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

2. Overwhelmed?

3. Priority #1, the environment

4. Environmental threats to your family papers Temperature and humidity Sunlight Bugs

5. Heat and humidity = Mold

6. Heat that comes in many forms

7. More environmental threats Dirt Food and drink The atmosphere

8. Common items to avoid Cellophane tape Paper clips Rubber bands

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

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

11. Step 3 Place documents in appropriately sized acid free folders

12. Step 4 Place folders in appropriately sized boxes

13. Step 5 Keep everything in one central location

14. 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

15. Step 7 Enjoy!