In this episode of the podcast, Katherine Manthorne returns to discuss her book “Women in the Dark: Female Photographers 1840 to 1900.” The conversation explores the overlooked contributions of female photographers during the early days of photography, highlighting their innovative approaches and resilience in a male-dominated field. Manthorne shares insights into her research process, which began at flea markets and led to the discovery of numerous female photographers through their photo ca...

Kurt Deion, author of Presidential Grave Hunter, shares his lifelong journey of visiting every U.S. president and vice president’s grave. Sparked by early interests in presidential history and inspired by books and family trips, Kurt’s unique quest began in childhood. His book combines memoir and historical facts, recounting adventures and discoveries at burial sites. Besides graves, Kurt has explored presidential libraries, capturing memories through photographs. He continues his historical ...

Join Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, in a solo episode where she delves into the fascinating world of tintypes. This episode covers everything from their historical emergence in 1856 to their resurgence via modern itinerant artists. Discover why tintypes remained popular through the 19th century and explore their unique characteristics, including their affordability, durability, and the fact they are made on iron, not tin. Maureen also shares insights on identifying and preserving these ...

In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor speaks with Amanda Meeks, the Community and Partnerships Manager at Permanent.org. They discuss the recent developments at Permanent.org, focusing on the Legacy Lab, a new program designed to help users create and publish public archives. The Legacy Lab includes an email course that breaks down the archiving process into manageable tasks, emphasizing legacy planning and the importance of preserving history. They also touch on the Byt...

In this episode, Hannah Carlson, author of “Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close,” discusses the historical and social significance of pockets. Inspired by a personal experience where she had no pockets during an emergency, Carlson explores how pockets have evolved from medieval times to modern days, highlighting their gender disparity. She delves into how pockets in women’s clothing were often inadequate or non-existent, contrasting with men’s standardized pocketed garmen...

In this solo episode of Maureen Taylor’s podcast, “The Photo Detective,” Maureen delves into the captivating world of postcards. She explores their historical significance and practical uses, both as travel memorabilia and valuable tools in family history research. The episode highlights the evolution of postcards from the early 1900s, including the introduction of Kodak’s folding pocket camera that could take postcard-sized photos, to the legislative changes in 1907 allowing messages on the ...

Clare Hunter, author of “Threads of Life,” joins Maureen on The Photo Detective podcast. A Scottish native with a background in theatre, community art, and creative writing, Clare discusses her book, which intertwines memoir and history, highlighting the social, emotional, and political significance of sewing. “Threads of Life” explores the profound impacts of needlework beyond its traditional domestic roles, demonstrating its importance in various social and historical contexts. Clare shares...

Dr. Matt Lodder discusses his book Painted People: 5,000 Years of Tattooed History on The Photo Detective podcast.Focuses on tattoo history post-photography, noting tattoos often didn’t show up in early photos.Tattoos were private, often hidden under clothing, and not commonly photographed.Lodder's interest in tattoos started from family stories about his grandfather and great-grandmother’s tattoos.His research bridges common sailor tattoos with lesser-known tattoos on women and the middle cl...

This solo episode of the “Photo Detective” podcast delves into the intriguing task of discovering photographs of Civil War ancestors. Host Maureen offers a wealth of strategies and resources that not only cater to finding Civil War soldier images but also generalize to uncovering historical family photographs. Emphasizing the personal connections and untold stories each photo can reveal, she provides a comprehensive guide to enhancing your family history through visual documentation.Key Point...

In this fascinating podcast episode, Dr. Dean Kirby, a historian, journalist, and professional genealogist based in Manchester, England, shares his deep-rooted interest in the Manchester slums. Key Inspiration: Discovery of great-great-great grandfather’s history in Angel Meadow, a notorious Manchester slum.Research Focus: Manchester slums during the Industrial Revolution, leading to a PhD and the book “Angel Meadow: Victorian Britain’s Most Savage Slum.”Living Conditions: Overcrowded ho...