Preserving your family history records
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When properly processed and stored, all paper products
are both stable and permanent.
Environmental
• excessive humidity and extremes in temperature
Controlled humidity and temperature would help prevent curling,
mould and fungus growth, foxing of photographs (blotchy,
reddish-brown stains on prints or mounts), negatives sticking
to containers or each other and photos sticking to glass
frames.
• air contamination
High pollution also exists in areas where paints, printing
inks, lacquers, enamels, varnishes and cosmetics are being
used. Near the seacoast, air borne salts accelerate chemical
degradation and encourages the growth of micro-organisms.
Chemical degradation
The acid content will cause papers to yellow and become
brittle. Photographs will turn a yellowish-brown, fade or
darken with inadequate processing techniques. There is little
you can do to address these in-built problems—scan
such photographs and/or use quality photocopying.
Physical damage
This form is most prevalent in papers and photographs that
have been poorly stored creating holes, scratches and spots
that are caused from the abrasion of one material against
another. Brittle matte board or photographs can snap and
create losses in the image area. Glass plates when not handled
properly can chip or break. Water can destroy a photograph.
Folds in paper weaken the internal structure and are a source
for significant damage. Natural light can damage photographs
and paintings.
Biological deterioration
Photographic materials contain ingredients such as gelatine
and cellulose in paper that are attractive to insects and
rodents. Insects will actually chew away pieces of prints
and even containers especially when they are moist.
Continued
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