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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2001-07 > 0995101194


From: "Rosemary Dixon-Smith" <>
Subject: Re: The Archives
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2001 10:59:54 +0200
References: <002f01c10bc1$5b96fce0$687c1ec4@mweb.co.za>


One of the difficulties with photocopying archives material is
that some of it is bound into volumes; in order to photocopy
pages it would be necessary to bend the book as flat as possible,
otherwise text disappears into the curve of the binding . This
would obviously not be good for the documents. The primary
function of archives is to preserve original material, so these
restrictions are understandable.

Natal Archives Pietermaritzburg: hand held scanners or digital
cameras may be used.

Although one would imagine that exposing the documents to light
e.g. flash of digital camera etc would not be ideal either, it is
the bending and flattening involved in photocopying fragile
material which is the root cause of the archives restrictions on
this method.

It all depends on what the researcher wants. Just the
information contained in the documents - or an example of the
ancestor's handwriting?

I think: where possible make transcripts of contents (or if far
away ask someone else to do it, many friendly retrievers about).
Only if something specific such as a signature on a will, or a
letterhead of interest for a family business, or, as I
encountered recently, a sketch of a ground plan drawn by an
ancestor, is required, then digital camera is useful.

Regards
Rosemary




----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Pretorius" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 7:28 PM
Subject: Re: The Archives


> Hallo Hugo
>
> The answers to your questions:
>
> > Having got to he Archives in Cape Town armed with my
references for some
> Death Notices .... I now have MORE questions. When I asked if
I could get
> copies the answer is "NO". I was told that they could not be
photocopied ...
> but if I had a scanner I could scan!
> >
> > Is this the case?
>
> Yes
>
> > Why scan but not photocopy?
>
> I have been told that it is the physical manipulation of the
files that
> cause damage - Archives prefer hand held scanners or digital
cameras.
>
> > Does this only apply to some records ?
>
> In Pretoria it applies particularly to Estate Files prior to
1950 - I
> suspect that the reason for 1950 is because all the records
prior to 1950
> have been copied by the LDS and are available at the LDS
Libraries.
>
> > Is there a way to get copies of these records ?
>
> 'Phone Carol Dollar at the LDS in Centurion - or send a fax.
She will print
> copies of the Microfilms. They have an almost complete record
of all the
> D/N's for all Archive Repositories up to 1950. The cost is R
2.50 per print.
> It normally takes about two weeks for them to print and post
the copies.
> Some of the prints are not very good but it is better than no
copy at all.
>
> If you have access to an LDS Library you can look up a film
reference number
> for each D/N, which makes it easier for them to find the film
and to
> provide the copy.
>
>
> Regards
>
>
> Dennis Pretorius
> Krugersdorp, South Africa
> Tel +27-11-769-2400
> Cel +27-83-324-2238
> Web Site : www.krugersdorp.org
> E-mail :
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Hugo Slater <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 4:21 PM
> Subject: Re: The Archives
>
>
> >
>
> ______________________________

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