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Flickr Users Help ID Archival Photos

Historical archives find new life online

By Michael Foreman,  Newser User

Posted Jul 29, 2008 12:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Flickr users are helping the Library of Congress identify photos in its historical archives, reports USA Today. So far, users have supplied information on 500 photos featured in Flickr's "The Commons" project, which drew 8.2 million views in just 6 months. Both partners are "stunned by the level of knowledge and also the generosity" of contributors, says one Flickr rep.

The LOC teamed with Flickr last year to publicize its collection of copyright-free, public-domain photos, uploading more than 4,000 dating from the 1900s to the 1940s, and adding 50 more each week. Flickr users have since posted more than 5,000 comments, helping to identify people, places, machines, and even airplanes.

The Great Hall at the Library of Congress.
The Great Hall at the Library of Congress.   (© Cavalier & Co.)
A worker attaches a rivet during WWII. The Library of Congress has posted more than 4,000 similar photos to Flickr.
A worker attaches a rivet during WWII. The Library of Congress has posted more than 4,000 similar photos to Flickr.   (Library of Congress)
Shepherd with his horse and dog on Gravelly Range, Madison County, Montana. Flickr users are helping the Library of Congress identify people and places in photos like this one.
Shepherd with his horse and dog on Gravelly Range, Madison County, Montana. Flickr users are helping the Library of Congress identify people and places in photos like this one.   (Library of Congress)
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