Those new to tintype or any antique photo but who have a knack for digital repair would do well to maintain copies of original scans to minimize the amount of light to which the photo is exposed.
While certainly durable (my father's tintypes are as much as 142 years old), the tintype does possess certain fragilities and its image is not immune to the elements. Moisture of any kind can cause extensive damage and it doesn't take much to bend the metal or scratch the image.
Dusting or cleaning of a tintype is strongly discouraged as this can remove the image. As with any historical item and/or family heirloom, proper care must be employed with a tintype.
My great-grandfather James Palmer Rankin appears several times in tintype (all of the above except for the ladies) during his days looking for work around Pennsylvania in the late 1890’s and working in the oil fields of the Midwest in the early 1900's.
My great-great grandparents, George and Susannah (Krape) Day, are seen here (at left)with three of their children in 1864. A not altogether delightful looking woman, it is worth noting that Susannah lost three children between the births of Hendrick (left) and George (middle). Reuben and Adam died as infants and Flora died at 18 months of age.
Additionally, Susannah lost another infant, Harry, in 1879. The baby in this picture is Burdo. There is no record of miscarriages or stillbirths for Susannah. Nonetheless, she gave birth to 13 children. My great-grandmother, Sarah, was Susannah's eighth child. Sarah would go on to marry my great-grandfather, James, who appears in the photographs above.
There you have it, my fellow human hunters. Tintypes are special. Don't throw them away, even if you don't know who is who, and take good care of them!
Join me next time for a look at V Mail, where we will explore images of my great-uncle's WWII communications from the South Pacific.
Article comments
1 - serket
Interesting article, I'll have to ask my grandmother (who is into genealogy) if she has heard about these. In an interesting family story, my grand-aunt discovered a picture of her grandmother in a box of pictures at an antique store. She wasn't even sure who the picture was of, but based on the last name she bought the picture and later discovered the identity.
Have you done an article on genetics and genealogy? You should check out the project at: www.smgf.org/
2 - dad
Of all the things you can choose in life, family isn't one of them. It's amazing how many stories have been "cleaned up" in the years of retelling. Wonder what the next generations will find out about our family stories?
3 - diana hartman
"Wonder what the next generations will find out about our family stories?
heh heh...that's what lawyers are for!
4 - Barbara Moon Batista
Diane: I am interested in the hairstyle of your great great great grandmother Susan Day 1864. I have a similar tintype with no identifier and I am curious about whether or not the style is of the day or from another country. Thank you, Barbara