January 26, 2026
Introduction: In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega suggests a way genealogists can help other genealogists, even ones they don’t know and never will. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book “From the Family Kitchen.”
Previously, I wrote an article on the GenealogyBank Blog about the importance of labeling photographs lest they be thrown away (see: Genealogy Tips: Your Photographs Will Be Thrown Away). I’m a big believer in labeling photographs so that those who come after us know who is depicted in them. Labeled photographs are more likely to be shared and passed down.
In this article I want to address another photograph issue: photos we own, or even took, that depict other people including our family’s FAN Club (Friends, Acquaintances, and Neighbors).
These are photos of people you or your family have known in the past who are now deceased. (It’s best not to post photographs online of living people for privacy reasons). These items can also be photographs or records you have picked up at thrift stores or antique stores. What are your plans for these items when you downsize your life or pass on?
Recently I was going through photographs I took as a high school student and stumbled upon some of a high school friend who died of cancer in 2011. He left no descendants to gift these photographs to. Since my present family didn’t know him and would likely throw the photos away when I pass, is there something I can do to help his related family find these pictures of him?
The World’s Family Tree on FamilySearch
As I consider items I purchase and those that I own, I am considering how to get those items out in the world where they can be found and saved by family. One action I’ve been taking with identified photographs and documents is scanning them and adding them to the FamilySearch Family Tree.
Why am I suggesting scanning and attaching these items to the FamilySearch Family Tree? One of the biggest reasons is because it is a worldwide FREE collaborative effort. This means that it’s a great place to leave a “trail” for family and other researchers to find. The information is not behind a pay wall (you do, however, need a free sign-in). Information is populated into the tree by users and FamilySearch staff and volunteers via personal knowledge and FamilySearch databases.
Not familiar with the FamilySearch Family Tree? FamilySearch provides these reasons for using their online family tree:*
- The world’s largest family tree
Those who start a Family Tree on FamilySearch aren’t just piecing together their family story – they’re contributing to the creation of a global, unified family tree for everyone.
- Shared and easily accessible
FamilySearch’s shared tree has one public profile per deceased individual, creating a single place for all shared information instead of dispersing it across multiple trees.
- Collaborate with others
FamilySearch Family Tree enables all descendants to share information that others might not know and add sources to confirm correct information. The overall result of a well-sourced shared tree can be much more complete and accurate than individual trees.
The FamilySearch Family Tree is not a private tree nor is it owned by one person. That’s perfect because these are photographs that aren’t of my family. I want them out there to be enjoyed by their family. I don’t need to “own” the tree. I don’t need one more tree to look after.
I mentioned adding my friend’s photographs that I attached to his profile on FamilySearch. He was already added to the tree because of his obituary in the GenealogyBank Obituary Collection on FamilySearch. So, I scanned and uploaded my photographs of him so that his profile now includes his image. He’s no longer just a name and a date on an online tree.
Photographs Are Just One Example
Now, am I saying that FamilySearch is the only place to leave a family history trail? No. But I think because it is free and available to all it’s one of the best.
I’ve done this with other items as well. For example, I purchased a collection of funeral cards from the early 20th century. I use these for examples when I teach and write. But I also look at the FamilySearch Family Tree for these individuals and add their funeral card to their profile. My hope is that at some point a family member will find that item and now have access to a record they did not previously have.
Things End up in Weird Places
I know that stuff ends up in weird places. Genealogically relevant items end up in places we don’t expect, and that may include the homes of non-relatives. Digitizing and sharing items to make them easier for other people’s families to find means we are part of something bigger than just researching our family history. We are helping others discover theirs.
How are you making it easier for other people to find their family history? I look forward to reading your comments below.
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Note on the header image: family photos and records. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html
* “Build a Family Tree,” FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/en/family-tree/
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