Archives Asks Public To Help Solve Mystery
Nova Scotians are being asked to help solve a mystery by identifying some very old photos in the new online exhibit Nova Scotians at Home and Abroad.
The Nova Scotia Archives has made a collection of previously unseen nitrate negatives available on the photo-sharing website Flickr today, Oct. 4.
The photos have little information attached to them. While some have titles, most are missing locations, descriptions, years and other important details. A century later, the public is invited to help piece together this information on Flickr by adding tags and comments to an image.
"This is an exciting way for the public to help increase our understanding about the information contained at the Nova Scotia Archives," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson. "Another way to access our province's heritage is now open to everyone with the use of the Internet."
The collection features 150 digitized photos of unusual quality, most more than 100 years old. Many are outstanding examples of early 20th century travel photography, featuring Nova Scotians visiting Japan, Italy, Western Canada, the United States and other unknown locations.
One of the most intriguing images shows a World War I-era soldier with a pet bear cub, quite possibly the most famous Canadian bear cub of all, Winnie the Pooh.
"We are pleased to make such a beautiful collection of photos available online to the public, and excited to launch live contributions from internet visitors for the first time," said Lois Yorke, director of public services.
The archives is looking for locations, landmarks, names the year or decade of the photo and any other identifying information.
Tags added to photos will be screened by Nova Scotia Archives staff for accuracy and then used to create a permanent exhibit on the archives' homepage.
Nova Scotians at Home and Abroad can be found online at www.flickr.com/nsarchives/ .
Nova Scotia Archives acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage.