Old Certificates

Post by **Pandabean** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:55 pm

Just recently got hold of some old family BMD certificates and they date back to the late 1800's. Its amazing how they have survived.

Is there any tips on trying to preserved them further as some of them are litterally falling apart?

Andy

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:07 am

Hi Andy
Wow, what a great find. Lucky you!!
Knowing next to nothing about conservation, the only words which spring immediately to mind are:
acid free, acid free & acid free!!

Try to find poly-pockets, or even paper envelopes to store them in which are acid free in order to help stop them from deteriorating any further as a start. I guess the less you handle them the better, so maybe the poly-pocket option would be the best, as you'd be able to view them without touching them. I'm sure there must be sites on the web which would give more info, or some of our members may know a bit about conservation & be able to suggest other options.

Best wishes
Lesley

sheilajim · Post by **sheilajim** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:01 am

Hi Andy

You are very lucky. I have a spray called Archival Mist, which is supposed to make your paper acid free.

I hope that you will make good quality copies of your BMD's

Regards

Sheila

momat · Post by **momat** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:19 am

You lucky thing.
Wonder if they could withstand being LAMINATED ?

Post by **Ina** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 6:27 am

Hi Andy,

I have the original 1879 marriage certificate of my great grandparents. I have it in an acid free plastic sleeve. I had a hard time finding a sleeve long enough to hold a Scottish marriage certificate, finally found a company called "Creative Memories" and they carry large size acid free sleeves.

Ina

Post by **paddyscar** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 6:41 am

Hi Andy:

You should be able to get something suitable in a photo shop. You may also find something in a craft store that may have acid free items for scrapbooking and photos.

I don't think I would try laminating it. Laminating requires heat and that may have a bad effect on the old inks and may even affect the acids that are in the paper, causing it to break down or turn colour.

You may wish to photocopy the original documents, store them for safe keeping and use the photocopies for inclusion in your files or for display.

You may get some help at a local museum or library for suggestions on how to best protect them and on where to buy the supplies you will need.

Frances

fmackay · Post by **fmackay** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:46 am

New Year - New Start!

After reading about preserving old certificates I have been busy sorting out all my certificates - oldest one being 1994 - lovely to read them all again , and now all flat in poly pockets(is that not the name of a doll?) I will have to buy some of the longer size as mentioned as most of them are too long but in the meantime it'll do - better than all folded up in a wallet.

Having said that I inherited the certificates that way and it is quite sad to take them out of the place my dad/granny put them but in order to preserve them it will be worth it.
It's amazing what I've found that I forgot about - attestation papers,marriage banns etc.

Now how do you store the poly pockets? - in a folder,ringbinder?

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:57 am

I wouldn't even recommend photocopying such very old, fragile paper, as it is possible for the very bright light in a photocopier to lead to damage. The same applies with scanning.

The safest way of reproducing them is to get a professional photographer to make photographic copies.

BTW if it's necessary to repair tears, then don't ever use Sellotape (adhesive tape) but spend a few bawbees on archival quality repair tape, - you may find that conservators at your local library/archive will let you have a few inches.

Which leads into the general answer to the original query, - ask the professionals for advice!, - the conservators at your local library/archive; including their recommendations in terms of the ideal temperature, humidity and lighting conditions for storage, - daylight can damage your precious certificate, - it's that darned UV again !

David

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 9:03 am

fmackay wrote:New Year - New Start!

After reading about preserving old certificates I have been busy sorting out all my certificates - oldest one being 1994 - lovely to read them all again , and now all flat in poly pockets(is that not the name of a doll?) I will have to buy some of the longer size as mentioned as most of them are too long but in the meantime it'll do - better than all folded up in a wallet.

Having said that I inherited the certificates that way and it is quite sad to take them out of the place my dad/granny put them but in order to preserve them it will be worth it.
It's amazing what I've found that I forgot about - attestation papers,marriage banns etc.

Now how do you store the poly pockets? - in a folder,ringbinder?

But are the polypockets archival quality?, - if not, there's the danger that materials in the polymer, such as plasticisers, could damge the certificates in the long term.

David

fmackay · Post by **fmackay** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 9:06 am

Hopefully this will be a temporary measure until I can get the "proper" ones.