Question: Can you refer me to a resource that may aide in identifying a couple 19th century photographers in Massachusetts. It would be helpful to know if there is a database to see when they were in operation in my home town.
Answer: At NEHGS we have the following reference book by Chris Steele and Ron Polito, A Directory of Massachusetts photographers, 1839-1900
(Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1993) [NEHGS Call # F63/D57/1993]. This comprehensive guide lists town by town, the known 19th century photographers and their associated studio addresses. This will also assist an individual with dating the time frame a photograph may have been taken.