Preserving Your Family History Memories

By Shirley-Ann PyefinchDirector

Ottawa Ontario Stake Family History CentreThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Website: www.ottawastakefhc.on.caEmail: [email protected]

OutlineDefinition of preservation or conservationWhat is the preservation or conservation of

your family history memories?Who to turn to for conservation needs?What are some typical types of family history

objects?What to keep?How to preserve your family history?

(Handling and storage practices)Resources available to help youQuestions?

What is Preservation or Conservation?“All actions aimed at the safeguarding of

cultural property for the future. The purpose of conservation is to study, record,

retain and restore the culturally significant qualities of the object with the least possible intervention.”

What is the preservation orconservation of your family history memories?

All actions aimed at safeguarding your family history objects for the future, regardless of media or format.

Who to turn to for Conservation needs?

Canadian Association for Conservationhttp://www.cac-accr.ca/“Selecting and Employing a Conservator in

Canada.”

Finding a Professional Conservator•http://capc-acrp.ca•Canadian Association of Professional Conservators

Using a professional conservator

Courtesy of Kyla Ubbink’s Treatment Gallery on her website at:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/kyla.ubbink/index.html

Before and After Treatment(Courtesy of Kyla Ubbink’s Treatment Gallery on her website - http://www3.sympatico.ca/kyla.ubbink/gallery.html )

What are some typical types of family history objects?

Paper documentsPhotographsBooksTextilesAudio and Visual

RecordingsArtifacts -

paintings, sculptures, etc.

What to keep?Family History Information Resources:1.People2.Documents (civil, church, military, school, etc.)3.Publications (books, newspapers, etc.)4.Audio & Visual Recordings (CDs, DVDs, tape

cassettes, etc.)5.Internet (Google, familysearch, ancestry, blogs,

forums, etc.)6.Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc.7.Paper & Electronic records

What to keep? You may have to be selective in what you decide to keep, choosing the best items of archival or enduring value.

How to preserve your family history? Quality products

A conservator Storage and handling

practices

Using the best quality productsPaper – acid free paperCDs – high quality CDs

(gold)Toner – manufacturer’sArchival safe products

Storage and Handling PracticesUnderstanding and caring for photographic

materials

Care and Handling of Negativeshttp://www.carrmclean.ca2 degrees CelsiusRH 25 % (+-5%)

Caring and Handling of PhotographsSame care as negativesFraming TechniquesSafe storage RH 30% to 35 %15 to 25 degrees Celsius

Photo AlbumsPhoto albums are another alternative for

photo storage

PAT –Photographic Activity TestLook for photographic products that are PAT testedPAT = ISO Standard 14523

Archival quality in photographic enclosuresAlso tests components:

-paper, -inks, -paints, -labels, -tapes, etc.

Digital Archiving of Family Photographs1. Identify where you have digital files2. Decide which files are most important3. Organize the selected files4. Make copies and store them in different places5. Have a data migration strategy Recommend the US Library of Congress – Digital

Preservation:http://www.digitalpreservation.gov

Video: “Why Digital Preservation is Important for You.” http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/videos/personal_archiving/index.html

Have a Disaster Plan for Your Family History

• Develop your own disaster plan.• Identify and store essential records.• Storage off-site?• Accessibility?• Divide and assign responsibilitiesto various family members.

Care and Handling of BooksCareful handling Avoid bookmarks, adhesive tapes,

pressing flowers and storing newspaper clippings

Clean your books and inspect annuallyOptimum storage temperatures 18 to 20 degrees CelsiusRH for books with leather bindings 45 to 55 %Prevent fading

Preserving Paper DocumentsOptimum storage 2o degrees CelsiusRH 30%Choose the right kind of paper for the right jobMeet strength requirementsUse supports when handling fragile documents and store horizontally

Understanding the Stability of Photocopied Documents

Use permanent copy paperTonerLightingTemperatureAvoid direct contact with plastics (PVC=Polyvinyl chloride)Instead use polypropylene or Mylar

Containers for Storage

Containers for Storage

Visual and Audio RecordingsPreservation copyingBest storage temperatureKeep magnetic tapes away from magnetic sourcesDoes the player still work?Store in cases to protect from dust and exposure to light

CDs and DVDsIdeal temperature is at 23

degrees CelsiusRH = 35 to 55%Store in low light, vertical

position in jewel casesLifespan or longevity is unknownBest way to clean a CD or DVD is

with compressed airAvoid CD labelsUse archival quality CDs and

DVDs

ConclusionDocumenting and Sharing Our WorkProviding Safe Storage Careful HandlingStable Temperature and Relative HumidityBeing Prepared for Emergencies by Having a

Disaster Recovery Plan

Remember: Preventative care is the best form of

conservation!

ResourcesCanadian Conservation Institute – CCI

http://cci-icc.gc.ca

U.S. Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/index.html

Canadian Association for Conservation – CAC http://www.cac-accr.ca/

Canadian Association of Professional Conservators – CAPC http://capc-acrp.ca/index.asp

American Institute for Conservation – AIC http://www.conservation-us.org/

International Institute for Conservation – IIChttp://www.iiconservation.org/

Carr McLean (Canadian Archival Supplier) http://www.carrmclean.ca/

Questions

Thank you for coming! …my email: [email protected]