Make & keep
Read the reverse of a photo strip carefully
Preserve handwriting without turning a guess into a date.
The back of a strip can tell another story, but its writing may have been added long after the photographs.
Make a legible record
Capture the reverse as a separate image, supporting the strip without bending it. Transcribe what you can read and mark missing or uncertain characters. Record the position of the writing and whether it crosses a stamp or old adhesive. Do not rub, wet or trace the original to improve the reading.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Ask a precise question
Show a working copy to someone familiar with the handwriting. Ask who wrote it, rather than presenting your interpretation as fact. Keep conflicting answers in the record. A name may identify the owner or recipient, not everyone pictured; use the inscription as evidence to investigate, not an automatic identification.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- US National Archives — digitising family archivesPreservation guidance