March 12 is Genealogy Day

March 12 is Genealogy Day--Part 3

Organizing Family Photos--part 1

Along with documents you collect while conducting your research, you will amass a large amount of photos. These may come from online research, your own family, or relatives who are assisting in the search. Therefore, you must have a system in place to store your family photos. Here are some helpful tips.

Archival products--There are products made specifically for storing photos. They are acid-free to prevent fading and wear. This includes plastic pages, boxes and even markers and stickers for scrapbook use. They are available at retailers such as The Container Store and online companies like Creative Memories. Before using anything for photos, verify that it is archival and acid-free.
Plastic pocket pages--These come in a variety of sizes to fit all your photo needs. Older photos are different sizes, depending on their age, so you may need a variety of pocket pages. Place only one photo (or two back-to-back) in each pocket. These pages can be kept in binders.
Keep negatives separate--Never store your negatives with your photos. This will not only keep your photos safe, it will give you a back-up should something happen to the photos. Negatives should be stored in a cool, dark place with low humidity.

Part 2 next week--Organizing family photos, continued