Reverse Imaging for Genealogy

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North Idaho miners c. 1895 ML Strickland files



Wyatt Earp & Dodge City Peace Commission 1883 Online image





As you are getting ready to write some of your family history, (and you are getting ready to do that, aren't you?), you are probably looking through old photos for inspiration.  

  • Images add interest to the narrative of your story 
  • Images can confirm dates, such as those on gravestones
  • Family photos help confirm relationships
  • Photos can establish time and place for elusive ancestors

But, sometimes you need some help identifying people, places and/or times. This is when a reverse image search may be just the tool you need.


What is a reverse image search? 

A reverse image search is an online content-based image retrieval technique (CBIR) that uses algorithms to match a sample image with one(s) online. Matching an online image may help you identify people by dating something else in the photo such as a car or building.  

Reverse image searching has been around for a few years and you may have seen it used in some news stories to expose culprits of scams or "catfishing." We can use the same technique to pick up useful information. 

How to do a reverse image search and reasons you should | TechRadar  is a very helpful article. Bing and Google are two common search engines for matching images.  We are all familiar with searching by keyword and being inundated with images. In reverse image searching, we aren't using a keyword but matching an image. While it may not match your grandmother, it probably will offer pictures of similar clothing or background, thus helping you with time or place.


Search at Bing

Go to Bing Image Inspiration Feed and search by image:


Upload your image and prepare to be amazed!




Picture taken along Columbia River c. 1923

This photo is in an old album with other photos taken about 1923. Apparently someone took a trip along the Columbia River and took this picture.  Without knowing the name of the building, I was able to search using the image and found an internet photo taken about the same time as mine as well as modern photos, both exterior and interior, and links to history.


The images below are a few of the result of image search at Bing. 


1923 Image of Vista House offered via Ebay and Pinterest.



Other images from the internet offered with search at Bing.








Search with Google

Google Lens is another very useful reverse image search engine.



This photo was on the same album page.










A quick search at Google Images identified the truck as a Model T Ford and offered numerous logging truck pictures. More information for the story I might be writing about working on my grandfather's farm.  Notice that I was able to "highlight" the portion of the photo that I wanted to match!




Summing up

I had a lot of fun matching other old photos in my arsenal; I hope you enjoy doing this too.


MaryLynn Strickland    



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