A collection of old photographs, including a black and white photo of three women standing outdoors, some partially torn, with one woman reading a book, and others showing a woman in what appears to be a wedding dress or formal attire.

Uncover the history behind photos, places, people, and objects

Get Started

About the studio

I help people uncover the stories behind photographs, places, and people from the past. Whether you’re holding a mysterious photo, wondering about a former home, or trying to trace a missing family member, I’ll do the digging and return an organized file with everything I find.

A scattered pile of black and white photographs and papers, with one showing a woman standing outdoors near a fence.

Item Search

You’ve got a photo, postcard, letter, or document - and you want to know the story behind it. I’ll identify people, places, dates, uniforms, locations, and context.

A two-story residential building with a brick facade on the lower level and gray shingles on the upper level. The upper part features two white-framed double-hung windows, with one window air-conditioned, and the house has a triangular roof with white trim. Shadows of leaves and branches from trees are cast on the building, indicating a sunny day.

Place History

Want to know what used to be here? I’ll research the history of a home, apartment, building, or address - who lived there, what changed, and what stories are tied to it.

A black-and-white photograph of two women standing outdoors on a pathway near water, smiling and looking at the camera. One is wearing a dark coat and the other a hat and cardigan. They are holding small objects, possibly cameras. There are plants and rocks nearby, with boats and trees in the background.

Person Search

Trying to trace someone from the past? I’ll pull together public records, newspaper mentions, and historical databases to learn more about them.

Three women looking at old photographs and a color photograph of a blonde woman in a red vest with a white shirt, with a wooden floor and colorful confetti in the background.

Custom Project

Have a bigger project or combination of items? Let’s talk. I’ll provide a custom quote based on time, complexity, and output.

How it works

  • Use the form below to tell me what you’re curious about - a photo, a name, a place, or a document. Include anything you know, even if it feels small.

  • Once I review your submission, I’ll let you know if it’s a fit, clarify any details, and confirm a price based on the complexity of your case.

  • Within 2–3 weeks (usually sooner), you’ll get a PDF that outlines everything I uncovered, with context, sources, and recommendations for where to go next.

SUBMIT YOUR MYSTERY

What people are saying

  • "This is wild! I'm shocked you've been able to find so much info already. These old newspaper clips are so cool. I love the story of the guy selling wine as a 'quart of chicken' on Sundays and going to jail for it.

    Kyle B. | Looking for information about a historical property near a job site in North Carolina

  • "Wait did you pull all of that together yourself that fast?!"

    Sam H. | Looking for the history of her friend’s New York apartment (where there may or may not be ghosts)

  • "I just shared this with my husband and he is blown away. We're really intrigued by that prohibition guy because my husband sells alcohol and we basically had a speakeasy in our basement! It's so cool!!!"

    Andie | Looking for information about their historic rowhome in Baltimore

  • "My family was so happy and impressed with your digging! My mom especially was like, "She found all that in a few hours?!"

    Brittany B. | Looking for information about her great-grandma’s long-lost sister

  • "This is incredible research! Thank you for putting this together! I agree - those comparision photos look very much like the same person."

    @forgottenphotos | Looking for information about a photograph found at a flea market

  • "Thank you so much for this! I am not sure I've ever seen a photo of my great-grandmother that young. I can't wait to share it with my family."

    Tracy K. | Returning a photo I found at a flea market to its original family

  • "Wow this is so cool!!! You could make a whole legit career out of reuniting people with their ancestors things."

    Cat F. | Helped her find the original owner of a WWII coat she found at a thrift store

FAQs

  • You don't need to know what to call it - just that you want to know more. Here are some examples of the kinds of projects I may take on:

    Photos and documents

    • Dating a portrait based on military uniforms and backdrop

    • Identifying a woman in a photo album with names of other relatives

    • Decoding a handwritten postcard sent from Italy in the 1930s

    • Translating a letter and researching the name in the signature

    Places and addresses

    • Tracing the history of a Baltimore rowhome from 1890 to today

    • Finding out who owned a farmhouse in North Dakota in the 1950s

    • Discovering what used to be on a now-empty corner lot

    • Researching the original use of a building marked "Meat Market"

    People and families

    • Searching for a great-aunt who stayed in her county of origin while siblings emigrated

    • Investigating a family claim about a Civil War soldier

    • Untangling two people with the same name in overlapping census records

    Custom projects

    • Confirming the meaning of a symbol carved into a gravestone

    • Finding the story behind a high school class ring from 1927

    • Researching a friend's childhood home before it was torn down

    • Piecing together the origin of items found in a shoebox in the attic

    ⚠️ Note: Every project needs at least some identifying detail - a name, location, approximate date, or clue to work from. Though I try to work magic, if there's truly nothing to go on, I may not be able to take on your project.

  • Most projects are delivered within 2–3 weeks (usually sooner), depending on the scope. Rush turnarounds may be available.

  • Some mysteries don’t have clear answers, but I give every project my full effort. To cover the time and tools involved in the search, every project includes a non-refundable base fee of $75. If your case yields limited or no results, you’ll still receive a PDF detailing what I found, where I looked, and what I recommend trying next.

  • Yes! If you have multiple items, an in-depth timeline, or a story you’d like help tracing over time, please don't hesitate to reach out. I offer custom packages tailored to your specific needs and will provide a quote before starting work.

  • I offer sliding scale pricing starting at $75. You’ll receive a quote after submitting your mystery, based on complexity and your ability to pay.

Have a mystery you’ve been wondering about?

Get Started Here

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About Neta Pearl Rackley Sykes → Neta was born in 1916 in Nash County, North Carolina. She married Thomas Gill Sykes in 1935, with whom she had two sons, Tommy Jr. and John Madison. The marriage was marked by tragedy when John was killed in a
Found this mini-portrait in a giant bin at @veteranauctionsllc and when I got home, realized that there was a tintype tucked behind the frame with a lock of hair in the envelope (very post-mortem-esque, so hopefully I didn’t just invite a spiri
Photo/s found by @houseofmirthphotos, researched by yours truly @pleasewritevintage. At @luthercollege, Art Olson was a three-year letter winner in football, serving as captain his senior year, and a two-year letter winner in basketball. He marri
This photo was taken in Pittsburgh in 1916. Most of the men are wearing identical-looking lapel pins, and a few are in uniform, maybe police. I suspect it’s a fraternal organization or labor union (maybe the Elks, Odd Fellows, or Knights of Co