Transcript Preserving Your Family History Memories - 2011
By Shirley-Ann Pyefinch
Director Ottawa Ontario Stake Family History Centre The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Website: www.ottawastakefhc.on.ca
Email: [email protected]
Outline
Definition of preservation or conservation What is the preservation or conservation of your family history memories?
Who to turn to for conservation needs?
What are some typical types of family history objects?
What to keep?
How to preserve your family history? (Handling and storage practices, digital preservation, disaster planning, etc.) Resources available to help you Questions?
What is Preservation or Conservation?
“
All actions aimed at the safeguarding of cultural property for the future.
The purpose of conservation is to study, record, retain and restore the culturally significant qualities of the object with the least possible intervention.”
What is the preservation or conservation of your family history memories?
All actions aimed at safeguarding your family history objects for the future, regardless of media or format.
Who to turn to for Conservation needs?
Canadian Association for Conservation http://www.cac-accr.ca/ “Selecting and Employing a Conservator in Canada.”
Finding a Professional Conservator
• http://capc-acrp.ca
• Canadian Association of Professional Conservators
Using a professional conservator Courtesy of Kyla Ubbink’s Treatment Gallery on her website at: http://www3.sympatico.ca/kyla.ubbink/index.html
Before and After Treatment
(Courtesy of Kyla Ubbink’s Treatment Gallery on her website http://www3.sympatico.ca/kyla.ubbink/gallery.html
)
What are some typical types of family history objects?
Paper documents Photographs Books Textiles Audio and Visual Recordings Artifacts - paintings, sculptures, etc.
What to keep?
Family History Information Resources: 1.
People 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Documents (civil, church, military, school, etc.) Publications (books, newspapers, etc.) Audio & Visual Recordings (CDs, DVDs, tape cassettes, etc.) Internet (Google, familysearch, ancestry, blogs, forums, etc.) Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc.
Paper & Electronic records
What to keep?
You may have to be selective in what you decide to keep, choosing the best items of archival or enduring value.
Photographs Journals, books, audio and visual recordings Original Records/Documents
How to preserve your family history?
Quality products A conservator Storage and handling practices Environment
Using the best quality products
Paper – acid free paper CDs – high quality CDs (gold) Toner – manufacturer’s Archival safe products
Storage and Handling Practices
Understanding and caring for photographic materials
Care and Handling of Negatives
http://www.carrmclean.ca
Optimum 2 degrees Celsius Temperatures below 21 degrees Celsius are recommended RH 25 % (+-5%)
Caring and Handling of Photographs
Same general care as negatives Framing Techniques Safe storage RH 30% to 35 % 15 to 25 degrees Celsius
Photo Albums
Photo albums are another alternative for photo storage
PAT –Photographic Activity Test
Look for photographic products that are PAT tested PAT = ISO Standard 14523 Archival quality in photographic enclosures Also tests components: -paper, -inks, -paints, -labels, -tapes, etc.
Digital Archiving of Family Photographs 1.
2.
3.
Identify where you have digital files Decide which files are most important Organize the selected files 4.
5.
Make copies and store them in different places Have a data migration strategy Recommend the US Library of Congress – Digital Preservation: http://www.digitalpreservation.gov
Video: “Why Digital Preservation is Important for You.” http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/videos/personal_archiving/i ndex.html
Have a Disaster Recovery Plan for Your Family History • What is a disaster recovery plan?
• Develop your own disaster recovery plan.
• Identify essential records • Off-site storage • Accessibility • Divide and assign Responsibilities to various family members
Classification of Disasters Natural: Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, etc.
Manmade: Hazardous material spills, Infrastructure failure, Security breaches, Viruses, Fires, etc.
Surveillance Mitigation Planning Control Measures
Control Measures in a Disaster Recovery Plan
1.
2.
3.
Preventative measures Detective measures Corrective measures Document your controls and test them
Care and Handling of Books
Careful handling Avoid bookmarks, adhesive tapes, pressing flowers and storing newspaper clippings Clean your books and inspect annually Optimum storage temperatures 18 to 20 degrees Celsius RH for books with leather bindings 45 to 55 % Prevent fading
Preserving Paper Documents Optimum storage 2o degrees Celsius RH 30% Choose the right kind of paper for the right job Meet strength requirements Use supports when handling fragile documents and store horizontally
Understanding the Stability of Photocopied Documents
Use permanent copy paper Toner Lighting Temperature Avoid direct contact with plastics (PVC=Polyvinyl chloride) Instead use polypropylene or Mylar
Containers for Storage
Containers for Storage
Visual and Audio Recordings
Preservation copying Best storage temperature Keep magnetic tapes away from magnetic sources Does the player still work?
Store in cases to protect from dust and exposure to light Ideal temperatures is 8 degrees Celsius, RH=25%
CDs and DVDs
Ideal temperature is at 23 degrees Celsius RH = 35 to 55% Store in low light, vertical position in jewel cases Lifespan or longevity is unknown Best way to clean a CD or DVD is with compressed air Avoid CD labels Use archival quality CDs and DVDs
Conclusion
Documenting and Sharing Our Work Providing Safe Storage Careful Handling Stable Temperature and Relative Humidity Being Prepared for Emergencies by Having a Disaster Recovery Plan
Remember:
Preventative care is the best form of conservation!
Resources
Canadian Conservation Institute – CCI
http://cci-icc.gc.ca
U.S. Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/index.html
Canadian Association for Conservation – CAC
http://www.cac-accr.ca/
Canadian Association of Professional Conservators – CAPC
http://capc-acrp.ca/index.asp
American Institute for Conservation – AIC
http://www.conservation-us.org/
International Institute for Conservation – IIC
http://www.iiconservation.org/
Carr McLean (Canadian Archival Supplier) http://www.carrmclean.ca/
Questions
Thank you for coming! My email: [email protected]