While a few antique store owners are savvy enough to post scans, surnames, etc. to auction sites such as Ebay or online genealogical communities, most are not. So those precious family treasures just sit there, collecting dust, and waiting for a loving home.
On your next visit to your ancestral hometown, make time to visit area antique stores to see if they have any old photographs, albums, or letters from your ancestors. Even if they don't, you may find some interesting bits of history to flesh out your knowledge of the area. Or, check with the local historical or genealogical society to see if members might be interested in visiting or working with local antique stores to increase awareness of these "orphan" photos. If they don't already have something like this in place, it may be a project they find worthy of their attention. I've also been successful in convincing a few antique store owners to provide me with lists of their old photos and prices to post to relevant genealogical mailiing lists.
Make it a point to visit your local antique store and do your part to rescue our ancestral history!
