of the items?
Kooky

[maidmarianoops]

if i were you i would beg borrow  mmmn maybe not steal a laptop to make sure you get these treasures.
All i ever asked my stepmum for, was years of paperwork postcards and photos.she died in 2009
and the nephew in charge of her affairs knew how much they meant to me.he informed me he had taken them to the tip [after i had found out he was stealing money from what he thought was her bankcard .it was mine]

do not risk losing yours


sylvia

[mrs.tenacious]

Thanks everyone for the replies - there are a good few suggestions here for me to consider.

My parents do understand how important these photos are, and are looking forward to my going through them all with them.  For the moment they are going to sift through what they can and annotate, and in a lot of cases that will reduce the eventual workload. I don't have any worries about gaining access to them, and I know they'll be left to all us children eventually. If I scan and record everything properly at this stage, I know there won't be any problems sharing them with my siblings when the time comes.

But your ideas will make me think about the best and most efficient way to record these treasures.  It's got to be done properly.

Mrs. T.

[IgorStrav]

thanks for sharing this.  I am getting a warm glow of anticipatory excitement on your behalf.......

[kooky]

Please let us know what happens!
Kooky