Foolproof tips for processing and organizing a family archive, both big and small.
My 6 Rules For Setting Up The Archive!
1. Photograph the markings on the boxes BEFORE you photograph what’s inside!
Remember that boxes are packed over time. Are there dates on the newspapers things are wrapped in? Handwritten notes on the side of the box can help identify the contents or who may have owned them. It’s all potential clues! Photographing this first creates a pseudo chapter marking on your camera roll.
2. Photograph each item individually
I know this seems like a lot of work, but we’re no longer relegated to rolls of 36 exposure film! Go Crazy!
Do you have possessions handed down from family members? I’m certain the answer is yes and I can guarantee they did too. By photographing each item individually you’ll be able to separate things you thought were moms but eventually learn were grandmas.
3. Photograph any markings on the objects
This includes the makers marks on the bottoms of plates, candle sticks, and furniture. Any books you find, document the copyright, publisher and edition information. If the book isn’t too old to have an ISBN number, those are priceless in the world of research.
Each of these seemingly little pieces of information can help you track down dates and places – two of the three most valuable pieces of information (the other is names of course!)
What’s to say you have no desire to do that level of research? There’s nothing wrong with that – but someone else in your family may be willing to, now or in the future. Document the heck out of things now and you won’t have to go back to get more information later.
4. Create family sections, start broad and refine as needed
Whether it’s folding tables, shelving units or designated spots on the floor, create spaces where you can group like things.
Sets of things can be broken up over generations. One sister got the teapot while the other got the cups. Who knew it was a whole set?! *This is also a clue that they probably belonged to Mom first! Better move them all to her section…
As these sections begin to fill out, you’ll start getting a sense of the people and what made them unique.
5. It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant it seems, it meant something to someone once upon a time….
With that in mind, it might be a clue! That old movie stub – that was mom and dads first date. What did he take her to see? Does she remember holding his hand? Did she spill the popcorn on him and they shared their first laugh as a couple?
See, it’s no longer an object. When you share that photo with mom in Archoral and she records her memories, it becomes a stitch in the fabric of time, insight into who they were.
You may not always want to, or have the ability to, keep the items (big or small) but you’ll have the ability to keep the stories.
6. Clean and preserve it!
Dust, bugs, and mold are evil things in an archive of any size. If you wish to preserve your collections, cleanliness is next to what….? 🙂
Make sure you’re using the right cleaners for the kind of objects you have. Don’t forget about microfiber cloths, Q-Tips, and canned air, chemicals aren’t always the answer!
Keep in mind that not everything needs to be cleaned to store-bought quality. A little age looks good on us all, we’re just hoping to preserve things for as long as possible…
NOTHING entered this space without following my 6 rules laid out above. That way I knew what I had completed and what still needed to be done.
This eventually grew to each family starting to get a vignette area of their own. This process will continue to refine itself for months to come… heck maybe even years.
Just have to remember to be patient, it’s a process!
Lessons Learned So Far
It happens to all of us…
Grandma’s China
My favorite set of all, one I’d hoped to use myself.
After the tears I packed up every little tiny piece, one day I’ll share with you which company I’ll choose to repair it all!
Mom’s can read old handwriting but not the directions on the scanning equipment (mine anyway!) That works for me though, I’ll take the help!
Who says playing with Barbie is for kids?!
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Every piece of memorabilia has a story behind it, and that story directly connects to a personality.
Read on to learn how the Archoral indexer makes all your hard work worth it!
