Scrapbooking

[Andrew C.]

I would like to put my basic family history into a book style. I know nothing about scrap booking however that has not stopped me thinking that this might be the way to go. Has anyone got any thought recommendations about CD’s etc?

[jusnoneed]

Hi Andrew,
 I have made scrapbooks for both of my sons which includes their family trees and photos etc of grandparents and ggrandparents. They then continue up to recent times.
I have also started another which will include more detailed info and photos of other relatives - they can fight over that one day lol.

You buy the scrapbooks which have plastic sleeves to put your decorated pages in,then buy papers, embellishments etc and put the pages together as you choose. If you google scrapbooking you will find lots of sites that show you what to do.
You Tube is also a good source of demonstrations.

Di

[PrueM]

Hi Andrew

Whatever you decide to do, please do use copies of documents and photos, not the originals, in your scrapbook.  Believe it or not some people do use originals and as a result they (the originals, not the people!) are ruined forever 

Cheers
Prue

[Sonas]

Hi, not to drag this off on a tangent but Prue would you have a recommendation for a photo album made from good quality materials that doesn't break the bank. Thanks.

[jusnoneed]

Good point Prue. Should also of said, there are many specialist suppliers of scrapbooking albums/papers etc. Be warned - it does become addictive too lol.

Do you mean Photo album or scrapbook album Sonas?

[Sonas]

Both types of album now I think of it. Was originally thinking photo album but both would be good. I would like to put some 1970s colour photos in a new album - don't think the album they're currently in is helping. But have some other material that a scrapbook type setup would be good for as well.

[jusnoneed]

Don't know much about photo albums as such, the last ones I bought were from WHSmiths - replaced the old style ones that had the horrible sticky pages. Just have ones with divided pages that you slip the pictures into.

Scrapbooking modern style is a different type of album. You have plastic page protectors which you slide your completed layout into. These albums cost anything from £5 upwards, you can get some nice ones for £10-15. They come with some protectors in them but you can buy extra ones to add to the album. It costs a bit to gather the papers etc (I buy a  lot of mine in online sales) together but does make a nice hobby. Its nice to be able to put the journalling with the picture, future owners will then know the story behind the photos.

[PrueM]

Hi, not to drag this off on a tangent but Prue would you have a recommendation for a photo album made from good quality materials that doesn't break the bank. Thanks.

Hi Sonas

I can't recommend any brand in particular but in general if you are storing precious photos that are irreplaceable, you should use materials that have passed the Photographic Activity Test:

All papers, plastics, and adhesives used in albums should pass the Photographic Activity Test (PAT). The PAT was developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is a test that determines whether or not a storage material will cause fading or staining in photographs.

 
(http://www.archives.gov/preservation/family-archives/album-types.html)

The PAT was developed in the USA but is used world-wide.  There are conservation suppliers in most countries who would sell these kinds of albums and storage products...do a web search to find one where you are.

You may like to read this thread which gives further advice about choosing an album:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,192024.10.html

Cheers
Prue

[Sonas]

Thanks for the tips folks - tidying up all my 'stuff' is going to be a Christmas project.