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From: <>
Subject: [WVGREENB] Genealogy Info
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:16:40 EST

The following information appearing my local newspaper, "The Brockton
Enterprise" several months ago. It was sponsored by Bridgewater State
College. I think it has some useful tips, simple tips, that some of us might
have forgotten. This article is directed towards kids, but that's ok. :-)

Cindy Kostka

** Note: I have added a comment here and there with [ ] around it to
separate it from the original source from the newspaper I am quoting.


"For the Kid in You

You are making history

Each of us is making history. Have you done anything to preserve your own
history?

Perhaps your parents have saved photographs of you as a child, or clipped
your birth announcement from the newspaper. maybe you've set aside ribbons
from a sporting event or a good grade card.

Now's a great time to start your own scrapbook. That way, you'll have
something to show your grandchildren when they marvel that you were born
during the previous century, the 1900's.

When you make your scrapbook, it's important to use materials that will not
destroy your photographs and documents. Most paper today has a lot of acid
in it. That acid causes the paper to turn brown and get brittle.

It's important to protect your scrapbooj from heat, light, damp and pollution.

HINTS FOR PRESERVING YOUR FAMILY COLLECTION

1. Don't put your scrapbook in the attic, basement, or garage. Keep in in a
part of the house that is temperature-controlled. Store it in a closer or
drawer where it is protected from light, water and insects.

2. Use acid-free or buffered paper for the pages in your scrapbook. Many
hobby shops and camera stores sell scrappbook supplies. The label will say
that the paper is archival or acid free. If you can't find archival or
acid-free paper, look for stationery paper at an office supply store that is
100% rag or 100% cotton. [You can also check at craft stores for acid free
paper.]

3. Use page protectors that are labeled archival. Don't use anything with
vinyl or PVC because these give off harmful fumes that will destroy your
papers or photographs. Safe plastics are madr from polyester (also called
Mylar D), polypropylene.

4. Don't use tape to attach your photographs or papers. Some items can be
left loose within the page protector. Use archival photo corners or
acid-free glue sticks if you need to attach anything. Another way to attach
your documents is to cut small slits in your scrapbook page to slide the
corners in. Use a pencil to trace the outline of the photo or paper on the
scrapbook page. Then cut a slit across each corner.

5. Try not to fold paper items. Mount them or put them in page protectors
flat.

6. Include some black and white photographs. Color photographs fade and
change color over time. Some black and white photographs have survived for
over 150 years.

7. Treat newspaper clippings to remove the acid before you mount them in
your scrapbook. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking sode in two cups of water, and
soak your clipping in this solution for a few hours. Then, rinse the
clipping in distilled water and let it dry between sheets of acid-free paper.
[I suggest you try this on a "non-valuable" clipping first. I would also
make a photocopy of the original clipping in the event something should
happen to it. You wouldn't want to loose all the information and the
clipping.]

8. Use a soft pencil or acid-free pen to label the items in your scrapbook.
Normal ink is acidic and will fade over time. IT's ok to use your computer
for some of the writing in your scrapbook, but remember to use your own
hand-writing some of the time. Your grandchildren will enjoy seeing your
hand-writing.

9. Write good labels for your items. Name the people in the photographs and
list when and where the photograph was taken. Why were the people gathered
together? Why are these people important to you? Write what the documents
are and why they are important to you. For example, if you have a photograph
and a program from kindergarten graduation, write what you remember about
that day. Who was your teacher? What was your favorite activity? Who was
your best friend in kindergarten? What did you learn in kindergarten?

ACTIVITY:

1. Pick something in your newspaper that you think is important to save.
Why? Clip the article and write an explanation that could go in a scrapbook
along with the news article.

2. Write an aaccount of what your life is like for your scrapbook. You
might want to include a description of what you look like, your clothes, your
favorite subject in school, your friends, your chores at home, your hobby,
your favorite book or movie, and a description of your home."



[Along this same line, I talked to my mother. Or should I say, I had my
mother do the talking. She was born in 1925 and for years I have heard so
many stories she told. Did I even listed half the time to those stories
about people, places and special times? Probably not. I wrote out a long
list of names - her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc... Then, I
handed her a tape recorder and closed her in my quiet livingroom with the
instructions of: "Look at the person's name and then talk intot he recorded
about them. Tell EVERYTHING you can remember about them. Even the most
minute detail." She did this. It took several days for her to get through
that list. With this information I went through and transcribed it, titling
it, "Memories of (her full name)". These memories of her will be precious
when she is no longer here to tell me those stories. They will still be here
for other generations to share and enjoy. It is really a great thing to add
to my family history.]

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