Not so many years ago homes and farms were passed on to the next generation. Items were stored in the attic for years. Not now. Old people go into nursing homes, their possessions disposed of - gone forever. I was fortunate to be the receiver of many photos of my ancestors and those of my husband's family. My interest in genealogy also generated my interest in these old photos. I have been enhancing these old photographs and those of others for several years. I am still amazed at some of the results. I believe these precious photographs are images of who these people were. They have been kept for years in various places, many of them unsatisfactory for their keep, but never the less they were kept. They have been exposed to harmful light, handled over and over again, become cracked and torn. They are worth saving for the next generation.

Portraits taken in the 19^th Century was a special event. Everyone dressed in his or her ‘Sunday best’ climbed into the open buggy or wagon to travel many miles to the nearest photographer. Can you imagine trying to stay clean, hair unruffled as they bounced along on bumpy dusty dirt roads?  This trip was a full days outing.

            At the Photographer’s place of business the person or persons were posed. They had to stay motionless for a long period of time allowing for exposure time for the picture. The backdrops were elaborate with table, chairs, and often a false pillar. These were offered as support and decoration. It was hard to hold a smile long enough to be captured, so our ancestors had a rather somber look.

            Before colored film was invented, pictures were black and white. A special photo could be sent back to the processing lab and hand painted. The colors on these prints were far from perfect and now as time has elapsed they have become very faded and spotted.