The Photo Detective

What happens when someone uses AI to alter your family photographs without permission?

In this episode of The Photo Detective, professional genealogist and social media creator Jen Schaefer, known as The Formidable Genealogist, shares a disturbing discovery: a stranger used AI to dramatically alter her grandparents’ photographs and uploaded them to Find a Grave.

The conversation explores the growing problem of AI-manipulated family photographs appearing on genealogy websites, including FamilySearch and Ancestry. From altered facial features to completely fabricated historical documents, artificial intelligence is challenging our ability to distinguish authentic evidence from fiction.

Jen and Maureen discuss photo ownership, ethical responsibilities, website policies, and the importance of clearly labeling AI-generated or enhanced images.

Their message to genealogists is clear: protect original photographs, question digital alterations, verify historical sources, and advocate for transparency before AI-generated images become accepted as family history facts.

Related Episodes:

Episode 114: Modern Tintypes Made with History

Episode 231: Navigating the New Era of AI Genealogy (2024)

Links:

• Formidable Genealogist
• Coalition for Responsible AI in Genealogy
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help preserving your photos? Check out Maureen’s Preserving Family Photographs ebook 
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:

Jen Shaffer is a full-time professional genealogist residing in Minneapolis. She is the owner of The Formidable Genealogist and has a broad knowledge on various research subjects, while also specializing in Nordic and Slavic research. Her formal education is in the linguistics field with a degree in Russian language and one in Russian Studies. She’s passionate about educating others on genealogy by posting daily tip videos on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Bluesky. She writes digital research guides to help others level up their genealogy skills, too.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

What happens when an ordinary New Bedford whaling voyage turns into one of the most extraordinary survival stories in American maritime history? In this episode of The Photo Detective, I talk with bestselling maritime historian Eric Jay Dolin, author of The Wreck of the Mentor. Dolin has written more than seventeen acclaimed books on maritime history, environmental policy, pirates, privateers, hurricanes, and the American whaling industry, including Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America and A Furious Sky.

We explore the tragic 1834 wreck of the Mentor, whose crew became stranded for years on the islands of Palau after their ship struck a reef. Erick shares how firsthand survivor accounts, newly digitized archival sources, and years of historical research allowed him to reconstruct this remarkable story of endurance, cultural encounters, and rescue. Along the way, we discuss why these stories matter to genealogists and family historians seeking to understand the lives—and sometimes mysterious disappearances—of their seafaring ancestors.

Related Episodes:

Episode 266: Military Images Magazine’s Ron Coddington shares the stories behind Civil War Photos

Episode 240: The Hidden Stories of Tattooing: Dr. Matt Lodder on Tattoos in Photography and Society

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help preserving your photos? Check out Maureen’s Preserving Family Photographs ebook 
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:

Eric Jay Dolin is the best-selling author of numerous works in maritime history, including Left for Dead; Black Flags, Blue Waters; and Leviathan. He now lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with his family. http://www.ericjaydolin.com/

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

What happened to the women in your family tree who simply disappeared? In this episode of The Photo Detective Podcast, I’m joined by genealogist Sunny Morton to explore the hidden lives of Catholic nuns in American family history. We talk about why these women vanish from traditional records, how to identify them through clues in documents and photographs, and where to find the rich archives that hold their stories. I even share my own surprising discovery of two unknown nuns in my family. If you’ve ever had a “missing” ancestor, this episode will give you new tools—and a fresh perspective on your research.

Links:

• Save on both of Sunny's books with coupon code Church26 at Genealogical.com
• Searching for Sisters
• How to Find Your Family History in US Church Records 
• Forever.com 
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest

Sunny Jane Morton is a genealogy educator whose expertise includes using U.S. religious denominational records for family history. She is author of the new book, Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States. She is co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, which received a book award from the National Genealogical Society (NGS). She is Editor of NGS Magazine; a Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine; and an Associate member of the Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious.

Maureen Taylor 

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

In this episode, Maureen Taylor speaks with Glen Meakem, founder and CEO of Forever.com. Glen shares his inspiration for starting the company in 2012—recognizing a gap in long-term, secure, digital storage for family memories. Forever offers users a permanent digital home to store and share photos, videos, and documents with guaranteed access for future generations. Unlike other cloud platforms, Forever emphasizes ownership, privacy, and permanence, supported by a sustainable financial model. Glen also discusses their digitization services, metadata functionality, and commitment to customer support and continuous innovation, highlighting Forever’s mission to preserve memories for lifetimes to come.

Key Bullet Points:

• Glen Meakem founded Forever.com in 2012 to fill a gap in long-term digital memory preservation.
• Forever.com provides permanent cloud storage for photos, videos, and documents, guaranteed for your lifetime plus 100 years.
• The Forever.com Guarantee Fund ensures sustainable digital preservation through an endowment-like financial structure.
• Services include digitization of analog media, real-time phone backups, photo book printing, and more.
• Users retain full ownership and control over their data, with options to manage legacy settings and metadata.
• Forever offers exceptional customer support via ambassadors and dedicated service teams.
• Constant updates ensure the platform evolves with changing technology.

Related Episodes:

Episode 260 : The Photo Marketplace Shift: What It Means for Your Memories

Episode 237: How Storied.com Transforms Family HIstory into Captiving Stories

Links:

• Forever.com 
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
 

Glen Meakem is the Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of FOREVER, the leading cloud platform for people and families to save, organize, and share their photos, videos, documents, audio files, and stories now and for generations into the future. Learn more at www.forever.com.

Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

Ron Coddington, editor and publisher of Military Images magazine, joins The Photo Detective podcast to share his journey from teenage Civil War photo collector to leading a respected history publication. He discusses the legacy of Civil War portraiture, the vast archive of surviving images, and the magazine’s mission to reconnect forgotten faces with their stories. 

• The magazine, founded in 1979, showcases rare Civil War portraits and stories behind them.
• Civil War photography is vast—estimated at 40 million images taken, with millions surviving.
• A database of 10,000+ identified soldiers is now available online and via JSTOR.
• Traveling exhibits like Faces of Freedom bring Civil War stories to new audiences.

Related Episodes:
Episode 265: Spared and Shared: How One Man Made Civil War History Accessible to All

Episode 259: Digging Into Civil War Pension Files with Brian Rhinehart

Links:

• Military Images Magazine
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
Ronald S. Coddington began collecting Civil War-era photography as a teenager, and he has never stopped. A journalist by profession, he is the Editor and Publisher of Military Images, a quarterly magazine showcasing, interpreting, and preserving Civil War portrait photography. He is the author of the five-volume series, Faces of the Civil War (Johns Hopkins University Press), and Gettysburg Faces: Portraits and Personal Accounts (Gettysburg Publishing). His writings have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Civil War Monitor, Civil War Times, Civil War News, and elsewhere. You can follow his trips down the research rabbit hole on Life in the Civil War Research Trail weekdays on YouTube.

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

In this episode, Griff (Bill Griffing), the mind behind the Spared and Shared websites, shares how he turned his post-retirement passion for Civil War history into a monumental historical preservation project. Transcribing over 15,000 letters—mostly from eBay—Griff provides context, authorship, and insight for Civil War correspondence, making them publicly accessible. His meticulous work bridges genealogical research and historical scholarship. His efforts have supported publications, academic research, and even led to a book on Abraham Lincoln. Griff’s dedication ensures these firsthand historical voices are preserved and searchable for generations.

• Griff has transcribed over 15,000 historical letters, primarily from the Civil War era.
• His Spared and Shared project spans over 23 public websites and more than 160 collection-specific sites.
• His work is freely available and indexed via the Billy Yank & Johnny Reb Letters site.
• A book he co-edited, A Great and Good Man, compiles rare Lincoln accounts from these letters.

Related Episodes:
Episode 259: Digging Into Civil War Pension Files with Brian Rhinehart  

Episode 245: The Enduring Legacy of Tintypes From Civil War Soldiers to Contemporary Artists

Links:

• Spared and Shared Facebook 
• Billy Yank & Johnny Reb Letters
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Need help preserving your photos? Check out Maureen’s Preserving Family Photographs ebook 
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:

For the past fifteen years following his retirement, William Griffing dedicated himself to the transcription of letters—encompassing thousands of Civil War era correspondence and diaries that have remained unpublished until now, with most residing in private collections for decades. A significant portion of this work has been presented on various Spared & Shared Webpages or in independent, stand-alone websites.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor welcomes Emily Banas, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum, to explore the captivating world of French wallpaper. Their discussion centers on The Art of French Wallpaper Design exhibition, diving into the artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy behind these historical wall coverings.

• The RISD Museum’s collection of 18th and 19th-century French wallpaper—originally acquired in 1934—is showcased for the first time in decades, highlighting woodblock-printed designs from 1770–1840.
• The collection was assembled by French artist Charles Ard and American author Francis Wilson Ard, who sourced wallpapers for famed interior decorator Nancy McClelland.
• Visitors learn about the intricate woodblock printing method, with some designs requiring up to 20 blocks. A reproduction project by Delphi Paper Hangings brings these methods to life.
  
  

Related Episodes:
Episode 255: The Power of Knitting: History, Healing, and Resilience in Loretta Napoleoni’s Book

Episode 241: The Threads of Life: Unraveling the Rich Tapestry of Sewing with Author Clare Hunter

Links:

• The Art of French Wallpaper Design
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
Emily Banas is the Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum in Providence, Rhode Island where she has been working since 2015. Her recent exhibitions span from design works on paper and contemporary enamelwork to historic wallpaper, reflecting a broad, interdisciplinary approach examining form, style, material, and use across 18th to 21st century decorative arts, craft, and design. She earned an MA in decorative arts, design history and material culture from the Bard Graduate Center in 2015, and an MA in art history and museum studies, with a concentration in decorative arts and design, from Georgetown University in 2012.

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

In this episode of The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor welcomes historian Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. Friss dives deep into the evolution of bookstores in America—from colonial times to the digital age. He shares fascinating insights into their cultural, political, and communal roles throughout history. 

• Early American bookstores were cultural and political hubs, vital for disseminating revolutionary ideas and classic literature, despite also selling sundry items.
• Bookstores evolved from general goods shops to genre-specific havens—feminist, radical, and neighborhood staples—such as NYC’s famous “Book Row.”
• Bookstores act as “third spaces,” offering connection, events, and literary engagement beyond just book sales.
• Independent bookstores face small profit margins, rising ebook popularity, and competition from Amazon, yet persist through innovation and community support.

Related Episodes:
Episode 198: A Sewing Girl’s Tale with Author John Wood Sweet

Episode 189: Historical Fiction Revealed with Carrie Deming of The Dog Eared Book 

Links:

• Evan Friss
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Need help preserving your photos? Check out Maureen’s Preserving Family Photographs ebook 
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
Evan Friss is a professor of history at James Madison University and the author of two other books: The Cycling City: Bicycles and Urban America in the 1890s and On Bicycles: A 200-Year History of Cycling in New York City. He lives with his wife (a bookseller) and two children (occasional booksellers) in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcast

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

In the March 2025 episode of her solo podcast, Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, discusses a variety of personal and professional experiences related to photo management and genealogy. She begins by addressing the shutdown of MemoryWeb, a platform she used extensively, detailing her efforts to safeguard her photos by enhancing metadata and descriptions before downloading them. Maureen also shares insights from a productive meeting with Forever.com executives about potential metadata improvements. She reflects on the emotional power of photographs, recounting how revisiting family photos led to discoveries and a deeper connection to her past. Additionally, Maureen talks about being the sole memory keeper of her family’s history, emphasizing the importance of documenting and sharing personal stories to preserve them for future generations. She concludes with announcements about her upcoming digital photo organizing course and ongoing engagements with new genealogy and photo management tools.

Related Episodes:

Episode 254: Solving Family Photo Mysteries: A Journey with The Photo Detective 

Episode 242: Uncovering the Past Through Postcards with Maureen Taylor 

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help preserving your photos? Check out Maureen’s Preserving Family Photographs ebook 
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show

In this episode of the podcast, host Maureen Taylor is joined by Diahan Southard, known for her expertise as “Your DNA Guide.” Diahan discusses her new book, “Monday Minutes,” which is inspired by her popular newsletter. The book is a collection of reflections on everyday moments and thoughts, aimed at connecting deeply with her audience beyond the realm of genealogy.

Key Highlights:

• Origin and Impact: “Monday Minutes” started as a simple, fun email experiment to connect with Diahan’s customers on a personal level.
• Content and Themes: Each Monday, Diahan shares thoughts on varied life experiences, ranging from parenting to everyday observations, which resonate deeply with her audience. These reflections encourage readers to find meaning and connection in their own lives.
• Journal and Reflection: Diahan’s initiative evolved into a book and a journal where readers can write their reflections. This not only serves as personal documentation but also as a genealogical record, adding a personal touch to family histories.

Related Episodes:
Episode 250: Telling Her Story: How to Research and Write Women’s Histories

Episode 190: Writing Genealogical Crime Mysteries with Nathan Dylan Goodwin

 Links:

• Get Monday Minutes by Diahan Southard
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.

About My Guest:

Diahan Southard, Founder and CEO, Genetic Genealogy Expert and Educator

Diahan Southard knows firsthand what a difference it can make to know where you came from. What started off as an educational and career interest in genetic genealogy became deeply personal when she used DNA to discover her mom’s birth parents and connect with new relatives.

Now she has 25+ years of genetic genealogy experience. She built her company, Your DNA Guide, to show that learning DNA doesn’t have to be intimidating, frustrating, or require a college degree in biology. Her goal is to teach you to “Do the DNA”–and feel confident and have fun in the process!

Diahan teaches internationally, writes for popular magazines, authored Your DNA Guide–The Book, and produces Your DNA Guide–the Academy, an online learning experience.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show