The Accidental Archivist

20,000+ Negatives. 100+ Years. One Accidental Archivist.

I never planned to become a film archivist. But when I opened the hatch to my parents’ attic, I found box after box filled with thousands of old negatives.

Over 20,000 photographs spanning more than 100 years — from my great-grandfather’s earliest film experiments to my grandparents’ travels, my parents’ snapshots in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, and everything in between.

Now, I’m on a journey to scan, restore, and rediscover these forgotten moments on film. Along the way, I’ll be sharing mystery rolls revealed for the first time, negatives over 100 years old brought back to life, the cameras and film formats that shaped my family’s history, plus tips, mistakes, and lessons as I learn to archive it all.

I don’t know exactly what I’ll uncover — and I don’t have all the answers. That’s where you come in. Share your knowledge, join the discovery, and become part of The Accidental Archivist.