Genealogy Studies: A Beginning

Photo: Dalbaruah Family taken outside their home in Lakhimpur, Assam

Date: 1970

Camera: Rolleiflex Medium format

Source: Private Family Photo Collection

Photographer: unknown

Today is the birth date of my paternal (Assamese) grandfather Juga Chandra Dalbaruah (second from left in photo).

For many years now, I have wanted to go back to my family history and lineage and record systematically the few scattered photographs, the many personal stories, family traditions and everything in between. This personal curiosity eventually evolved into determined resolution to understand the workings of an average Assamese family in community history at large.

This project has already led me through numerous history textbooks, genealogy studies, photo conservation and restoration work and anthropology research in general.

Today, after a decade since my Grandfather passed away, I take this forward seriously to understand him and our family better, and more broadly, use this as a stepping stone to understand Assam's historical forces upon private lives over the years.

#photorestoration #genealogy #memories #photoarchives #research #anthropology #assam #india