While some family heirlooms are proudly displayed in the homes of their current owners or carefully preserved and stored in a way that will ensure that they are not damaged, countless family treasures are moldering away in hot, dusty attics, moist basements, and other places that threaten to destroy them. What can a genealogist do to locate and preserve these family treasures before it is too late? Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that your family’s heirlooms can be enjoyed by future generations.
The first step in preserving your family’s treasures is to learn what they are and where they are located. Some may be in your home, in which case it is important that you locate them and check on their condition. If you know of relatives that have important items, use caution in inquiring about their whereabouts and conditions. Some people may think that you are inquiring because you want the item for yourself, or that you are criticizing them for storing it improperly. No item is worth the loss of a family relationship, so tread lightly. You may find that the relative that does have some heirlooms would not mind a little help digging them out of storage so that they can look at them, which provides a great opportunity to assess their condition and suggest an alternative means of storage which can help to preserve them.
When you locate a family treasure in your home or that of a relative, document it in your genealogy research. Note the date and location, along with what it is, what it is made of, and why it is important to your family. Also write down whether it is damaged, what kind of damage it has sustained, and any ideas that you may have about whether you can preserve it yourself by putting it in a specially designed container or whether you may wish to enlist the assistance of a conservator. The next steps are up to you. While it is fairly easy to put books and other items into acid free, lignin free boxes, preserving photos, clothing, and other items may take some work, especially if they are dirty or discolored. This is where you may want to consult with a conservator, because attempting to fix or preserve the item yourself could damage it beyond repair.
What family treasures are hiding in your attic or basement?
Photo by jdurham on morguefile.com.