Preserving Local History and Genealogical Materials

Preserving Local History and Genealogical Materials

Local history and genealogical materials hold invaluable information about our past. They tell stories of individual lives, communities, cultures, events, and historical movements. However, these materials can deteriorate over time due to various factors such as pests, mold, light exposure, temperature fluctuations, and humidity changes. To preserve them effectively, it is essential to understand how they degrade and what steps can be taken to prevent further damage.

Understanding Deterioration

Chemical Reactions

Degradation processes involve physical, biological, and chemical changes in materials. For instance, leather decays through oxidation reactions that break down its organic matter, while paper ages by undergoing hydrolysis reactions that split its cellulose fibers into soluble products known as humic acids. These reactions increase with time and lead to the breakdown of the material's structure.

Environmental Influences

Environmental conditions play a significant role in the preservation of local history and genealogical materials. For example, high temperatures and relative humidity levels can cause accelerated aging, while low temperatures and moderate relative humidity levels help slow down aging processes. Light exposure also affects materials; UV light damages DNA, making it more prone to degradation.

Pest Infestations

Pests like silverfish, booklice, cockroaches, and termites feed on organic materials such as paper, cloth, and leather, causing structural damage and deterioration.

Preservation Techniques

Storage Conditions

To preserve materials, they should be stored in controlled environments with stable temperatures (12-15°C), relative humidity below 45%, and low light exposure. Aged materials should not be stored in direct sunlight, and conditions should not vary drastically.

Pest Control

Insect infestations can be managed by using insecticides, insect traps, or environmental controls such as silica gel packets. Infestations can be reduced by monitoring storage areas and maintaining good sanitation.

Environmental Management

By controlling factors like temperature, humidity, and light exposure, materials can be preserved. This can be achieved through the use of storage facilities with temperature and humidity control systems, as well as UV protection.

Digital Preservation

Digital preservation involves the long-term storage and accessibility of digital materials. This can be done by migrating digital files to newer storage formats, ensuring compatibility with future hardware and software, and creating backing-up copies.

By implementing these preservation techniques, we can protect local history and genealogical materials from further deterioration and ensure their longevity. This not only helps maintain historical records but also allows future generations to learn from and appreciate the past.