Digital Volunteerism

I am a strong believer in technology, until the power goes out of course. Whether we like it or not, social media is here and here to stay for awhile, no doubt. Despite its annoyances, I do feel it can be very useful, especially in the public history profession. I feel its uses extend beyond Facebook updates from museums and other societies touting their latest exhibits, soliciting feedback, and distributing articles from the field. I point to this link I wish to share with you: 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2012/04/17/150801239/photo-mystery-solved-then-doubted-then-resolved-thanks-to-readers

This article was posted on NPR last spring. I remember reading it when it was first published and I suppose it is a good thing I remembered its existence. Aside from being a fun tidbit to relate to anyone who might be remotely interested, I feel this article does speak to the public history field as a whole. The article discusses how a photograph from the Civil War became part of a wild goose chase for information. Ultimately resulting in the identification of the previously unknown figure.

I definitely feel this article touches on the positive aspects of allowing the public access to documents. Especially because the medium of photography is so easy to transmit, I feel outreach efforts such as this are beneficial both to archivists and to the public. While this endeavor cannot with absolute certainty prove that the individual in the photograph was [SPOILER ALERT!] Alonzo S. Thompson. It definitely is an exercise where individuals can apply their skills and knowledge without endangering objects and can feel like they have positively contributed. It also casts a wider net as to who can become involved in an initiative; involvement is no longer restricted to an x-minute drive which allows for a wider range of skills to be found.

I do know from personal experience that when I mentioned this article to non-historically inclined friends at the time of its publication that they thought it was rather fascinating. Do others feel this is a good way to engage the public and get people involved in the process of history without necessarily risking items? I feel this form of volunteering is certainly convenient for those who have limited time, resources, or mobility to become involved in the historical process. Outside research on this photo was a personal choice. Whether this effort inspired other such initiatives is unknown but it is certainly an interesting approach to identification in photos. Maybe similar techniques could be applied to photographs of locations, buildings, items, and of course, people.