PastPix - The Source for Historical Images






How to Find an Image


All the photographs on the PastPix website are arranged in groups, eg. BRITISH ISLES, RECREATION AND LEISURE, TRANSPORT, etc. Each of these groups is further divided into categories. For instance the group TRANSPORT has currently over twenty categories such as AUTOMOBILES, TRAMS, etc.

To make searching easier the categories in some groups are further divided into sub-categories. Take for example the group BRITISH ISLES, the categories for which are the different counties or districts. The sub-categories in this group are the cities, towns and villages in each county. Therefore, to find photographs of say Harrogate, the route is BRITISH ISLES (group), to NORTH YORKSHIRE (category), then to HARROGATE (sub-category). Similarly, to find photographs of Blacksmiths the route is INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, then OCCUPATIONS, then BLACKSMITHS.

The PastPix collection contains large numbers of images of some major cities, such as Manchester and London. To aid a search we have added a location box that lists the suburbs in these cities. Selecting a suburb will display only the images of that particular suburb.

At the moment some categories may not display any images. However, as our restoration and archiving programme progresses items will be added to all the categories. If a category or sub-category contains no images try accessing the cross-referenced images.




Cross-References
As a further refinement we have created our own interrogation software that allows photographs to be cross-referenced. Take for instance a photograph of any well known Victorian/Edwardian actress. The main entry for her would be ENTERTAINMENT (group), - ACTORS AND ACTRESSES (category). However, if she was wearing a fashionable outfit then the photograph would be cross-referenced to PEOPLE (group), - FASHIONS (category).

Likewise a Croydon street scene that includes a close up of a tram and some shops would firstly be entered into BRITISH ISLES, - GREATER LONDON, - CROYDON, and then cross-referenced to TRANSPORT, - TRAMS, for the tram and INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, - SHOPS AND STORES, for the shops.

Any images that have been cross-referenced to another group's categories or sub-categories can be seen by clicking the CROSS-REFERENCES link to go straight to them, and the MAIN IMAGES link to return.


Narrative Photographs


Narrative photos are posed studies using models and props in a studio setting in order to portray various aspects of everyday life of the period in a humorous, satirical, sentimental or other way. As such they differ greatly from the true to life, candid shots which make up the rest of the Pastpix collection. They are categorised with regard to both their literal and implied meanings, as well as actual content, but it is worth noting that the majority of them contain a wealth of detail with regard to period dress and furnishings. Researchers of these two subjects are therefore recommended to browse the whole group.


Whilst we make every effort to present accurate information to accompany our images some mistakes may arise. We therefore would appreciate being informed of any errors.

Groups
BRITISH ISLES
OVERSEAS
ARCHITECTURAL
ARMED FORCES
EDUCATION
ENTERTAINMENT
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
NARRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS
ORGANISATIONS
PEOPLE
POLITICAL
PUBLIC SERVICES
RECREATION AND LEISURE
RELIGION
ROYALTY AND ARISTOCRACY
RURAL
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SPORT
TRANSPORT
MISCELLANEOUS

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