Uploaded June 2020 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Your precious archival records are prone to deterioration and damage over time and with exposure to dust, water, and ultraviolet light. Additionally, all paper products have a level of acid in their composition that is harmful over time and can break down your documents. Not to worry if you do not know where to start, the Provincial Archives of Alberta has a selection of Genealogy Starter Kits! Starter kits are available here: atms.alberta.ca/paa/store/default.aspx?tagid=3
This video demonstration shows viewers an array of acid and lignin-free archival supplies to protect, organize, and store your archival records such as your family records, paper-based records, photographs, newspaper clippings, and even textiles. Commonly used and recommended items for housing and preserving personal archives such as archival boxes (available in a variety of sizes), file folders, plastiklips, envelopes, photo sleeves, tissue paper are showcased. This video also describes the difference between buffered and unbuffered archival supplies and their recommended uses. Some suggestions and tips are also shared for using tissue between pages of photo albums and/or scrapbooks. Viewers are encouraged to remove metal such as paper clips and staples from their archival records which can leave rust marks and make your records brittle and the use of plastiklips are suggested instead. To remove staples from paper records, it is suggested that using a microspatula is best to avoid ripping and tearing of documents. To score and fold file folders, a bone folder tool is recommended. Microspatulas and bone folders are available for purchase at the Archives Store.
This demonstration also addresses the common question related to the use of white cotton gloves. Cotton gloves are best used to handle archival records such as photographs, negatives, slides, and moving image film. Handling paper-based records without gloves is preferred as gloves can sometimes impede handling dexterity and can be more harmful and damaging to the records. Hands should always be clean and dry and free of skin moisturizer. Allow hands to fully dry if you have recently applied hand sanitizer before handling your records. When handling your records be sure to do so on a clean surface away from food and beverage.
For more information on products and services available though the Archives Store located at the Provincial Archives of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada please visit: provincialarchives.alberta.ca/shop
For more information related to archival preservation please visit: provincialarchives.alberta.ca/who-we-are/we-preserve
An additional resource produced by the PAA also available online is the Personal Archives Preservation Guide:provincialarchives.alberta.ca/who-we-are/we-preserve/personal-archives-preservation-guide
You may also be interested in these additional and complimentary videos:
Preserving Your Family Records - Part 1 youtu.be/Ac1juFwS5XQ
Preventing Water Damage and Caring for Water Damaged Paper-based Records youtu.be/0DfJRk-sysE
Your precious archival records are prone to deterioration and damage over time and with exposure to dust, water, and ultraviolet light. Additionally, all paper products have a level of acid in their composition that is harmful over time and can break down your documents. Not to worry if you do not know where to start, the Provincial Archives of Alberta has a selection of Genealogy Starter Kits! Starter kits are available here: atms.alberta.ca/paa/store/default.aspx?tagid=3
This video demonstration shows viewers an array of acid and lignin-free archival supplies to protect, organize, and store your archival records such as your family records, paper-based records, photographs, newspaper clippings, and even textiles. Commonly used and recommended items for housing and preserving personal archives such as archival boxes (available in a variety of sizes), file folders, plastiklips, envelopes, photo sleeves, tissue paper are showcased. This video also describes the difference between buffered and unbuffered archival supplies and their recommended uses. Some suggestions and tips are also shared for using tissue between pages of photo albums and/or scrapbooks. Viewers are encouraged to remove metal such as paper clips and staples from their archival records which can leave rust marks and make your records brittle and the use of plastiklips are suggested instead. To remove staples from paper records, it is suggested that using a microspatula is best to avoid ripping and tearing of documents. To score and fold file folders, a bone folder tool is recommended. Microspatulas and bone folders are available for purchase at the Archives Store.
This demonstration also addresses the common question related to the use of white cotton gloves. Cotton gloves are best used to handle archival records such as photographs, negatives, slides, and moving image film. Handling paper-based records without gloves is preferred as gloves can sometimes impede handling dexterity and can be more harmful and damaging to the records. Hands should always be clean and dry and free of skin moisturizer. Allow hands to fully dry if you have recently applied hand sanitizer before handling your records. When handling your records be sure to do so on a clean surface away from food and beverage.
For more information on products and services available though the Archives Store located at the Provincial Archives of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada please visit: provincialarchives.alberta.ca/shop
For more information related to archival preservation please visit: provincialarchives.alberta.ca/who-we-are/we-preserve
An additional resource produced by the PAA also available online is the Personal Archives Preservation Guide:provincialarchives.alberta.ca/who-we-are/we-preserve/personal-archives-preservation-guide
You may also be interested in these additional and complimentary videos:
Preserving Your Family Records - Part 1 youtu.be/Ac1juFwS5XQ
Preventing Water Damage and Caring for Water Damaged Paper-based Records youtu.be/0DfJRk-sysE
