If you own old family letters that are being stored in a box in the garage or were tossed in a drawer or shoe box, and you wonder if there is a better way to preserve them, you should read Melissa Barker’s blog post, How to Preserve Civil War Letters? on Abundant Genealogy.
Using photos to illustrate the steps, Ms. Barker explains the simple process that will help ensure your letters are around for future generations.
Sources for archival materials
Ms. Barker, who is the Houston County archivist in Tennessee and a professional genealogist, also provides links in her blog post to sources where supplies can be purchased.
Plastiklips are lightweight acid-free clips that won’t tear or discolour paper.
Among the archival items recommended is a package of acid-free, rust-proof paper clips, called Plastiklips. While the source, Amazon.com, may be a good one for Americans, it seems pricey in Canada, although admittedly I did not go through the entire shopping cart process to figure out the shipping costs.
I found Plastiklips online at Staples.ca, but they have been out of stock for a few weeks and they apparently don’t carry this product in their stores. The minimum order must be $45.
I found what appear to be almost identical acid-free plastic clips and lots of other archival supplies available online at Carr McLean, a Toronto-based company that serves Canadian and international markets. Their minimum orders are $35 plus taxes and shipping.
Other archival materials can be purchased from Global Genealogy, based in Ontario, and Bibliofiche in Montreal.
You’ve hit all the best Canadian locations for archival supplies. Carr McLean is used by the professional conservation community and has a wide variety of tools and supplies. Global has items of particular interest to genealogists.
I have purchased archival materials from both Global Genealogy and Bibliofiche. Now I intend to explore Carr McLean’s offerings.
Thanks for these ideas and product suggestions, Gail. I prefer to use brass paper clips myself and archival sleeves so that I can see the letter on both sides. Don’t forget use of archival standard boxes for storage.
Good tips. One item I am looking for is an acid free plastic page with sleeves for old 2.25″ negatives — I own many from my parents and grandmother and want to better organize them.
Gail,
For negatives I usually use printfile sleeves. They are available at most photography stores. Printfile also sells boxes that can be used to hold the sleeves.
2 1/2 inch negatives might be 120 type film https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_format which is actually a nominal diameter of 2 1/4″ and developed initially for Brownie Box Cameras but common later and can be half-height, square or up to 3 1/4″
For print storage I use “Crystal Clear” bags. I found the least expensive place to get these is Vistek on Bank St. In Ottawa and they come in a variety of sizes to fit common print sizes: https://www.vistek.ca/search/Crystal%20clear%20bags.aspx
Unfortunately I haven’t seen a photography store in Montreal since Black’s bought Astral and closed down the chain throughout Quebec a few years ago. I bought a lot of my acid-free plastic pages there. I’ll take a look at your other sources. Thanks!
You can buy the Crystal Clear Bags direct from the manufacturer/distributor located at Strathroy, ON http://clearbags.ca/store/products/protective-closure-bags/
Print File Sleeves are available direct from Print File and a few years ago they actually started shipping to Canada. But if memory serves the cost was pricier than finding them locally if possible.
They have a list of retail associates on there website that lists 3 locations in Montreal: http://www.printfile.com/canada-dealers.aspx
Grand and Toy sell the Plasticlips as do Staples. They are not available in most stores but can be ordered on-line and in some cases delivered to your local store for pickup at no extra charge.
University Products is the 300lb elephant of archival supplies but Carr McLean are Canadian and very helpful
Carr McLean also sells Brass and Stainless Steel paperclips which they imply might be archival as well but I’d want to talk to a conservator about that.
Thanks for the tip about Staples and Grand and Toy. They are currently unavailable online and in my store. My store told me I couldn’t order items for pick up at their store, despite what the website says. Then again, I don’t think the sales clerks I met were the best informed.