Answer Machine
There’s a ton of free preservation advice on the Internet, that’s true. Unfortunately some of it truly bad advice. Wretched. How can you tell the difference? The bad news is you can’t — unless you already know the answers. The good news is I created a custom search engine that only searches reliable sources like Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institute, and Practical Archivist. No more worrying about whether the advice is good or bad!
The Preservation Answer Machine
How do I use this custom search engine thingy?
Two steps:
- Type your term(s) in the box
- Click on the search button
I know this might seem like weird advice, but try to resist the temptation to type a question in the box. Why? Because search engines are trolling already existing articles, and the chances of your question being in the article are pretty slim. Better to phrase it like the answer you’re looking for. Instead of “When did Ginger Rogers die?” query “Ginger Rogers died on”
Another tip: The more specific your terms, the better. If you’re struggling to read a letter from 1864 where the ink has gone all purply, the terms “faded” and “ink” will get you better results than “ink” alone will.
What kinds of answers does the Preservation Answer Machine hold?
When I created the Preservation Answer Machine, I deliberately included cultural institutions that specialize in the conservation and preservation of various types of materials — pretty much everything you’re likely to find in a 21st century family history collection. Photographs. Paintings. Furniture. Handkerchiefs. Jewelry. Etc!
Can you give me an example?
You betcha. Dottie just inherited 27 boxes of family hierlooms from her Great Aunt Rose. Box #26 is filled with sheet music that looks like it’s covered in mold. Dot should type “mold” in the box. Then she can choose the article that looks the most helpful from the result.
Yet even more…FREE PRESERVATION INFORMATION
The Internet is packed with information and advice about how you should take care of your family treasures.
Unfortunately, some of it is terrible advice. How can you tell the difference? You can’t. Unless you already know the answers. I don’t want you starting some crazy DIY conservation project because someone on a message board said it was safe. But I can’t answer all of The Internet’s questions myself.
I’ve pulled together a very short list of the BEST (read: utterly reliable) online preservation information. These folks have lots of answers, and they know their stuff.
•American Institute of Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
http://www.conservation-us.org/
AIC has a wonderful introductory guide on how to select a conservator.
After you read the guide, hop over to Find a Conservator and type in the type of material that requires professtional conservation work as well as your location. Neat-o!
• Conservation Online (CoOL)
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/genpub/
CoOL is a full text library of conservation information brought to you by the good folks at Stanford University Libraries. The main site is aimed at professional archivists and conservators, but the link above will take you to their collection of information written for the general public. This is a HUGE meta-list.
They cover just about everything you need to know, including the preservation of photographs, books, textiles and art; electronic records and digital files; disaster planning/response; mold; and how to find a professional conservator
Click here to search CoOL’s site for a specific topic.
• Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (MCI)
http://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/index.html
The staff specialists at MCI have compiled Guideline pamphlets on a wide variety of subjects. Here you will find downloadable brochures about how to take care of furniture, paintings, textiles and wooden objects. They also have an entire section on some of the WORST offenders in the preservation game: bugs, insects and pests.
• Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC)
The NEDCC publishes a large number of technical leaflets. Browse the entire list here.
The leaflet I recommend most often is “Care of Photographs.” Read it here.
Conservation work is extremely time intensive. It always reminds me of someone digging up an enormous dinosaur with a teeny tiny brush. Thank goodness for conservators with endless patience!
