Genealogy Chat

I have seen several threads where people have asked how best to store their certificates, photos etc, so this is advice given by the professionals:

Basic “dos and don’ts” Don’t…… …store in, or near direct light, damp or heat. …expose your documents to dust or pollution. …handle your documents more than necessary …attempt any repairs yourself. …wrap or store items in e.g. newspaper, cardboard boxes or stationary such as brown envelopes etc. …store in direct contact with metal or wooden boxes. …seal in air-tight enclosures (stagnant air is prone to mould). …permanently display your documents. … turn pages by wetting your finger Do…… …store items in a constantly cool, dry and ventilated place. …store your documents in archival containers or packaging. …duplicate items you want to consult often or display. …check regularly for signs of e.g. damp, insects. Clear Plastic Sleeves Avoid: PVC enclosures such as those A4 sleeves available from stationers. They emit acids harmful to paper and degrade over time. Alternative: Use archival polyester sleeves for single sheet items of any kind. A variety of sizes and formats can be purchased. Each side of a document is visible, weak or damaged paper is supported and it is possible to copy or scan through the sleeve. Photographs Avoid: Commercial albums, particularly self adhesive, also plastic sleeves. These materials are harmful in the long term for photographs. Unnecessary handling of prints and negatives as oils from the fingers can have a detrimental effect. Alternative: Use cotton gloves or handle just at the edges. Sleeve photographs for consultation in transparent archival polyester. Sleeve in “silver safe” envelopes, low in sulphur or non-static archival polyester. Make a copy set for frequent viewing. Mount using photo corners in an archival album. Photographs like a constant, cool and dry environment. For colour prints in particular, the cooler the better (2°C and 30 – 40% relative humidity). Fastening Documents Together Avoid: Avoid fastening or tying items if at all possible. Metal in the form of paper clips, staples etc. will stain as well as physically damage paper. Also avoid string or coloured tapes for tying bundles. Alternative: If a paper clip is essential, use solid brass. Use a wide, soft, unbleached cotton tape for tying bundles if required. It is preferable however to use folders, envelopes or boxes to contain material and tie the packaging not the documents. Framing Avoid: Framing precious items if possible. Pigments and photographs can fade, paper can discolour. Sticking items into mounts with unsuitable tapes, e.g. sellotape. Clip frames, which do not protect pictures from dust, fluctuations in temperature and humidity and small insects. Alternative: Frame a duplicate, e.g. scan or photocopy. Use sealed frames, seal at the back and seal the glass into the frame with gummed tape.

Care of Papers Store out of direct heat, damp and light. Interleave with archival paper to prevent acidity migrating from one paper to another and protect edges from catching. Keep items flat where possible, do not roll or fold. Remove (only if possible without damage), steel paper clips, pins, rubber bands and pink legal tape. Handle as little as possible, photocopy if a working copy is required. Keep them somewhere cool, dry, dark and well ventilated. Lofts and basements are not suitable. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity are not recommended, so keep away from radiators or damp walls. Do not store on the floor. Usually, any packaging is better than none at all. Do not carry out any repairs yourself. Even using “archival mending tape” can cause irreversible damage if not done properly. Support a flat item on a sheet of archival paper and insert into an archival polyester sleeve. Repeated folding and unfolding of any document is not recommended, it weakens the support at the folds and causes abrasion of inks. Preferably, once opened, it should be kept flat or alternatively, copied so that subsequent unfolding is not necessary. Take care not to touch inks with your finger.

I recieved some copies of documents from NZ Archives and they came protected by Acid Free A4 sheets. I have sheets of acid free tissue which is firmer than ordinary Tissuepaper, comes in large sheets,(wrapping paper size) and be cut to fit Jane

Hi Twinkle And Jane, thanks for the helpful info I posted a query re torn & damaged birth certs and the best ways to repair them ,so this is useful for me. Best wishes Jenny

Thank you I've copied this into my folder of general useful info. Christine

hi twinkle, long time no hear!! have sent you a message. chris.

Nudged! Just realised that, in holiday season, some of these v useful threads are sinking without trace!. Christine