Create a Family Timeline for Photo Organizing

Creating a family timeline can be a great tool when organizing your family’s photo collection.

You may think, of course, I know when my kids were born and when my spouse and I got married and I’m not really interested in family history so why would I need a timeline?

I’ll tell you why. When trying to organize 1000s or 10s of 1000s of photos, your brain is already working overtime. Making a timeline can help give your brain a break.

Making A Timeline

What should you include in your family timeline?

A good starting point is the basics of births, deaths, and marriage.? You can also record graduations, moves to new homes, big vacations, new jobs, and any event that might help you date and identify your photos.

It may even be helpful for you to record when which child was in which grade or when they got braces or had that crazy blue hairstyle. Any little thing that you can think of could be helpful.

But don’t be worried about capturing everything for every person in your extended family. Talk about overwhelming!

A Family Timeline as Historical Document

Not only does the timeline help you with your photos, but it can also become a family history document.?

After my grandmother’s death, I found a handwritten family timeline she had created. Over the years, she had recorded births, deaths, moves, and jobs. Not only was it a great help when dating some of her older photos, but it was also extra special because it was in her handwriting, which I remember well.? What a treasure!

Following in the steps of my grandmother a couple of years ago, my mother and I created our own family timeline, including our annual vacations and family reunions. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve referred to it since we made it. It’s great not to have to rely on your own memory.

Create your Family Timeline However You’d Like

Don’t worry about any fancy programs or spreadsheets.? While you can go that route, sometimes just grabbing a pad of paper and starting to brain dump all your family events onto the paper is a great place to start.? It’s as easy as that!

Have you created a family timeline for your family?

Want to Know More?

If you want to work with a photo organizer near you to help you organize and preserve your photos, contact us or visit The Photo Managers to find one in your area.