Research Question?

[coinman123]

Hello guys! I am working with the town historian on writing the history of my new house, which I found out was owned by one of the first settlers of town. I also helped trace some cellar holes for them, and am going to help research some old documents. Anyways, when researching my house I looked through some old town photographs, hundreds of house photos, none of mine though. The oldest known photo of my house is around 15 years old, which the only interesting difference is that the storm door looked different. It would be amazing to find an old photo from the 1960's, 1950's or maybe even older. My old house was much newer, built in the late 1800's like most of the other houses on the street. I found a photo of it from the 1960's in the library, showing a whole other addition larger than the part I lived in! It would be very cool to find something like that of my house that I could add to the paper I am writing. I am thinking that maybe I email the grandchildren of the people who lived here in the 1940's or 1950's. Anyways, I found the name of someone who lived here back in the 1940's-1970's, but didn't get any results from ancestory.com, when looking up their name. I did find some people in my town or close by with the same last name as him, including one man who is over age 65 who lives close by. How should I approach asking this question, do I send a letter asking if they could email some old photos that they may have inherited, that show my house back in the 1940's-1970's for a paper I am writing. Or do I knock on the door asking my question? Anyways how do you think I should approach this?

Sorry for my bad writing, I am extremely tired right now.

 

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[4x4x4]

....Hi coinman123....
Explore this....

History Pin: Overlaying Google Street View with Historical Photos - information aesthetics

There are other free old image overlay sites also. Hope this helps.

Mark.

 

[relic nut]

I'd nock on the door. I always seem to have better luck face to face. I would think the man would be very interested in the history, but you never know about people. It's easy to ignore a letter, but if you are standing in front of him you may make a good impression and that should encourage him to help. Good luck.

HH, RN

 

[TerryC]

Sounds like you're getting the research thing down pat. Great! Just go up and knock on the door. If you mention the house and you are looking for historical info, you won't be able to turn him off! Take recording equipment as you will not remember all the gems he will give up. ╦╦Ç