Posts in October 5, 2023

When going through paper family history materials in an attempt to preserve and digitize them, the first things to be concerned with are items that are available in no other location. Think “what do I have that no one else has (or probably has)?” This typically means family photographs, letters, diaries, personal papers, and the like. Copies of official records, census materials, pension records a relative sent you from the archives, and similar items likely can be replaced if necessary. Focus to initially preserve those items that are truly unique. Same goes for people’s memories. Those can’t be replaced either–so record their stories as well.