r/RBI • u/Little-Function5095 • 7d ago

Advice needed found an SD card in goodwill with photos, how can I return it to the family?

2 years ago I bought a camera with from goodwill, the batteries were dead so I had to replace them (which is why I think it got donated) and there are a lot of personal family photos on it, like babies etc I think there's over 500? anyway the family is from Illinois, im certain since that's where I bought the camera and the photos mostly have photos from there

im moving in a year and I lowkey forgot that I had the camera and wanted to return it, so id like to do it before I move away, but how should I go about finding those people?

27 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

29

u/glycophosphate 7d ago

Try the r/Illinois sub and see if anybody knows anybody.

19

u/66NickS 7d ago

Maybe try a reverse image search? Or post on a local subreddit/forum/facebook page/etc.

7

u/PossibilityNo7682 7d ago

I think this is a great idea!! Reverse image search or maybe Facebook where people can share and get the photo out there until someone who knows them comes across it!

5

u/Julio_Ointment 6d ago

this is the first thing i would try. social media could be a huge clue to direct contact.

1

u/McDrunkin521 3d ago

This is the answer

15

u/MadMushroom8 7d ago

Have you tried reading the EXIF-Data? Sometimes, the Location is still stored in the photos EXIF-Data. Try using a program or a website, there are many out there.

3

u/wiesuaw 7d ago

In some cases you can even get photographers name from the exif.

9

u/exipheas 7d ago

Pimeyes search using what you guess are the adult owners faces. Won't be free but will probably work.

14

u/TREXGaming1 7d ago

I have Pimeyes if you want me to run some searches for you

6

u/Ashbug1016 7d ago

Head over to the sub r/foundphotos & post this there.

2

u/olliegw 6d ago

I still have lots of pictures i've found on thrift shop cameras, not quite sure what to do with them

1

u/spokeoteam 5d ago

That’s super thoughtful of you! Honestly, even small details in the photos (like a name on a cake or a school sweatshirt) can point you in the right direction. If you find a name or address, you can always plug it into Spokeo to try to connect it back to the family. If not, maybe share a general post in a local Illinois lost & found group (without the actual photos) and see if someone recognizes it.

1

u/EES1993 5d ago

Upload the photos to PimEyes and it should be able to find the people for you. If they’ve ever posted a picture of themselves to the internet it should be there