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Share your material

Help us preserve and discover the Dopyera story

Do you have an old photograph, document, recording or memory connected with John Dopyera Sr., his brothers, or earlier generations of the Dopyera family?

Share your material

A photo or scan is enough. You keep your original.

History is preserved in more than archives

We are documenting the family’s history, their Slovak roots, their craftsmanship and their contribution to the development of resonator instruments. Our focus is on the historical story, not the private lives of living family members.

The Dopyera story extends far beyond the family itself. The brothers lived and worked alongside musicians, craftsmen, employees, business partners and friends. Traces of that shared history may still survive in private collections and family memories around the world.

You may be holding a missing piece of that history without knowing it. It could be an old photograph or letter, but it might also be a name, a place, or a story passed down through generations. Share what you know or have found. A photograph or scan is enough. You keep your original.

What we are looking for

Material

  • Photographs
  • Documents, letters and correspondence
  • Newspaper and magazine articles
  • Catalogues, advertisements and company materials
  • Audio recordings
  • Video and film

Information and memories

  • Information about a Dopyera-related instrument
  • Personal or family memories
  • Information about people connected with the Dopyera family

Have something else? Send it anyway. If you think it may be connected to the Dopyera family, we would be glad to take a look.

Share your material

Why your contribution matters

Every contribution helps us build a more complete and reliable historical record of John Dopyera, the Dopyera family and the development of resonator instruments. By connecting people, places, documents and memories, we can preserve details that might otherwise be lost.

This research is part of DOBRO HERITAGE, a civic initiative dedicated to preserving the Slovak story of John Dopyera and strengthening recognition of the resonator system as part of Slovakia’s cultural heritage. The material we document can support future exhibitions, publications, educational projects and the initiative’s broader heritage work.

Sometimes the smallest detail can open an entirely new chapter of history

What you can expect

  1. You keep your original

    A photo, scan or digital copy is enough. Ownership stays with you.

  2. We review it personally

    Every contribution is looked at by our research team. Even a small detail can help.

  3. It may become part of the story

    Your contribution may help our research, exhibitions or publications. Before any public use, we'll contact you where additional permission is needed.

Share your material

Send us what you have. You don't need to know whether it is important – that is what our research is for.

What would you like to share?
1 Upload what you have

A photo taken with your phone is perfectly fine. You can add several files at once.

Photos, documents, audio or video. Up to 10 files, max 250 MB per file and 508 MB in total. Too large? Write to info@dobroheritage.org and we will arrange the transfer.

of 508 MB remaining

2 Tell us what you know

Describe it in your own words. You don't need to know exactly what it is or why it might be important.

It's okay if you don't know.

For example: inherited from a relative, found in a family archive, bought from a collector, or shared as part of a family story.

3 About you
How should we credit you? (optional)

If we use your contribution publicly, you can choose how you are acknowledged. This does not grant permission to publish or transfer ownership.

By submitting this form, you allow us to review the information and files you provide and contact you about your contribution. Ownership of your original material remains with you.

Prefer another way? Write to info@dobroheritage.org if you would like to tell us about a physical item, send large files, get technical help or help us record an oral history.

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