The Lost Photographs of Mary Alice Young

Documentary exploring an incredible photographic collection which has been unseen for over a century. The images were taken by pioneering Ulster-Scots photographer Mary Alice Young, and now her family is delving into her past to examine her extraordinary legacy.

The unique collection of over 1,000 photographic images was rediscovered in Belfast's public record office, among other items bequeathed there for safekeeping many years ago by Mary Alice’s family. Now, her great-grandson Christopher Brooke is building a fuller picture of his great-grandmother’s life.

The lost photos were captured on delicate glass plates. and time has taken its toll on much of the collection, providing many challenges for the specialist team attempting to preserve the images for future generations. Working in collaboration with Proni, Christopher witnesses how Mary Alice’s collection is being painstakingly restored and brought back to life. A selection is being carefully chosen by Christopher’s family and members of the public records team to be revealed to the public for the first time in over 100 years. The film follows this unique and intricate process through to the final exhibition at the Braid Centre, where the local community will be able to witness the lives of this important Ulster-Scots family and the remarkable work of Mary Alice Young.