But I've noticed something lately: folks are finding the photos and taking them to add to their own online family trees. I've found my photos (and yes, they are my edited scans) being used online on trees, like those hosted at Ancestry.com. And let me say: this is fine - it's why I put them out there. I want to share my photos with other family members.
But, I'm missing out on another goal: connecting, communicating and sharing information. For example, I recently checkout out my "shaky leaves" for my Craft family line at ancestry.com and found a few exact matching trees. From there, I once again saw some of my scanned photos (shown). I only knew the identity of three of the folks in this photo, but the person who'd added it to their tree had identified everyone! 
I was very excited to be able to identify these relatives, but at the same time it's a little frustrating. I'm sharing my information and would hope that other researchers would reciprocate by sharing their information - not just take mine and run. Also, there is no information on where the photo came from, or "credit" given. Personally, for my research, I want to be able to talk to the person who owns the original before I take the photo for fact.
I hope that in the future, researchers will consider an information exchange in such situations, and not just take and run.
1 comment:
I know how hard it can be to find out information from your family's past. When you find these other family trees maybe you can check with family members you do know to see who these other relations are and how they relate to you. Then you may just have to email them and introduce yourself or have your Dad or one of your Aunts introduce you. You may even email them and ask questions about the photo or for more information about the photo.
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