Scrapbook Your Family History with Family Pictures You Never Knew Existed

So you have started to scrapbook your family history but you realize that you do not have a picture of your great-grandmother...or your great-grandfather... or any old family pictures at all. Don't give up on the idea of a lovely heritage album with those quaint pictures of old-fashioned people! It is possible to locate pictures of your ancestors, even if your parents or grandparents claim that such pictures don't exist.

Make a Wish List
First, create a wish-list of pictures that you would like to include in your scrapbook. Write down the names of the people, places or events that you would like to include and show the list to your immediate and extended family. Because even if your mother claims that she has never seen a picture of her grandmother, that does not mean that Aunt Esther hasn't had one in her underwear drawer for the last forty years. Next, make it very clear that you do not need or want to keep the picture. Explain that you only wish to make a copy. Plan to bring a laptop and scanner to Aunt Esther's. Bringing a bottle of wine and a family tree might be a good idea as well. While you are at your Aunt's house, try to see what other pictures she might have. Scan in anything else of interest as well. To save time, scan as many pictures as will fit on the scanning bed at one time. You can always separate the images when you are home.

Spread the Love
Now that you think you have exhausted the resources within your extended family, have a few pictures printed up and give them out to your family members. This will increase interest in your project and spread goodwill. Don't be surprised if a few photo albums are suddenly discovered.