Just when you think it’s hopeless, a letter turns up that not only answers the question, but opens new vistas for exploration. Take the case of “Dr. Shafer.”

Leonard historian Jennie Leonard Hutchinson described her last visit to the family’s old two-story log cabin in a letter dated 1932. In it, she mentioned that “Dr. Shaffer (sic) was overcome with emotion as he looked about. His mother, Lydia Shaffer, was my father’s sister.”

Several of us had the same thought…

Fair warning, ladies and genealogists, that I intend to post a new article every week for the next four weeks. So, if you find auto-notices annoying, this would be the time to unsubscribe.

We begin with this month’s mystery photo, brought to us by our good buddy Sean.
As always, anyone with information on our unsub (unknown subject) is urged to speak up.

You know the drill. If he looks familiar, go scour your photo albums, shoe boxes, and bottom dresser drawers for an identical or similar photograph that might have his name etched on the back.

Our newest cousin was taking care of a relative’s affairs after a death in the family. As part of those duties, he was cleaning out a shed in the back yard of a south Florida home. In the shed, he found a cabinet and in that cabinet were two boxes. In the boxes… dozens of photos and some old letters!

Spend enough time researching your family history and you’re sure to come across some “mystery photos.” So, how do you go about unraveling the mystery? Why, the same way a detective would… by looking for clues.