Hi Susan, Family Chronicle Magazine <www.familychronicle.com> PO Box 194, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 has published two books on the subject: "Dating Old Photographs 1840-1929" ($12) and "More Dating Old Photographs" ($16). The price is $22 if you purchase both books at the same time. I recommend paying by check, as credit card orders are processed through their Canadian office and you'll end up paying considerably more. Their bimonthly magazine often contains articles on this subject as well. These books probably contain dated examples that can be compared to your photo. If the name and address of the photographer is on the cardboard mount, you may be able to locate the studio in a city directory and determine what years it was in business. The photo's backing material will also help to date it. Daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes and cartes-de-visite or cabinet cards were produced during certain periods of time, but technology was slow to reach rural areas, so some of these older methods were still in use years after city studios had moved on to something better. Clothing, hairstyles, and the presence or absence of beards, mustaches and sideburns are also used to date photos. Items in the background can also help. I have a photo that shows a building on which someone had tacked a theater poster. Under strong magnification I was able to read the title of the movie. An online search told me when the film had been released, giving me an approximate timeframe. A tedious week by week search though the local newspaper told me when the film was shown at a local theater. Patricia Morrow, Windham Town Historian >Patricia- A week or so ago I tried sending some ancestor photos to the list, but I think they didn't survive the translation. I will send again. My question is whether you might know anyone who is an expert in analyzing old photos as to their age. I have a photo of a male ancestor that I would very much like to know more about. Susan