Photo Restoration for Genealogy Research
Create clearer working copies of inherited portraits and archive scans while preserving an honest link to every original.
What this workflow can help with
- Reveal faces and clothing details hidden by fading or surface damage
- Prepare clearer copies for relatives, family trees, and research notes
- Keep restored derivatives separate from archival master scans
- Share a before-and-after page without exposing the rest of your account
From original print to reviewed result
- 01
Record the source, album, names, and estimated date before editing.
- 02
Scan the front and back if the print contains handwriting or studio marks.
- 03
Restore the image, then compare identity and period details with the source.
- 04
Export the result with a filename that clearly marks it as restored.
Prepare the source before restoring
- Never overwrite the master scan. A restoration is a research aid and derivative image.
- Keep notes about which AI settings were used so family members understand how the image was produced.
- Use colourization as an interpretation and label it clearly when sharing it in a historical context.
Before you restore
Can restoration help identify an unknown relative?
A clearer working copy may make expressions, clothing, and setting easier to compare, but generated detail should not be treated as proof of identity.
How should I label restored genealogy photos?
Keep the original filename or reference number and add a clear suffix such as '-restored'. Store source notes and the untouched master scan with it.
See what can be recovered from your own image
Credits are used only when a restoration succeeds.