Unlocking the Past: Using Clothing Styles to Identify Ancestors in old photographs.

Unlocking the Past: Using Clothing Styles to Identify Ancestors in old photographs.

Family memories are precious. They connect us to our past and remind us of the people who shaped our lives. One of the most significant ways to keep those memories alive is through family photographs. However, as time passes and we lose touch with our past, these family photographs become less meaningful as we forget the stories and significance behind them. That's where using clothing styles to identify ancestors in old photographs becomes important, especially when exploring family history.

In order to identify ancestors in old photographs, it's essential to pay attention to the clothing styles worn in those photographs. As fashion trends changed over time, it provides us with a clear indication of when the photograph was taken and possibly who the individuals in the photo are. Clothing styles can give us another insight into the personality and character of our ancestors, helping us not just recognize the people in the photographs, but understand them better too.

By examining old family photographs, we can learn more about our family history, and the different styles of clothing worn, not just by relatives but by generations of the past. This information can spark a conversation with family members that help identify and piece together family history. Sharing this information with future generations helps to keep alive the importance of knowing where we came from and how those who came before us paved the way for our lives.

Over the decades, clothing styles have undergone significant changes that were influenced by everything from social conventions to technological advancements. By studying these changes, we can often pinpoint the time period in which a photograph was taken and take a closer look at our ancestors who lived during that time.

1899 family wedding portrait of the Lawende family,

One of the first things to look for when analyzing clothing styles in old family photographs is the silhouette. From the wide hoopskirts of the mid-1800s to the slim, streamlined styles of the 1920s, the shape of the clothing can provide clues to when the photograph was taken. For example, if you see layered and voluminous skirts, it's likely that the photograph was taken during the mid-1800s to 1860s. On the other hand, if you see straight and narrow silhouettes, it’s likely the picture was taken during the early 1900s.

It’s also important to look at the fabrics used in the clothing. In earlier periods, natural fibers such as silk, wool, and cotton were commonly used. However, during the mid-1900s, synthetic fibers such as polyester began replacing natural fibers. This shift in fabric usage can give us another clue to identify the time period of the photograph.

Unidentified Bride Date: ca. 1850

Accessories are also a key factor in identifying family members in old photos. For women, the hats, gloves, shoes, and jewelry worn with their clothes can be helpful in narrowing down the time period. For men, it can be the type of glasses or hats worn that give clues to when the photo was taken. However, keep in mind that some accessories, like hats and jewelry, can be passed down from generation to generation. So, it’s essential to distinguish which item is original to the period and which isn't.

Additionally, specific styles that were in fashion during certain decades can give clues to the age of those who wore them. For example, during the 1920s, women wore shorter hemlines and men often wore knickers. By studying these fashions and applying that knowledge towards your research, you can develop a precise conclusion about the photograph, including who the subject or photographer was, the ages of the family members, and, hopefully, the location and event of the photograph.

Lucette Desmoulins posing on a prop. Published Pisa (1920s)

If you can identify any famous events that took place in the time period when the photograph was taken, like wars or social movements, you can often use this information to corroborate your findings.

WSPU leaders Annie Kenney (left) and Christabel Pankhurst, Circa 1908

Furthermore, the process of identifying ancestors in old photographs is not just about learning dates or names of ancestors, it's also about understanding and appreciating their lives. By learning about their fashion choices, it gives us a glimpse into their personalities and their way of life. It makes these people feel real and helps us connect with them on a personal level.

In conclusion, using clothing styles to identify ancestors in old photographs is a powerful way to connect with the past. It helps us appreciate the significance of family memories and preserves them for generations to come. By developing our appreciation and knowledge of family history, we strengthen our bond with our ancestors and gain a deeper appreciation of our own identity. Let these old photographs and clothing styles tell the stories of our past and provide us with moments of insight and understanding that not only enrich our lives but those of future generations.

For more valuable insights and guidance on recording your family history, we invite you to visit our "Lights Camera Ancestry" video series. Through our videos on the SSFDocumentary YouTube channel, Silver Screen Family provides a wealth of information covering genealogical topics and expert tips on how to record and preserve your family's history.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to create a lasting legacy for your loved ones. Join us on Silver Screen Family's YouTube channel and embark on an exciting journey of capturing and sharing your family's remarkable stories. Together, let's celebrate the power of family and the enduring value of preserving our shared history.

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smartphone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.

Transfering your old VHS to DVD and then uploading them to the cloud.

What is the best software to burn my family VHS videos to DVD?

Are you worried about your family history being lost due to outdated formats like VHS? If so, you are not alone: now that VHS players are no longer being produced, you are right to worry because once your VHS players stop working it means that you can no longer enjoy your family movies.

And what will happen with the next generation, who aren’t going to have old VHS players in the garage?

Sharing family films with your children, especially films which feature family members who have passed away will be nearly impossible if you leave them on VHS. Thankfully, you don’t have to leave your family movies on VHS to rot away. Transferring them to DVD is the first step to preserving them for future generations and making them accessible to watch for other people in your family who want to enjoy family history. To do this, you will need the right software and tools.

Let’s take a closer look at the best software you can use to transfer your family movies from VHS to DVD.

Roxio Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus

This is the most accessible software that anyone with access to a computer should be able to use. With the Roxio software, you will be able to connect your VHS player or camcorder right to your computer using a USB device. From there, all you have to do is use the installed Roxio software to capture the movies, transfer them and then burn them onto a DVD or even convert them into files you can store on your phone, the digital cloud, Facebook or YouTube. Best of all, the Roxio software isn’t just a convertor: you can actually stabilize shaky old home videos, trim them if you want, or split them into different DVDs by theme, year, and people who are in the film, and so on. For example, you could create a DVD solely of children’s Christmas concerts, family birthday videos, and so on.

Golden Videos VHS to DVD Converter

Like Roxio, this is fairly accessible software that allows you to easily convert family movies on VHS to DVD. This software works similarly to the Roxio software. You connect your VHS player to your computer, use the software to capture and transfer the footage, and from there you can burn it onto DVD or convert it into a file that can be shared online or stored in the cloud. There are some more complex video editor tools with this software, such as automatic stabilization and the ability to add subtitles and even special effects. If you are looking to do more than simply capture the videos as-is, then this is a good software option that will let you play around with your family videos in a more complex way.

Remember: VHS tapes do not last forever. If you are worried about sharing home movies with your children and grandchildren and others in your family, then make sure you back them up to DVD so they can be cherished forever.

Uploading DVDs to the cloud.

Now that you have digitized your VHSs into DVDs, you already know how fun it is to pop in a DVD and relive your family history at the push of a button. But did you know that DVDs are actually quite limiting when it comes to sharing and preserving family movies? Let’s take a closer look at the limitations of family films on DVD and how you can transfer the DVDs of your family movies onto the cloud to the benefit of your entire family—and to the benefit of preserving your family history.

Limitations of Using DVDs for Family Videos

DVDs are a step up from VHS, which is now an outdated method of film preservation. However, there are still some limitations to having family movies on DVDs. The two most significant limitations are as follows. One, the fact that DVDs do not last forever: They can be lost, scratched, and eventually will not work due to the natural degradation of the DVD material. The second limitation is that you can’t easily share DVDs with other people in your family, which makes sharing family movies more difficult than it has to be; for instance, if you want to share your childhood home movies with your sister who lives across the country, there’s no easy way to make a copy of the DVD for her.

The solution to this problem is simple: transfer DVDs to the digital cloud. This way, family history, and family films can be shared using an easy digital file that can be sent to whomever you would like. The file will also be backed up on the cloud so that if something ever happens to the DVD, you have a copy and your family history isn’t lost.

How to Transfer DVDs onto the Digital Cloud

Now that you know that you want to transfer your family movies DVDs onto the cloud, all you need to do is follow the step by step guide that will teach you how to back up your DVDs on the cloud for easy sharing and storage.

Step One: Transfer the DVDs to a computer

You will first need to transfer the DVD files onto a computer. This will almost always require using a software program, since most DVDs are encoded and it’s not as simple as dragging a file onto your laptop or computer desktop.

Step Two: Check the format

Once you have the DVD video files onto your computer, you will need to make sure they are in an accessible format. The most accessible format today is “.mp4,” so this is the format you should aim for, as it can be viewed on almost all smart phones, laptops, computers and tablets. If you are using a software program, it will give you the option to choose the format.

Step Three: Upload to your preferred cloud—and share!

Next, upload it to your preferred cloud service such as Google Drive. Then share with friends and family and enjoy the fact that your family history is now accessible and preserved.

Should you store your files on YouTube?

It’s becoming easier than ever to backup family mementos in ways that allow you to share them with the rest of your family—but what about family movies? Unlike family photos, movies aren’t as easily uploaded to sites where your family can privately access them to view family history. One option that many people are turning to in order to store family films is YouTube. But should you store your family history on YouTube? Let’s take a closer look at the options you have for storing family movies using this service. 

Uploading to YouTube 

There are three primary ways that you can upload family films to YouTube: public videos, private videos and unlisted videos. Each of these video options has its pros and cons when it comes to uploading family movies.  

Public Videos 

Public videos are completely available to the public. Anyone can technically find your family movies if they happen to come across them using the search function. This also means that the videos can be shared and embedded by anyone on the internet. It is not the best option if you want your family movies to be private, or if the information or content on the videos is something you (or someone in the video) wouldn’t want to be shared with the world. This option does allow for easier access for family members because they won’t have to follow special links or get invited, but it does come with the drawbacks of no privacy. 

Private Videos 

Private videos can only be viewed by people who have been specifically invited to view the video. This means that anyone who wants to view the video has to have a YouTube account, and you (or whoever decides to upload the videos) have to invite them. This is the ultimate private option on YouTube, as it allows you to grant exclusive control over who can view the video. This option is limited to 50 accounts, so it’s not ideal if you want to share the video with a massive amount of family members. 

Unlisted Videos 

Unlisted videos can technically be viewed by anyone—however; they cannot be found using the search function and can only be discovered by people who have the specific link to the video. You can then give out this link to a select group of people whom you want to see your family movies. The upside to this option is that people can view it without having a YouTube account or waiting to be invited/approved; the downside is that the videos are technically not private and if someone gives out the link in a public location, other people could view the video. 

If you want to store your family movies on YouTube, carefully consider the above options when making your decision. 

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

At Silver Screen Family, our mission is to help families create beautiful films that capture the stories and experiences of their elders, ensuring that they are remembered and cherished for generations to come.

First and foremost, creating a film about your elders is a wonderful opportunity to preserve their legacy. Our parents and grandparents have lived through times and events that we may not have experienced ourselves. By documenting their stories and experiences, we can ensure that their legacy is passed down accurately and authentically. Moreover, these stories can help us to understand the world from their perspective, which can be incredibly enlightening and valuable.

Secondly, creating an heirloom-quality film is a perfect way to honor and show gratitude to your elders. Our elders are often the ones who have laid the foundation for our lives and our society. By creating a beautiful and heartwarming film about their life, you are showing them that their hard work and dedication have not gone unappreciated.

At Silver Screen Family, we work with you to create a unique and personalized film that captures every aspect of your elders' lives. Our experienced team combines visual elements with insightful interviews to create a beautiful and compelling film that you and your family will want to return to for years to come.

In conclusion, a well-made film about your elders is an invaluable investment for your family. It allows you to preserve their legacy and honour their contributions, offer them therapeutic benefits, and create a treasured heirloom that can be passed down through future generations. We at Silver Screen Family are committed to providing you with a personalized and high-quality service, and we would be honoured to help you create a beautiful film about your elders.

Thank you for considering our services.

How to share family photos online privately.

How to share family photos online privately.

Your family history is something that deserves to be passed down and preserved for future generations. Most people, unfortunately, are left with missing pieces of family history because they don’t take the time to preserve like not knowing who the person in an old photograph is; but it is easier than ever to create family history photo galleries to showcase and highlight your family, including tidbits about your family history that can be shared across generations. 

View fullsize

One of the great things about modern-day technology is that it allows people more access to recording equipment than ever before. If you want to create your own special family history photos, you no longer need to take old negatives to get processed. All you need is to scan your photos.

You can even share your family history photos online with the rest of your family, so you won’t have to try to figure out how to burn discs or send memory drives to people across the country. If you want to share your family history privately online, consider the following options to help you share family movies online while still keeping them private. 

Facebook 
Facebook is one of the most popular options to share your family photos with family privately. You can share family history with your family by uploading your family photos to your account under a custom filter that only allows certain people to view the post. This option will require you to have anyone who wants to see the photos on your Facebook account, so keep that in mind.  

Private Facebook Groups

You can create a private Facebook group for your family so that family history information can be shared and accessed right on Facebook. The benefits of a private group are that only people who have access to the group will be able to see the information, post comments, etc., so you can limit this to family members or other exclusive groups. Another benefit of this option is that it’s likely that most of your family members have a Facebook account, so this is a very accessible social media site. Finally, the Facebook platform is ideal for sharing all types of files and documents—including photos, videos, and even scanned letters—so this is a one-size-fits-all option in terms of what you can share.

Instagram and Twitter 

Instagram and Twitter are both potential social media options that you should consider. Both of these social media platforms have options for private posting, but you cannot limit the content to specific groups. For instance, if you post something on your friends-only Twitter account, all of your Twitter friends—not just family members—will be able to see it. This option is best if you are going to post content that is not sensitive or private, such as your own personal family history photos that you don’t mind sharing with others; conversely, it’s not the best option for sharing personal or private information, particularly if it relates to other family members. 

Google Drive  

Another option for privately uploading family photos is using Google Drive. Google Drive can be used to upload content and then create private links, so that only anyone with the link can view the photos. You can also password protect your photos for added security, but remember that you’ll need to give the password to any family members who want to view the galleries.  

Other Options

There are a few other options you may want to consider if the above two choices don’t work for your needs. There are other family history related websites, such as ancestry sites, where you can share and upload family history information; and you can also consider creating an online group on a messaging platform such as Skype or LINE, where you can chat with individuals or groups and share photos, links, and so on.

Whichever platform you choose, just remember to enjoy sharing your family history through family movies in a private space online. 

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

What is the best software to burn my family videos to DVD?

What is the best software to burn my family VHS videos to DVD?

Are you worried about your family history being lost due to outdated formats like VHS? If so, you are not alone: now that VHS players are no longer being produced, you are right to worry because once your VHS players stop working it means that you can no longer enjoy your family movies.

And what will happen with the next generation, who aren’t going to have old VHS players in the garage?

Sharing family films with your children, especially films which feature family members who have passed away will be nearly impossible if you leave them on VHS. Thankfully, you don’t have to leave your family movies on VHS to rot away. Transferring them to DVD is the first step to preserving them for future generations and making them accessible to watch for other people in your family who want to enjoy family history. To do this, you will need the right software and tools.

Let’s take a closer look at the best software you can use to transfer your family movies from VHS to DVD.

Roxio Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus

This is the most accessible software that anyone with access to a computer should be able to use. With the Roxio software, you will be able to connect your VHS player or camcorder right to your computer using a USB device. From there, all you have to do is use the installed Roxio software to capture the movies, transfer them and then burn them onto a DVD or even convert them into files you can store on your phone, the digital cloud, Facebook or YouTube. Best of all, the Roxio software isn’t just a convertor: you can actually stabilize shaky old home videos, trim them if you want, or split them into different DVDs by theme, year, and people who are in the film, and so on. For example, you could create a DVD solely of children’s Christmas concerts, family birthday videos, and so on.

Golden Videos VHS to DVD Converter

Like Roxio, this is fairly accessible software that allows you to easily convert family movies on VHS to DVD. This software works similarly to the Roxio software. You connect your VHS player to your computer, use the software to capture and transfer the footage, and from there you can burn it onto DVD or convert it into a file that can be shared online or stored in the cloud. There are some more complex video editor tools with this software, such as automatic stabilization and the ability to add subtitles and even special effects. If you are looking to do more than simply capture the videos as-is, then this is a good software option that will let you play around with your family videos in a more complex way.

Remember: VHS tapes do not last forever. If you are worried about sharing home movies with your children and grandchildren and others in your family, then make sure you back them up to DVD so they can be cherished forever.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

Which is the best free photo editing software

The best free photo-editing software.

Family photos are an important part of preserving family history. They can be preserved, shared and passed down from generation to generation so that everyone can learn their family history and pass on the legacy of those who came before them. However, not all old family photographs are able to stand the test of time. Family photos can become damaged through creasing, damage due to being stored in photo albums made with certain types of glue, paper or plastic; and a number of other issues that cause family photos to look less than their best.

Thankfully, with the digital age, it is easier than ever to fix family photos using photo editing software.

The following are the best free photo editing software programs to check out if you want to preserve your family history by restoring family photos to their former glory.

Retouch Pilot Lite

Retouch Pilot Lite is ideal for retouching old family photographs. This program is free to use and has simple retouching features that can handle the most common issues suffered by old photographs, including resolving problems like missing pieces of photographs, presence of creases or scratches, moisture spots and more. The program is simple to use, so even people without photo editing softwareexperiencecan use it to retouch family photos without any trouble.

GIMP

GIMP is a free program that is often called ‘free Photoshop.’ GIMP has plenty of features that allow you to retouch even the most damaged of old family photographs. GIMP has more advanced features and a more complicated set-up than most free programs, so you will likely need to check out some tutorials when it comes to retouching photos with a number of problems. With GIMP you will be able to tackle the most common restorative issues faced by old photos—such as creases, missing pieces, etc.—as well as work with more advanced editing tools. You can play around with brightness and contrast or even resolve color problems, such as reducing yellowing that can occur in photos stored with certain types of glues and plastics.

Pixlr Editor

Pixlr Editor is a web browser based editor that allows you to restore and edit old family photographs. It is not as advanced as GIMP but it provides many more editing options than Retouch Pilot Lite, such as the ability to work with layers. With Pixlr Editor, you can smooth out creases, fill in missing pieces, and even play around with brightness, contrast and color. It is not as powerful as GIMP due to operating out of a web browser, but it is simpler to use and may be the better option if you aren’t ready to tackle a program like GIMP yet.Family photos are a way to preserve your family history for generations to come.

If you want to make sure that they look their best and can be enjoyed by family for years, take a look at the above free photo editing software that can help you restore family photos to their former glory

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to label your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

Fun Family History Activities For Family Reunions

Fun Family History Activities For Family Reunions.

Preserving family history is important—but far too often, family history gets forgotten when people in the family do not share what they know (or are never asked what they know!) with everyone else. That is why making sure that everyone knows who is in the old family photographs, and what their stories were, is so important. Family shouldn’t be forgotten, after all, even generations down the line. If you want to help preserve family history in a way that is fun and memorable, why not consider these fun family history activities for family reunions? They will help preserve history without making it boring or stuffy.

Flip through family photo albums together

This activity is also the simplest: everyone sits together and flips through family photos while talking about the people that they know and history that they know. For best results, this can be recorded or otherwise written down so that the family history can be preserved. If there are too many people to make sitting around an album possible, why not have someone scan all the family photos so you can view them on the TV or a large projector screen?

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to label your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

To learn how to share family films on YouTube privately click here.

Share a story “popcorn” game

This is a game that everyone can enjoy! For this game, everyone sits together and works to share family history stories that they know. Once someone tells a story, they “popcorn” (remember that from school?) someone else—and then it’s their turn to tell a family history story! Make sure you are recording this on video so that the stories can be preserved for future generations. This is a perfect game for reunions because everyone, big or small, can take turns sharing things about the family. You’ll be amazed at what types of interesting stories can get passed around with this type of game.

Family history trivia

If the family already knows a bit about their own family history, you can always turn it into a friendly competition! A family history trivia game—complete with points rewarded and a prize at the end—is a way to help people learn more about family history while reaffirming it in their memories, all wrapped up in a fun game. The trivia can be asked via memory or you can go the extra mile and print out trivia cards that can be read aloud.

Watching videos together

One of the most fun family history activities you can do at a reunion is also the simplest: watch family videos together! These videos are a great way to share memories, reminiscence about times past, and keep family history alive right on the big screen. To make it more interactive, have everyone at the reunion bring at least one video from their side of the family; this way, everyone gets a turn to share their own side of the family history.

Preserving family history is important—but it doesn’t have to be boring! These fun activities will make sharing and preserving history fun, exciting and memorable.

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to write a family recipe click here

Here are five family history gift ideas to give grandad.

Here are five family history gift ideas to give grandma.

How to Convert Old Family Slides to Digital Images

How to Convert Old Family Slides to Digital Images.

Family photos are one of the best ways to preserve family history; everything from the faces of relatives to the places they lived to their memories of vacations, graduations and summers spent at the beach can be preserved through old family photographs. But what do you do with old family slides? Preserving them is a bit more difficult than preserving standard photographs, but thankfully there are some simple ways that you can convert your old family slides into digital images that will help you share and preserve family history for everyone else in your family.

Why Convert Family Slides to Digital Format?

First, a quick note on why you should convert family slides to a digital format: slides can be delicate, and they may be damaged by everything from moisture to hot or cold temperatures to scratches and everything in between. If you want to make sure that your slides are preserved—and turned into photos that you can actually properly see—then you’ll need to convert them into a digital format.

Best Options to Convert Family Photos Slides into Digital Format

There are several different options for converting family slides into a digital format. Which option you choose will depend on what exactly you want to do with the slides and how you prefer to convert them.

Photo Scanning Services

There are a few photo scanning companies available online. These companies allows you to have your family slides (along with other family mementos such as old photos and even home movies) converted into an accessible digital format without having to lift a finger yourself. They usually work like this: you will receive a box kit in the mail, which you then fill with your digital slides or other family mementos that you want converted and preserved. You send the box to the company, and they will handle the conversion for you. Then they will send you your original items back along with the digital files.

This option is best if you’d simply rather have someone else do the work for you, or you don’t have access to the other primary way that you can convert slides into a digital format.

Digital Film Scanner

If you’d rather not send off your family slides to a company, then a digital film scanner is the best way to go. A digital film scanner is a device that allows you to insert your family slides, which are then scanned by the device and sent to your computer. There are many different brands that offer digital film scanners, including Kodak, Magnasonic, Wolverine, and Digitnow. Modern digital scanners often have features that allow you to view and approve or rescan photo slides in real time, so these are a great option when you want fuller control over how the slides are scanned and converted. Some even allow you to flip and rotate the scanned photo, so you won’t have to do that when you start working with the files on your computer later.

If you want to convert old family photos slides into a digital format, consider the above two options.

Now that your old slides are digital files, you can edit out any imperfections that may have occurred over time.

Click here for a useful guide to some free software you can use to edit your pictures back to their former glory!

How to Share Family Videos Online Privately

How to Share Family Videos Online Privately

Your family history is something that deserves to be passed down and preserved for future generations. Most people unfortunately are left with missing pieces of family history because they don’t take the time to preserve it through family films and family photos; but it is easier than ever to create family movies that showcase and highlight your family, including tidbits about your family history that can be shared across generations. 

One of the great things about modern day technology is that it allows people more access to recording equipment than ever before. If you want to create your own special family films, you no longer need to purchase an expensive video camera or rent equipment; all you need is a smart phone, a tripod (or a steady hand) and if you’re looking to make long films, a memory card!  

You can even share your family movies online with the rest of your family, so you won’t have to try to figure out how to burn discs or send memory drives to people across the country. If you want to share your family history privately online, consider the following options to help you share family movies online while still keeping them private. 

YouTube 

YouTube is one of the most popular online video platforms in the world. While most people associate YouTube with very public viral videos, the videos you upload to YouTube don’t have to be public. When it comes to uploading family movies on this platform, you have two options: uploading videos as private, which means only people who are given special access through their YouTube account and view it; or uploading videos as unlisted, which means only people who have the specific links can find the video. If you want to know more, check out my other article about uploading family videos to YouTube. 

For a A Step-by-Step Guide to Privately Uploading and Sharing Family Videos on YouTube Click Here.

Facebook 

Facebook is another option for uploading family films. You can share family history with your family by uploading your family videos to your account under a custom filter that only allows certain people to view the post. This option will require you to have anyone who wants to see the video on your Facebook account, so keep that in mind.  

For a Step-by-Step Guide to Privately Uploading and Sharing Family Videos on Facebook Click Here

Google Drive  

Another option for privately uploading family videos is using Google Drive. Google Drive can be used to upload content and then create private links so that only anyone with the link can view the video. You can also password-protect your videos for added security but remember that you’ll need to give the password to any family members who want to watch the videos.  

  For a Step-by-Step Guide to Privately Uploading and Sharing Family Videos on Google Drive Click Here.

Vimeo  

Vimeo is another option for uploading your videos. You will need to upload your videos as “private”; much like YouTube, you have several privacy options, such as unlisted videos and password-protected videos. 

  For a Step-by-Step Guide to Privately Uploading and Sharing Family Videos on Vimeo Click Here.

Whichever platform you choose, just remember to enjoy sharing your family history through family movies in a private space online. 

For more valuable insights and guidance on recording your family history, we invite you to visit our "Lights Camera Ancestry" video series. Through our videos on the SSFDocumentary YouTube channel, Silver Screen Family provides a wealth of information covering genealogical topics and expert tips on how to record and preserve your family's history.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to create a lasting legacy for your loved ones. Join us on Silver Screen Family's YouTube channel and embark on an exciting journey of capturing and sharing your family's remarkable stories. Together, let's celebrate the power of family and the enduring value of preserving our shared history.

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

Why Family History Is So Important

Why Family History I

s Important.

How much do you know about your family history? Think about the family members who have already passed on. How much of their stories did they tell? How much has been lost to time? Family history is something to be preserved and cherished; not just for yourself, but for your children, grandchildren, and all generations of the family to come.  

Family photos as well as family films are all excellent ways to preserve and share family history; but regular family movies aren’t all you can do in order to help keep family history alive for the next generations. Let’s take a closer look at why preserving family history is important and how you can uniquely preserve it for the next generation. 

Why Family History Is Important 

First, let’s take a closer look at why preserving family history is so important. If you have been unfortunate enough to lose family members who didn’t share much about their past or who didn’t take the time to record their history, then you already know the sadness that comes with finding boxes of photos or film reels filled with people whose names and stories are now lost forever. In many cases, the names, ages, birthplaces and stories of these family members is simply gone forever; especially if they didn’t leave behind letters or any other traces of their story that might give a clue as to their name or personality or life as a whole.  

That is why preserving family history is such a vital part of life. When you preserve the history of your ancestors, you are preserving and cherishing their lives; you are also enriching the lives of your current family members, all of whom can benefit from knowing about the people who came before them. When people take the time to preserve that history in a meaningful way, the stories of those family members can be shared with the next generations, and then the next generations, and so on. 

How to Preserve Family History: Going Beyond Albums and Handheld Cameras 

Naturally, family photo albums and backed-up digital files of home movies are all great ways to preserve history. You should have your family photos scanned and backed up (please see our article on how to back up old photos here) in addition to ensuring that family videos are backed up digitally as well. There is, however, another unique way that you can keep family history alive; this method goes beyond standard family films and photos.  

You can truly preserve your family’s stories in a unique and meaningful way by encouraging family members to tell their stories while being filmed—as well as the stories of any family members who have passed away and are no longer with us. For instance, your mother might sit with a photo of her great-aunt, and explain the history of the woman in the photograph. Who was she? When was she born? What was she like? What did she do?  

This way, the story of the great aunt (which otherwise would be lost to time) is passed on for the next generation. Check out our article on How to Film a Family Interview with your Smartphone here. 

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here. 

Should You Store Your Family Films on YouTube?

Should you store your family films on YouTube?

Family history is important, and one of the ways that people preserve their family history is through photos as well as family movies. Family films can capture those precious and important moments in your family, from birthday parties to garden barbecues and everything in between.  

It’s becoming easier than ever to backup family mementos in ways that allow you to share them with the rest of your family—but what about family movies? Unlike family photos, movies aren’t as easily uploaded to sites where your family can privately access them to view family history. One option that many people are turning to in order to store family films is YouTube. But should you store your family history on YouTube? Let’s take a closer look at the options you have for storing family movies using this service. 

Uploading to YouTube 

There are three primary ways that you can upload family films to YouTube: public videos, private videos and unlisted videos. Each of these video options has its pros and cons when it comes to uploading family movies.  

Public Videos 

Public videos are completely available to the public. Anyone can technically find your family movies if they happen to come across them using the search function. This also means that the videos can be shared and embedded by anyone on the internet. It is not the best option if you want your family movies to be private, or if the information or content on the videos is something you (or someone in the video) wouldn’t want to be shared with the world. This option does allow for easier access for family members because they won’t have to follow special links or get invited, but it does come with the drawbacks of no privacy. 

Private Videos 

Private videos can only be viewed by people who have been specifically invited to view the video. This means that anyone who wants to view the video has to have a YouTube account, and you (or whoever decides to upload the videos) have to invite them. This is the ultimate private option on YouTube, as it allows you to grant exclusive control over who can view the video. This option is limited to 50 accounts, so it’s not ideal if you want to share the video with a massive amount of family members. 

Unlisted Videos 

Unlisted videos can technically be viewed by anyone—however; they cannot be found using the search function and can only be discovered by people who have the specific link to the video. You can then give out this link to a select group of people whom you want to see your family movies. The upside to this option is that people can view it without having a YouTube account or waiting to be invited/approved; the downside is that the videos are technically not private and if someone gives out the link in a public location, other people could view the video. 

If you want to store your family movies on YouTube, carefully consider the above options when making your decision. 

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to label your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

Which Free Editing Software Is the Best?

Which Free Editing Software Is the Best?

Our family history is one of the most important things we can preserve in our lifetimes; family films and family photos are two of the most common ways that we can make sure that our family history is preserved for future generations. Everything from names and family stories to someone’s smile and laughter can be preserved with family films--but what do you do with the footage once you have it? 

If you are like most people, you probably can’t afford expensive, professional grade video editing software for your family films. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get your family history in top shape for sharing with other family members. There are many free editing software options to choose from, each of which offers great features at zero cost to you. 

Best Free Editing Software 

There are many free editing software options out there, but some stand out above the others.The following are some of the best free editing software options for preserving your family history on film. 

Lightworks 

Lightworks is one of the best free editing software options out there today. You can get Lightworks on Windows, Mac or Linux. There is a paid version of Lightworks, but most people do just fine with the free version which has plenty of features. 

The free editor includes: 

• Multicam support options 

• Export to 720p 

• High precision video trimming 

• Multiple video formats supported 

There are even video tutorial available with Lightworks which can help you learn the ropes.  

Shotcut 

Shotcut is an open source video editing program that lets you access tons of great editing features at no cost. The editor supports multiple formats and includes tutorial videos to help you learn the basics. Shotcut even supports 4k HD resolution support along with easy timeline editing. Although some users might find the interface hard to understand at first, once you start using Shotcut, you’ll quickly learn the ropes and have no problem managing the interface. 

Machete Video Editor Lite 

Machete Video Editor Lite is a simple yet effective free video editor that will let you get the job done simply and efficient. The free version only lets you edit video, so you won't be able to edit audio only, but unless you're trying to do something advanced with your family films, this probably won't be an issue. Machete Lite is Windows only and doesn't support many different file tips, but if you're lucky to simply splice your family videos together, this is a great, simple option. 

Avidemux 

Avidemux is a great beginner's editing software that has some surprisingly powerful features. The features offered by Avidemux include cutting and splicing, encoding and adding filters. The interface is very easy and simple to use, and although there aren't as many features in this video editor as others, it's great for beginners and simple jobs. 

If you’re looking for free video editing software for your family films, check out any of the above options. 

How To Film Your Parents/Grandparents On A Smart Phone.

How To Film Your Parents/Grandparents On A Smart Phone.

How To Film Your Parents/Grandparents On A Smart Phone. 

Photos are the only record many people have of their family history. A photo album is the only way to look at the precious few pictures of your grandparents there are. You can’t hear them talk, or laugh, or cry. Just a few, faded black and white pictures in a family album. You’ll have no idea who some of the people in there are, as there’s no information along with the pictures. 

At Silver Screen Family our aim is to get people to start filming their parents/loved ones with whatever equipment they might have available. 

I have always had a passion for family history and ever since I was a child I have been filming my family history videos.  My family is now so grateful that I filmed my great grandmother talking about her childhood.  Remembering the first time she read the headline of the Titanic sinking.  Remembering the hardships endured in the First and Second World Wars as well as the more personal stories such as her first boyfriend who sadly died.  This I filmed as a child with an old home movie camera!

The digital revolution has changed the way we film and shoot footage.   Everyone has a decent camera on their phone nowadays.  It has also made sharing family history documents and family film recordings much easier. 

We don’t realize how easy this is to do and how important it is to have these family historical recordings until our parents or grandparents are no longer with us and we have no one to ask.  

Having a family film that documents your family history will enable you to share it with your children.  Having a video showing mum talk about the person in an old black and white photo, for example, will help pass this knowledge down your generation line when they and us are no longer are around. 

The aim of this article is to show how with the equipment you already have, you can create a great family history film without having to purchase any further equipment.   I recommend using a cheap lavalier mic compatible with your phone and a tripod but as I say this is not necessary as the aim of this article is to create a good film out of the equipment you already have.  

1. You will need an iPhone or other smart mobile phones with a camera.  (please make sure you film horizontally and in the best video quality possible). 

2. Lighting is very important.  Have your parent or family member face a window (Try avoiding direct sunlight as this will create shadows).  Place the camera between them and the window. 

3. Audio from a mobile phone can vary and I recommend getting a cheap lavalier microphone, which is compatible with your phone.  You can find decent microphones online for under £25.   Regardless of the microphone, you use, when recording close all windows and switch off any loud electronic appliances such as TVs, radios, fans, etc.  The aim is to record in a quiet and peaceful environment where we will only hear our parent’s/grandparent’s voice. 

4. Holding your phone whilst recording will create a lot of movement making the video judder.  Using a tripod stand will give you a stable image with no movement.  If you do not have a tripod stand do not worry rest your phone on a stack of books for example. 

5. It is worth remembering that the family history movie you create will be passed down from generation to generation. Try finding a clutter-free area in the house where your family member could be filmed.  The aim is to have no distractions in the shot and the viewer focuses on them.  

6. Framing your shot.  Try to relax your parent, sit them on a comfortable chair and set your shot.  Try positioning your family member on one-third of the screen either to the left or to the right (as can be seen in the example below).  Once you have set your shot, ask your parent to leave a pause between your question and their response.  That will be really helpful when editing the video.  Next week I will be writing a blog about the best free editing software to edit your family film. Stayed tuned and happy filming!!!  

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.

How to Back Up Your Old Photos.

How to back up old photos.

Family photo albums are a window into your family history. The names, faces and stories of your family members are all held in your cherished photos and family films. Many people do not think about backing up their family photo albums and family films until something has happened to damage them, such as water or fire damage; thankfully, it is easier than ever to back up your old photos and keep your family history safe and secure. 

Scanning Photos with a Traditional Scanner  

The most traditional way to back up family photo albums is with a standard scanner. For this, you’ll need a scanner capable of scanning photos in colour; these photos can then be backed up onto a laptop or computer and then onto a cloud, USB drive or other backup method.  

Scanning Photos with a Smart Phone 

If you want a way to back up your family photos that is a lot easier and more convenient than a bulky traditional scanner, you can use your smart phone to quickly and efficiently back up your family photos. Thanks to the development of special photo backup apps, it’s possible to get high quality scans of your family photos that you can treasure forever.  

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to label your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

To learn how to share family films on YouTube privately click here.

Photo Backup Apps 

There are a number of different photo backup apps on the market today, some of which are free and others which require a subscription or fee. If you are looking for a backup app that will help you efficiently back up all your family photos, take a look at the following 3 apps that are sure to get the job done right. 

Google PhotoScan  

PhotoScan from Google is one of the most popular photo backup apps in the world, thanks to two factors: one, it is free to use; and two, it has a simple and easy-to-use interface that is perfect for backing up large amounts of photos. PhotoScan can also be integrated with Google Drive, so you can automatically back up your photos to a cloud without having to upload them manually. 

DropBox  

The popular cloud hosting site DropBox also doubles as a photo scan backup app which can be integrated right into the DropBox cloud platform. The DropBox photo backup interface is easy to use and allows for quick cropping and minor editing. Your photos can then be automatically backed up onto a DropBox account for safekeeping. 

PhotoMyne 

If you’re looking for something that’s more on the advanced side, then you will want to check out PhotoMyne, which allows you to backup, edit and manage your family photos. PhotoMyne is a paid app that requires a subscription service, so keep this in mind when choosing an app. 

Upload to Cloud 

Once you have your family photo albums and family films backed up, you’ll want to upload them to a cloud account so that you will always have a copy of them even if the originals or your phone are damaged. Popular cloud options include Google Drive, Dropbox, and Flickr.  

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.