Frequently Asked Questions

The map is simple to use:

• Click any location marker to see its complete history
• Use the timeline slider at the bottom to travel through different decades
• Browse the sidebar (desktop) or bottom sheet (mobile) to see all businesses that existed at that location
• View photos by clicking the Photos tab
• Search for specific addresses using the search bar at the top

The map automatically updates to show only businesses that existed during your selected time period!

The timeline slider at the bottom of the map lets you travel through time from the 1950s to the present day. As you move the slider:

• Map markers update to show only locations with businesses during that timeframe
• Business lists filter to display what existed in that year
• You can watch your town transform decade by decade

It's like having a time machine for your hometown!

Yes! Use the search bar at the top of the map page. You can search by:

• Street address (e.g., "123 Main Street")
• Business name (e.g., "Wilson Taphouse")
• Intersection (e.g., "Main and Smith")

The map will automatically zoom to that location and display its history.

We're continuously expanding our database! Locations may not have markers because:

• No one has added data for that address yet
• Historical records for that location haven't been found
• The submission is pending review and approval

You can help by becoming a contributor and adding locations you know about!

No! Anyone can explore the map, view locations, browse businesses, and look at photos without creating an account. The map is completely free to use.

You only need an account if you want to contribute content (add locations, upload photos, submit businesses, etc.).

It's easy and free:

• Click "Become a Contributor" on the homepage or go here
• Sign up with your email address
• Verify your email
• Start contributing immediately!

All contributors have access to the contributor portal where you can add locations, businesses, photos, and stories.

No! Contributing to When It Was is completely free. We're a community-driven platform built by volunteers passionate about preserving local history.

Contributors can add:

• Locations - Addresses with historical significance
• Businesses - Companies, stores, restaurants that existed at those locations
• Photos - Historical images of locations and businesses
• Stories - Memories, context, and historical details
• Comments - Additional information on existing entries

After logging in:

• Go to the Contributor Portal
• Click "Add Location"
• Enter the street address, city, state, and zip code
• Use the GPS button to automatically find coordinates
• Add any additional historical context
• Submit for review

Your submission will be reviewed by our team (typically within 1-3 days) before appearing on the map.

There are two ways:

Method 1: From the map - Click a location marker, then click the "+ Add Business" button

Method 2: From the Contributor Portal - Go to "Add Business", select a location from the dropdown, then fill in the business details (name, years of operation, category, description)

All business submissions are reviewed before being published to ensure accuracy.

That's okay! Provide the best information you have:

• If you only know a decade (e.g., "sometime in the 1970s"), estimate the years
• Add a note in the description explaining the uncertainty
• Other community members might add more specific information later

Approximate dates are better than no information at all!

Yes! Once logged in, visit your Contributor Portal and go to "My Submissions." You can edit any content you've contributed. Changes go through the same review process to maintain accuracy.

We welcome historical photos showing:

• Building exteriors and storefronts
• Business interiors
• Street scenes and neighborhood views
• Signs, advertisements, and ephemera
• Events and community gatherings
• Then-and-now comparison shots

Photos should relate to specific locations or businesses in our database and help tell the story of local history.

Yes, or you need permission from the copyright holder. You should only upload photos that:

• You personally took
• You own the rights to
• Are in the public domain
• You have explicit permission from the owner to share

Do not upload photos you found online, scanned from books, or taken from other websites without permission. This protects both you and our platform.

When you upload a photo:

• You retain copyright ownership
• You grant When It Was a license to display it on our platform
• The photo is tagged with your contributor credit
• It becomes part of our public historical archive
• Other users can view it but cannot download or use it commercially without your permission

See our Terms of Service for complete details.

Yes. Contact us through the Contact page with the photo URL and reason for removal. We'll process your request within 2-3 business days.

Our verification process includes:

• Manual review of all submissions by our team
• Cross-referencing with public records when possible
• Checking for obvious errors or inconsistencies
• Reviewing community feedback and reports
• Consulting local historical resources

While we strive for accuracy, historical data can be uncertain. We rely on community knowledge and welcome corrections!

Please help us maintain accuracy! You can:

• Leave a comment on the location/business with the correction
• Contact us through the Contact page
• If you're a contributor, submit an edit with updated information

Include sources or evidence when possible to help us verify the correction.

All data on When It Was comes from:

• Community contributions - Local residents sharing their knowledge and memories
• Public records - City directories, census data, historical documents
• Historical societies - Archived materials and research
• Newspapers - Historical advertisements and articles
• Personal collections - Photos, documents, and ephemera from individuals

Yes. We take privacy seriously:

• Your email and personal details are never shared publicly
• Your contributor name appears on submissions, but you control what name to display
• We use secure encryption for all data transmission
• We never sell user data to third parties

Read our full Privacy Policy for complete details.

Yes! When you create your contributor account, you can choose any display name you prefer. Your real name is never required or shown publicly.

When It Was works best on modern browsers:

• Chrome (recommended)
• Firefox
• Safari
• Edge

Mobile browsers on iOS and Android are fully supported. For the best experience, keep your browser updated to the latest version.

Absolutely! The site is fully responsive and optimized for mobile phones and tablets. The mobile interface features:

• Touch-friendly controls
• Bottom sheet for easy browsing
• Optimized map gestures
• Full contributor portal access

Try these troubleshooting steps first:

• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Try a different browser
• Check your internet connection
• Disable browser extensions temporarily
• Make sure JavaScript is enabled

Still having problems? Contact our support team with details about the issue, including your browser, device, and error messages.

Currently, our primary focus is Palatine, Illinois, where we started. However, we're actively planning expansion to other cities and towns.

Interested in bringing When It Was to your community? Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities!

There are many ways to help:

• Contribute content - Add locations, businesses, and photos
• Share with others - Tell friends, family, and local historical groups
• Follow us on social media - Stay connected and help spread the word
• Provide feedback - Share suggestions for improvements
• Report issues - Help us maintain accuracy by flagging errors

For academic research, journalism, or educational purposes, please contact us to discuss your needs. We're happy to support legitimate research projects.

Commercial use requires explicit permission. Bulk data downloads are not permitted without authorization.