FlashroomMake & keep
Place a caption on an album page
Keep the label beside the photograph rather than on it.
An album caption should explain a portrait without becoming part of the original surface.
Write a separate label
Use the strip identifier, known names and a confirmed or explicitly uncertain date. Keep the label large enough to read and position it clearly beside the correct strip. If adding a memory, name its source. Avoid filling a tiny border with handwriting that future readers may struggle to distinguish from an original inscription.
Make the connection durable
Use appropriate album and enclosure materials for originals. Keep a digital record of the page arrangement and captions. If the photograph is later moved, carry its identifier and description into the new location so the label does not remain beside the wrong object.
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