I began collecting digital copies of Civil War photos nearly twenty years ago, cataloging them in a database that brought together the (sometimes contradictory) information from all the various sources for each photo. The database record for each image also included links to other records for the people, places and things that could be identified in that photo. It was really quite impressive. When the time came to turn the database into a website, I discovered it was also going to be really quite expensive, in comparison to my means. Luckily, some clever local web designers worked out a relatively affordable way for a WordPress website to do what my database does, with the catch that I would myself have to do the work of transferring the information record by record – I can’t just transfer the data wholesale. I’m estimating that just doing the records I’ve already got completed in the database (about 8000) will probably take a year, so it will be worth checking back frequently, ‘cause I’m going to be adding records very regularly.

In cataloging the contents of the photos, I’ve had to become passingly familiar with a variety of subjects like 1860s artillery pieces, or tents, or locomotives. However, I’m not an expert on any of those subjects, I have no doubt made many errors and omissions, and I welcome any constructive feedback from the actual experts.

The digital downloads of the photos are priced from $0.99 to $9.99, based on the size of the file. For many photos, I am offering more than one version for download. If I have the original negative, it is always offered. If I also have an original print that has aged better or is of a higher resolution than the negative, it will also be offered.

Thank you for visiting the website, and I hope you find it enjoyable and informative.