{"id":100705,"date":"2024-10-07T11:18:22","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T15:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=100705"},"modified":"2024-10-07T11:18:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T15:18:47","slug":"genealogy-tips-the-inquiring-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-tips-the-inquiring-photographer.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy Tips: The Inquiring Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about the \u201cInquiring Photographer\u201d newspaper feature that might have a photo of your ancestor \u2013 and their opinion on a topic of the day. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Newspaper articles such as birth and marriage notices, obituaries, and legal notices provide researchers with genealogically relevant content. However, there are other newspaper articles that exist that are not factual but still may be genealogically relevant. These articles are opinion based: Letters to the Editor and Opinion columns are two examples.<\/p>\n

Another is the lesser-known \u201cInquiring Photographer\u201d columns. These are columns where a newspaper photographer goes out and meets people \u201cin the streets\u201d to ask a question. The newspaper then prints the question and answers. These columns not only include the person\u2019s name, image and opinion but, often, their address as well. These columns can be a great source for placing an ancestor in time and location, as well as adding information about their beliefs and thoughts.<\/p>\n

Answer This Question\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, the inquiring photographer questions appear in 20th century newspaper columns. Some of the first I found in GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a> date to the 1920s and extend to the 1970s. Inquiring photographers asked a variety of questions that covered national and local politics as well as opinions on topics of the day.<\/p>\n

In this example from Albany, New York, the inquiring photographer asked about legislation across the border in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that would make marriage after a divorce punishable as bigamy. Only one of the four people asked thought it was a good idea. The first woman pictured, Patty Duffy, lamented:<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch a law is silly, unfair, stupid \u2013 and worse. What can a poor girl do after her first mistake?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Times Union (Albany, New York), 11 April 1935, page 19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This 1941 question in Albuquerque, New Mexico, asked if the person thought the U.S. would be at war in 1941. In the answers, the person\u2019s name, address and occupation are listed alongside their photograph.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, New Mexico), 13 November 1940, page 16<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A little over a year later, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan, the United States did enter the war.<\/p>\n

Aside from the news of the day and politics, the roving photographer sometimes asked questions about the sexes. Questions would focus on women\u2019s and men\u2019s roles in regard to work and home, as well as the temperament of men and women. One example are these two consecutive columns asking about the best and worst qualities of women and men. Not surprisingly, some of the answers are less than flattering. It\u2019s important to remember that they are one person\u2019s opinion.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, New Mexico), 26 October 1940, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"An<\/a>
Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, New Mexico), 29 October 1940, page 5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

15 Minutes of Fame<\/strong><\/p>\n

The roving photographer gave community members a chance to have their say \u2013 and they may have also handed out prizes. Although I didn\u2019t find the list of respondents, a 1923 Portland, Oregon, newspaper advertisement mentions the inquiring photographer\u2019s question: \u201cAre rich men\u2019s wives happier than poor man\u2019s wives?\u201d It appears the question was part of a promotion for a Gloria Swanson movie, Prodigal Daughters<\/em>. Those who answered were eligible for a grand prize of $12.50. Although that might not seem to be much of a prize, in today\u2019s dollars it would equal over $200. Not bad for stating your opinion. The following day\u2019s newspaper explained that the photographs of those who answered the question would be shown at the movies.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 20 April 1923, page 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inquiring Marketing<\/strong><\/p>\n

I found examples where the inquiring photographer question was really just an advertising opportunity instigated by marketers and not the newspaper. This 1927 Cleveland, Ohio, newspaper advertisement asked boys about their clothes. In response they all remarked how great Cravenette clothes were. I doubt these boys really considered the durability of the clothes they wore, but I love the photos and documentation of kids in the newspaper. (Notice the advertisement for Cravenette to the left of the boys\u2019 responses.)<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), 25 March 1927, page 11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another example of a company using the inquiring photographer model to market its product is the Royal Typewriter Company, which used its \u201cphotographer\u201d to ask New York City honor school students about their graduation gift preference.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Buffalo News (Buffalo, New York), 16 July 1935, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inquiring Photographers and Your Ancestor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Going through the inquiring photographer columns is a great way to understand a different time period. It might also be a chance to find an ancestor or a member of your ancestor\u2019s FAN Club (Friends, Associates, and Neighbors).<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial<\/a><\/p>\n

Note on the header image:<\/em> photographer and camera equipment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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