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Forgotten photos of the RNLI
Forgotten photos brings thousands of historic photographs back to life.
It took a team of Heritage volunteers 12 months to help us catalogue, digitise and preserve a collection of 12,000 RNLI photographs.
The collection spans the 20th century and covers all RNLI activities during this time. It includes photographs of gallantry awards, the Royal Family, fundraising, RNLI buildings and offices, lifeboat naming ceremonies and launches, and anniversaries and commemorations.
The photographs had previously been stored in unsuitable conditions within a roof space. So a key part of the project was their removal for cataloguing and long-term preservation using archive-standard storage techniques.
Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders and obtain permission to reproduce this material. Please get in touch with the RNLI heritage team with any enquiries or information relating to these images or the rights holders.
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Read about digitising the photos
A slice of RNLI history
A team of Heritage volunteers has been busy cataloguing, digitising and repackaging a collection of 12,000 forgotten photos. They were previously stored in unsuitable conditions within a roof space. Using archive-standard storage techniques, the team is helping to preserve an important slice of RNLI history for future generations.
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Photo reminiscences
RNLI Heritage has collaborated with charity Alive to use some of the Forgotten Photos collection in guided reminiscence sessions in the Bournemouth and Poole area
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Photo galleries
Explore a century of RNLI fundraising, from Lifeboat Saturdays to television appeals
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Discover RNLI exhibitions, events and activities from across the twentieth century
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Celebrate generations of RNLI lifesavers including Gallantry medallists of the past
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