Discover Who's in Your Old Photographs

Discover Who's in Your Old Photographs
This RSVP-only event centers on the process of identifying individuals in antique and vintage photographs, led by artist and researcher Avery J. Klein of The Dead Detective.
4pm–5:30pm | Reception with Photographs on View
Join us at Carson House Tulsa (1401 S Carson Ave) for drinks and small bites while viewing a curated selection of antique and vintage photographs displayed throughout the space. Mingle, explore Klein's collection of identified photographs from The Dead Detective project, and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts, collectors, and family historians before the presentation begins.
5:30pm–7pm | Artist Talk & Group Discussion
Klein presents the story of The Dead Detective, her ongoing project to identify named and unnamed faces in antique photographs and preserve family histories before they're lost. Through live demonstration, she'll walk through her identification process using select attendee-submitted photographs, revealing:
- How to date and deconstruct photographs (19th century through mid-20th century.)
- Accessible platforms and databases that unlock family histories (FamilySearch, Ancestry, Find A Grave, etc.)
- Where to start when you have no names. Deconstructing hidden clues by examining visual details, materials, studio markings, and inscriptions, including handwritten names or messages.
- Learn about Klein’s major case studies with incredible breakthroughs that reconnected lost lives.
The presentation concludes with an open group discussion where attendees are invited to share photographs from their own families or collections, as Klein invites conversation around generational storytelling, reflecting on how photographs serve us, shape identity, and help restore narratives that are nearly forgotten.

Click submit unidentified photographs for the live talk, fill out the form and upload your images by 12AM on March 7th 2026.

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