|
|
Caring for... > Caring for documents and archives
Care and conservation of documents and
archives
The life of every person is documented in some
measure. Families accumulate many documents, commonly including accounts and financial records; wills,
contracts and other legal agreements; passports and licences; certificates for births, marriages and
deaths, educational awards and other achievements; property deeds, maps and plans; diaries and
correspondence; genealogies, scrap-books and journals; photograph albums; cuttings, notices and other
ephemera.
Some documents have a legal origin (such as
property deeds) and should be kept safely, while others are historically significant (such as plans,
accounts, journals and some diaries and correspondence), but all documents can become archives. Some are
protected by statute (such as parish and court records) and should be lodged in a Public Record Office.
Few documents are of significant monetary value. Those that are usually have an association with an
historically important individual or event. Nevertheless, even the most recent family papers are the
historical archives of the future and should be cared for in the same way as old documents. The use of
digital information is increasing, but legally binding documents, usually requiring a signature, are
still produced in paper (or ‘hard copy’) format.
What can go wrong?
Most family documents are made of paper, although
some (principally old property deeds) are made of parchment, which is a material made from the limed skins
of sheep, goats or similar animals. These materials are at risk from damp, mould, insects, pollution,
unsuitable packaging and frequent or careless handling. All documents are damaged by light, particularly
ultraviolet light which is present in daylight.
- Paper may become yellow and brittle over time, particularly if exposed to heat and light.
- Documents which are handled frequently are at risk of becoming creased, torn and dog-eared. They may also be stained by the grease and oils from fingers which, (in addition to leaving unsightly marks), will attract further dust and dirt.
- Papers may become stained from rusting metalware such as staples and paperclips.
- Some inks corrode paper: sometimes this will make pages with text weak and vulnerable to further damage, but in extreme cases the ink will ’burn’ right through the paper leaving holes where there was once text.
- Acidic papers, such as newspaper, not only become yellow and brittle themselves but also discolour any papers with which they are kept in contact.
- Photographs can be glass, plastic, paper or metal and need special care. Photographic surfaces are particularly vulnerable and are easily scratched and marked by greasy fingerprints.
- Paper, inks and photographic surfaces are all attractive food sources for insects and pests. Some pests cause significant damage and loss of the paper, others just graze the surface.
- Seals are easily damaged because they tend to be bulky and more rigid than the materials they are attached to. They may crack and chip, but they can also cause damage to the document they are attached to, for example by tearing paper, as they are relatively heavy.
What you can do
Having original documents at home or visiting a local archive or history centre gives you the
opportunity to handle old materials and historical evidence, but there is a price to pay. Frequent
handling results in the steady physical wear and tear of the original, possibly resulting in eventual
loss of the document. In addition, the documents are vulnerable to damage caused by fluctuating environments
and light.
Handling
- Old documents should be handled with care, preferably using clean, dry hands. Surgical (or cotton) gloves may be used to protect documents from dirt and grease, though care should be taken with thin and damaged papers as gloves, (particularly cotton gloves), can reduce the user’s sensitivity.
- Folded items suffer from repeated folding and so should be kept flat if possible.
A conservator can provide training and
advice on the handling of documents and archival material, or help to draw up guidelines for users.
Storage
- Documents should be stored in acid-free folders and boxes - ordinary brown envelopes and polythene
bags are not suitable.
- Single sheets can be stored and handled in clear, archival polyester sleeves although there are risks associated with condensation, static and build up of offset gases from actively decaying paper.
- Make sure that documents are clean and dry before packing them away, and carefully remove metal fastenings such as staples and paperclips if they are corroding and staining the document.
- Do not be tempted to overfill boxes and try, where possible, to match the size of the box to that of the documents as this will avoid damage due to excessive movement within the box.
- Label boxes clearly with their content to minimise the need to search through boxes for specific documents.
- Storage conditions should be clean, dry (preferably 45-60% relative humidity), cool, dark and stable. It is best to avoid storing boxes of documents next to heat sources such as radiators and sources of moisture such as damp external walls. In practice, this often means avoiding storage in attics, garages or basements where temperature and humidity fluctuate, where pests may be a problem and where leaks and floods are relatively common.
- Old documents should be displayed for limited periods only, mounted in acid-free boards, away from sunlight and fluorescent or halogen bulbs, and in low lighting (preferably 50 lux maximum).
- Check the contents of stored boxes regularly (for example annually) for signs of damage such as mould or pest activity.
Conservators can provide advice on
environmental monitoring and control. They will be able to show you how to monitor the environment and
how to interpret the results of environmental monitoring.
Some materials have special storage and display
requirements: for example parchment can be damaged if mounted in an inappropriate manner; it should not
be treated like paper.
Consider making photographic copies for display,
particularly if you want something to be displayed for a long time as this will allow access to
information without putting the original document at risk.
Conservators can prepare documents and
other archival material for storage and display, and give guidance on storage materials and suppliers.
They will also be able to advise on the re-formatting of documents and other items.
Cleaning and repairs
Paper and parchment can be damaged irreversibly by
inappropriate treatment. For example, the damage caused by self-adhesive tapes is all too apparent in the
yellow staining and sticky residue they leave as they deteriorate. These tapes are extremely difficult to
remove and their use should be avoided.
Documents should only be cleaned or repaired by
trained conservators. Prevention is better than cure: your contribution towards careful storage and use
will help to avoid the need for conservation treatment.
Consulting a conservator
Conservators are trained to understand the
composition of materials and the ways in which they deteriorate. They use this knowledge to stabilise
vulnerable materials and devise methods for slowing down rates of deterioration. The input of a
conservator can be invaluable and may help you in a number of different ways. Conservators can:
- Assess the condition of an archive and provide recommendations for the prioritisation of treatment.
- Provide advice on storage materials and methods of storage, including bulky or outsized items.
- Provide recommendations for the monitoring and control of the environment, including temperature, relative humidity and light.
- Provide advice on the monitoring of insects and other pests.
- Carry out treatments on a range of archival material, including cleaning, repair and deacidification.
- Provide guidelines for the use and handling of documents and other archival material.
- Provide guidance on re-formatting or the preparation of original documents for re-formatting.
Use the Conservation Register to Find
a conservator.
©
Icon, the Institute of Conservation 2006.
This article
offers general guidance and is not intended to be a substitute
for the professional advice of an accredited conservator.
The views expressed are those of the author or authors, and
do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute of
Conservation.
The Institute of Conservation would like to acknowledge use of the MGC publication 'Ours for Keeps' in the preparation of this text. The Institute of Conservation and its partners
accept no liability for any loss or damage which may arise
if this guidance is followed.
The Institute
of Conservation would like to acknowledge the support of The
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 in the production
of this guidance information. Further information on The Royal
Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and its work is available
at www.royalcommission1851.org.uk. |
Forward