DIGITAL ARCHIVING
Absolutely!
As the old song goes “…time changes everything.” This includes every piece of paper ever produced…therefore every word or photograph that is printed on that paper. And don't think because we live in a high tech culture that our paper won't deteriorate. The fact is -- much of the paper produced since 1950 is decaying faster than papers produced hundreds of years ago!
The result is that we are losing the record of our history. This loss has prompted conservators around the world to seek to preserve that history and to at least slow down the rate of loss.
Digital archiving is one proven means of preserving our history. Storing items in a digital format does not conserve the original document but it does preserve the data found on that document or photograph. And it does so with a great degree of accuracy.
One of the greatest benefits of digital archiving is the fact that duplicates of the documents preserved can be made easily and inexpensively. This greatly decreases the chance that the sole surviving picture of your grandparents will be lost to old age or neglect. It also increases accessibility of the story of their lives and ours to future generations.
| Will my grandchildren be able to access the information that I store digitally today? |
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Heritage Archives is following as closely as possible to the digital imaging standards set by NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) and the Library of Congress. These are the standards being used for digitally archiving our nation's history.
What this means is, that as technology changes, the means to migrate digital data from one generation to the next will be available.
Why? Because preservation of the digital history of our nation will require it!
However, the fact that this technology will exist does not guarantee that your digitally archived documents will be accessible in each new generation.
Preserving history has always required a person dedicated to the task. Whether the professional conservator at the museum...or your aunt Martha, someone in every generation must assume the responsibility of conserving your family's history and communicating it to the next generation.
Each generation is a link in the chain to the next. One broken link can be repaired. Too many missing links and connection with the past can be lost.
CONSERVATION
| Why do photographs and paper documents deteriorate? |
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“Whatever doesn't stick together…falls apart” is the short answer.
The longer answer begins with the fact that paper gets old--like every other living and formerly living thing gets old.
Most paper is made of cellulose fibers—the stuff trees are made of. These cellulose fibers are then combined with other things like binders and additives. This concoction is mixed and mashed and pressed and dried and, voila!…out comes paper. Rather what comes out are fibers and other stuff “stuck” together at the atomic level that looks like what we call paper.
Now when paper is made...all the care in the world can be paid to ensuring there are no ingredients present in the manufacturing process that are harmful to the long-term stability of the paper. Manufacturing can be to such high standards that the moment that paper comes off the finishing line it can be certified to be the highest quality possible.
However, at that very same moment -- the natural processes inside the paper -- and the pollutants present in the environment -- are already affecting it's long-term stability (see “Deterioration and Preservation of Paper: Some Essential Facts,” from the Library of Congress Preservation Directorate Brochure Series).
In addition, as we put more stuff on that paper in the form of proteins and gels and inks and dyes (the stuff photographs and printing inks are made of) we increase the rate of deterioration. What happens is that the cellulose and other stuff that makes paper hold together slowly loses its “stickiness.”
The paper begins to fall apart.
| How can I safely preserve my photographs and documents and also share them? |
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The answer includes both good news and bad news.
The bad news is that we can't save our documents forever. Time and decay will win in the long run.
Yet some good news is that we can slow down the process of decay to make the documents that tell our stories to last a long, long time.
More good news is that we understand today, even better than ten years ago, which elements cause decay in paper. We are learning how to control the acidic degradation products found in paper manufacturing. We know what atmospheric pollutants enhance and significantly increase paper decay.
And it is also good news that new products are being introduced every year that increase the life span of the photos and documents that tell our story and the stories of our ancestors.
However, more bad news is that the best means of preservation is and has always been to seal off our heritage and historical documents away from human and environmental contact. A good example of this is our nation's first document: the Declaration of Independence. It is stored in a limited access, low light, climate controlled container.
So how do we both save our photographs and documents and at the same time share them?
Digitize them! Make digital copies and share your photos and documents with your whole family. And store away your original documents and photos using the best preservation materials you can afford. Let, Heritage Archives help you to stay in touch with new technologies, new papers and high quality preservation materials.
Finally don't hide your historical documents away for good. They tell your family's story which is valuable and must be told. Create special occasions and bring out the originals to emphasize the importance of your heritage to the newest members of your family. Stimulate historical interest in the hearts and minds of that “next generation.”
Use your family's photos and documents to tell your family's stories.
And always be on the lookout for the next generation conservator to whom you can pass the torch.
