Nanner
Drama Llama
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Post by Nanner on Apr 26, 2015 3:42:12 GMT
We just got back from visiting DH's brother. A few months ago, he was going through stuff in his garden shed and found two large boxes that he took out of the house when their mother died in the early 80s. He never went through them and forgot he had those boxes until he was clearing the shed out.
So, we brought back with us a bunch of items from these boxes. What I'm concerned about right now, are old family papers, none of which DH or BIL have ever seen before. These include newspapers (with articles, obits, etc.) going back as far as the 20s and 30s. There are also some old certificates (including their great-grandfather's homestead certificate from the late 1800s), a Will that was probated in the 1920s, cheques written by their great-grandmother in the 1930s, and other things like that. They are in pretty good shape, but some are getting pretty fragile. All of the papers have been folded for all these past several decades, and some of the folds are ripped right through.
I'm tossing around in my mind, how we should be preserving these. I thought about adhering the smaller newspaper clippings and certificates to cardstock, and then putting them in a page protector. But I also hate the thought of "tampering" with these old papers. Then I thought about photocopying each of them, and keeping the original certificates folded up as they have been.
Some of these newspapers are the complete newspapers, so I think I may photocopy the relevant articles and place the full paper in a page protector.
I'm just not sure which is the best way to deal with these wonderful old papers. Any suggestions?
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Apr 26, 2015 3:51:09 GMT
Photocopies will age, too, so I would add "scan the originals" to the list.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,969
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Post by Nanner on Apr 26, 2015 3:55:09 GMT
Photocopies will age, too, so I would add "scan the originals" to the list. Oops, I didn't mention that. Yes, we are definitely scanning them, too |
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Post by mlynn on Apr 26, 2015 4:56:39 GMT
When I was in your shoes, I consulted someone at our local museum. He said to photocopy newspaper articles onto acid free paper. The inks are already archival. He also advised us on other things I had and how best to protect them. And it was free!
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Post by gillyp on Apr 26, 2015 7:18:11 GMT
I personally would not adhere any originals to anything, even though as scrappers we have archival tapes and glues available. Photocopy or photograph everything you can although I am a bit leery of taking photocopies of large documents which might need folding to fit on the bed of the copier. I type up transcripts of documents too so I have copies in a couple of formats and hopefully reduce the handling of the originals in the future. I would search genealogical forums and genealogical supply companies for advice and things like archival document holders. I won't link to any here as I don't know which are the best places where you are. As mlynn says, your local museum or county archivist may help. What a wonderful treasure trove! |
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Post by Karene on Apr 26, 2015 12:11:47 GMT
I agree with gillyp and would not adhere the originals to anything.
Definitely scan so you have a digital copy, or if they are smaller, you might want to take a digital photo to make your copy. I have done that quite often. You should be able to find archival sleeves that you can store them in, even still folded if that is better for them.
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Post by JBeans on Apr 26, 2015 12:32:11 GMT
Photocopies will age, too, so I would add "scan the originals" to the list. Oops, I didn't mention that. Yes, we are definitely scanning them, too Hi Nanner! All I would do is scan the originals. I wouldn't photocopy because I wouldn't want the extra paper around, but that is just me. |
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 26, 2015 13:56:28 GMT
I would spray both sides of the papers with archival mist.
I do that with all papers that I scrapbook, whether they are newspaper articles, award certificates, or whatever.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,969
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Post by Nanner on Apr 26, 2015 15:47:39 GMT
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
I do have a filing cabinet with my genealogy stuff and there's one empty drawer. So I'm ok with making photocopies and having the paper around.
I never thought about checking with a museum - DH will call the Glenbow Museum next week and ask them.
ETA: I'll pick up some archival mist as well.
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Post by birukitty on Apr 26, 2015 21:27:24 GMT
What a treasure you have found! I think contacting the museum is an excellent idea. There is a source I've used many times in past years for archival supplies called Light Impressions. Their website is http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com They carry many things for archival storage including paper, boxes, and there's a category on their front page called "document archival storage".
Debbie in MD.
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Post by mdpea on Apr 26, 2015 23:08:49 GMT
Thanks for starting this thread. I'm in the process of going through my parents' house. They've just moved to a retirement village. I can't believe some of the stuff I'm finding.
Contacting the museum is great advice too. I'll definitely do that.
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Post by jennrs on Apr 27, 2015 0:14:56 GMT
After scanning all of my grandfathers old photos, prayer cards, papers, etc., I used the adhesive photo corners and put them all in a scrapbook and sleeves. That way the originals could be slid out and weren't glued or taped down. The earliest photo I have is from the 1920s so I figure if that lasted all these years in boxes and being moved around, they should be good in a book on acid free paper and such.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,969
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Post by Nanner on Apr 27, 2015 0:23:38 GMT
After scanning all of my grandfathers old photos, prayer cards, papers, etc., I used the adhesive photo corners and put them all in a scrapbook and sleeves. That way the originals could be slid out and weren't glued or taped down. The earliest photo I have is from the 1920s so I figure if that lasted all these years in boxes and being moved around, they should be good in a book on acid free paper and such. Good suggestion about the photo corners. We were really thrilled to find one tin-type in with all of the photos. I'd never actually seen one before!!! |
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