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There is something very special about old photos, a reminder that the past isn’t just the contents of your history books, but was populated by very real people. While we might tend to think of stuffy old portraits and photographs, the truth is that our ancestors were also at times unhinged, human and often quite relatable.
“The Way We Were” is an online group dedicated to sharing interesting vintage photos from the past. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Triplets Celebrating Their 80th Birthday Together
RELATED:
#2
The Dutch Secret Resistance Cheering When They Found Out Hitler Has Been K**led, 1945
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago (edited)
These days more than ever, truth and details matter. He was not K-i-l-l-e-d, he took himself out with a g-u-n-s-h-o-t to the head. Please don't censor or rewrite the truth.
#3
My Grandmother On Her Wedding Day, 1931
Vintage photos hold a special allure, enchanting people with a mix of nostalgia, mystery, and artistic charm. There's something incredibly captivating about peering into these old images, a visual time machine that transports you to eras long past, where every faded hue and grainy texture tells its own story.
Whether it's a candid snapshot from a family picnic decades ago or a meticulously posed portrait that exudes a formal elegance, these images have a way of stirring the imagination and evoking a sense of wonder at lives once lived.
#4
My Grandfather And Great Grandmother, Mothers' Day 1946
#5
Unknown Lady Walking Down The Street In Harlem, NY, Late 1940s. A Men Stops And Looks At Her,
#6
My Grandma In 1962, Eight Years Old
One reason vintage photos are so beloved is that they offer a tangible connection to history. In an age where life is increasingly digital and fleeting, a tangible photograph serves as a personal relic of moments that may otherwise be forgotten. Looking at these images, people can almost feel the echoes of laughter and the warmth of long-gone family gatherings. They remind us that every wrinkle and crease in the image is a testament to the passage of time and the enduring nature of memories.
#7
100th Birthday
Brian Droste 7 months ago
She went through the civil war, the first world war, the great depression and the second world War. She saw and went through alot.
#8
My Grandmother’s Modeling Photos 1940s-50s
#9
Princess Ileana Of Romania, Circa 1930
Molly Reece 7 months ago
She has my texture hair. And yet she manages to look utterly exquisite- while I try not to look like a permed disentitled capybara!
The charm of vintage photos also lies in their artistic quality. Long before the era of high-definition cameras and digital editing, photographers had to rely on careful timing, natural light, and an innate sense of composition. The result is a style that feels authentic and unvarnished, a raw slice of reality that modern technology often smooths over.
#10
Canada's First Nations People - 1910
#11
We Laid My Grandpa To Rest This Week At The Age Of 101. This Is One Of My Favorite Photos Of Him From His Time In The Navy
#12
My Grandparents On Their Wedding Night, October 1962
The imperfections, from the subtle scratches on the photo paper to the slightly off-center framing, lend these images a character and authenticity that resonates deeply with those who appreciate the beauty of imperfection. Moreover, vintage photos inspire curiosity by inviting viewers to fill in the missing pieces of the story. Who were the people in these photos? What were their dreams, struggles, and joys?
#13
My Great Grandad At 43 In The 1950s
#14
My Grandma With Me In My Swanky Panorama Pram, 1976
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
Snazzy! Great pic. 12 years earlier, my Mum and I were pretty stylin' in black and white. Rhonda-and...944493.jpg 
#15
My Grandmother Holding My Father In Mogadishu, Somalia 1971
The absence of context sparks endless speculation, turning every photo into a delightful puzzle waiting to be solved. It’s a bit like reading a mystery novel where the protagonist is lost to time, and the only clues are the expressions and settings captured on film. This sense of mystery, combined with the nostalgic pull, creates an irresistible attraction.
#16
Cops Arresting A Drunk Dude In A Skeleton Costume 1950
#17
My Great Grandma Took A Mirror Selfie (NYC, 1960s)
#18
My German Mother In 1938, Just Before Wwii
Socially, these photos forge connections across generations. They serve as bridges between grandparents, parents, and children, linking the past with the present. When you see a vintage photo of your own family, it’s as if you can momentarily step into the lives of those who came before you.
#19
July 1973: A Mother Cooking Out In Toronto, Ontario, Canada
#20
My Great-Great-Great Grandmother. Born 1840
#21
My Mother Turns 70 Monday. Got My Favorite Pictures Of Her Together For A Celebration
Even if you weren’t around to witness their world firsthand, you get a glimpse of how life was once lived, sometimes simpler, sometimes more challenging, but always rich with meaning and love. Ultimately, the love for vintage photos comes down to their ability to evoke both sentimental warmth and playful curiosity.
#22
My Mother, 20, Posing In Her White Satin Gown On Her Wedding Day. 1947
#23
Happy Birthday To My Sister Who Turns 29 For The 41st Time Today!1963 Virginia
#24
Woman Poses For Her Photo In A Very Fine Dress, During The Late 1890s. Love The Feather In Back Of Her Head
They are little treasures that remind us of who we once were, the eras we’ve passed through, and the enduring charm of a moment captured in time. In a fast-paced modern world, taking a moment to look at a vintage photograph feels like savoring a rare, precious bite of history, a reminder that life, with all its imperfections and fleeting moments, can be beautiful, nostalgic, and endlessly intriguing.
#25
My Dad Fought Nazis From 1942-1945
#26
Playing Dress-Up At Grandma’s House, 1960s
#27
Hot Potato Vendor 1892
#28
Another One Of My Grandmother, With My Dad’s Older Sister, Ca. 1934
#29
My Mom, Born In 1928 And In This Pic Maybe She's 3 Or 4? Still Have Her Necklace
#30
My Lolo And Lola During Their Wedding Day 1958 And I Picture I Took Of Them
nomnomborkbork 7 months ago (edited)
Can anyone help? I'm assuming "lola" and "lolo" is aunt and uncle?
#31
Big Smile For The Photographer From This Smartly Dressed Woman. Was This A Fashion Look During Ww2? Certainly Is Mid 1940s
#32
My Parents Wedding, September 1961, Tehran, Iran
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
Umm, congrats? I'm sure they were lovely folks, just not used to seeing both parties at a wedding look so darn scared, lol.
#33
Prince's Mother, Mattie Shaw, Stands By Prince At His Crib In October 1958, When He Was Four Months Old. Prince Kept This Photo In His Vault
#34
Men's Catalog, 1970's
#35
1962 My Mom’s Bridesmaids Carried Grapes
#36
The Faces Of 1870s Egypt
#37
My Grandma Enjoying Her Records In The 50s. Check Out Her Poodle Skirt!
nomnomborkbork 7 months ago
Love it! My mom had a poodle skirt too, and made miniature versions for my sister and me.
#38
My Grandma And My Mom, 1968. My Mom Was 10 And My Grandma Was 34
#39
My Sweet Grandmother, Sylvia, Aged 3
#40
Merry Christmas Baby 1969
#41
Texas Children Going To School During The Dust Bowl In 1936. Face Coverings Are To Prevent Sand Pneumonia
#42
My Father, At Left, With His Buddies, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Circa 1950
#43
My Dad's School Report From 1957, Aged 7
Luis Hernandez Dauajare 7 months ago
As a teacher, I can say Richard was an artistic and playful boy. His writing and reading classes must have been horrible for him. Also, the teacher had beautiful handwriting...
#44
My Grandma And Grandpa Around 1977
#45
My Grandmother At Twenty Years Old In 1926
#46
My Mom In The Mid 1970s
#47
My Grandparents During Their Wedding, 1947
#48
Giles Edmund Newsom, Photographed On October 23, 1912
Giles was injured while working in sanders spinning mill in North Carolina. A piece of machinery fell on his foot, mashing his toe. This caused him to fall onto a spinning machine crushing and tearing out two fingers.
#49
My Grandma & Grandad Married On 9/11/49. This Is On Their Honeymoon
#50
21 To 79
#51
Coal Miner With His Daughter. He Has Just Gotten Home From His Job As A Conveyor Belt Operator In A Non-Union Mine. West Virginia, 1970s
Michelle C 7 months ago
That’s an incredibly difficult and stressful job. My paternal grandfather’s father was a coal miner and did experience black lung shortly before he died for other reasons unrelated to black lung. I can only imagine what he had to go through that he didn’t recount to my great-grandmother or their children!
#52
My Grandmother And Her 4 Daughters In 1942. My Grandfather Was A Pow Of The Japanese When This Photo Was Taken, And He Had Never Met The Baby, My Mother, B. May 1941
#53
Just Some Friends Goofing Around In The 1890s
#54
My Great Grandmother At Age 20. August 1920, San Francisco
#56
My Paternal Grandmother During Her Flapper Stage
#57
A Family Picture Of A Married Couple With 11 Children (1954)
#58
My Mom On Her Wedding Day. June 22, 1971
#59
All The Women And Men I Descend From, Of Whom Photos Exist
#60
The Old "Look" Of Pizza Hunt In The 1970s. Had A Very Rustic Interior
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
I love that typo. I would definitely go to a place called Pizza Hunt, lol! And what on earth is the girl eating while they're all admiring the garlic bread or whatever, a sandwich and chips?
#61
Portraits From A 50s-60s Family Stash, Egypt
#62
These Are More Pics Of The Siblings In My Last Post. 70s-80s. Mostly Starring My Late Mother Margaret
#63
Two Of My Grandmother’s Cousins: Isa And Reanna (Italy, 1950s)
#66
My Great Grandmother On Her Wedding Day In 1945 & Today! (Age 98)
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
And here's the lovely lady at 98 just two months ago! Great-gran...216a0.jpeg 
#67
My Mom Had To Pose With All Four Of Us In One Passport Photo Since We Were Under Five Years Old (1965)
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
Neat! I had to pose with my Dad in 1968 when I was 4. Handsome dude, eh? He was a musician. Can't you just hear that shirt? 1968-Dad-a...8875d6.jpg 
#68
My Favorite Pictures Of My Great-Grandpa
#69
My Great Grandparents In 1924
#70
A Us Soldier And His Girlfriend Waiting For A Train At Chicago Union Station In February, 1943
#71
Two Photos Of My Great-Aunt Africa González About Five Years Apart, Ca. 1900-1905
Gingersnap In Iowa 7 months ago
Click the link to see the first photo of this lady and her hat!
#72
Me With My Maternal Grandmother In 1945 In Fishkill, New York -- 80 Years Ago
#73
1970’s. My Mom And Her 3 Siblings Had A Picture Book Made By Their Grandparents While Sitting For The Weekend
#74
My Grandparents Back In The Day And At Their 50th Anniversary Party
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
Stylish! And here's the 50th anniversary party. Not sure how happy they were, but by golly, they lasted 50 darn years. Grandparen...b-jpeg.jpg 
#75
1940s Highschool Prom Photos. I Am Surprised With How Formal It Is, A Black Tie Event In Some
#76
My Grandma On Her Wedding Day 1967
#77
My 8th Birthday, January 1966
Multa Nocte 7 months ago
Bet that Beatles game in the background would be worth a pretty penny today.
#78
Venice Beach California During The Late 1970s Roller Skate Craze. Still Has Some 70s Vibe But You Can Feel The 80s Coming
#79
Chrismas Shots Of Women With Their Trees Circa Late 1950s Early 1960
#80
Ted Bundy Lineup Murray Utah (With My Grandpa!)
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
Wild! Ted Bundy's the second from the right. Grandpa (aka Officer Elray James Dow) is third from the left. Family colourized the original when they found out about the story in 2011.
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What do you think ?
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
Lots of fun! I just wish we didn't have to dig for the other pictures on the posts with more than one ("Here's my Granny as a baby and 100!"). I filled in some gaps with the ones I enjoyed seeing. Overall, loads of "new" old pics, so I won't be too choosy. Thank you!
Tiny Dancer 7 months ago
Lots of fun! I just wish we didn't have to dig for the other pictures on the posts with more than one ("Here's my Granny as a baby and 100!"). I filled in some gaps with the ones I enjoyed seeing. Overall, loads of "new" old pics, so I won't be too choosy. Thank you!
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