The photographs were arranged by series when indicated, or in a rough chronological order determined by the appearance of mounts and other evidence. Captions, whether printed or hand-written, were taken verbatum from the photographs.
Any additional notes appear in brackets.
The images range from fair to excellent in condition. His family was very poor, and Savage did not learn to read or write until later in life. At about age fifteen, he heard the preachings of Elder Thomas B.H. Stenhouse, and became interested in the Mormon faith. He was ordained in the fall of 1852 and sent on a mission to Switzerland, where he learned French and some German. He was also imprisoned in Zurich for three days, along with Elder William Budge.