HUPP-L Archives

Archiver > HUPP > 2005-09 > 1127886393


From: Erin Bradford <>
Subject: important papers in the wake of natural disasters (Katrina and now Rita)
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 22:46:33 -0700 (PDT)
In-Reply-To: <200509091300.j89D029A008048@lists5.rootsweb.com>


Sorry I'm late in responding, I'm wayyyy behind on reading the posts to the
list. I wanted to say that Patti makes an excellent point in this! I actually
got into an arguement a year ago with a guy who claims the documents never
cease to exist, they are just misplaced or become unreadable. Although I can
understand what he was saying, that documents never completely deteriorate,
etc., he was totally off and Katrina provides a good example of how documents
can cease to exist. I am sending this reply to all my lists because I believe
everyone one of us should take what Patti says to heart. There are 3 things I
want to add.

1. Scanning is a great tool, but remember that every time you scan something,
it increases the rate of deterioration. I'm a trained archivist and we have a
"one pass" rule, meaning that we scan things only once.

2. CD's should be stored on the end rather than lying flat, it helps to
preserve them longer. Not exactly sure why.

3. I have a series of articles on the genealogy depository site about this.
The series is about preserving genealogy documents, but it can be very easily
transferred to other important papers. Check out the articles at
http://www.gendepository.com/articles/conservation1.html

Erin Bradford
List Moderator

> From: <>
> To:
> Subject: Important Papers
>
> Several of the courthouse records are completely destroyed as a result of
> Katrina.
> The catastrophe of Katrina has taught us all valuable lessons. One thing we
> can do for ourselves is scan all of our important documents, papers and
> pictures (copy driver's license, SS card, deeds, wills, vehicle titles and
> etc.). Burn EVERYTHING to CD's and put everything into CD cases. Give copies
> to different relatives, put a copy in a safe or safety deposit box.
> If you know someone who does not have a computer or scanner offer to do their
> documents.
> Although most people will never be in a hurricane there are other natural
> disasters such as a fire or tornado which can occur.
> Patti



Erin Bradford

List manager
http://www.ncalhn.org
ALHN County Coordinator for multiple NC Counties
http://www.gendepository.com (the Genealogy Depository-Barringer, Black, Bradford, Coventry, Eller, Hackett, Hupp, and Kern)

This thread: