Genealogy Chat

hi all, ive just found the original birth certs of my wifes grandmother and grandmother dated 1890 and 1892 and they are in a bit of a state, the papers gone all brown and they have been folded and kept in some old envelopes, but they are still quite readable, so Im going to try and preserve them. Which is the best way to stick them on decent watercolour paper, then in a plastic folder, and is it ok to use glue or paste to stick thm on the paper? Any help appreciated. Thanks very much TED.

Ted, I googled. 'preserving old documents' and there is loads of info out there

No no no! No glue. No paper. Nothing. Get some acid free wallets from WH-youknowwho and carefully slide them unfolded into those. Then put them away in a drawer, to exclude light AND damp. Your local museum or library may be able to give you more tips. But do not 'do' anything to them - promise me???!!! OC

You are allowed to tell them a few GOOD jokes though! Merry

The documents are almost as old as his jokes. ;-)

Do as OC says and put them in acid free wallets (£1.99p for 50 from Smith's) and then either photocopy or scan and print them. Then when you want to use them for any research, use the copies and just leave the originals alone. Kath. x

Hi Ted I got told to laminate mine.. but it was because where the folds had been it was starting to tear away....and was in a right state...an original marriage cert off 1915 with the stamps of his battalion on the back.. endorsed by the sergeant.. we would have lost this marriage if we had'nt.. But good advise given handle as little as possible..make photocopy/ies of it...and place in acid free sleeve...then leave well alone.. Mo

Thanks all, im gonna buy some of those acid free things from W H SMITHS, and while im at it, I will be looking a new joke book. TED.