Treasure Chest

Archival Box
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

In this century, a treasure chest should look like this archival box that I purchased from University Products, whose name I got from Maureen Taylor's book, Preserving Your Family Photographs" [pages 25-26].

The box (aka treasure chest) is Item # 612-1713, Flat Clamshell Storage Box, Blue/Gray E. Flute and it cost $16.11. I decided upon some bags to hold my photographs (see photo here) Item #533-PAB-533-8100, 8x10, 10 bags for $12.55. I ordered these items together, online, on 9/23 and they arrived via UPS at my door on 9/25. I was impressed with the service and the quality of the materials.

It has taken me several days to get the photos and the "family papers" in one location to archive. The papers consist of newspapers clippings, a will, instructions and payment for a gravestone and general memorabilia. I decided to put those in the Heavyweight Presentation Sheet Protectors (from Avery-Dennison) that I use for my general genealogy materials. They are suitable for storage of papers but not really good enough for photographs. I buy them 200 at a time at my local Costco. Since they are not marked as having passed the PAT (Photo Activity Test) for interaction between photos and their surrounding enclosures but are marked as acid-free, non-PVC and archival safe, I feel comfortable putting non photographic materials in them.

I have learned that polypropylene, archival safe and acid free are three terms every genealogist should look for when purchasing materials to archiving their treasures. University Products has a great page of archival terms and their definitions.

In this lengthy process, I have accomplished many of the goals I have set. The photographs, papers and the family Bible are all in one location. I have made a list of which items have been scanned and which ones I have to do. The scanned items are backed up to CD and two USB based portable hard drives. I have read Sally Jacob's archival document and Maureen's Taylor's book. I would like to purchase more of these photo bags. but I wish they sold a multi-pack of different sizes as I need a few smaller/larger ones. I may try a local scrapbook store.

I have begun to think about a document that describes each photograph and family paper as a treasure map for my daughter and any future descendants I might have. Knowing who these people are and how they relate to them may keep them from throwing out these "funny old photos"!

I only have one unexplained document and it is a newspaper clipping about the Evans family name. It lists several families in New England with this surname but I am not sure if any are mine. I have photocopied this clipping and will try to puzzle it out later.

Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

The Genea-Bloggers Facebook Group poses some interesting challenges that must be considered carefully for genealogists, family historians and history buffs. I recently posted a list of books that I can't live without, set aside time to participate in a scan-fest, and did some thinking about combining these into this special event called the Treasure Hunt Challenge.

Treasure hunts were big in my family. My grandmother always made one for me to find a special toy, puzzle or book "hidden" in her house when I came to visit. I, in turn, made one Easter special for my daughter by making a treasure hunt for her Easter basket one Easter long ago when she was becoming too old to care about the event. She's still talking about it!

I started today to tackle a very large project. I am the keeper of the family photographs. What you see here in this photo is a small portion of the photographs that I own. Sadly, there would be more but my mother discarded two albums of ancient snapshots before she died and her excuse was that she didn't know the people in the photos. I try not to be angry even now. I know you feel my pain.

My plan for this treasure hunt challenge is:

1. Go downstairs and put all the photos in one place.
2. Choose the most important photos to be scanned for "Scanfest" (this Sunday)
3. Check the "Scanned items" folder on my USB-based portable hard drives and make a list of photos I have scanned previously (and do some in TIFF format that I haven't done)
4. Read (re-read) Maureen Taylor's book, Preserving Your Family Photographs
5. Read Sally Jacob's document on archiving
6. Order an archival safe box and some acid-free envelopes to store the photos
7. Place the photos in order of importance in the envelops and container.
8. Take a follow-up photo of the progress for others to see