When examining old family photographs, patriotic decorations can provide valuable clues.

Count the Stars

The American flag has changed many times throughout the nation’s history. Since the Stars and Stripes became the official flag on June 14, 1777, there have been twenty-seven official versions.

If you can clearly see the stars in a photograph, they may help narrow down the date. Be sure to consider both:

• When a state joined the Union.
• When the corresponding flag design officially went into use.

Don’t Rely on the Flag Alone

A word of caution: families often continued displaying older flags long after a new design was introduced.

That’s why it’s important to combine flag evidence with other dating clues such as:

• Clothing styles
• Hairstyles
• Photographic format
• Household objects
• Architecture and vehicles

The strongest photo identifications come from evaluating multiple clues together.

Preserving Your Family’s Independence Day Story

Whether your family attended parades, gathered for reunions, hosted backyard barbecues, or simply decorated the front porch, those traditions are part of your family’s history.

This year, take a few minutes to look through your collection for Fourth of July photographs. You may discover not only cherished memories, but also valuable clues about your ancestors and the communities where they lived.

And if you find a favorite, I’d love to see it.

The post Photo Detective Tip: What Flags Can Tell You appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

Officially known as the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine, the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia was the first major World’s Fair held in the United States. Covering 285 acres in Fairmount Park, it attracted nearly nine million visitors eager to see the latest innovations and celebrate 100 years of American independence.

Visitors wandered through enormous exhibition halls filled with inventions and products from around the world. They could see the giant Corliss Steam Engine from Rhode Island powering Machinery Hall, sample Heinz ketchup and Hires Root Beer, examine typewriters, and hear demonstrations of Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone. Household innovations such as sewing machines and dishwashers also attracted attention.

One of the most memorable exhibits wasn’t even finished. The torch and right arm of the Statue of Liberty were displayed to raise funds for the completion of the monument that would later become a national symbol.

A Resource for Family Historians

If your ancestors attended the Centennial Exposition, you may be able to find traces of their experience.

The Free Library of Philadelphia hosts an extraordinary digital collection devoted to the Centennial. The collection includes more than 1,500 photographs, stereographs, trade cards, lithographs, and other materials related to the fair. It is fully searchable and a wonderful resource for anyone interested in the event or the lives of people who experienced it.

Explore the collection here:

Free Library of Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition Digital Collection

Even if your ancestors never traveled to Philadelphia, they likely knew about the exposition. Newspapers across the country covered the event extensively, and stereographs allowed people to view scenes from the fair in three dimensions through a stereoscope.

The post What Were Your Ancestors Doing During America’s Centennial Year? appeared first on Maureen Taylor.