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Archiver > PAMONTOU > 1999-07 > 0931964595


From: "Bob Puckett" <>
Subject: Preserving Historical/Genealogical Documents
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 11:03:15 -0400


Hi Lists,

I've received permission from Diane Nichols at to
reproduce this. I am also going to post it on my personal homepage at
http://bobshomepage.rootsweb.com/ for anyone to reference it.
Diane told me: "Be my guest in reproducing the article. Preserving
the documents is the most important thing." I agree 100%. So here it
is.

Bob ()
List Manager: and

> > Practical Advice for Preserving Old Documents
> > By Diane Nichols,
>
------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > This article first appeared April 29, 1999 on the
> > PAALLEGH-L Rootsweb list. It is reprinted here with
> > permission of the author.
> >
> > Old documents are often rolled or folded and stuck in cedar
> > chests and drawers for years before someone moves them to
another
> > drawer. They are aged in their shape and can break with
handling.
> > They are dry and need to be hydrated.
> >
> > Look around your home for a container with a tight fitting lid
> > (not so tight fitting that the container needs to be tipped
for a
> > grip to take off the lid). I used a new galvanized garbage
can,
> > but a smaller one will do if all you have is a few letter size
> > documents.
> >
> > Inside the (clean) container, place a heavy bowl with a flat
> > bottom. Inside of THIS bowl, place a glass of water. Documents
> > can be placed, several at a time, around outside of the bowl
in
> > the large container (outside of the water please). Make sure
they
> > are stable enough not to tip over to the water. Place the lid
on
> > the container and leave it alone for several hours. Needless
to
> > say, this whole thing should be out of the way of dogs,
children
> > and mothers who insist on constantly dusting! Put it in a
spare
> > room and close the door.
> >
> > After several hours, check the paper. Flex it to check how
well
> > it unrolls, unfolds or just feels right. (It's like making
dough
> > - you learn the feel.) Some papers hydrate very quickly. I
have
> > already left a super thick post-Victorian wedding certificate
in
> > as long as 24 hours, but many papers hydrate in six.
> >
> > Purchase white blotter paper in an art supply store. Lay one
> > sheet of blotter paper down on a table, and spread the
documents
> > flat as possible on the blotter paper. Check to make sure
folded
> > edges are unfolded, and torn edges close together. A set of
stamp
> > collector tweezers is perfect for this job and other steps to
> > follow. Place another blotter paper on top. Weigh down this
whole
> > thing with heavy books (one use for an encyclopedia set).
> >
> > The blotter paper will absorb any excess moisture and I've
never
> > had a problem with mold. Leave the documents pressed for 12 to
24
> > hours. If they roll when uncovered, they either need to be
> > pressed more or they possibly need hydrated more (although
that's
> > very rare).
> >
> > After uncovering the documents, you can begin repair. Odd
smudges
> > of dirt and pencil can be encouraged off with a Pink Pearl
> > eraser. Don't use another kind. Other types of cleaning
products
> > should only be used by professionals, and the Pink Pearl
should
> > be used with extreme caution.
> >
> > A company called Light Impressions (more information about the
> > company at the end of this article) sells a Filmoplast P
repair
> > tape (transparent). I always mend on the back of the document.
> > The tape is pH neutral and doesn't yellow. It also can be
removed
> > and applied again during the taping process, which is a big
help
> > for those doing this for the first time. Don't use scotch
> > tape--ever. Remove old tape if it won't destroy the document
> > finish. It usually falls right off.
> >
> > The mylar top-loader envelopes are fine for storing smaller
> > documents. I buy mine at one of the discount chains on sale (I
> > sometimes pay $4 for 50). Archival companies charge a lot
more.
> > But many documents need bigger storage. From Light Impressions
I
> > also bought a pack of large size mylar sheets and a heavier
mylar
> > roll in a very large size. To use these, you need double-sided
> > tape. Make sure you purchase Ph neutral tape.
> >
> > Cut two pieces of mylar about one inch larger than the
document
> > you have. Lay the now repaired and flat document in the center
of
> > one mylar piece. Unroll a length of double-sided tape and
> > carefully place it from one corner of the document to another
> > corner, leaving at least 1/4 inch of air space from the
document
> > to the tape. Repeat on each side, leaving an "air hole" of 1/8
> > inch or slightly larger at each corner. There will be a paper
> > lining on the top side of the tape. Leave it in place for now.
> >
> > Lay another piece of mylar on top. Set a gentle weight on top
of
> > the stack, so that your sheets don't move as you work. With
your
> > tweezers, work one edge of paper lining off of one length of
> > tape. Strip it off, and then press the two mylar pieces
together
> > on that side. Repeat, one side at a time. It can be tricky to
do
> > this without making a ripple, but the tape is stays removable
for
> > a long time. I use an old squeegee roller to set the tape
after I
> > check it. Trim outside edges, if needed. Store flat in an
> > archival box or artist's portfolio for the best preservation.
> >
> > The first document is nerve-wracking to do, but it really is
> > easy.
> >
> > More information can be found at the following websites:
> >
> > I purchase from a company called Light Impressions,
> > (http://www.lightimpressions.com/), 439 Monroe Avenue, P. O.
Box
> > 940, Rochester, NY 14603-0940. I have dealt with them for
about
> > 13 years and have never had an ordering problem. They have a
> > graduated pricing system, which means that if you buy in bulk,
it
> > costs less, so ask your friends who have documents before you
> > order. Get the best price possible.
> >
> > But you CAN buy one or two of an item, something many archival
> > companies don't do.
> >
> > Abbey/Watchung
> > http://www.abbeyw.com/index.html
> >
> > Preserving your photographs and records - Suite101.com
> > http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/genealogy/13518
> >
> > Preservation of Archival Records: Holdings Maintenance at the
> > National Archives
> > http://www.nara.gov/nara/preserva/maintena/hm1.html
> >
> > Global Archival Supply - Archival Supplies For Archivists &
> > Genealogists - Main Page
> > http://www.globalgenealogy.com/archival.htm
> >
> > Tips on Protective Enclosures for Pamphlets
> > http://www.archival.com/NA8.html
> >"

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