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Old photos can transport you back to the past like nothing else. Whenever you're nostalgic, you can just open a photo album and let those memories flood you. It might also tell a story if you're not the person in the picture.

The subreddit r/TheWayWeWere creates bittersweet, nostalgic emotions, similar to opening up a photo album. In the group, people share their most cherished moments from the past in a photo format. Without further ado, check out our collection of these memorable pics.

#1

Native Woman And Child. King Island, Alaska. Photo Taken Between 1915 And 1925

Native Woman And Child. King Island, Alaska. Photo Taken Between 1915 And 1925

Paul-Belgium Report

#2

My Grandmother In Her First Portrait, 1886

My Grandmother In Her First Portrait, 1886

dittidot Report

#3

Biracial Family Circa 1900

Biracial Family Circa 1900

oldsoul8789 Report

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eyelessonex avatar
Corvus
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine what a scandal this was back then! It's amazing how far we've come, and yet we still have a lot of remaining bigotries to expunge.

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J-Stryker666
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's one gorgeous looking family! I can only imagine all the b******t they had to go through and overcome. I'm white, my wife is Spanish, and were both female so although we have come quite far in accepting both biracial and homosexual relationships we still have a ways to go.....

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so glad to hear you are with the one you love, no matter what others think! <3 My boyfriend is Chinese, and I'm white, but I was adopted at birth into a Mexican family. My Hispanic family members have NEVER gotten over the fact that I am dating an Asian. We also get plenty of nasty looks/comments from the (mostly) white residents of the city where we live. I used to hear stories from my mom about my Hispanic cousin who married a black man in the early 70s and got completely disowned by the rest of the family (except by my mom, who married a white dude). My cousin got cancer and died many years ago, before I was even born, and (according to my mom), most of the family refused to even reconcile with her on her deathbed. Her children were older than I am (I was born 1982) and have passed away as well, but I have contact with their children (her grandchildren) and they are wonderful people. I wish you and your wife all the best and may your obstacles become miniscule!

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Shoe
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love is love and apparently those folks understood it way back then. Good for them.

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Leigh
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love is a beautiful thing. I'm glad the family ignored the racist jerks.

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Ansi
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People of yesteryear always look so stylish and dapper. I feel bad for them, that's probably wool clothing, and getting dressed must have been a chore. But no one can disagree how cool they look. 🥰

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K_Tx
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous family. The neck/collar of her dress looks so uncomfortable.

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Bryn
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did find this, after some hunting: http://jjhm.eklablog.com/finding-jim-carrie-of-roots-the-next-generations-a168925926 So it appears correct. Just very odd for the time period

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Vampire_Unicorn
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am bi-racial. This is a beautiful photo. Although it may have been okay in certain parts of the world at the time, i can imagine there may have been some double standards when it came to a black man with a caucasian wife.

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Louby Of Morrowind
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They look so haunted. I imagine they lived in a area where interracial families were frowned upon

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Clarissa
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yikes, look at the neckline of her dress. Looks very uncomfortable

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Patricia Smith
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a brave woman and man! The courage and probably quaking knees!?

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Debra Newell
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t even imagine how tough it must’ve been for this family to have coped with the racism and prejudice. God bless them. I’m almost certain they’ve gone home to God by now.

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Marina M.
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has anyone hereseen the movie "The Human Stain"? Very well done, dealing with racism and bigotry. Wonderful cast: Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, J cole Kidman, Gary Sinise. Not necessarily a pleasant & easy to watch movie, but I highly recommend it.

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Lynn Morello
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The world has come a little further since then, but sadly, even today Bi-racial couples often face abuse at the hands of Bigots.

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Tyler Campbell
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Comments like this perpetuate racism.. You should just be beacons of equality, not some bad fortune cookie, that just want like...

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Tyler Campbell
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Comments like that perpetuate racism.. Enjoy the picture and be beacon for equality not a bad fortune cookie, begging for peoples likes.

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Audra
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a beautiful family!! 😍 growing up had a family of 7 ( still don't know how I survived 🤣) had a half African American brother and ppl across street from were these super mega a*****e racists that I couldn't STAND! One day going to friends house I cut the very corner of yard and they watched me. My brother does the exact same thing and they just start screaming at him! 😳Dudes and dudets... I f*****g SNAPPED! 😡 story too long! So sorry! Still makes my blood boil to this day!!!! (Obviously lol)

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Xenon
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To take the picture, having to hold so still. I like the ones that they are more playing and laughing. Doesn't come out as well but I love them.

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Glenn Cuneo
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is just one race in the photo-- human. You're talking about ethnicity- two different things.

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similarly
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

race is the correct term for classifying humans by physical characteristics. Ethnicity is about physical traits and/or cultural traits. There is just one species, but multiple races. However, both "race" and even "species" are human constructs, based on human perceptions and biases. In the larger sense, they only exist because we say they do. So while linguistically I might tend to disagree, philosophically I see where you're coming from and would tend to agree.

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Androgyny Lunacy
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is haunting... We all know that lady was forced into acts against her will by the old creep.

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Lenoy
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want a racial problem reelect the republicans and Trump, he will put your contry upside down.

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Lori w
Community Member
7 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I have a feeling they didn't like their photographer

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LokisLilButterknife
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People had to sit remarkably long to get their photographs taken back then due to longer exposure times. Some anthropologists and historians also contribute the fact that many people didn’t smile to societal norms and poorer dental health: https://time.com/4568032/smile-serious-old-photos/

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#4

Farm Boy With A Newly-Born Lamb :: 1940

Farm Boy With A Newly-Born Lamb :: 1940

GaGator43 Report

#6

Navajo Girl Wearing Silver And Turquoise Squash Blossom Jewelry, 1950

Navajo Girl Wearing Silver And Turquoise Squash Blossom Jewelry, 1950

GaGator43 Report

#7

Lace Making In Brittany France 1920

Lace Making In Brittany France 1920

NickelPlatedEmperor Report

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Tamra
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't imagine the hours and hours of labor that went into this.

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#8

Proud Community Grocery Store Owner, Harlem, 1940

Proud Community Grocery Store Owner, Harlem, 1940

dittidot Report

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#9

My Dad As A Baby In 1928. This Little Guy Lived To Be 94! He Had A Very Good Life

My Dad As A Baby In 1928. This Little Guy Lived To Be 94! He Had A Very Good Life

amusesings Report

#10

Young Woman Dressed For An Evening Out, Detroit, 1968

Young Woman Dressed For An Evening Out, Detroit, 1968

Paul-Belgium Report

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Mavis
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't really know but I'm guessing the music scene in Detroit in 1968 would have been absolutely amazing.

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#11

Te Ata,“Bearer Of The Morning", Of The Chickasaw Nation Was Born In 1895, Near Emet, Oklahoma. She Was A Storyteller For 60 Years, Relating The Myths, Legends And Chants Of Her People, While Also Pursuing A Stage Career

Te Ata,“Bearer Of The Morning", Of The Chickasaw Nation Was Born In 1895, Near Emet, Oklahoma. She Was A Storyteller For 60 Years, Relating The Myths, Legends And Chants Of Her People, While Also Pursuing A Stage Career

GaGator43 Report

#12

My Grandparents' Marriage (1951, Tripoli, Libya). Today Is Their 72nd Wedding Anniversary And They Are Still Going Strong!

My Grandparents' Marriage (1951, Tripoli, Libya). Today Is Their 72nd Wedding Anniversary And They Are Still Going Strong!

Djangoinspired Report

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Lady Perkele
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The outfits! Is your grandpa dressed up in Scottish clothes? Or is it Libyan? I'm confused now, but very in love

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#14

A Little Girl Sits On The Lap Of Her Great-Great Grandmother, Mississippi, C. 1936

A Little Girl Sits On The Lap Of Her Great-Great Grandmother, Mississippi, C. 1936

FlamingoEvery5528 Report

#18

Fireman Rescues Torah Scrolls From A Burning Synagogue, 1940's

Fireman Rescues Torah Scrolls From A Burning Synagogue, 1940's

5_Frog_Margin Report

#20

My Mom On Her Wedding Day, 1947

My Mom On Her Wedding Day, 1947

dittidot Report

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#21

Debutante Ball. Harlem, Early 1960s

Debutante Ball. Harlem, Early 1960s

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#22

At The Puppet Show, Paris 1963

At The Puppet Show, Paris 1963

Le_Rat_Mort Report

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cerinamroth
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So cute how the cheeks must be kept warm at all costs but the knees are left to freeze! :D It's an adorable photo. I love how they are holding hands at the scary part.

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#23

This Is A Picture Of My Great Grandparents On The Night They Got Engaged. Circa Early 1900s I Believe?

This Is A Picture Of My Great Grandparents On The Night They Got Engaged. Circa Early 1900s I Believe?

SmugChinchilla Report

#24

My Great Grandmother’s Portrait Probably Taken Sometime In The 1920s

My Great Grandmother’s Portrait Probably Taken Sometime In The 1920s

freezingman00 Report

#25

Woodcutter Spending His Saturday Night At A Bar In Craigville, Minnesota (1937)

Woodcutter Spending His Saturday Night At A Bar In Craigville, Minnesota (1937)

AxlCobainVedder Report

#26

My Mother Working As A Secretary In Los Angeles County, 1980

My Mother Working As A Secretary In Los Angeles County, 1980

plizardi14 Report

#27

Young Couple At A Club In Mali. Photo By Malick Sidibé Dec. 24, 1963

Young Couple At A Club In Mali. Photo By Malick Sidibé Dec. 24, 1963

John-Piece Report

#28

Me Posing With My Sweet Grandmother Sixty-Four Years Ago Today On The Occasion Of My Fifth Birthday, 1958

Me Posing With My Sweet Grandmother Sixty-Four Years Ago Today On The Occasion Of My Fifth Birthday, 1958

dittidot Report

#29

Verrazano Narrows During Construction, Early 60s

Verrazano Narrows During Construction, Early 60s

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#31

Adorable Series Of Mother And Daughter Photographs From 1900

Adorable Series Of Mother And Daughter Photographs From 1900

pumpkinmum Report

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Cate
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They show the human side, which the formal posed portraits don't. Love this.

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#32

The Closed Bed, Or Box Bed, Was A Traditional Piece Of Furniture. In Houses With Only One Room, The Box Bed Allowed A Certain Intimacy And Helped To Keep Warm During The Winter. Due To Fashion And The Cost Of Their Manufacture, Box Beds Were Gradually Abandoned In The 19th And 20th Centuries

The Closed Bed, Or Box Bed, Was A Traditional Piece Of Furniture. In Houses With Only One Room, The Box Bed Allowed A Certain Intimacy And Helped To Keep Warm During The Winter. Due To Fashion And The Cost Of Their Manufacture, Box Beds Were Gradually Abandoned In The 19th And 20th Centuries

dannydutch1 Report

#33

My 17 Year Old Mom On Her Wedding Day In 1966

My 17 Year Old Mom On Her Wedding Day In 1966

Dakiki424 Report

#34

Teddy Girls In 1955 - Their Subculture Centred Around A Still-Bomb-Damaged London

Teddy Girls In 1955 - Their Subculture Centred Around A Still-Bomb-Damaged London

CourtneyFish-Lately Report

#35

Television Shopping In 1974

Television Shopping In 1974

DiosMioMan2 Report

#36

My Grandparents Wedding Photo From The 1940s. Poor Farmers They Couldn't Afford A Real Wedding Dress, So Grandma Wore Her Best Sunday Dress Which Happened To Be Navy Blue

My Grandparents Wedding Photo From The 1940s. Poor Farmers They Couldn't Afford A Real Wedding Dress, So Grandma Wore Her Best Sunday Dress Which Happened To Be Navy Blue

reddit.com Report

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Jane No Dough
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rich or poor this is the sensible, practical way to go.

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#38

Happy Family Taking Home Their Book Haul From The Cincinnati Library Bookmobile In 1940

Happy Family Taking Home Their Book Haul From The Cincinnati Library Bookmobile In 1940

BeardedGlass Report

#39

Christmas, 1964, Poor But Happy

Christmas, 1964, Poor But Happy

Glasspar52 Report

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Corvus
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the best things about being a child is that you don't care about being poor.

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#40

My Dad And His Sisters, Late 1950s. Dad Was The Last To Go- We Lost Him Last Week. ❤️

My Dad And His Sisters, Late 1950s. Dad Was The Last To Go- We Lost Him Last Week. ❤️

WhatRUrGsandPs Report

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#41

My Grandmother, An Appalachian Woman At Heart Always, Born In 1945

My Grandmother, An Appalachian Woman At Heart Always, Born In 1945

themamasaurus Report

#42

There Were No Mobile Phones In The 1970′s, So Students In This Girls' Dormitory Often Lined Up To Make Calls To Friends And Family

There Were No Mobile Phones In The 1970′s, So Students In This Girls' Dormitory Often Lined Up To Make Calls To Friends And Family

GaGator43 Report

#43

My Grandmother At 16 , The Japanese Had Already Invaded Guam And At 14 She Was Assigned To Take "Care" Of Japanese Officers

My Grandmother At 16 , The Japanese Had Already Invaded Guam And At 14 She Was Assigned To Take "Care" Of Japanese Officers

Aeutlutian Report

#44

Star Trek Show Crew With Enterprise Ship Prop 1964

Star Trek Show Crew With Enterprise Ship Prop 1964

whicky1978 Report

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Ban-One
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, they even look younger....they must have done a slingshot maneuver around the Sun.

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#45

A Couple Of Victorian Travellers, 1890s

A Couple Of Victorian Travellers, 1890s

pumpkinmum Report

#47

5-Year-Old Harold Walker Picks 20 To 25 Pounds Of Cotton A Day, Oklahoma, 1916

5-Year-Old Harold Walker Picks 20 To 25 Pounds Of Cotton A Day, Oklahoma, 1916

dannydutch1 Report

#48

The Panama Slide In Coney Island After It Was Built In 1908. Very Popular At Time, Especially With Adults!

The Panama Slide In Coney Island After It Was Built In 1908. Very Popular At Time, Especially With Adults!

Paul-Belgium Report

#49

My Grandfather In His Recliner Next To The Old Wood Stove. 1980. He Was 86

My Grandfather In His Recliner Next To The Old Wood Stove. 1980. He Was 86

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Francis
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

born 1894 (maybe 1893)! that's kinda crazy :D Edit: and he looked good for that age!

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#50

My Life’s Journey, From A Kid In The 1950’s To Current Day. I’ll Be 68 This Year. It’s Been A Great Ride

My Life’s Journey, From A Kid In The 1950’s To Current Day. I’ll Be 68 This Year. It’s Been A Great Ride

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Note: this post originally had 110 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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