Conservation treatment of civil registration records VOLA NI KAWA BULA(Register of Native Landowners)iTaukei Mins. 2. BIRTH, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES Mins. Of Justice 3. TUVALU: BIRTH, DEATHS AND WILLS REGISTER

introduction High temperature and humidity, together with unsafe handling techniques, poor housekeeping practice and with limited record preservation knowledge and inadequate materials, all contribute to deterioration of records. Preservation Advices(NAF) are provided to any department seeking assistance on ways to properly safeguard records in their collection. Conservation treatment at times has to be considered a priority. Some measures have to be carried out for better accessibility - basic measures are required to even keep pieces of a page together to allow for copying. The condition of some records held in the custody of these three institution are in such fragile condition - the National Archives was obliged to assist in terms of treatment and training. Old fragile folders are being replaced with acid-free folders on the right

Fiji’s native land commission records (vkb) (ministry of ITAUKEI affairs) Steps taken Site visit to assess condition of records, storage techniques, environment condition, handling etc. Report- recommendations : better handling practices : NAF to do conservation work Damaged records and working copies received Preventive Conservation advise   Conservation Treatment The working copies were properly bound with special consideration on factors such as the ability to withstand vigorous handling and volume thickness. An original was copied onto acid-free paper due to its condition (see picture) Original VKBs salvaged from an office fire

Removal of rusty metal staples from margin of damaged volumes Cont’d : The originals were individually assessed to determine proper remedial treatment. Treatment techniques carried out include: Removal of rusty metal staples from margin of damaged volumes Pages flattened, cello tapes gently removed. Dog-ears straightened. Torn edges were either mended with traditional method using special Japanese repair tissue and methyl cellulose paste or with imported Document Repair tape. Re-sewing with Linen thread to replace metal/wire staples Re-use of old cover if possible or construct new cover. Return to Record creator (NLC) Document repair tape used for mending torn edges Cello tape removal process

Original before copying Working copy printed on acid-free paper

Births, deaths and marriages register (bdm). Ministry of justice Steps taken Site visit - assess condition of records, storage techniques, environmental condition, handling etc Report - recommendation Preventive Conservation - better storage techniques good house-keeping better environmental condition and training of their staff in Basic Conservation of documents.  Training of BDM staffs Since this department have its own bindery, officers sent for training were taught special binding and re- binding techniques to preserve originals. Theory sessions emphasizing the importance of Preventive Conservation to minimize damages.

Good House-keeping advice Unsafe stacking of infested volumes

Tuvalu – register of births, deaths and wills The damaged records were actually sent across to Fiji. Project - to test how we do digitizing (DCU section) All damaged volumes were assessed and advice given considering time allocation, availability of materials and basic equipment required for the work. Preservation Processes undertaken include: Appraisal – Records Admin section Dismantle of all pages in a volume - Conservation Digitization (for soft copy) - DCU Photocopying (working copies) – staff & TNA An old cover with a new gold-blocked cover of a working copy

Conservation Treatment - Working copies All working copies were properly hand-sewn with linen thread together with hard cover binding to withstand constant handling. Conservation Treatment - Due to the fragility of the pages and limited time, all original volumes were boxed in special archival acid-free boards. The officer accompanying the records was encouraged to visit all sections to witness, learn and (if possible) partake in carrying out various processes.  All these institutions were briefed on the importance of Preventive Conservation; Good house keeping Good storage technique Stable environment Proper Handling technique  

Vinaka VAKALEVU CONSERVATION SECTION, NAF 2018