Preserving family archives.
A number of families with deep Chicago roots have entrusted Archival Image with their personal archives, and I’ve found the work deeply gratifying.
Every family approaches the preservation of its legacy, as expressed in its collected photographs and papers, in its own way. Some arrive with clear objectives and a firm timeline, such as digitizing materials before the originals are transferred to a cultural institution. Others are less certain of what they want in terms of preservation and arrangement. They know only that they want to save their materials for future generations, particularly when the family archive is large or significant. In these cases, we explore a few scenarios together, and I typically begin with an appraisal or inventory, which gives us a starting point for discussion and decision-making.
Condition, scope, and intrinsic value all influence decisions about preservation, reproduction, and archival housing. Budget, however, is typically the most significant factor, especially when costs are shared among several stakeholders or managed by an estate. I am especially mindful of budget when working with families, because improving the arrangement and long-term outlook of a family archive should be a joyful and enlightening experience, not a source of unnecessary stress between relatives.
