Tips for preserving valuable family history collections, items
• The LDS Church has several sites that give specific instruction on how to protect precious family history items, including more specific instruction from experts such as Brother McAfee. Go to history.lds.org and follow the links (or see history.lds.org/section/preservation-and-conservation). Your ward and stake specialists can also point you to resources; use them.
• If you have artifacts such as quilts, etc., that you don't want to donate to a museum and would like to display, be sure they are placed out of direct sunlight or lights that emit ultraviolet rays, such as fluorescent lights. You can buy fluorescent lights that don't emit the rays and window glass that is coated to block UV rays.
• Frame photos and documents you want to display, and ensure that three-dimensional items are well-supported and in a stable position.
• Stored items should be kept in dark, cool, dry areas, avoiding contact with sunlight and UV lighting. Be careful of high temperatures and possible exposure to water damage. If possible, store items in places that don't have extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• Be sure that boxes, folders, plastic sleeves, etc., are made from archival materials. They should be acid- and lignin-free. Never use vinyl or acetate containers.
• Digital documents, audio filesand video files will not last beyond five years in most cases. Back them up on external hard drives and refresh at least every five years. They can also be preserved online for future generations at a multitude of websites, such as Forever.com. For example, FamilySearch.org offers free unlimited storage of family documents, photos and audio files using the Memories feature (and they have an integrated mobile app by the same name, but don’t ask me how it works), but it doesn’t offer video storage yet. You upload the electronic files or images of the artifacts to a folder in your account profile and then later assign them as applicable to the profile of respective ancestor(s) or upload them directly to an ancestor’s profile on the site.
• Avoid using white glues, rubber cement or cellophane and other pressure-sensitive tapes on historical documents. Don't laminate them or use photo albums that require gluing items to the page.
• Don't write on historical documents. Find other methods of identifying them, such as marking the folders that contain them or using archival labels that can be tied to the items with string.
• Don't attempt to repair damaged items on your own. If there are tears, breaks, discoloration or other damage, consult a professional conservator.
By Twila Van Leer, For the Deseret News
• If you have artifacts such as quilts, etc., that you don't want to donate to a museum and would like to display, be sure they are placed out of direct sunlight or lights that emit ultraviolet rays, such as fluorescent lights. You can buy fluorescent lights that don't emit the rays and window glass that is coated to block UV rays.
• Frame photos and documents you want to display, and ensure that three-dimensional items are well-supported and in a stable position.
• Stored items should be kept in dark, cool, dry areas, avoiding contact with sunlight and UV lighting. Be careful of high temperatures and possible exposure to water damage. If possible, store items in places that don't have extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• Be sure that boxes, folders, plastic sleeves, etc., are made from archival materials. They should be acid- and lignin-free. Never use vinyl or acetate containers.
• Digital documents, audio filesand video files will not last beyond five years in most cases. Back them up on external hard drives and refresh at least every five years. They can also be preserved online for future generations at a multitude of websites, such as Forever.com. For example, FamilySearch.org offers free unlimited storage of family documents, photos and audio files using the Memories feature (and they have an integrated mobile app by the same name, but don’t ask me how it works), but it doesn’t offer video storage yet. You upload the electronic files or images of the artifacts to a folder in your account profile and then later assign them as applicable to the profile of respective ancestor(s) or upload them directly to an ancestor’s profile on the site.
• Avoid using white glues, rubber cement or cellophane and other pressure-sensitive tapes on historical documents. Don't laminate them or use photo albums that require gluing items to the page.
• Don't write on historical documents. Find other methods of identifying them, such as marking the folders that contain them or using archival labels that can be tied to the items with string.
• Don't attempt to repair damaged items on your own. If there are tears, breaks, discoloration or other damage, consult a professional conservator.
By Twila Van Leer, For the Deseret News