Techniques for Preserving Original Family Documents

24-7 Family History Circle » Indiana Historical Society Teaches Techniques for Preserving Original Family Documents

Members of the community interested in learning how to take care of their original family documents at an upcoming preservation workshop presented by the Indiana Historical Society.

How to Preserve Original Family Documents

will be offered twice on Friday, Feb. 2, with sessions available at times of 9 a.m.-Noon and 1-4 p.m. The workshops will take place at the Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

Many people get their start in genealogy with the discovery of one intriguing family letter or document. Workshop attendees can learn how to preserve their family treasures and bring their treasured certificate, letter, or other document for specialized advice by IHS conservation staff. This hands-on workshop will teach participants how to evaluate the condition of the paper, surface clean and create an archival enclosure. Only single sheet-paper items (no photographs or pamphlets) will be encapsulated, but the document may be double-sided.

Guests will also see a demonstration of how to humidify and flatten items that have been rolled for many years and store them with care. IHS conservation staff will offer advice as to whether specialized treatment is recommended for an attendee’s particular item and where private conservation labs in the region are located for conservation treatment.

Ramona Duncan-Huse, Senior Director of Conservation for the Indiana Historical Society, has managed the preservation and treatment of the Society’s rare collections of manuscripts, printed and photographic collections for more than 25 years.

She holds a Certificate of Conservation from a conservation graduate program sponsored by the University of London.