 |
| Ida Rajala Acey & Richard Alfred Acey, long ago scan of an original photo (now lost), c. 1916-1918 Copyright Diane L (Acey) Richard |
The holidays are over. When the family was together everyone was
oohing and awing over some of the treasured family photos and documents. And, now, they all want a copy. What are you going to do?
One obvious answer
is to “scan” what you have so that you can share digital copies. What does that mean? How do you get started? What’s the best way
to proceed? So many questions! Here is a list of places where you might find
some answers.
Don’t have a
scanner or access to one. Do you have a
digital camera or even a film camera?
Taking photos of photos is how many decades ago I got images of
priceless photos from distant cousins on my father’s side. They may not all be the “best” photo and you know what, they are invaluable to me even if not taken with perfect lighting, not centered properly, etc. They are
invaluable because otherwise I would not have those documents.
 |
| Ida Rajala Acey & Friend, photo of a photo, c. 1907-1911 Copyright Diane L (Acey) Richard |
Don’t have a camera
either? Consider getting color
photocopies made at a local office supply store. I have my original photos and documents in my
safe and on my walls and given to my sisters are color (or black & white as
appropriate) photocopies of the originals.
I also asked relatives who live in England
 |
| Margaret Joyce Fountain Acey, scan of a b&w photocopy of a photo album page (now lost) c. 1954 Copyright Diane L (Acey) Richard |
Basically, there
are many options on how we can “share” what we have with others.
Additionally, I
consider doing this a form of insurance.
If I hold the original copies of these one-of-a-kind photos or
documents, what happens if I have a house fire, a hurricane strikes or some
other disaster befalls my house? Are
these then presence heirlooms forever lost?
Not if I made a copy of them (using any means possible).
For example, the
above photo is a bad scan of a torn photo.
In one of our moves, this one image disappeared from my collection. After 20 years of looking, I’ve given up that
I will ever again see the original. I am
so thankful that I scanned this image those many years ago.
In another
situation, I created some photo albums for the family and then I actually made
some really horrible black and white photocopies of pages from the album. Unfortunately, a few years later, these photo
albums are no longer. Again, I am
thankful that I have those horrible photocopies since the photos of my mother
(deceased over 20 years ago) as a young woman are priceless to me.
One caveat – as you
digitize or copy or photo “original” photos and documents, please do hold onto
them and please do “print” at least one copy.
Read With the push
towards digitization, are we more likely to “lose” memories? about potential hazards of going
completely digital!
So, now that the
hubbub of the holiday season is over, consider what you might do to “share” and
“preserve”
What tips would you give?
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