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Last Updated April 12, 2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n Ancestry 50% Off Gift Memberships for Black Friday (Gift to Anyone, Even Yourself!)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n For genealogists, the older a family photo, the better. Who doesn\u2019t love scouring old photographs for clues to an ancestor\u2019s lifestyle? Or maybe you just enjoy looking for similarities in the facial features of you and your great-great grandmother. Whatever the reason, you want to be sure you keep your collection in the best possible condition for future generations to enjoy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With that in mind, we\u2019ve gathered our ten best tips of what <\/strong><\/span>not<\/i><\/strong> to do with your old photographs<\/strong> so they survive to be treasured by your family\u2019s next designated historian.<\/span><\/p>\n Remember a few decades ago when scrapbooking was really popular, and all of your friends held \u201ccropping parties?\u201d Participants would use all sorts of nifty tools to cut their family photos into various shapes and sizes, \u201ccropping\u201d out backgrounds or extraneous people to focus on one subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While this practice resulted in some stunning scrapbook pages, cropping original photos cuts away the context of the image. You may lose details that help you date the image or even other individuals you thought weren\u2019t important at the time, but turn out to be great-aunts and uncles.<\/span><\/p>\n Make Instant Discoveries in Your Family Tree Now Imagine adding your family tree to a simple website and getting hundreds of new family history discoveries instantly.<\/b><\/p>\n MyHeritage is offering 2 free weeks of access to their extensive collection of 20 billion historical records, as well as their matching technology that instantly connects you with new information about your ancestors<\/b>. Sign up using the link below to find out what you can uncover about your family. Discover New Genealogy Records Instantly<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Photos taken by instant cameras, particularly Polaroids, could be destroyed if cut. Polaroid images seal within their several layers chemicals that create the instant photo magic. When you cut into those layers, you break the seal and speed up deterioration of the photo.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/p>\n Rather than permanently alter an original, make a copy (or several copies) of your old family photos on high-quality photo paper so you can cut or crop with abandon. If you\u2019re putting your original photos into a scrapbook, choose archival materials and adhesive photo corners to secure the entire image to the page.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Not many things in life are made to withstand extended exposure to sunlight (thus, the invention of SPF 100 sunscreen). Your family photos are especially susceptible to sun damage, specifically from the ultraviolet (UV) radiation within the sun\u2019s rays.<\/span><\/p>\n UV radiation from sunlight or fluorescent bulbs<\/strong> can fade, discolor, or even destroy not only photos, but also papers, books, fabrics, and collectibles by breaking down the chemical bonds in the dyes used in these items. The longer they are exposed, the worse the damage.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 20 Billion Genealogy Records Are Free for 2 Weeks Get two full weeks of free access to more than 20 billion genealogy records right now. You\u2019ll also gain access to the MyHeritage discoveries tool that locates information about your ancestors automatically<\/b> when you upload or create a tree. What will you discover about your family\u2019s past?<\/p>\n Claim My Free Record Access Now<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0If you insist on displaying an original photo instead of a quality copy in your sunny living room rather than in a room that doesn\u2019t receive direct sunlight, replace the glass in your frames with UV-filtering acrylic sheets. These sheets can reduce harmful UV rays by up to 98%.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n One of the reasons there are so many photo restoration companies in existence today is because so many old photos have been badly damaged from folding, rolling, or bending. Photographs are quite fragile \u2014 even the <\/span>19th century images like carte-de-vistes or cabinet cards<\/span>, which were mounted on layered cardboard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Folding or bending a vintage photograph creates creases, cracks, tears, or breaks that distort the image or leave the photo in pieces. A rolled-up photo will retain its curved position long after it\u2019s unrolled, also. While there are remedies to flatten and digitally repair these damages, it\u2019s best to avoid these situations altogether.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Always store your photos in containers or albums that are large enough for the photos to lie flat without folding or bending. If you must mail an original photo, place it between two sheets of sturdy cardboard and clearly label the envelope with \u201cDo Not Bend\u201d instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It\u2019s every genealogist\u2019s dream to <\/span>know all the details about old family photos<\/span>: whose faces are captured and why, when and where the photo was taken, and what is the significance of the other elements of the photo, like clothing, automobiles, houses, or pets. We wish every photo we inherit came with at least a paragraph of descriptive text. Alas, this rarely happens.<\/span><\/p>\n To keep future generations from suffering the same fate, some of us have tried to record information conveniently on the backs of our old photos \u2014 and instantly regretted our decision. I personally cringe when I see photos from my childhood inscribed on the back in my blocky, heavy handwriting \u2026 in ball-point ink.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ball-point pens are one of the worst ways to label photographs. The pressure you apply when writing leaves impression marks on the front of photos, and the ink itself can easily smear or transfer to other images. Likewise, non-archival markers and felt-tip or paint pens can also bleed through. Plus, permanent inks can\u2019t be erased, so if you\u2019ve mislabeled an image, it\u2019s impossible to erase.<\/span><\/p>\n Temporary labels like \u201csticky notes\u201d may seem like a good solution, but any adhesive can leave residue or discoloration on a delicate surface. Even the <\/span>Smithsonian has a \u201cno-Post-It-note\u201d policy<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you must write directly on the back of a vintage photo, use an archival pen that won\u2019t bleed or feature, or a soft-lead pencil, and use a light touch, writing near the edges of the photo rather than in the middle. Your best bet is to envelope the photo in an archival sleeve, then label the sleeve, not the photo, with an archival pen or a label.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Yes, the title to this section is somewhat of a stretch, but if you\u2019ve ever come across an old magnetic photo album or a glass-front frame with old family photos firmly stuck inside, you know what I mean. While your first instinct may be to impatiently rip out or slowly peel off the photograph from the adhesive album page or glass pane, you can actually cause even more damage \u2014 the irreparable kind \u2014 by doing so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s not magnets that cause photos to stick to the pages of magnetic album pages. Rather, it\u2019s the acidic chemicals in the cardboard page that grip the photo stuck to it. These glue-like chemicals combined with the clear plastic overlay on the album page eventually create a seemingly indestructible bond that also turns the images contained within its grasp a sickly 1970s yellow.<\/span><\/p>\n Photos usually stick to glass because of humidity. When moisture comes between a photo and the glass of a picture frame, the photo\u2019s emulsion coating reacts with the water and becomes sticky. Eventually it becomes one with the glass.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n There are several remedies on the internet for getting pictures unstuck, but you should be wary of anything involving microwaves or hair dryers. Instead, try carefully and slowly sawing a piece of dental floss back and forth between a photo and an album page. Sadly, there\u2019s no easy DIY way to separate a photo from glass. Leave that task to a professional photo restoration firm, or have the image scanned. Find out about scanning and enhancing your photos here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Genealogists love to share. It\u2019s a highly collaborative hobby. That\u2019s why most of us wouldn\u2019t hesitate to provide others with information, documents, and even photos we\u2019ve collected during our research. Sharing is a wonderful thing. But sharing your original vintage family photos is not.<\/span><\/p>\n Think twice before you tuck your priceless original images into a mailing envelope or hand them over to a cousin who promises to scan them and return them as soon as possible. The risk of losing these photographs forever greatly outweighs the reward.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Rather than part with your old family photos, offer to <\/span>scan them yourself and share digital images or high-quality reprints<\/span> instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We\u2019ve already discussed the harm sunlight can do to your vintage photos. Similarly, excessive heat and water or humidity can not only damage, but completely destroy them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n High temperatures can literally melt your photos, separating the emulsion which creates the image from its paper backing. When conditions turn cold, the temperature change can cause cracks or make photos so brittle they break when touched. Humidity can make photos stick together or allow mold or mildew to grow. For all of these reasons, uninsulated basements, attics, garages, and storage facilities are the worst places to keep your precious family photos.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>National Archives recommends storing photos<\/span> at room temperature (below 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and keeping relative humidity between 15% and 65%. They should also be kept away from sources of leaks or floods such as pipes and windows.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Another storage no-no has nothing to do with weather. However, the two go hand-in-hand, because in the right (or, more accurately, <\/span>wrong<\/span><\/i>) conditions, your old family photos become a tasty meal for a variety of insects.<\/span><\/p>\n Book lice, which are so tiny you can barely see them, love to eat any kind of paper, including photos, in humid conditions. Silverfish also thrive in humidity and, like book lice, will even wheedle their way into frames to get to your photos. Cockroaches aren\u2019t as picky; they\u2019ll eat anything, including photos or other types of paper products, in any condition. They\u2019ll also chew through plastic.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Control the humidity within your home and where you store your photos by keeping windows closed and using dehumidifiers when necessary, and take advantage of pest control services when you see any evidence of creepy-crawlers. <\/span>To find out more about storing old photos and other memorabilia properly, look here.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n A cute decor fad involves clipping a line of snapshots to a string or cord and draping it adorably across the wall like a pennant. Unfortunately, attaching photos to anything, or bundling photos together, can cause irreparable damage. Paperclips and binder clips rust and create permanent indentations. Glues, tapes, and other adhesives can bind to photos, and leave icky residue behind. And rubber bands can melt, destroying your vintage images.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Always keep images separated from one another using archival sleeves. If you want to display your photos in this way (especially on a cute little clothesline), use a scanned copy rather than your originals. To keep several photos grouped together, use an archival-quality envelope or photo box.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n You\u2019re probably already extra-careful when you handle your family\u2019s vintage photos, being acutely aware of their fragility. However, did you know the natural oils from your hands or residue from soaps, lotions, or foods can do just as much damage as ripping or cracking an old photograph? You may not see them immediately, but fingerprints left on images can become visible over time.<\/span><\/p>\n Do This Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Your best bet when handling your vintage family photos is to wear lightweight cotton gloves as the archivists do. If this isn\u2019t an option, though, limit your contact with your photos to the outer edges, and be sure you\u2019ve thoroughly washed your hands first.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If there\u2019s one theme running through each of these \u201cdon\u2019t\u2019s\u201d it\u2019s to keep your original old photos in safe storage and use quality scanned copies for projects, sharing, and display. We\u2019ve discovered a number of excellent tools (even an <\/span>amazing free one<\/span>) that are easy to use and produce great results. Remember, your original vintage family photographs are decades or centuries old and irreplaceable, so you\u2019ll want to do everything you can to ensure they\u2019re around for your own descendants years from now.<\/span><\/p>\n Also read:\u00a0The Simple Dos and Don\u2019ts for Preserving Old Family Photos at HomeTo discover how to scan with an app, read this article<\/p>\n1. Decline Your Invitation to the Cropping Party<\/span><\/h2>\n
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2. Don\u2019t Give Photos Their Day in the Sun<\/span><\/h2>\n
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3. Know When to Hold \u2018em, and When NOT to Fold \u2018em<\/span><\/h2>\n
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4. To Label, or Not to Label<\/span><\/h2>\n
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5. Don\u2019t Make a Photo Even More UnaPEELing<\/span><\/h2>\n
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6. What\u2019s Mine is Yours \u2026 Except for My Family Photos<\/span><\/h2>\n
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7. It\u2019s Getting Hot in Here, So Move Those Old Photos<\/span><\/h2>\n
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8. Don\u2019t Eat My Great-Aunt!<\/span><\/h2>\n
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9. Don\u2019t Get Too Attached<\/span><\/h2>\n
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10. Keep Your Hands to Yourself<\/span><\/h2>\n
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