How To Archive Family Keepsakes - Many Things Thursday

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things."

Thursday, on Shades Of The Departed, will be dedicated to
many things, and nothing in particular.


HOW TO ARCHIVE FAMILY KEEPSAKES

Thursday on Shades is pleased to join the Blog Book Tour for a new resource - How to Archive Family Keepsakes. From the hand and mind of Denise Levenick (aka Penelope Dreadful), The Family Curator, comes a true family treasure in the form of, How To Archive Family Keepsakes.

About The Author Denise Levenick, Shades own Penny Dreadful

Many of us find ourselves in the position of family curator. How each of us deals with that position is often the true story. Denise Levenick has a longtime interest in her family history. Stories of her maternal grandmother growing up in Colorado and Kansas nurtured that interest and a steamer trunk full of letters and photographs sparked her odyssey.

While wandering the web one day I bumped into Denise's experiment in family history. She was writing about a transcription project for her class of high school students using her family letters. I was hooked on her project and her writing. I asked Denise to write a Friday from the Collectors article and we've been friends ever since. The story of her student transcription project can be found here, Reading Women's History - A Family History Project in the High School English Classroom.

When the idea for a work of fiction associated with an old photograph, called Penny Dreadfuls, was formed on Shades The Magazine, Denise was the obvious choice to became the voice of Penny. Penny Dreadfuls are a reader favorite in Shades The Magazine.

Denise, a native Californian, has worked as an editor and journalist since publishing a neighborhood newspaper in grade school and taught both journalism and literature in Pasadena schools for 19 years. She is a writer, researcher, and speaker with a passion for preserving and sharing family treasures of all kinds.

Denise is the creator of the award-winning family history blog, TheFamilyCurator and author of the new book How to Archive Family Keepsakes: Learn How to Preserve Family Photos, Memorabilia and Genealogy Records, (Family Tree Books, 2012).

About The Book


"Stuff" is a technical term used by genealogists, family historians and collectors to denote the material acquired in the pursuit of their passions. Stuff exists. Everywhere! But can you find it when you need it? Did you preserve it for generations to come?

I have two paperweights designated "Stuff" and "More Stuff." I can't find a thing.

~ Linda ~

Those who read Shades are interested in everything associated with photographs.

Photographs Themselves

Photograph Albums

Cameras

Resource Materials
And So Much More

Caring for family heirlooms is a rewarding adventure with hidden surprises; 

you never know what you may find.

~ Denise Levenick ~

"Can you find it when you need it? Did you preserve it for generations?" are questions with solutions found in How To Archive Family Keepsakes. Organization takes a front seat in Denise's exceptionally well written and researched resource. Organization is the first word in the title of each chapter contained in the book. And organize she does and so will you once you read the book.

Of particular interest to readers of Shades is "Chapter 7 - Organize Archival Photos."  Denise not only discusses the range and types of photographs we encounter, but also caring for them, organizing them, and storing them. I enjoyed reading Cautions, Tips, and Resources appearing in each chapter. They were packed with information.

"Chapter 10 - Digitize Your Family History" begins the journey into the world of computers, scanners, and digital archiving. Follow Denise's workflow examples; she has a confidence building common sense approach to technology.

While highlighting these two chapters, you should know that every chapter in the book is relevant to the position of curator and collector. You can use the book for quick answers, efficient archival workflow, digital savvy, collecting strategies, and most importantly confidence. Confidence that no matter what you acquire you have an answer as to how to proceed.

I keep the book on my desk and refer to it often. Treat yourself! It is so worth it.

Shades gives it 4 out of 4 old cameras:

Where to Buy and Read About The Book

Join the Blog Book Tour for How to Archive Family Keepsakes January 10-26, 2013, for author interviews, book excerpts, giveaways, and more. Visit the Blog Book Tour Page at The Family Curator website for the complete schedule.

Proceeds from the sale of How to Archive Family Keepsakes during the Book Tour will help fund the 2013 Student Genealogy Grant founded in 2010 in honor of Denise’s mother, Suzanne Winsor Freeman.

How to Archive Family Keepsakes (Family Tree Books, 2012) ISBN 1440322236
Paperback from Family Tree Books, Amazon.com; PDF eBook from Scribd. Also, make sure your use this 10% Savings Coupon: ShopFamilyTree. In the iTunes store for iBooks here.

Full Discloursure: I received an autographed copy of the book from the author as a "cheer me up" gift when the world landed on me this past year. I can't thank her enough, but you can bet I would have bought it no matter what.