Using Images in Genealogy Work
Tools Tuesday
As human beings, we process images much quicker than we read words. An image can portray not just the facts but emotion. In trying to record my genealogical work for my descendants, I want to include images to engage my reader in the story. However, finding images of people before the 1850s is difficult if not impossible. For this week’s Tools Tuesday, I’ll be sharing the resources for images that I use for my writing and my genealogy. Please note, due to the images in this post it is best read on a computer if you have worse than perfect vision!
On SubStack, you can add images to a post by clicking on the image button in the top menu. There are 4 options:
You can add a single image by uploading it which will appear in your post where your cursor is. You can also add several into a gallery which then displays the images together geometrically again where your cursor is.
Another option is to sort through a gallery of “stock” images which are free, using terms to search for specific types of images. I have found this to be fairly limited, but it works occasionally.
Finally, the last method inside SubStack is to use the “Generate” option. Generate uses AI and your words to create an image. Once you click the generate button you are presented with both a blank entry form and if you like, you can choose a format such as “anime” or “photo”. The trick with this (and any other AI generator) is to be as wordy and specific as you can be. If you have an image in your mind, describe it in great detail. For the examples below I chose “Comic” and wrote: a desk in the forest covered with all kinds of books and notes. Sitting at the desk is an elf with a pointed cap. He is writing a long letter with a quill pen.
After about 30 seconds, the 4 images were presented. SubStack’s AI is somewhat limited. I find that I have to tweak my initial wording a few times and regenerate before I find an image I like, and rarely does it go into the detail I want, but it has been useful. For more detailed AI illustration, you can use an actual imaging software such as Adobe. As a final note on SubStack’s AI, once you select the image you have created and put it in your post, you will see the words you used to generate it as its caption. I recommend changing the caption to be more user friendly.
If you don’t have the image you want, and the AI just isn’t working for you, there are infinite resources on the web for images for your piece. My favorite is a wonderful website called WikiMedia Commons, a collection of freely usable media files, and while my focus is on images, there are other types of media as well.
Wiki is a format, so if you are used to the nested categories on other sites, it will be quickly accessible to you. Individual items in a wiki are subcategorized as specifically as possible. Think of any sort of Wiki as a giant library, and in that library are hundreds of rooms holding thousands of shelves, all which hold thousands of binders, and in those binders are files, all nested into a common structure used throughout the library. For this Tools Tuesday post, I’m going to walk through finding that perfect image on WikiMedia.
On the home page go to Content on the right-hand side. Again, thinking of it as a library, these are the rooms. Notice that below the broad categories you can also search by location, type, author, license and source. For my example I will choose History.
The page below is the landing page for the History category. Notice the 3 boxes at the top. Wikis are projects and as projects grow, they need to be managed. In this case, the admins are working on finding ways to manage such a large category. Wiki pages can sometimes look disorganized and since this type of page is not uncommon, I’m using it as an example. That way, seeing something like this won’t throw you. Just scroll down.
Wow! So much empty!!! Keep Scrolling
Notice to the right the ability to further search by location. - Keep scrolling!
And voila! We have a list of subcategories. However, for our purposes I selected by geographic location of North America under Continent in the right sidebar (shown in the middle section above).
For reference, the current category is always listed at the top, and if you don’t like your choices, use your browser back button and explore another subcategory. For this example, I got very excited about "Maps of the history of North America”. Under this category was “Maps of the French and Indian War”. WOW! Jackpot.
Once the category is limited enough to include media, it will show as thumbnails under the subcategories.
For this example, I went ahead and clicked on the image “1754 French and Indian War.png” in the top row of images, which opened up the image. Right click on the image and you can save it to your computer, and then upload it with the Add Image option. There is also a “download” option in the menu above the image if you are on a mobile device.
Instead of browsing for an image, which honestly, can lead to hours of fun wasted time, you can use the search feature on the top right. Continuing with my example from above, from the home page, instead of drilling down, I searched on “french and indian war”.
This search brought up all media that it associated with those terms. There are images, etchings, maps and other things that might fit what I’m looking for. As you can see, WikiMedia has more than just pretty pictures. There are options for audio and other types of media as well. I was curious and clicked on Audio - and YES there is audio that is connected to those search terms.
I encourage you to explore this amazing resource. I have just barely scratched the surface of the features. Take some time and really look around and find your favorites. There is a wealth of information free to use in your own writing and research. Of course, if you use something, always give credit where it is due and cite the source.
Do you have a favorite source for media? Let me know in the comments what you find, other sources for free images/media, or anything else that you think we might have a conversation on!
Thank you so much! I began using this right away as I read your directions. BTW: They are so well-written, easy to follow. Thanks!
I'm so glad you wrote about this. I'd looked at Wiki Commons before but hadn't explored it properly. Thank you for the hours of fun ahead!!