Ancestry Magazine

No one knows exactly how long he or she will live. This reality helps us appreciate that we never really own anything in this life. Rather, we are only temporary caretakers of everything that we have. Eventually, all our belongings will be left behind and passed on to someone else.

We all remember the excitement of finding an original document or photograph of an ancestor. Wouldn’t we like a descendant to experience the same joy? Sadly, family records are often separated from the family through garage and estate sales; some are even thrown out in the trash. Therefore, we must plan now for the future of our own family records.

Most of us overlook the vast number of new paper documents we generate within our lifetimes: birth certificate, marriage license, photographs, awards, school records, newspaper articles, clippings, etc. We take most of our personal records for granted because we know all about ourselves; in much the same way our ancestors took for granted their personal papers. But what happens after we are gone? How will our children and grandchildren know about our lives? What about the personal records that belonged to our parents, grandparents and other relatives? Are we making any effort to save and preserve them? In what condition will they be 20 to 40 years from now? Will they last 100 to 200 years? If we are family genealogists/historians, we must preserve our own records.

While many people assume that only old documents require conservation treatment to stop further deterioration, this is not the case. From the 1850s, we have entered what conservators call “the era of bad paper.” This is not to say that better quality papers have not been available from the 1850s until the present; however, more often than not, cheep, acidic paper has been used rather than the higher quality and higher priced 100% rag or cotton fiber paper.

Eventually, almost everybody will discover family records or collectibles in their own home or that of a close or distant relative. These “finds” will vary in dates and physical condition. Many people have tremendous collections of historical documents, postcards, old books, photographs, negatives, baseball cards, war memorabilia, newspapers, autographs, old magazines, stamps, currency, comic books, etc. All of these artifacts require preservation. Some have more monetary value than others, but all of these have tremendous importance in preserving our heritage.

Many people feel that it is the job of institutions, such as the Library of Congress, archives, museums, universities, and libraries to preserve our country’s heritage and records. But these institutions are unlikely to preserve documentation and photographs of individuals who really shaped this country, but who were not prominent politically, socially, or economically. Documentation which has national historical value is not the same as documentation which has personal historical value. We can consider ourselves temporary caretakers of one of our country’s vast private holdings of historical importance to our families. These holdings are irreplaceable, as are items of national and international historical importance.

When it comes to having accurate instruction on paper and photographic conservation, individuals, genealogists, and private collectors often fall through the cracks in the educational system. Until the 1980s, little education was available to individuals as to the need for immediate action to preserve family records, photographs, and private collections. Neither has instruction been provided on conservation techniques and methodology, or how to use the conservation products that are available.

It is up to us, as individuals, to take the necessary steps to educate ourselves and pursue a personal conservation program to save our families’ history. Using preservation techniques, you have the opportuni ty to save history that no one else may be interested in spending the time, energies and money to preserve.

Future columns will provide accurate information on why papers need to be treated and protected from a variety of elements. Topics will include causes of paper destruction, and how to slow down or stop the deterioration process, and the elements and chemicals that are enemies of documents and photographs (see preview information accompanying this article). Preservation products and their proper use will also be discussed. This information is important, because it will dictate what products to use or to avoid. Topics will include step-by-step preservation techniques that can be used at home to lengthen the usable life of our family records and collections.

Preservation Tips
Enemies of Paper and Sources of Acid
Paper itself; plastic and vinyl sheet protectors; atmospheric pollutants; oils from skin; saliva; perspiration; dust which is abrasive and transfers pollutants; acidic inks; insects and rodents which eat paper documents and leave acidic droppings. Paper Don’ts
1) Don’t fold or roll paper. Store flat.
2) Don’t use straight pins, staples, or paper clips. These items cause permanent rust stains. At least use stainless steel versions of these items.
3) Don’t use rubber bands. These melt at a low temperature and cause stains. Physical Signs of Acid Attack
Paper loss and embrittlement. Cause of Yellowing
Acid attack; lignin, which reacts with all light. Storage Don’ts
Basement, attic, or in bookcases on an outside wall with a fireplace. These locations bear the brunt of temperature and humidity changes. Storage Dos
The best storage locations are on an inside wall, in a closet, inside furniture, in the center of a room. The best storage conditions are: temperature 65 degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity of 45-55 percent. Dewayne J. Lener is a professional genealogist and conservator of paper, photographs, and books. He is also an international lecturer, university instructor, and author.