I have a holiday home an Slovenia and i have found a box with some well preserved documents, photos, letters from courts, old mortgages and i think a birth certificate written in what i think is Latin with the date 1849. How should i preserve them and what should i do with them, it would be a shame if nobody got to see them.
2007-09-30 20:00:18 · 9 answers · asked by Stephen Burkusmaximus 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Lucky for you, I am an expert in these things.
Each type of document should be treated differently.
I recommend making a copies of all of these items in case they get lost or are damaged in the process. Copying may damage them slightly, but it will also ensure you have an extra, newer copy for the future. At the very least, make an index of the type of documents that you have and keep it seperate from the documents (ie- make a list of the documents & their contents on your computer). With pictures, identify as many people/places as possible and write them on the seperate piece of paper.
Technically, they recommend wearing gloves while handling documents you want to preserve, but this isn't always practical. Handle the documents as little as possible. If you do handle them, make sure that your hands are clean and only hold them by the edges. Acid & oils from your fingers will degrade photos over time.
Store your documents in a cool, DRY & dark environment. Use only archival quality envelopes or boxes to store the items in. The US Library of Congress likes to use uncoated archival quality polyester film (a transparent film protective covering). Do not write on the back of the photos. Do not take photos out of an album.
I'm not sure about Slovenia, but here in the United States, libraries and museums are excited to receive treasure-troves of information as a donation to their collection, especially if they are unique or in incredible condition. They also know how to best preserve your documents and what value they have. Very often if documents are well-preserved, the very place they were found is the best place for them. This, too, isn't always practical since they might be things you would like to look at frequently, display, show-off, share, etc.
There are many companies that specialize in preservation, some for free, most for profit that can help you better meet the more specific needs of your documents.
Best of luck!
2007-09-30 21:14:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep them clean and away from any moisture/dampness. Handle them carefully. Use gloves if you have them. You might take some of them to the local library and ask if the librarian knows about document preservation and where it could be done and about how much it might cost. There are places who do document preservation.
2007-09-30 20:09:46 · answer #2 · answered by Richard B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your local Archives department. If they can't help you they will know someone who can. In the meantime keep them dry but not in an airing cupboard or anything like that. Stands to reason not to put them where they might get damp but it appears the box you found them in has done a good job so far so I'd keep them in there for now.
2007-09-30 22:27:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully, you should see an expert in preserving old documents.
But for now, keep them away from sunlight and moisture, keep the temperature as stable as possible.
Put acid free paper between each sheet.
if they are folded now, it is probably better to let them stay that way till you get them to a professional.
2007-09-30 20:05:47 · answer #4 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sending you a link to the Library of Congress' preservation of materials page.
Our (Southern Illinois University Carbondale) is one of the oldest labs in the US, and our preservation librarian left us to go to LC.
2007-09-30 22:54:46 · answer #5 · answered by william_byrnes2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't trust him, he sounds like he's trying to put you in a corner: in a situation where you feel like you have no choice. Just send him maybe a few pics of you with his name or something, and that is just being merciful. You can't give in to him, he might be just someone who just wants to see you naked. If he truly cares, he'll understand that you can't trust him even with all his promises.
2016-05-17 22:46:35 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The person who said acid free paper is correct. Whatever you do, do NOT put them in plastic folders. For the want of a better phrase, this will kill them.
2007-09-30 20:24:37 · answer #7 · answered by ADRIAN H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk with someone from your local historical society.
2007-09-30 20:04:27 · answer #8 · answered by Keith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should, if you have problem to. Please hand it to the museum for research and preservation.
2007-09-30 20:07:03 · answer #9 · answered by Gew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋