Stephen,

When using EarthExplorer, are you looking at the Aerial Photo Single Frames layer?  It has coverage going back to 1950 in that area.  Not all of it is good, but some of the 24,000 scale photographs scanned at 1,000 dpi are pretty good.  Higher resolution scans can be purchased as well.  I also took a look at some resources that NARA has, and it looks like there are early 1940s flights available and possibly 1959.  I also believe there is a 1937 flight done by the Soil Conservation Service there, but I wasn't able to check on that for sure.  If the patron is looking for something much higher resolution, it will be a little challenging with older imagery.  I would try the City of Suffolk or Virginia DOT to try for higher resolution stuff.

Have you searched for insurance map coverage such as from Sanborn?  That would likely be the most detailed information you could find.

Cheers.
David


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From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Stephen Appel
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2021 11:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Suffolk VA Historical Aerial Photography and property info

Dear map librarian hive mind,

I'm trying to help a patron locate some historical aerial photography for Suffolk VA and the surrounding area. I can find a few things through Earth Explorer, but nothing earlier than the 1980s and only low resolution frames covering large areas. She's looking at specific properties scattered around the urban area of Suffolk.

Does anyone have some local knowledge about aerial photo collections in the region?

It sounds like this patron has been bounced around quite a bit, so if anyone has some expertise in historical data and images for Hampton Roads/SE Virgina, or knows of someone who does, I would really like to connect her with someone who will be able to assist.

Her message is pasted below:

I'm doing genealogical research on my family tree. I'm trying to find information about my father's properties. I'm looking for historical satellite and aerial imagery between the years 1930 to present. I'm trying to view what his properties looked like over time. He has owned many properties including two grocery stores, one pool hall/restaurant as well as other properties in Suffolk, Virginia. I've been trying to locate this information for the longest time.

I've tried calling multiple places, but no one was able to help me or have the years I need.


If it helps I've listed all of the properties below.


- G. L. Grocery Store located on 900 Railroad Ave, Suffolk, Virginia (West Jericho)

- Garfield Griffin (Eunice Griffin) Grocery Store on the corner of Sunset and Oak, in Suffolk, Virginia. (I don't know the physical address).

- Pool Hall/Restaurant I'm not too sure of the address, but when he showed my siblings and I, It was within walking distance from our home on 222 N 5th St, Suffolk, Virginia. I believe it could've been on 227 N 6th St, Suffolk, Va. The date for the grand open was on May 11, 1957, my father's birthday. He was so excited to finally open it, after all of the hard work he put into it, but he later got sick before he had a chance to see the grand opening of his store.

- 222 N 5th St, Suffolk, Virginia

- 202 N 5th St Lloyd's Pl, Suffolk, Virginia or 202 5th St Lloyd's Pl, Suffolk, Virginia or 5th St Lloyd's Pl, Suffolk, Virginia

- 902 & 904 Lincoln Ave, Suffolk, Virginia


I would also love to find other properties or stores he has owned as well.


_____________________________

Stephen Appel | [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

Geospatial Information Specialist

American Geographical Society Library
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries