How to identify people in old photos
A family photo with no names loses much of its value. Working out who is in it takes a little detective work: relatives' memories, comparison with other photos, context and records. Here is a careful way to go about it.
Where do you start identifying someone in an old photo?
With the relatives who may still remember, by showing them the photo. A name, a nickname, a place or a story is often enough to get going.
Write down what they say straight away, even if it is uncertain, along with who said it. An enlarged or restored copy can help older relatives see the faces more clearly.
How do you compare faces with other photos?
Look for photos where the person you suspect is already named, ideally at a similar age. Compare the shape of the ears, the line of the nose, the hairline and the build, which change less than expressions do.
Do this on the original scan, not only on a restored version: AI can slightly change a blurred or very small face. We explain why in Does AI change faces?.
What clues does the context give?
The place, the occasion and the rough date narrow things down a lot. A recognisable house, a church, a uniform or christening clothes point towards a particular branch of the family.
So start by placing the photo in time: see how to date an old photo. Anyone born after the estimated date can be ruled out.
- Writing on the back, even partial
- A recognisable place: house, village, landmark
- An occasion: wedding, christening, military service
- Uniform, badge, work clothes
- The photo's place in the album and nearby captions
Which records can help?
Civil registration records, censuses, local and national archives, and family papers such as letters, certificates and announcements. They let you check dates, relationships and places.
Large genealogy platforms such as FamilySearch and national archive services offer many records to search, and regimental museums or specialist groups can help read a uniform or badge. Always check information against the original source.
Should you trust face recognition tools?
Only with great caution: they can suggest a resemblance, not prove an identity. On old, blurred or small photos, mistakes are common.
Treat any automatic suggestion as a lead to check against records or memories. And think twice before sending photos of living people to a third-party service.
Frequently asked questions
Does a restored photo help recognise someone?
It often helps people see better, especially older relatives. For an identification, though, compare with the original scan too, as a rebuilt face can drift slightly from the person.
Nobody recognises the photo. What next?
Date it, work out the place, then turn to records and local genealogy forums. Label it as unidentified rather than guessing a name.
Can I post the photo online to ask for help?
Yes, for people who died long ago, on genealogy forums for example. For living people, ask their permission first.