Skip to content
  • Start free trial

Explore unique vintage photos online

Thousands of old photos from World War 2 and beyond are now online, many for the very first time.

Search historic photos
World War 2 soldiers rolling a bomb shell along the floor

Vintage military photos

Remember, celebrate and discover family heroes with iconic stills of the Allied Forces. It's quick and easy to pinpoint a World War 2 soldier, sailor, or submarine with our clever search tools.

Search military photos
Women working in a factory

Photos from the Home Front

What was life like in the 1940s? Rarely-seen snaps capture civilian roles, food rationing and that famous 'keep calm and carry on' community spirit.

Search wartime photos
Child with a dog

World War 2 evacuee photos

Millions of women and children were evacuated from British towns and cities as war was declared. Photos taken at the time provide a glimpse into their remarkable stories.

Search evacuation photos

Snapshots in time, reframed.

Wartime wedding

Milestone moments

Explore old family photos from baptisms, weddings and funerals.

Class photo

Classrooms captured

Spot young relatives in thousands of old school photos.

War effort

The daily grind

See unique portraits of the war effort and jobs generations ago.

Search vintage photos
Lots of children from the 1940s playing on the beach

Discover even more vintage photos in the Francis Frith Collection

Born into a Quaker family in 1822 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Francis Frith was a remarkable person. The story of his life and the photographic archive that is now his legacy is fascinating. The photos his company created are an amazing and unique step back in time.

Online at Findmypast, you can search and view over 300,000 of Francis Frith's historical photos from over 9,000 UK cities, towns, and villages spanning from 1860 to 1970.

Search Francis Frith Collection

The pictures of your past

With Findmypast, I discovered an amazing photograph of my great-great uncle. Mum and I knew he’d lost his life in the war but had never seen a photograph of him. It was so emotional when we finally saw him, staring back at us.

Amanda

Review collected independently by Trustpilot

The Findmypast Photo Collection - frequently asked questions

What is included in the Findmypast Photo Collection?keyboard_arrow_down

Most of the photos currently available help you reimagine the Second World War, with high-quality images of the Armed Forces, evacuation, and the Home Front. There are also smaller collections depicting the history of everyday life – work, school, sports, family events, and more. You'll find prints from Britain, North America, and beyond.

Where do these vintage photos come from?keyboard_arrow_down

From a range of sources including UK publishers, Reach PLC, and Library Archives Canada. Many of them have never been published online before and are only available at Findmypast. The collection will grow with more additions as time goes on.

How do I find old photos of my family?keyboard_arrow_down

Our search tools are cleverly designed to help you find photos quickly and easily. Just type in any information you already know and see what results come back. This handy guide on finding photos of your ancestors will help you go further.

I've found a photo I'm interested in. Now what?keyboard_arrow_down

If you haven't already, start building your family tree for free and add the snaps you've found to bring it to life. Then, branch out into billions of other family records to uncover rich stories in your past that have helped shape your present.