How to care for your family treasures

Every household has at least a few objects or historical documents that they wish to preserve for future generations. Most common are old paper documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, letters, military papers and deeds, as well as more general paper memorabilia, for example posters, cards and newspaper cuttings. Other treasures may include family photographs, prints, framed samplers and paintings to name but a few!

Unfortunately the materials from which these items are made will deteriorate over time. The most obvious signs of deterioration are:

Discoloration; we have all seen newspaper go yellow if left near a window!
Fading of inks pigments and dyes.

Discoloration is an indication that there has been chemical change, this is true whether the item is made from paper or textile, and as a result the item may be very fragile. Constant handling of fragile documents and photographs is one of the major causes of damage. Careful handling and storage can increase the lifespan of these valued family collections.

Some types of paper and parchment will survive well for centuries; others have an in-built capacity for self-destruction and will be lucky to last 10 or 20 years.

This guide suggests simple procedures on how to care for documents and photographs.

General care advice

The safest and most cost effective way to care for documents and photographs is to store them in a safe environment. Conservation treatment is expensive, so good storage is the best option. For good conservation practise:

Try not to handle the original document or photograph.

The transfer of perspiration salts and grease from your fingers can cause staining and increase the acidity of the paper. These residues will damage the surface of photographic images. It is good practice to place individual items inside clear polyester pockets. The document can then be handled and viewed without touching the original. PVC plastic pockets bought in office supplies shops may seem a cheap alternative but they are not archival and over the long term will degrade and give off harmful chemicals, which may damage your document.

Avoid folding

Documents/ photographs should be stored flat. Fold lines and creases tend to damage and tear. With paper based photographs the emulsion layer tends to flake away along creases leading to loss of the image.

Avoid the use of adhesive tapes

Do not be tempted to repair documents with self-adhesive tape even ones that claim to be archival. Ultimately the adhesive breaks down and causes staining and residues which are absorbed into the paper. Tape can be very difficult to remove without causing serious damage to the document or photograph; sticky labels can cause similar problems.

Remove any metal fixings

This includes staples, paper clips, paper fasteners etc. If left there is a risk that these will corrode and stain the document.

Remove rubber bands

The rubber will degrade and melt; this does not take long, a matter of months. The result is sticky rubber residue, which can be difficult to remove.

Store in a cool dry place

Documents and photographs need to be stored away from sources of direct heat. Ideal storage conditions for paper archive material is a temperature between 15°C - 18°C and relative humidity of 45 - 55%RH, i.e. cool and dry. (%RH is the moisture content of the air expressed as a percentage). Humid or damp conditions will allow mould growth and attract insect pests.

Store away from light

The reason for keeping precious documents and photographs in the dark or low lighting is that high levels of visible and ultra violet light in daylight, especially direct sunlight, will cause fading of inks, pigments and dyes and also cause discoloration and embrittlement.

Dusty documents

Dust is abrasive and contains chemical contaminants that will affect the stability of the paper and should be removed before an item is stored. Initially remove loose accumulations with a soft brush. When the thicker layer has been removed then cleaning methods such as draft clean powder or smoke sponges can be used.

Insect attack

There are many insects that can eat their way through paper, books and textiles, keep a regular check on vulnerable material especially if it has been stored for lengthy periods in an attic or the back of a cupboard. A combination of mould and insects can cause serious damage. Booklice (Psocids) eat fungi on the surface of the paper, other insects including silver fish and carpet beetles are also attracted by slightly damp conditions.

Storage options

Store flat in a good quality box lined with acid free tissue; it is also a good idea to interleave the documents with tissue. This avoids contact between fragile documents.

Store in individual archival polyester pockets. These come in a large range of sizes to accommodate everything from postcards to newspapers.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The following are some useful websites:

www.resource.gov.uk
The Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries; this site has further information on how to care for a range of family treasures including books, glass & ceramics, costume as well as a section on conservation materials.

www.nmpft.org.uk
The National Museum of Photography, Film & Television, has information about the different types of photographs as well as storage and conservation.

www.scottishmuseums.org.uk
The Scottish Museums Council has fact-sheets on the care of paper, photographs and storage materials.

www.preservationequipment.com
Conservation and archival materials supplier. Clear polyester pockets, acid free tissue, archival quality boxes.

www.conservation-by-design.co.uk
Conservation and archival materials supplier. Clear polyester pockets, acid free tissue, archival quality boxes