How to Handle Conflicting Identifications of a Family Photo
By ImgHeal · Updated
Preserve competing names and evidence until records or additional photographs support a conclusion.
Gather evidence before editing
Do not overwrite one relative's identification with another. Record each proposed name, who supplied it, and when, then return to the unedited source rather than a sharpened or colorized face.
Record the research clearly
Compare ages, relationships, dates, clothing, location, and confirmed reference images. Look for evidence that rules a person out as carefully as evidence that supports them.
Keep conclusions separate from guesses
Assign confidence and keep unresolved alternatives visible in the record. A restoration can aid viewing but should not be used to manufacture certainty.
Check before you finish
- Record every proposed identification.
- Look for disconfirming evidence.
- Keep unresolved alternatives visible.
Further reading
- National Archives: Digitizing Family Papers and PhotographsGuidance on digitizing family materials, documenting them, retaining originals, and keeping backup copies.
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