Is there a medium for exchanging scans of old family portraits, or could anyone suggest how it might be done? Does Simcoe County Archives solicit or accept originals or copies? Murray

Hello Murray, I can't speak for all archives but our museum certainly does accept photos and the Research Centre in particular is always happy to receive them. We have made it a practice of sending the original photograph to archival storage and retaining a copy in the family files in the Centre. In this way it is preserved for all time. Occasionally, if it is a photo of an original settler, it will be copied and mounted for hanging on the walls - a wonderful way to store and share old photographs. We have accepted many scans received by e-mail (thank you, Paul!) and have had them printed and then placed in the family files. Since admission is charged at museums with archival facilities, you may want to bear in mind that it will probably cost you to see or copy the photos in the future - a small price to pay for storage and care over the years. We have remarkable collections of old photos, some of generations of families, that sit in our archives. Many were accepted in the days when record keeping was not as careful as it is today and there is no family name to identify them. Sadly, many times the donors is unable to give us a family name or identify the people in the pictures. Always be sure to ask if there are any pictures or photos when you come into a museum or archives where your family were known to have resided. Most, but not all, of our photographic collection can be searched on our website. For a small fee, good quality copies can be made of most photos. Almost all of the photographs in the book "This Was Yesterday" by Bayfield and Gerow are in our archives. Having them preserved and properly stored enabled us to publish an excellent reprint edition a few years ago. Anyone having photos of original settlers, Drummond Islanders, First Nations, Quebec French or British soldiers etc. please contact me off list. We would like to have a wall of family portraits for our 2008 Settlers' Day events. Loan or gift would be great! Pam Tessier Research Co-ordinator Genealogy & History Research Centre Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives www.pencenmuseum.com >