In the first afternoon session of Family History Feast, Mark Brennan from the National Archives of Australia (NAA) presented on Pictorial records at National Archives.

Mark introduced us to the Archives’ two new photographic websites Faces of Australia and Destination Australia. NAA are asking for help to identify the people and places snapped in these photographs, as well to share any memories or emotions they may evoke.

Faces of Australia includes 227 images of Australians, taken by photographers working for the Australian News and Information Bureau in the 1950s and 1960s. The photographs show Australians at work and at play. Mark showed a lovely example of Sir Donald Bradman signing the cricket bat of a young boy. The boy in the photo has shared his memory of the moment. It’s amazing how much more a photograph comes to life when you hear the story behind it.

The Destination Australia website includes more than 20,000 images of migrants during Australia’s post-war immigration boom. You can tag photographs with people you know, add stories or comments. The website is still in its early stages and they are encouraging feedback from members of the public.

After seeing the success of Trove’s digitised newspapers, I can’t wait to see how keen genealogists will also enrich the content of these new photographic resources.