Consider : -
- Researching your family history
- Writing a support explanatory document that puts the letters in context – who the author is, the receiver etc. time period, place.
- Scan each page and make an electronic copy. Place pages in order and create a PDF file
- Transcribe letters
- The letters may also help you identify heritage photos in your collection – or add more information such as dates. When compiling a heritage photo album, a quote from a letter to accompany a photograph is terrifically valuable.
- Share copies and transcriptions with family members
- Blog the letters together with your family history
- If appropriate, donate copies to a local history or family history group where they can be accessed into the future
Storage albums and sleeves are available from suppliers such as Archival Survival - (there are others)
For further good advice look at the
National Archives of Australia – Preserving physical records
Library of Congress – Family Treasures
Digitising family history and whakapapa (New Zealand)
Preserving Memories: Caring for Your Heritage (Central Michigan University, U.S.A.)
In the meantime if you would like to be inspired by some historical letters visit the Australia Post 200 years Letters of a Nation Archive
Yarra Plenty Regional Library has many books in its collection including correspondence compilations such as Letters Home: To Mother from Gallipoli and beyond : Diaries and Letters of Sapper Hubert Anthony
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