How to preserve a paper document?

[MJP]

Hi all,

A relative was kind enough to lend me an old family document.  It is about 10 small sheets of paper folded in the middle and sewn along the fold to form a booklet.  It was used to record BMDs - probably written in the 1830s or 40s.  The ink is still in good shape - quite readable. 

I have had it digitized, and now I must give it back to the owner.  However, I would like to give it back to him in a state that will be easy for him to preserve, sort of a subtle hint to take care of the document.  I was thinking I should just wrap it in some archival acid-free tissue paper.  Or is there something else I should do?

MJP

[PrueM]

Hi MJP 

You could interleave each page with a sheet of tissue cut to size, and then fold a bigger sheet around the whole thing...sounds like it would benefit from a more rigid enclosure too, like a wallet or box made from archival card.  This topic:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,66915.0.html
has a couple of links that might be useful - perhaps you could print off a fact sheet or two to hand back with the document, saying that you've found them really interesting or something?

Cheers
Prue

[MJP]

Thanks Prue!  Those sound like some good tips.  I really should learn to search Rootschat before posting a new request - I'm sure just about everything has been discussed at some point! 

Where would I go to by a small box?  I asume archival tissue paper would be available at a photo store, but would they have other archival supplies as well? 

MJP

[Lydart]

Good gracious Prue ... whatever has happened to Grandad Harry ?  He's getting younger every time I see him ... and I have to say, his present incarnation doesn't get the heart flutters going like the older Grandad Harry did ! 

But look at those eyes ... Coorrrrrr !

[PrueM]

  Lydart....I used the latest pic just to see if you are all paying attention!  I think I'll leave it up for a while, then change him back - that should give you all a thrill! 

MJP - if a photo store doesn't have what you need, try an art supply store, or one of the archival/preservation material suppliers on the net.  Where are you located?  If in the UK, you could try
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/productlist.html
or
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ca/

Prue

[MJP]

Thanks again Prue.  I'm in Canada, so I'll just try the photo store, then go from there...

MJP