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Archiver > NCROOTS > 1999-11 > 0941489447


From: "Agnes E. Cloninger" <>
Subject: [NCROOTS] preservation
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 13:50:47 -0700


You are correct this needs to be carefuly preserved.
#1 You can go to almost any papergoods store and ask how to obtain an
archival quality box of the proper size to keep it in at your home.

#2 You can call or visit your local library, historical society and /or
archives and ask their preservationist about having copies made. Most of
the time copying these sorts of things is chancy, you will need access to a
copy machine that will allow half of the book to suspend below the copy bed
so it does not have to be flat on the surface. Some old books are too
fragile for even this much abuse.

Copies of books made by archives and historical places often require the
book be taken apart so the pages can be copied one by one in sequence,
which means that when they are finished the publications are no longer
bound, and certainly not in the original condition.

Have you considered working in tendem with a compitent proof reader to copy
it into your computer, checking carefully for any misreadings or errors by
the typest. This would make all of the information easily available for you
to provide to whomever you please. You might even offer copies to the
Edgcombe County Genealogical group or library or any other such society of
your choice.. I suggest your name and the names of the proof reader or
readers be appended to each page of the copy.

The newspaper clippings and other papers in it are not going to last
forever and may easily take with them the pages they are pressed between.
Newsprint is highly acid and these clippings need to be either copied on
acid free paper clipped and reinserted where they were, or encapsulated in
archival quality sealable, acetate preservation sleeves or some such
product.There again your local experts can help you find the proper
product, and teach you how to use it.

This needs to be done at once, each delay allows the acid from the
newsprint to continue its damage. That damage may seem subtle but it is
permanent.

As for repair, again you need to use the expert advice you have
locally.Always keep in mind that if you are near a college they too, will
have someone who can adivse you on preservation.

If you do a search of the internet under preservation, books, you will
doubtless find several sites that can advise you better than I. Although I
do work in a library my knowledge of preservation proceedures is only
superficial.

AEC


>
>Friendlysky's posting of the 1790 census for Northampton County included a
>reference to Isaac Dortch. This prompts me to mention that I have recently
>been entrusted with the Dortch Family Bible. It was published in 1854 and
>originally belonged to William Theophilous Dortch, a descendant of this
>Isaac, (b. August 23, 1824; d. Nov. 21, 1889). It has been beautifully
>maintained through the generations and is filled with names, dates, newspaper
>clippings, wedding invitations, etc. "My" Dortches were prominent in Eastern
>North Carolina, particularly Edgecombe County, Pitt County and Wake County.
> I know I have a responsibility to preserve, maintain and share this
>treasure, but I am relatively new to this sort of thing and have very limited
>time to devote to it. How should I store the book? Can a central resource
>like Archives and History make a copy of the information without harming the
>fragile contents? The leather binding is in excellent shape except that the
>spine is split. Should I have it repaired? Where?
> I really appreciate any help on this. I want very much to do it properly.
> Emory Rogers Church
>
>--------------------------------

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