1920s Photos Mystery Solved: Library Finds Owner On Reader's Tip

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Case of the Mistakenly Donated Old Photos has been solved, and like the best detective yarns, this one included sleuthing for clues, an anonymous tip and a satisfying resolution for the owners of the personal pictures, some dating back to the 1920s. The only things missing, thankfully, were bare-knuckled fisticuffs, reckless car chases and wanton gunplay.

For those who missed the last installment of Patch Mystery Theater, here's what you need to know: About a week ago, the Tinley Park Public Library received a photo album that had been accidentally included in a box of donated books. Some of the personal photos dated back to the 1920s, and library officials asked the public to help them reunite the album with its owner.

After Patch ran a story Tuesday on this library whodunit, one reader was inspired to become a 21st century gumshoe, said virtual services librarian Sarah Schroeder. The reader — who wishes to remain anonymous, Schroeder said — used the clues and photos provided to do some independent online investigating.

RELATED: 1920s Photos Wrongly Donated; Tinley Library Searches For Owner

And that amateur detective work paid off. The reader uncovered the missing piece of the puzzle the library needed to identify the owner of the photo album, Schroeder said. Officials contacted the owner, who also wants to remain anonymous, and the library is making plans to return the album, according to Schroeder.

"It was really a wonderful instance of the community doing some sleuthing," she said about the public's help unraveling this mystery.

They say there are 56,000 stories in the naked village. This was one of them.

Case closed.

Photos ranging from the 1920s to the 1970s might have accidentally been included in a box of donated books given to the Tinley Park Public Library recently. (Photos via the Tinley Park Public Library)