PODCAST · society
The Photo Detective
by Maureen Taylor
Join The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor, each week as she discusses historical photos and how they fit into your family history. From ancestor identification to photo preservation, The Photo Detective Podcast covers it all. Featuring special experts from genealogy, fashion history, photo history, and restoration, it’s a not-to-miss for photo fans, genealogists, and lovers of history.
Episodes
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AI-Altered Family Photos: The Growing Threat to Genealogy and Historical Accuracy
What happens when someone uses AI to alter your family photographs without permission? In this episode of The Photo Detective, professional genealogist and social media creator Jen Schaefer, known as The Formidable Genealogist, shares a disturbing discovery: a stranger used AI to dramatically…
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The Wreck of the Mentor: Eric Jay Dolin on Whaling, Shipwrecks, and Maritime Family History
What happens when an ordinary New Bedford whaling voyage turns into one of the most extraordinary survival stories in American maritime history? In this episode of The Photo Detective, I talk with bestselling maritime historian Eric Jay Dolin, author of The Wreck of the Mentor. Dolin has written...
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Finding Hidden Nuns in Your Family Tree: Researching Catholic Sisters with Sunny Morton
What happened to the women in your family tree who simply disappeared? In this episode of The Photo Detective Podcast, I’m joined by genealogist Sunny Morton to explore the hidden lives of Catholic nuns in American family history. We talk about why these women vanish from traditional records, how...
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How Forever.com is Revolutionizing Digital Memory Preservation
In this episode, Maureen Taylor speaks with Glen Meakem, founder and CEO of Forever.com. Glen shares his inspiration for starting the company in 2012—recognizing a gap in long-term, secure, digital storage for family memories. Forever offers users a permanent digital home to store and share…
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Military Images Magazine’s Ron Coddington Shares the Stories Behind Civil War Photos
Ron Coddington, editor and publisher of Military Images magazine, joins The Photo Detective podcast to share his journey from teenage Civil War photo collector to leading a respected history publication. He discusses the legacy of Civil War portraiture, the vast archive of surviving images, and…
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Spared and Shared: How One Man Made Civil War History Accessible to All
In this episode, Griff (Bill Griffing), the mind behind the Spared and Shared websites, shares how he turned his post-retirement passion for Civil War history into a monumental historical preservation project. Transcribing over 15,000 letters—mostly from eBay—Griff provides context, authorship…
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The Art of French Wallpaper: RISD Museum's Stunning Historical Showcase
In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor welcomes Emily Banas, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum, to explore the captivating world of French wallpaper. Their discussion centers on The Art of French Wallpaper Design exhibition, diving into the...
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A History of the American Bookstore with Author Evan Friss
In this episode of The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor welcomes historian Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. Friss dives deep into the evolution of bookstores in America—from colonial times to the digital age. He shares fascinating insights into their…
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Family Photos and Preserving Your Memories
In the March 2025 episode of her solo podcast, Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, discusses a variety of personal and professional experiences related to photo management and genealogy. She begins by addressing the shutdown of MemoryWeb, a platform she used extensively, detailing her efforts to...
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Diahan Southard’s ‘Monday Minutes’: Transforming Personal Reflections into Genealogical Gold
In this episode of the podcast, host Maureen Taylor is joined by Diahan Southard, known for her expertise as “Your DNA Guide.” Diahan discusses her new book, “Monday Minutes,” which is inspired by her popular newsletter. The book is a collection of reflections on everyday moments and thoughts,...
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The Photo Marketplace Shift: What It Means for Your Memories
In this episode, Rick Voigt, co-founder and CEO of Vivid-Pix.com, joins Maureen Taylor to discuss the evolving photo marketplace and its impact on genealogists and everyday users. They explore the recent shutdown of FileShadow, the risks of relying on digital storage providers, and the importance...
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Digging Into Civil War Pension Files with Brian Rhinehart
In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor speaks with Brian Rhinehart, founder of CivilWarRecords.com, about uncovering lost Civil War history through archival research. Brian shares his journey from genealogy hobbyist to professional researcher specializing in Civil War records...
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Exploring Project Kin: Barbara Tien's Community for Storytellers and Genealogists
Barbara Tien discusses her role as the “ringleader” of Project Kin on the Photo Detective podcast. After her startup, Ponga, shut down, Tien decided to keep her team together and transitioned to creating Project Kin, a community focused on storytelling and family history without any financial…
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Fileshadow News. Photos of Famous People. Photo Detecting Clues
In this January 2025 solo episode of her podcast, Maureen Taylor, the photo detective, shares news for users of Fileshadow.com. She also shares insights into her professional life, detailing her expertise in analyzing historical photographs to assist in dating them and incorporating them into...
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Seth Rockman on Plantation Goods: Unveiling Material History of American Slavery
On this episode of The Photo Detective, I’m joined by Seth Rockman, author of Plantation Goods: A Material History of American Slavery. Seth’s groundbreaking research uncovers the economic and material ties that connected New England industries to the Southern plantation economy in the 19th...
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The Power of Knitting: History, Healing, and Resilience in Loretta Napoleoni's Book
Loretta Napoleoni’s The Power of Knitting explores the universal significance of knitting through history, culture, and personal memoir. An economist by profession, Napoleoni combines research with heartfelt reflections, revealing knitting’s historical roles in revolutions, spycraft, and...
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Solving Family Photo Mysteries: A Journey with The Photo Detective
Welcome to the December 2024 solo episode of The Photo Detective with Maureen Taylor. In this episode, Maureen shares the story of Amy Barlow, who solved a photo mystery with Maureen’s guidance during a consultation. Amy’s photograph depicted a family standing in front of a store. Using resources...
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Preserving Everyday History: Kiki Smith's Journey with the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection
Kiki Smith, a professor from the theater department at Smith College, joins the “Photo Detective” podcast to discuss her unique journey with the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection. Initially joining the department temporarily, Smith found herself organizing a chaotic costume storage area...
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Author Paul Frecker Discusses Cartomania: The Intersection of Photography and Fame
In this podcast episode, we are thrilled to have Paul Frecker, an expert on 19th-century photography and the author of Cartomania: Photography and Celebrity in the 19th Century. Paul brings a unique perspective from his days as a dealer specializing in 19th-century photography, focusing on the...
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Through the Lens: Unveiling Family Stories
In this episode, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective TM explores the power of a photo through a series of case studies. She introduces a new photo storytelling option for clients. The Power of a Photo Decoding the Context The Emotional Landscape Integrating Technology Case Study: Putting it into...
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Telling Her Story: How to Research and Write Women's Histories with Sharon Carmack
In today’s episode of The Photo Detective, guest Sharon Carmack introduces her groundbreaking book, Telling Her Story, a comprehensive guide to researching and writing about historical women. Sharon’s work, spanning 370 pages, is rich with resources, case studies, and examples that empower...
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The Beginner's Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing with Author Erin Moulton
Erin Moulton discusses her book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing, Scavenger Hunt,” which is uniquely designed as a workbook. Moulton, a local history librarian at Derry Public Library, shares her journey from genealogy enthusiast to cemetery researcher. The book serves as a practical...
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Genealogy Travel Tips: How to Plan an Effective Ancestral Research Trip
Exploring family history is a personal journey, often sparked by familial influences and nurtured through personal curiosity and research. My mother’s passion for family history was contagious, influencing my own exploration of our ancestry. This shared interest led us on numerous adventures,...
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Trailblazing Women Behind the Camera: A Deep Dive with Katherine Manthorne
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...
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Uncovering History with Kurt Deion: A Journey to Every Presidential Grave
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...
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The Enduring Legacy of Tintypes: From Civil War Soldiers to Contemporary Artists
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...
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Preserving Your Legacy: Insights from Amanda Meeks of Permanent.org
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…
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The Hidden History of Pockets: A Conversation with Hannah Carlson
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…
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Uncovering the Past Through Postcards with Maureen Taylor
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...
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Threads of Life: Unraveling the Rich Tapestry of Sewing with author Clare Hunter
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...
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The Hidden Stories of Tattooing: Dr. Matt Lodder on Tattoos in Photography and Society
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....
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Discovering Civil War Ancestors Through Photography: Tips and Tools for Family Historians
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…
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Uncovering Manchester’s Dark Past: Dr. Dean Kirby on Angel Meadow and the Victorian Slums
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...
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How Storied.com Transforms Family History into Captivating Stories
In this episode of “The Photo Detective,” host Maureen Taylor welcomes Kendall Hewlett, CEO of Storied.com, to discuss the revolutionary platform that fills a crucial gap in the family history industry by emphasizing the importance of storytelling over mere data collection. Inspiration Behind...
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How to Manage and Remove Duplicate Photos for Genealogy Projects
In this solo episode of Ask Maureen, I’ll address a common genealogist’s dilemma: managing and organizing digital photos, including handling duplicates. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or a beginner, mastering photo organizers and duplicate detection tools can simplify your work and enhance...
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Exploring Ancestry.com’s New Photo and Storytelling Features with Crista Cowan
Today, I am thrilled to have Crista Cowan, Ancestry.com’s Corporate Genealogist, also known as “The Barefoot Genealogist” on YouTube, as our guest. Crista has been a pivotal figure at Ancestry, helping countless people uncover their family histories. Introduction of the “Memories” feature,...
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Transforming Photo Organization: Insights from Mylio's Founder David Vascovich
Today, we have a special guest, David Vascovich, the CEO and founder of Mylio.com, a revolutionary digital photo organizing site. In this episode, we delve into the inspiration behind Mylio, its innovative features, and how it stands out in the crowded field of photo organization tools. Key...
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Essential Genealogy Organization Tips: Listener Advice
In this third solo podcast episode on organization and documentation, listeners shared tips to improve genealogy research. Weekly Paper Organization: Ann Marie recommends setting aside one hour each week, similar to Cindy Ingle’s “Filing Friday”. Note-taking Advice: Stress on thorough…
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Harnessing AI for Family Photo Tasks with Steve Little and Mark Thompson
In this episode of "The Photo Detective," guests Steve Little and Mark Thompson return to discuss AI's integration in genealogy photo projects. They discuss historical breakthroughs in image analysis, such as the ability of AI to recognize visual jokes and extract text from images, such as...
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Navigating the New Era of AI in Genealogy with Steve Little and Mark Thompson
In this episode of the Photo Detective Podcast, Maureen was joined by Mark Thompson, a professional genealogist and IT expert, and Steve Little, AI Program Director at the National Genealogical Society. Main Discussion Points: Comparisons of AI's current impact to the dot-com era. The role of…
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Unlocking Family Secrets: Expert Tips on Interviewing Relatives for Genealogy
In today's solo episode, Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, delves into the essential practice of interviewing relatives for family history research. Following the feedback from newsletter subscribers and podcast listeners, this episode focuses on the collective wisdom and personal insights...
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Savoring the Story: Andrew Scravani on the Intersection of Food, Photography, and Life
Today, we dive into the flavorful world of Andrew Scrivani, a renowned food photographer and author of “That Photo Makes Me Hungry”. Andrew shares his extensive experience spanning over two decades, revealing insights into the evolution of food photography, his creative process, and the broader...
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Digitize Your Past: How ScanMyPhotos.com Transformed Photo Preservation
Mitch Goldstone, from ScanMyPhotos.com, returned to the Photo Detective Podcast to discuss the growth and evolution of his photo-scanning business. Having preserved over a billion pictures, the company specializes in digitizing old photographs, slides, and films, thus safeguarding personal and...
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Tracing Your Roots: Key Strategies for New Genealogists
In this solo episode, Maureen shares invaluable advice from her listeners, guiding beginner genealogists on their journey to trace their ancestry. From the critical importance of verification to the joy of discovering untold family stories, Maureen navigates through the collective wisdom of her...
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The Power of Relatives at RootsTech with Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal
Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal discusses the popular Relatives at Rootstech feature, which allows conference registrants to connect with family. It’s free to sign up, easy to participate in, and only available until March 31, 2024. Elizabeth shares her strategies for using it. Register for RootsTech to...
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Joseph Quaderer Democratizing Biographies with StorySavor.com
In this episode, we explore the fascinating journey of Joseph Quaderer, founder of StorySavor.com. Learn how this unique company is changing the landscape of biography writing, making it accessible to everyone. Joseph shares his transition from a finance professional to a passionate writer and...
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Rediscovered Memories: The Unexpected Return of Family Movies
Welcome to another captivating episode of our podcast! In today’s show, we’re joined by the remarkable Howlin Davis, a genealogy enthusiast with an extraordinary story to share. After tuning into one of our newsletters, Howlin revealed his unique tale of rediscovery. His journey began with an...
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Past Preserved: Julian Rebello's Mission to Reunite Lost Heirlooms
In this episode, we delve into the heartwarming and intriguing world of Julian Rebello, the founder of the Chosen Families Project. Julian, a recent graduate with a unique blend of chemistry and graphic design expertise, has embarked on a poignant mission to reunite lost photographs, documents…
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Discovering the World Through Lenses: Dr. Michael Pritchard and the History of Photography
Maureen Taylor is thrilled to have Dr. Michael Pritchard on the podcast. He’s a celebrated historian and the author of A History of Photography in 50 Cameras. They discuss cameras, history, and the art of capturing moments. Introduction to Dr. Michael Pritchard: His background and expertise in…
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Permanent Digital Storage Solutions with Tammy Kirby of Forever.com
In this episode, Maureen Taylor talks with Tammy Kirby, a Senior Lead Ambassador at Forever.com. Their conversation delves into the innovative world of Forever.com. As someone who transitioned from traditional scrapbooking to embracing the digital era, Tammy offers a unique perspective on how...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor, each week as she discusses historical photos and how they fit into your family history. From ancestor identification to photo preservation, The Photo Detective Podcast covers it all. Featuring special experts from genealogy, fashion history, photo history, and restoration, it’s a not-to-miss for photo fans, genealogists, and lovers of history.
HOSTED BY
Maureen Taylor
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Photo Detective have?
The Photo Detective currently has 277 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Photo Detective about?
Join The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor, each week as she discusses historical photos and how they fit into your family history. From ancestor identification to photo preservation, The Photo Detective Podcast covers it all. Featuring special experts from genealogy, fashion history, photo history,...
How often does The Photo Detective release new episodes?
The Photo Detective publishes regularly with 277 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Photo Detective?
You can listen to The Photo Detective on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Photo Detective?
The Photo Detective is created and hosted by Maureen Taylor.
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