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Sue in Somerset

Sue in Somerset Report 17 Jun 2008 00:35

You can contact your County Archivist at your local records office for advice perhaps.

Certainly don't laminate it but they may have suggestions of best ways to preserve documents.

Several years ago a town near me had a disaster with their Twinning Charter. It got damaged by water and was smudged and spotted and quite a mess. I was asked (I'm a calligrapher as well as other art forms) to try to rescue it.

I contacted the local archives and was invited to take it to show the people behind the scenes at the Records Office.

They said it was a historical county document in that case and they stabilised it free of charge. I got it back cleaned up and with no obvious damage apart from some of the lettering was almost faded away. They weren't allowed to redo the missing words but handed it back to me saying that was up to the town in question to decide.

I had a photocopy of the original before it was damaged to work from and I was able to recreate what was missing (using waterproof ink this time).

In your situation I'd certainly make a copy of the page by photocopying, scanning or photographing it. I'd also write out a transcription.

Sue

Charlie chuckles

Charlie chuckles Report 16 Jun 2008 22:37

thanks, i'll pop to smiths tomorrow
carol

Sue In Yorkshire.

Sue In Yorkshire. Report 16 Jun 2008 21:48

Have you thought of Acid free sleeves that you could cut down.
Sue

Charlie chuckles

Charlie chuckles Report 16 Jun 2008 21:38

I have been lent my husbands family bible which was started in 1857, it's a marvel!!
BUT the main page with all the handwritten names and dates has come loose from it and since the last time I saw it it has gotten a litlle smudged and a lot raggy edged so much so that little bits have fallen away and the paper very fragile.
Anyone any suggestions for preserving it beore it disappears completely - can I laminate it or is that a no-no, i just hate to see it deteriorating so fast!!
Carol