{"id":5410,"date":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-28T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/65.175.118.96\/?p=5410"},"modified":"2021-06-29T10:57:18","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T14:57:18","slug":"storing-family-heirlooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/storing-family-heirlooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Tips for Storing Family Heirlooms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7541\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7541\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/12-Rat-Finks-copy.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7541 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/12-Rat-Finks-copy-600x176.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms\" width=\"600\" height=\"176\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/12-Rat-Finks-copy-600x176.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/12-Rat-Finks-copy.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/176;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7541\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While perhaps not considered &#8220;family heirlooms&#8221; by everyone, these vintage Rat Fink figures will ABSOLUTELY ring the nostalgia bell for any guy who grew up in the 1960s! That makes them important. It also points out the fact that ANYTHING can be a true family heirloom (see below).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">Family heirlooms are things to be treasured and appreciated, and the following basic tips for handling and storing family heirlooms will help you keep the memories alive. There are as many different types of keepsakes as there are different types of families (see photograph above). Important heirlooms could be someone&#8217;s favorite childhood book; an ancestor&#8217;s jewelry\u2014including everything from <strong><em>monetarily<\/em><\/strong> valuable rings and bracelets to <strong><em>sentimentally<\/em><\/strong> valuable costume or toy jewelry; perhaps a scrapbook or an old family photo album; or a love note or diploma on fragile paper. Whatever the case, please consider the following basic tips for protecting your favorite heirlooms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/3-ring-binder-pages#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7517 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diploma-3-Ring-Page-600x539.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms, archival pages\" width=\"434\" height=\"390\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diploma-3-Ring-Page-600x539.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diploma-3-Ring-Page.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 434px) 100vw, 434px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 434px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 434\/390;\" \/><\/a>           <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/crystal-clear-bags#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7518 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diploma-Crystal-Bag-600x580.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms, archival bags\" width=\"404\" height=\"390\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diploma-Crystal-Bag-600x580.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diploma-Crystal-Bag.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 404px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 404\/390;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A grade-school diploma from 1944, archivally stored in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/print-and-slide-pages#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3-ring page protector<\/a> (left) and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/crystal-clear-bags#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">crystal clear bag<\/a> (right) <br class=\"none\" \/>with a sheet of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/bright-white-2ply-100-cotton-museum-board#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2-ply acid-free mat board<\/a> added for support and strength.<\/span> (Please click on images for more information.)<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Paper Documents<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Though you may think that a piece of paper is fine sitting in a cardboard box, it&#8217;s actually not, as<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/wesclark.com\/jw\/heirlooms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Circle<\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">has noted. Paper is one of the most vulnerable of heirloom artifacts. The material can crumble and fade if it&#8217;s exposed to too much light, heat or moisture. Keep documents safe by tucking them into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/flap-env-open-long-side#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">acid-free flap envelopes<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/file-folders-full-half-third-cut#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival file folders<\/a>, as suggested by<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.antiquetrader.com\/features\/preserving_your_family_heirlooms\">Antique Trader<\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">magazine. If you want to look at a delicate paper document, always make sure your hands are clean and free of lotions or naturally-occuring finger oils (basic soap and water will do the trick), and put on a pair of<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/white-cotton-inspection-gloves#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">white cotton inspection gloves<\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">for added protection. Another way to address this is by storing family heirlooms such as important diplomas, documents, letters and other paper keepsakes in clear enclosures such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/3-ring-binder-pages#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival 3-ring page protectors<\/a>, which will fit nicely into an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/binder-in-a-box#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">acid-free binder-in-a-box<\/a> or an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/binders-slip-case-set#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival 3-ring binder<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/crystal-clear-bags#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">crystal clear bags<\/a> with a sheet of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/bright-white-2ply-100-cotton-museum-board#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2-ply mat board<\/a> added as a stiffener. If you want to share a document with other family members, make copies that can be handled more casually. Finally, a<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/news-storage-kits#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news storage kit<\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">will help keep important old newspapers and clippings protected and intact.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7516 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-600x481.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms\" width=\"325\" height=\"260\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-600x481.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 325px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 325\/260;\" \/><\/a>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/polyethylene-bags#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7514 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-Bag-600x543.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms, archival bags\" width=\"287\" height=\"260\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-Bag-600x543.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-Bag.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 287px) 100vw, 287px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 287px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 287\/260;\" \/><\/a>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/drop-front-boxes-3-inch#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7513 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-Bag-Box-600x524.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms, archival boxes\" width=\"297\" height=\"260\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-Bag-Box-600x524.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Book-Bag-Box.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 297px) 100vw, 297px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 297px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 297\/260;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An old heirloom book in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/polyethylene-bags#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival polyethylene bag<\/a>, all of which was then placed in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/metal-edge-boxes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">acid-free box<\/a> for long-term care.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><br class=\"none\" \/><em><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>(Please click on images for more information.)<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Books<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Like paper, books don&#8217;t do well around heat or moisture. If an heirloom book is dusty or dirty, use a soft brush or dry(!) soft cloth to gently wipe it off. If any pages in the book are bound with paper clips or metal fasteners, remove them since they will stain or damage the paper over time. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archival Methods<\/a> recommends that important old books be placed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/polyethylene-bags#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival polyethylene bags<\/a>\u2014unsealed to allow them the &#8220;breathe&#8221;\u2014and then stored in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/metal-edge-boxes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">acid-free box<\/a> in a cool and dry area of your home (NOT in basements or attics, please see below).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Closed.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7521 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Closed-600x531.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms, preserving scrapbooks\" width=\"311\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Closed-600x531.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Closed.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 311px) 100vw, 311px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 311px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 311\/275;\" \/><\/a>      <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Open.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7522 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Open-600x288.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms, preserving scrapbooks\" width=\"573\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Open-600x288.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Scrapbook-Open.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 573px) 100vw, 573px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 573px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 573\/275;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A family photo album in the form of a scrapbook.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Scrapbooks<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Family scrapbooks and photo albums are a treasure to look at, but are often falling apart here and there. Always try to keep scrapbooks as intact as possible. This is not always easy, as many old scrapbooks were put together by children or by other family members using whatever paper and adhesives were available at the time. The result is that many older scrapbooks are often a mess. If a page does fall out of one of your heirloom scrapbooks, try and place it back where you think it came from using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/filmoplast-tapes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Filmoplast book tapes<\/a> (do not use commercially available standard tape, as it is formulated with non-archival materials). If a scrapbooks&#8217; contents are very delicate, help preserve them by placing acid-free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/archival-tissue#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interleaving tissue<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/archival-thin-paper-45-gsm#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">paper<\/a> between the pages. Like heirloom books (see above), place scrapbooks and photo albums in unsealed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/polyethylene-bags#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival polyethylene bags<\/a> and then in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/metal-edge-boxes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">acid-free boxes<\/a>. This will offer both easy access and safe long-term storage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jewelry-Light.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7520 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jewelry-Light-489x600.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms, preserving jewelry, antique jewelry\" width=\"367\" height=\"450\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jewelry-Light-489x600.jpg 489w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jewelry-Light.jpg 620w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 367px) 100vw, 367px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 367px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 367\/450;\" \/><\/a>          <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rat-Fink-Ring-1-copy.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7535 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rat-Fink-Ring-1-copy-600x444.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms\" width=\"414\" height=\"306\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rat-Fink-Ring-1-copy-600x444.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rat-Fink-Ring-1-copy.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 414px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 414\/306;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><strong style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The airplane in the upper left of the left-hand photograph is actually a vintage pin made of sterling silver, while the rings and watch have been in the family for generations. Meanwhile, on the right, this vintage 1960s Rat Fink ring was the coolest thing around for any 10-year-old from that era. Now its a cherished family heirloom, having survived the decades due to proper museum-quality archival care and storage materials. &#8216;Nuff said, Daddy-O.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Jewelry<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many people are unsure just how best to store heirloom jewelry. There are, however, some basic practices for storing an ancestor&#8217;s favorite necklace or bracelet (or your favorite plastic gumball machine ring from when you were a kid!). Never try to clean jewelry using toothpaste or bleach. If valuable\u2014monetarily or sentimentally\u2014take an important piece of jewelry that needs to be cleaned to a reputable jeweler rather than trying to do it yourself. Wrap silver in silver cloth bags to prevent tarnishing, and keep these bags separate from other family heirlooms such as papers, books, photographs and fabrics. Diamond pieces should always be tucked away separately to avoid scratching other pieces, while softer stones should be wrapped in<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/archival-tissue#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival tissue<\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, which is available in pre-cut sizes as small as 5 x 7&#8243;\u2014perfect for jewelry\u2014befo<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">re being stored along with all your other heirloom jewelry in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/metal-edge-boxes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">acid-free box<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7536\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7536\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Water-Heater-copy.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7536 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Water-Heater-copy.jpg\" alt=\"storing family heirlooms\" width=\"500\" height=\"313\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 500\/313;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7536\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Leaky water heaters in basements can threaten any family heirlooms stored there. Temperature and humidity fluctuations in basements and attics are to be avoided in general, leaky appliances or roofs notwithstanding.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Last Word<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">Finally, as a universal rule-of-thumb when it comes to storing family heirlooms, NEVER store your family treasures and keepsakes in the attic or basement. Wide variations in temperature and humidity can be harmful to stored artifacts, and there is always the danger of a flooded basement\u2014via natural causes or a leaky water heater\u2014or a leaky roof in the attic. Store your archival boxes and binders filled with family history in a closet or on a shelf (out of direct sunlight) in your &#8220;living space&#8221; on your first or second floor, as the variations in temperature and humidity are significantly less drastic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Contact Us<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">If you have any additional questions or would like more information on the archival storage and presentation materials that are right for you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/?ip=contactus%2Ecfm#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact us<\/a> here at Archival Methods. We&#8217;re always there to help with any archiving, storage, or presentation questions you may have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Family heirlooms are things to be treasured and appreciated, and the following basic tips for handling and storing family heirlooms will help&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7654,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,317,378,318,376],"tags":[67,52,44,80,54,50],"series":[],"class_list":["post-5410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archival-basics","category-family-history-genealogy","category-family-photos","category-preserving-collections","category-storage","tag-acid-free-storage","tag-archival-basics","tag-archival-storage","tag-family-heirlooms","tag-genealogy","tag-how-to"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Basic Tips for Storing Family Heirlooms and Treasures<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Storing family heirlooms and treasures is an easy thing to do if you know the basics. More information is also available anytime from Archival Methods.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/storing-family-heirlooms\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Basic Tips for Storing Family Heirlooms and Treasures\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Storing family heirlooms and treasures is an easy thing to do if you know the basics. 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