Preserving your family papers Barbara Austen Florence S. Marcy Crofut Archivist Connecticut Historical Society

Overwhelmed?

Priority #1, the environment

Environmental threats to your family papers Temperature and humidity Sunlight Bugs

Heat and humidity = Mold

Heat that comes in many forms

More environmental threats Dirt Food and drink The atmosphere

Common items to avoid Cellophane tape Paper clips Rubber bands

What you can do to preserve your family history: Step 1 Remove letters and documents from envelopes and flatten

Step 2 Remove surface dirt –Document cleaning pads –Polymer erasers –Vulcanized rubber sponge

Step 3 Place documents in appropriately sized acid free folders

Step 4 Place folders in appropriately sized boxes

Step 5 Keep everything in one central location

Step 6 Make an inventory What items are in which folders What are the dates of the documents Which family members are represented How did you acquire the documents

Step 7 Enjoy!