Hi Terry
I moved your topic over to Family History Docs and Artefacts as that's where we're putting conservation-type queries now. Hope you don't mind
As for cleaning soot etc off photos, all I will say is be very careful.
Here's what I recommend:
1. Place each photo face up on a nice clean bit of newspaper
2. Use a very soft brush to softly wipe any bits of dust etc. off the surface - brush from the middle of the photo outwards, and don't apply pressure.
3. Invest in a chemical sponge, also called a smoke sponge:
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/sundries/sundries13.html They are specially designed to pick up soot and smoke residue and one sponge should last you pretty much forever. Cut off small wedges to use, they don't redeposit the soot onto whatever you're cleaning and you will be surprised how much they pick up.
4. After using the sponge there is probably little else to be removed. Any remaining obvious residue is most likely embedded into the photo emulsion, so if you are going to clean with metho and a cotton swab, do not rub! You will start to solubilise the photo emulsion and move the dirt further into it. Simply use a damp swab (i.e. dip in metho and then roll on a bit of clean kitchen towel to remove excess) and roll it across the surface of the photo, rather than rubbing. If you don't pick anything up on the swab, then your smoke sponge has done its work and it's not safe to go any further.
I hope that helps with what is a difficult and distressing task - I have dealt with thousands of photographs belonging to people whose homes were damaged or destroyed in bushfires, and it is really heartbreaking. I was so sorry to read your message so I hope you eventually get the rest of your pics cleaned up and can post some more here for us to restore
Cheers
Prue
