It's the women - wives, mothers, sisters and loving aunts - who do more to collect, archive and protect the treasures that tell our personal histories. They scrap-book, video tape, file the family records and documents, keep journals, preserve letters, wedding dresses, and the memorabilia that remind us of those special occasions. We're indebted to them for the work they do.
Making the job easier
We’ve all fallen behind at one time or another and know the pain of having to catch-up with the photo albums and un-labeled video tapes. If you’ve found yourself running behind don’t let the daunting task overwhelm you into doing nothing. Instead, take 30 minutes on the weekend to at least get started. If it’s really out of control, start by purchasing some inexpensive photo boxes. These are a great way to organize and protect photos, videotapes and memorabilia until you can get around to archiving and labeling these items.
Computers and digital media sometimes make storage easier, but sometimes harder. Digital media needs to be labeled and archived and protected as much as a paper photo. Because it is so easy to lose digital information due to damage, mis-labeling, or antiquation, we strongly recommend that you have redundant copies. Burning to CD is still a preferred method because once the disc is finalized, files can’t be deleted, you don’t risk a drive failure, and the media remains common.
Storage Ideas
For your digital media, try a photo box, index file – even a shoe box will work – and use inexpensive paper sleeves to slip each disc into. Writing disc contents on the top edge of the paper sleeve will help you identify content quickly. You can also find binders and insert sleeves to store your discs in. Store a print-out of photo thumb-nails with the disc so you know what’s on the disc.
For your digital media, try a photo box, index file – even a shoe box will work – and use inexpensive paper sleeves to slip each disc into. Writing disc contents on the top edge of the paper sleeve will help you identify content quickly. You can also find binders and insert sleeves to store your discs in. Store a print-out of photo thumb-nails with the disc so you know what’s on the disc.
NEVER use a Sharpe marker to write on your discs – the ink bleeds through and destroys your data after a couple years. Instead, use a DVD/CD-safe marker to write on your discs.
If you print photos at home, use quality ink on photo paper to prevent fading. Make the job easier by inserting your printed letter-size pages in sheet protectors. Printing full pages instead of cutting photos out also gives you the opportunity to add titles, captions and commentary to your photo book which starts to become more of a photo journal.
Traditions help keep you on track
If you write a Christmas letter, insert a copy into your photo album. This is a great way to document your personal and family history. Interviewing family members on birthdays or preparing video tributes to celebrate graduations, or milestone anniversaries are not only fun and engaging, but help preserve their history, too. §
If you write a Christmas letter, insert a copy into your photo album. This is a great way to document your personal and family history. Interviewing family members on birthdays or preparing video tributes to celebrate graduations, or milestone anniversaries are not only fun and engaging, but help preserve their history, too. §