I first became interested in epitaphs after seeing a thought-provoking one in a colonial-era cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina: View this tomb as you pass by, for as you are so once was I, and as I am so must you be, prepare yourself to follow me. It was the grave of a young woman who died in the 18th century when she was 24.
I picked up a book, initially published in 1962, with old epitaphs: Over their dead bodies: Yankee epitaphs & history compiled by Thomas C. Mann and Janet Greene. They truly are fascinating: illuminating history and sensibility of early American settlers through the Civil War era.
Here are a few of my favorites:
From Litchfield, Conn.,
Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary wife
of Dea. John Buel Esq. She died
Nov. 4, 1768 AEtat. 90
Having had 13 children
101 grand-children
274 great-grand-children
49 great-great-grand-children
410 Total. 336 survive her.
From Boston, Mass.,
Here lies buried in a
Stone Grave 10 feet deep
Capt Daniel Malcolm Mercht
who departed this Life
October 23d 1769
Aged 44 Years
a true son of Liberty
a Friend to the Publick
an Enemy to oppression
and one of the foremost
in opposing the Revenue Acts
on America
From Concord, Mass.,
God wills us free-Man wills us slaves
I will as God wills: Gods will be done.
Here lies the body of
John Jack
A native of Africa who died
March 1773, aged about sixty years.
Tho born in the land of slavery
He was born free:
Tho he lived in a land of liberty
He lived a slave
Till by his honest tho stolen labours
He acquired the source of slavery
Which gave him his freedom:
Tho not long before
Death the great Tyrant
Gave him his final emancipation
And put him on a footing with kings.
Tho a slave to vice
He practised those virtues
Without which kings are but slaves
From Ridgefield, Conn.,
In defense of American Independence
At the battle of Ridgefield, Apr. 27, 1777
Died Eight Patriots
Who were Laid in These Grounds
Companioned by
Sixteen British Soldiers
Living, Their Enemies
Dying, Their Guests.
In Honor of Service and Sacrifice, this
Memorial is Placed For the
Strengthening of Hearts.
From Milford, Conn.,
In Memory of Sarah Prudden
who with a happier world in
view departed this mortal state
July 27 1788 in the 80th year of her age.
Our age to seventy years is set
How short the term how frail the state
And if to eighty we arrive
We rather sigh & groan than live.
From Winslow, Maine,
Here lies the body of Richard Thomas
an inglishman by birth
A Whig of '76
By occupation a cooper
now food for worms.
Like an old rum puncheon whose
staves are all marked, numbered and shooked
he will be raised again and finished by his creator.
He died Sept. 28, 1824. Aged 75.
America my adopted country
my best advice to you is this
Take care of your liberties.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Parents Taking Responsibility for Children's Eating Habits
I listened to an interview today on KPBS with Mark Bittman, the author of How to Cook Everything. The discussion was about the government controlling junk food advertising to kids. Mr. Bittman's concern was that it was not mandatory and that the industry would have about five years to even begin to reign in their direct marketing to children.
As a parent who has very consciously directed my child's eating habits, I disagree with the supposed power marketers have over kids. As I have been thinking about it, I have even been trying to figure out where these ads are...I have forgotten! I guess the majority must still be during children's programing on television. If that is the case, parents still have greater power. We control our children's television viewing habits. Parents can record programs and fast-forward through commercials. They can discuss with their children what advertising is about. It's to sell products and make money for those companies. And how do these companies market to children? Does this mean that we buy these products? No. Does this mean these products are good for us or in our best interest? No. I did this and FYI, kids are pretty smart. They can avoid simple manipulation like this if their parents take the time to inform them. Parents can show DVD's instead if you want to avoid the ads altogether, or some people will say just get rid of the tv!
After raising a child, I see that so much of the problem of junk food eating comes from the parents...what they are eating, buying, serving...have you ever seen the snacks served to kids during and after youth sports, scouts, and other clubs for kids?!! Not to mention what is being served at kids' parties! Look at what parents are sending in the lunches-not what is being served in the cafeteria, but what comes from home! How about snacks and treats sent to school for various reasons? The parents are sending these, not the junk food companies. I have also noticed that Valentine's Day card exchanges have turned into candy giving parties over the past few years! These are all the choices of the parents!
This isn't to say that all parents are junk food dealers, but really when this is the message most parents are sending through what we provide for "our" kids, what else do we expect them to want or ask for?? And I am neither a corporate stooge nor a hippie mom, just someone who has noticed that the influence is really coming from home and the parents. The power over food choices and especially junk food eating habits starts at home, as so many other things in our children's life. Let's take a little responsibility here.
As a parent who has very consciously directed my child's eating habits, I disagree with the supposed power marketers have over kids. As I have been thinking about it, I have even been trying to figure out where these ads are...I have forgotten! I guess the majority must still be during children's programing on television. If that is the case, parents still have greater power. We control our children's television viewing habits. Parents can record programs and fast-forward through commercials. They can discuss with their children what advertising is about. It's to sell products and make money for those companies. And how do these companies market to children? Does this mean that we buy these products? No. Does this mean these products are good for us or in our best interest? No. I did this and FYI, kids are pretty smart. They can avoid simple manipulation like this if their parents take the time to inform them. Parents can show DVD's instead if you want to avoid the ads altogether, or some people will say just get rid of the tv!
After raising a child, I see that so much of the problem of junk food eating comes from the parents...what they are eating, buying, serving...have you ever seen the snacks served to kids during and after youth sports, scouts, and other clubs for kids?!! Not to mention what is being served at kids' parties! Look at what parents are sending in the lunches-not what is being served in the cafeteria, but what comes from home! How about snacks and treats sent to school for various reasons? The parents are sending these, not the junk food companies. I have also noticed that Valentine's Day card exchanges have turned into candy giving parties over the past few years! These are all the choices of the parents!
This isn't to say that all parents are junk food dealers, but really when this is the message most parents are sending through what we provide for "our" kids, what else do we expect them to want or ask for?? And I am neither a corporate stooge nor a hippie mom, just someone who has noticed that the influence is really coming from home and the parents. The power over food choices and especially junk food eating habits starts at home, as so many other things in our children's life. Let's take a little responsibility here.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A few suggestions for a Screen-Free week & more!
Remember what life was like before cell phones, Wi-fi, the Internet, video games, and television? Okay, even I'm too young to remember life before television...but if you've ever camped, etc. there have been instances where you've been without it. What did you do? A little thought about what we did before for fun, information, etc. will provide plenty of suggestions for the next week. But there is a bigger picture here. For example, if you value books (the physical kind), you have to buy or check them out for them to continue in existence. If you want your own children to look at you while you talk, put your iPhone down when they want to talk to you or pause the television (we are fortunate to have that luxury, use it!).
1. Turn your cell phone's volume on and put it where your landline is or was & treat it like a landline phone.
2. Write a letter to an elderly relative who would be thrilled to receive something since they may be the only ones not online! Or write to a friend who you know also writes, or would. At least send a card or two-maybe to a niece or nephew-they love to get them! Be sure to include some stickers!
3. Need information? Go to the library. Granted the catalogs are online, but checking out a physical book is still a great way to find information. Or entertainment! Hey, you can drink and eat in most libraries now, how about bringing your coffee and the kids' juice and hang out and read for awhile?! The Carlsbad libraries have an excellent selection of newspapers and magazines as well.
4. Take a stroll through your neighborhood, park, the lagoons, or the beach. It doesn't have to be a power walk. Enjoy nature, breathe deep, and relax. Bring your camera. Bring a bucket or two-one for neat rocks and one for trash (mini beach clean-up day!). Go for a bike ride or have a catch with your kids...that time is flying, take advantage of it now!
5. An obvious one: break out the board games or cards. I know many who play solitaire, Scrabble, etc. online-bring it to the table instead and involve your kids! How about some chess or checkers? Even more fun, have your kids create their own board game and play it!
6. Get out the craft or art supplies. Have your kids create a family newspaper. Or a family portrait.
7. How about a little spring cleaning? I know I'm not the only one who has some task that's been waiting!
8. We are so fortunate to have so many great things to do here in So Cal-I see more than I can possibly get to on Twitter...hit up some of the museums, nature centers, historical points of interest you've been meaning to get to....(see my other post on great history sites, etc. in North County).
9. Get out in your yard! Take a glass of iced tea and a magazine and just enjoy a bit of sun...well, not today, but in general. Or pull a few weeds. Even if you have a gardener, pull some weeds, pick up a new plant and plant it yourself, or dead-head the rose bush...there is nothing quite so satisfying, plus you get some vitamin D!
10. Write a poem for someone you love. For your significant other, your child, a favorite bird or flower. Who cares if it's "bad", the point is to write one...read some poetry for inspiration.
11. Hand wash dishes with your family. Remember doing this when you were a kid? Whoever isn't actually doing dishes can read aloud from a book- how about The Wizard of Oz? Or an Agatha Christie for older ones or families without kids.
12. Choose a play, even an EZ reader book to turn into a play...practice for a week with a performance at the end, with props, make-up, costumes, etc.
13. Do science experiments with your kids-(not on your kids-hehe!). There are so many easy ones to do and tons of books at the library with ones to do at home. Even if you don't have kids, there are some really fun ones to remind you how much fun science lab was...
14. Read a love story with your love. By candlelight. It doesn't have to be "Earth Hour" to turn out the lights...:)
15. Buy a journal and start recording your profound thoughts in it...don't lose them all on FB, Twitter or a blog...leave a tangible record of your life (and handwriting) for your children, grandchildren, etc. While you're at it, write down some stories from your childhood for posterity. A better use of time than watching some program you don't really care about...
1. Turn your cell phone's volume on and put it where your landline is or was & treat it like a landline phone.
2. Write a letter to an elderly relative who would be thrilled to receive something since they may be the only ones not online! Or write to a friend who you know also writes, or would. At least send a card or two-maybe to a niece or nephew-they love to get them! Be sure to include some stickers!
3. Need information? Go to the library. Granted the catalogs are online, but checking out a physical book is still a great way to find information. Or entertainment! Hey, you can drink and eat in most libraries now, how about bringing your coffee and the kids' juice and hang out and read for awhile?! The Carlsbad libraries have an excellent selection of newspapers and magazines as well.
4. Take a stroll through your neighborhood, park, the lagoons, or the beach. It doesn't have to be a power walk. Enjoy nature, breathe deep, and relax. Bring your camera. Bring a bucket or two-one for neat rocks and one for trash (mini beach clean-up day!). Go for a bike ride or have a catch with your kids...that time is flying, take advantage of it now!
5. An obvious one: break out the board games or cards. I know many who play solitaire, Scrabble, etc. online-bring it to the table instead and involve your kids! How about some chess or checkers? Even more fun, have your kids create their own board game and play it!
6. Get out the craft or art supplies. Have your kids create a family newspaper. Or a family portrait.
7. How about a little spring cleaning? I know I'm not the only one who has some task that's been waiting!
8. We are so fortunate to have so many great things to do here in So Cal-I see more than I can possibly get to on Twitter...hit up some of the museums, nature centers, historical points of interest you've been meaning to get to....(see my other post on great history sites, etc. in North County).
9. Get out in your yard! Take a glass of iced tea and a magazine and just enjoy a bit of sun...well, not today, but in general. Or pull a few weeds. Even if you have a gardener, pull some weeds, pick up a new plant and plant it yourself, or dead-head the rose bush...there is nothing quite so satisfying, plus you get some vitamin D!
10. Write a poem for someone you love. For your significant other, your child, a favorite bird or flower. Who cares if it's "bad", the point is to write one...read some poetry for inspiration.
11. Hand wash dishes with your family. Remember doing this when you were a kid? Whoever isn't actually doing dishes can read aloud from a book- how about The Wizard of Oz? Or an Agatha Christie for older ones or families without kids.
12. Choose a play, even an EZ reader book to turn into a play...practice for a week with a performance at the end, with props, make-up, costumes, etc.
13. Do science experiments with your kids-(not on your kids-hehe!). There are so many easy ones to do and tons of books at the library with ones to do at home. Even if you don't have kids, there are some really fun ones to remind you how much fun science lab was...
14. Read a love story with your love. By candlelight. It doesn't have to be "Earth Hour" to turn out the lights...:)
15. Buy a journal and start recording your profound thoughts in it...don't lose them all on FB, Twitter or a blog...leave a tangible record of your life (and handwriting) for your children, grandchildren, etc. While you're at it, write down some stories from your childhood for posterity. A better use of time than watching some program you don't really care about...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
My Favorite Picture Books for Children
I worked in our city library's Children's Dept. for four years. This coincided with my daughter's early childhood. Both factors introduced me to many wonderful picture books for children. My criteria for books was that they contained words that would build my daughter's vocabulary, they had great illustrations (beautiful or fun), and that they showed her different worlds. I always pre-read them, avoiding books with words like hate, stupid, or dumb and books that seemed "angry". The books on this list were ones that we read over and over again, and still read occasionally just for fun! I didn't include some of the classics, like Dr. Seuss because most people are aware of them.
1. Dahlia, Barbara McClintock
2. Henry David's House, Henry David Thoreau
3. Good Night, Good Knight, Shelley Thomas
4. Brambly Hedge Seasons series, Jill Barklem
5. Pirate Girl, Cornelia Funke
6. Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave, Quentin Blake
7. Toot and Puddle series, Holly Hobbie
8. One Morning in Maine, Robert McCloskey
9. Blueberries for Sal, Robert McCloskey
10. My Hippie Grandmother, Reeve Lindbergh
11. The Ox-Cart Man, Donald Hall
12. The Philharmonic Gets Dressed, Karla Kuskin
13. Anna the Bookbinder, Andrea Cheng
14. Mei-Mei Loves the Morning, Margaret Tsubakiyama
15. The Snowy Day, Ezra Keats
16. The Twelve Days of Kindergarten: A Counting Book, Deborah Rose
17. Ms. MacDonald has a Class, Jan Omerod
18. Counting Crocodiles, Judy Sierra
19. I Could Do That!: Esther Morris gets Women the Vote, Linda White
20. Prince Cinders, Babette Cole
21. Princess Smartypants, Babette Cole
22. Leon & Bob, Simon James
23. Peter Spier's Rain, Peter Spier
24. Madlenka, Peter Sis
25. Chidi Only Likes Blue: An African book of Colours, Ifeoma Onyefulu
26. Olivia, Ian Falconer
27. Fantastic Daisy Artichoke, Quentin Blake
28. Lousia May & Mr. Thoreau's Flute, Julie Dunlap
29. Chester's Way, Kevin Henkes
30. Yoko's Paper Cranes, Rosemary Wells
31. Roberto the Insect Architect, Nina Laden
32. All Aboard, Mary Lyn Ray
33. Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type, Doreen Cronin
34. The Gardener, Sarah Stewart
35. The Library, Sarah Stewart
36. Are we there yet?, Alison Lester
37. Stand tall Molly Lou Mellon, Patty Lovell
38. Ten Minutes till Bedtime, Peggy Rathmann
39. Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider, and Diary of a Fly, Doreen Cronin
40. The Way We Do It in Japan, Geneva Cobb Iijima
1. Dahlia, Barbara McClintock
2. Henry David's House, Henry David Thoreau
3. Good Night, Good Knight, Shelley Thomas
4. Brambly Hedge Seasons series, Jill Barklem
5. Pirate Girl, Cornelia Funke
6. Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave, Quentin Blake
7. Toot and Puddle series, Holly Hobbie
8. One Morning in Maine, Robert McCloskey
9. Blueberries for Sal, Robert McCloskey
10. My Hippie Grandmother, Reeve Lindbergh
11. The Ox-Cart Man, Donald Hall
12. The Philharmonic Gets Dressed, Karla Kuskin
13. Anna the Bookbinder, Andrea Cheng
14. Mei-Mei Loves the Morning, Margaret Tsubakiyama
15. The Snowy Day, Ezra Keats
16. The Twelve Days of Kindergarten: A Counting Book, Deborah Rose
17. Ms. MacDonald has a Class, Jan Omerod
18. Counting Crocodiles, Judy Sierra
19. I Could Do That!: Esther Morris gets Women the Vote, Linda White
20. Prince Cinders, Babette Cole
21. Princess Smartypants, Babette Cole
22. Leon & Bob, Simon James
23. Peter Spier's Rain, Peter Spier
24. Madlenka, Peter Sis
25. Chidi Only Likes Blue: An African book of Colours, Ifeoma Onyefulu
26. Olivia, Ian Falconer
27. Fantastic Daisy Artichoke, Quentin Blake
28. Lousia May & Mr. Thoreau's Flute, Julie Dunlap
29. Chester's Way, Kevin Henkes
30. Yoko's Paper Cranes, Rosemary Wells
31. Roberto the Insect Architect, Nina Laden
32. All Aboard, Mary Lyn Ray
33. Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type, Doreen Cronin
34. The Gardener, Sarah Stewart
35. The Library, Sarah Stewart
36. Are we there yet?, Alison Lester
37. Stand tall Molly Lou Mellon, Patty Lovell
38. Ten Minutes till Bedtime, Peggy Rathmann
39. Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider, and Diary of a Fly, Doreen Cronin
40. The Way We Do It in Japan, Geneva Cobb Iijima
Monday, January 24, 2011
History fun in North County San Diego county!
As the librarian of the Carlsbad History Room, I belong to an organization called CINCH: Council Interpreting North County History. Every time I attend a meeting, I am amazed at the wonderful programs, museums, archives, and collections available to us in North San Diego county.
I've compiled a list of some of the organizations & museums in North County that are worth a visit and have great things to do with your children, family, and/or friends! Many are free or low cost to visit. There are many seasonal offerings, ways to volunteer, Boy & Girl Scouts opportunities, classes, camps, etc. For a more complete list, stop by the history room at the Cole Library for a Historic North County San Diego brochure. If you don't live in our area, there are sure to be many similar organizations, museums, etc. in your area.
In Carlsbad:
*Carlsbad Historical Society Museum, in Magee Park in North Carlsbad. Wonderful rose garden & afternoon tea (by appt.), in addition to the museum- http://www.carlsbadhistoricalsociety.com
*Barrio Museum, a wonderful small museum with great old photos! Open by appointment- Contact Ofie or Connie @ Lola's 7-Up Market & Deli @ 760-434-2191
*Craftsmanship Museum, new in La Costa- http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com
*Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, off Melrose Ave. in La Costa- http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/departments/parksandrec/parks-facilities/parks/Pages/leo-carrillo-ranch-main.aspx
Other North County offerings:
*Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, in Vista-really close if you live in NE La Costa. They offer classes on blacksmithing (this class has a waiting list & lots of girls sign up!), antique furniture restoration, weaving, etc.- http://www.agsem.com, and on Facebook: Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Inc., on Twitter: @vistamuseum
*Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society & Museum- http://www.fgms.org
*San Diego Archaeological Center, east of Wild Animal Park. They have a junior archaeology program! A current exhibit is about a man named Nate Harrison, an former slave who settled on Palomar Mt. His story is fascinating! (http://m.nctimes.com/mobile/article_65f3860f-de3a-56f9-892e-6fc059004307.html) - http://www.sandiegoarchaeology.org
*Poway Historical Society & Museum- http://www.powayhistoricalsociety.org
*Rancho Buena Vista Adobe- http://www.cityofvista.com/departments/parks/adobe.cfm
*San Dieguito Heritage Museum, near San Diego Botanic Garden (Quail Gardens) in Encinitas. They cover the history of Encinitas, Del Mar, RSF, Olivenhain, Solana Beach, Cardiff, and Leucadia- http://www.sdheritage.org/
*San Pasqual Battlefield, a historic state park also east of the Wild Animal Park. They offer living history activities once a month, June-October- http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=655
*Rancho Guajome Adobe, in Vista- http://www.historyandculture.com/guajome
*Mission San Luis Rey, in Oceanside. They offer tours and lectures.- http://www.sanluisrey.org
Additionally, there are the Marron Adobe, in NE Carlsbad on Haymar Rd; and the Rancho Santa Margarita, on Camp Pendleton (open 3rd Wednesday @ 10am for tours).
I've compiled a list of some of the organizations & museums in North County that are worth a visit and have great things to do with your children, family, and/or friends! Many are free or low cost to visit. There are many seasonal offerings, ways to volunteer, Boy & Girl Scouts opportunities, classes, camps, etc. For a more complete list, stop by the history room at the Cole Library for a Historic North County San Diego brochure. If you don't live in our area, there are sure to be many similar organizations, museums, etc. in your area.
In Carlsbad:
*Carlsbad Historical Society Museum, in Magee Park in North Carlsbad. Wonderful rose garden & afternoon tea (by appt.), in addition to the museum- http://www.carlsbadhistoricalsociety.com
*Barrio Museum, a wonderful small museum with great old photos! Open by appointment- Contact Ofie or Connie @ Lola's 7-Up Market & Deli @ 760-434-2191
*Craftsmanship Museum, new in La Costa- http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com
*Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, off Melrose Ave. in La Costa- http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/departments/parksandrec/parks-facilities/parks/Pages/leo-carrillo-ranch-main.aspx
Other North County offerings:
*Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, in Vista-really close if you live in NE La Costa. They offer classes on blacksmithing (this class has a waiting list & lots of girls sign up!), antique furniture restoration, weaving, etc.- http://www.agsem.com, and on Facebook: Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Inc., on Twitter: @vistamuseum
*Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society & Museum- http://www.fgms.org
*San Diego Archaeological Center, east of Wild Animal Park. They have a junior archaeology program! A current exhibit is about a man named Nate Harrison, an former slave who settled on Palomar Mt. His story is fascinating! (http://m.nctimes.com/mobile/article_65f3860f-de3a-56f9-892e-6fc059004307.html) - http://www.sandiegoarchaeology.org
*Poway Historical Society & Museum- http://www.powayhistoricalsociety.org
*Rancho Buena Vista Adobe- http://www.cityofvista.com/departments/parks/adobe.cfm
*San Dieguito Heritage Museum, near San Diego Botanic Garden (Quail Gardens) in Encinitas. They cover the history of Encinitas, Del Mar, RSF, Olivenhain, Solana Beach, Cardiff, and Leucadia- http://www.sdheritage.org/
*San Pasqual Battlefield, a historic state park also east of the Wild Animal Park. They offer living history activities once a month, June-October- http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=655
*Rancho Guajome Adobe, in Vista- http://www.historyandculture.com/guajome
*Mission San Luis Rey, in Oceanside. They offer tours and lectures.- http://www.sanluisrey.org
Additionally, there are the Marron Adobe, in NE Carlsbad on Haymar Rd; and the Rancho Santa Margarita, on Camp Pendleton (open 3rd Wednesday @ 10am for tours).
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Archival techniques for personal papers and photographs
Using Archival Techniques for Preservation of Personal Papers and Photographs
Amy J. Davis, MLIS-Archives
2010
Creating a family archive means preserving documents, letters, ephemera and photos for our family to use and as a permanent record of our family for posterity.
Paper items:
• No staples, paperclips or other metal fasteners.
• No newspaper clippings – copy clippings onto acid-free paper and toss. Most newspapers are available on microfilm, fiche, or digitally. If the clippings (or newspapers) are from rare and/or obscure newspapers/areas, then store separate from other papers. This is because acid migrates and you don’t want to damage other papers as seen in yellowing on papers from newsprint.
• Put documents and ephemera in Melinex (a chemically stable polyester) sleeves, acid-free alkaline folders. Polypropylene or polyethylene are also stable materials
• Always make sure your hands are clean, washed or by using alcohol wipes.
• Telegrams are also very acidic and should also be separated from other paper documents.
• Do not use any type of tape, not even “archival” on personal documents that you wish to preserve.
• Store in an interior closet inside of your house. High humidity can lead to “foxing”, i.e. the brown spots found on paper items, or mold.
• Light sensitive items such as watercolors, manuscripts, newsprint and non-print media should be stored away from the light as much as possible to avoid fading and/or yellowing.
• Paper materials should be protected from dust and dirt. Monitor for evidence of rodents and insects, such as silverfish, book lice and book worms, which can eat, soil and damage paper; good housekeeping and environmental conditions will help reduce the threat of these pests.
• Store items flat. Order storage sleeves in the largest size possible to avoid the folding and unfolding of your valuables.
• Do not laminate paper documents
• The Library of Congress link provides information on preservation photocopying and digital preservation.
• Use un-buffered acid free tissue sheets in between scrapbook pages.
Photographs:
• Display copies rather than originals. If you must display the originals, use UV-filtering glass or plastic in the frames.
• Store in an interior closet inside of your house.
• Suitable storage containers are plastic or paper free of sulfur, acids, and peroxides. Don’t use cardboard to pad them unless it is acid-free.
• Always make sure your hands are clean. White gloves are preferable because the salts in our perspiration are damaging to photos.
• Wrap in buffered paper for brittle images, UN-buffered for contemporary prints.
• If having framed, use acid-free matting.
• Keep negatives separate from the prints.
• Cellulose nitrate and acetate negatives are potentially dangerous. If you think that you might have any negatives of these materials, contact a local professional photography printer to find out how to handle them. Cellulose nitrate film was used from 1880-1950 and cellulose acetate film was used up to the 1980’s. However, most film dating from the 1970’s is likely to be polyester based and therefore stable as long as it is stored properly.
• Store color transparencies/slides in acid-free or metal boxes with a baked-on enamel finish or in polypropylene slide pages. Commonly available PVC slide pages, easily identified by their strong plastic odor, should never be used because of their extreme chemical reactivity.
• Place early miniature-cased photographs, including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes, carefully into acid-free paper envelopes and house flat; keep loose tintypes in polyester sleeves, or, if flaking is present, in paper enclosures due to the electrostatic charge damage from polyester sleeves on already damaged items.
• Storage of family photographs in albums is often desirable, and many commercially available albums utilize archival-quality materials. Avoid albums constructed of highly colored pages. Never use commercially available "magnetic" or "no stick" albums for the storage of contemporary or historic photographic prints in black-and-white or color. These materials will deteriorate quite quickly over time.
Storage of art pieces requires different methods. Please research before committing to a particular method and materials.
Our knowledge of materials and storage methods change over time. The above methods are current practice for archives and libraries. Please stay aware of changes to keep your personal items preserved properly.
References:
Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/preserv/careothr.html Accessed August 20, 2010.
Northeast Document Conservation Center: http://www.nedcc.org/resources/resources.php. Accessed April 20, 2009.
Ellis, Margaret H. The Care of Prints and Drawings. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press, 1995.
Ritzenthaler, Mary Lynn, and Diane Vogt-O’Connor. Photographs: Archival Care and Management. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2006.
Taylor, Maureen A. Preserving Your Family Photographs: How to Organize, Present, and Restore Your Precious Family Images. Cincinnati: Betterway Books, 2001.
Archival Resources
www.gaylord.com
www.hollinger.com
Amy J. Davis, MLIS-Archives
2010
Creating a family archive means preserving documents, letters, ephemera and photos for our family to use and as a permanent record of our family for posterity.
Paper items:
• No staples, paperclips or other metal fasteners.
• No newspaper clippings – copy clippings onto acid-free paper and toss. Most newspapers are available on microfilm, fiche, or digitally. If the clippings (or newspapers) are from rare and/or obscure newspapers/areas, then store separate from other papers. This is because acid migrates and you don’t want to damage other papers as seen in yellowing on papers from newsprint.
• Put documents and ephemera in Melinex (a chemically stable polyester) sleeves, acid-free alkaline folders. Polypropylene or polyethylene are also stable materials
• Always make sure your hands are clean, washed or by using alcohol wipes.
• Telegrams are also very acidic and should also be separated from other paper documents.
• Do not use any type of tape, not even “archival” on personal documents that you wish to preserve.
• Store in an interior closet inside of your house. High humidity can lead to “foxing”, i.e. the brown spots found on paper items, or mold.
• Light sensitive items such as watercolors, manuscripts, newsprint and non-print media should be stored away from the light as much as possible to avoid fading and/or yellowing.
• Paper materials should be protected from dust and dirt. Monitor for evidence of rodents and insects, such as silverfish, book lice and book worms, which can eat, soil and damage paper; good housekeeping and environmental conditions will help reduce the threat of these pests.
• Store items flat. Order storage sleeves in the largest size possible to avoid the folding and unfolding of your valuables.
• Do not laminate paper documents
• The Library of Congress link provides information on preservation photocopying and digital preservation.
• Use un-buffered acid free tissue sheets in between scrapbook pages.
Photographs:
• Display copies rather than originals. If you must display the originals, use UV-filtering glass or plastic in the frames.
• Store in an interior closet inside of your house.
• Suitable storage containers are plastic or paper free of sulfur, acids, and peroxides. Don’t use cardboard to pad them unless it is acid-free.
• Always make sure your hands are clean. White gloves are preferable because the salts in our perspiration are damaging to photos.
• Wrap in buffered paper for brittle images, UN-buffered for contemporary prints.
• If having framed, use acid-free matting.
• Keep negatives separate from the prints.
• Cellulose nitrate and acetate negatives are potentially dangerous. If you think that you might have any negatives of these materials, contact a local professional photography printer to find out how to handle them. Cellulose nitrate film was used from 1880-1950 and cellulose acetate film was used up to the 1980’s. However, most film dating from the 1970’s is likely to be polyester based and therefore stable as long as it is stored properly.
• Store color transparencies/slides in acid-free or metal boxes with a baked-on enamel finish or in polypropylene slide pages. Commonly available PVC slide pages, easily identified by their strong plastic odor, should never be used because of their extreme chemical reactivity.
• Place early miniature-cased photographs, including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes, carefully into acid-free paper envelopes and house flat; keep loose tintypes in polyester sleeves, or, if flaking is present, in paper enclosures due to the electrostatic charge damage from polyester sleeves on already damaged items.
• Storage of family photographs in albums is often desirable, and many commercially available albums utilize archival-quality materials. Avoid albums constructed of highly colored pages. Never use commercially available "magnetic" or "no stick" albums for the storage of contemporary or historic photographic prints in black-and-white or color. These materials will deteriorate quite quickly over time.
Storage of art pieces requires different methods. Please research before committing to a particular method and materials.
Our knowledge of materials and storage methods change over time. The above methods are current practice for archives and libraries. Please stay aware of changes to keep your personal items preserved properly.
References:
Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/preserv/careothr.html Accessed August 20, 2010.
Northeast Document Conservation Center: http://www.nedcc.org/resources/resources.php. Accessed April 20, 2009.
Ellis, Margaret H. The Care of Prints and Drawings. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press, 1995.
Ritzenthaler, Mary Lynn, and Diane Vogt-O’Connor. Photographs: Archival Care and Management. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2006.
Taylor, Maureen A. Preserving Your Family Photographs: How to Organize, Present, and Restore Your Precious Family Images. Cincinnati: Betterway Books, 2001.
Archival Resources
www.gaylord.com
www.hollinger.com
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Whose lives will be documented
In this age of email, blogging, Twitter, Facebook, I wonder whose lives will be documented and remembered and retold in the future. Just as in the past when most people could not read, let alone write; those who could are the ones whose records inform our sense of history. Nowadays, whose emails, for example, are archived? Presidents, movie stars, the uber-rich, etc. Do George Washington's journals and letters tell us everything there is to know about the Revolutionary War period? If we do not save and/or record our lives, reactions to the world around us, etc. in ways other than electronically, then our contribution to the history of our country, world, society, and general milieu will be lost...this will be a tremendous loss to future populations. Before the 1960's, history reflected and was based on the white, male perspective alone. Then came a new push- remembering and recording the history of women, immigrants, the average citizen and the poor, the other. We must make sure that that perpective is not lost in the electronic age.
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