Make & keep
Your first inventory of inherited photo strips
Record what arrived before rearranging the collection.
A box of family strips becomes easier to understand when its original arrangement remains part of the record.
Describe the box
Photograph the closed container and its contents as found. Give the collection a simple identifier and note who passed it to you and when. Record loose envelopes, handwritten labels and groups tied together. Those relationships can be useful even when you cannot identify a single face yet.
Separate description from guesses
List each strip or small group with its condition and any visible wording. Mark uncertain names as uncertain. Store originals in suitable protective enclosures rather than adding labels directly to photographs. Make a working digital copy for relatives to annotate; keep the initial inventory unchanged as your starting record.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- US National Archives — storing family archivesPreservation guidance