Family history project

[BabsG]

I have been clearing out the loft and have found lots of family memorabilia such as old newspaper cuttings, war time reports, ration books, photographs etc as well as old autograph books from the 1940s and all of historical value to the family. There is a huge variety of all shapes and sizes. What would be the best way of preserving these items so that they can be looked at in the future without damaging them. I am not very arty so any suggestions would be welcome.

[Ethel]

You can scan them into your computer quite easily, and then put the images onto cd.

Preserving paper can be difficult but there are a few rules to help:

do not use sellotape
do not make new creases or folds
do not use self sticking photo albums
do not use staples
keep out of light
keep away from coloured plastics, paper and cardboard
keep dry

A possible way to display them is to use A4 folders with clear A4 pockets. This way the items can be viewed without handling.

This company is not cheap but gives you an idea of the sort of thing available:

http://www.my-history.co.uk/acatalog/Genealogi cal_Storage.html

[WendyS]

I think Ethel's advice is very sound. (As it usually is !)

I have a number of similar family documents and keep them in the plastic A4 folders she recommends. They have holes all down one side and fit well into large 2 inch or 3 inch thick ring binders which enables them to be viewed individually, kept flat and away from the light.

Sellotape is particularly deadly as I've found. In time it goes dark brown and peels away from the paper. I believe there are other kinds of transparent sealing tape which are more effective but don't know a specific brand to recomemnd. Perhaps you could call a local museum who could advise you.

[BabsG]

Many thanks Ethel and WendyS for your advice. It more or less confirms my own ideas. I was looking at scrapbooking but that seems to be far too involved. Now I need to find the time to do it.