When Tilda Butterworth purchased an Olympus analogue camera from a charity shop in Hackney, East London, she never expected the surprise inside. The vintage camera contained a half-used roll of film featuring 10 photographs, seemingly capturing treasured moments from many years ago.
“I found an Olympus camera in a charity shop with a half-used roll of film still inside,” Tilda shared in a TikTok post, which quickly gained widespread attention. She appealed to viewers to help locate the people depicted in the images, commenting, “Help me find the people in these photographs.”
The photos offered subtle clues about their origin. One showed a young girl feeding ducks at a pond, clutching a bread loaf in an Asda carrier bag, with family members visible nearby. Other images appeared to capture a family’s Christmas celebration, complete with glimpses of their beloved dog.
READ MORE: New Rural Cycling Route to Connect Growing West Somerset Communities
READ MORE: Peter Andre on Princess and Junior’s Desire to Join I’m A Celeb
“I wasn’t expecting anything in the film, assuming someone had opened the camera’s back before,” says Tilda. “But these 10 photos tell such a beautiful story. I really hope to reunite these memories with their rightful owners.”
Encouraged by suggestions from the TikTok community, Tilda shared the photos on local Facebook groups to narrow down their location. Enthusiasts quickly pointed out landmarks, suggesting the images were taken around Wyndley Pool in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
The age of the photos sparked some debate. While some believed the images dated back to the 1990s, others noted the style of the Asda carrier bag and Christmas decorations, speculating the pictures were taken between 2003 and 2005 — making the children in the photos likely in their late twenties today.
Grateful for the input, Tilda responded, “Thank you so much! I was struggling to identify the location but early 2000s felt right.”
With the post reaching over 170,000 views within 48 hours, Tilda added a considerate note for privacy: “If the family in these pictures sees this and wishes for it to be removed, please contact me. I’m happy to respect your privacy. I didn’t expect this to go viral!”
Tilda’s hope remains strong that by sharing these unexpected snapshots of the past, she can bring cherished memories back to the family who once held the camera.