Recently I started going through boxes of research that had been in a storage unit, had been brought to my residence, had made it through a flooding so so, and that I had not entirely forgotten about. Things had gotten scattered so I also didn't know what I still had, where it was, and if it was still valuable to my research.
Most of the research was handwritten and old photocopies. Because of the time spent and the detail, I know I have to read each and every piece of paper and evaluate it for the value it has to my present personal genealogy.
The condition of the paper varies, making me wish that I had never ever used any sort of typical lined, punch holed, paper. But not everything can go on archival paper.
A friend suggested THE CLOUD for storage.
No not even if said friend PAYS for me to have a CLOUD!
Having had computer disks thrown away and memory sticks stolen, having purchased a couple lap tops only to see them become defunct rather quickly, any suggestion of THE CLOUD as optimal storage, any suggestion that I SCAN all these papers, and I react negatively.
I do not want to give up my paper copies, no matter what electronics could be applied. I don't want to worry about equipment, monthly fees, or being hacked.
As I looked through these papers, besides seeing that various brands of the lined, punch holed paper had discolored and had folded in different ways, the cheaper papers no deal, I also noticed that no doubt PHOTOCOPIES showed less aging and held up better, and ANY PAPER KEPT IN PLASTIC did very well.
THE PLASTIC HOLDERS are heavier. So your binders can be difficult to carry, but I think that binders and plastic holders with paper inside is the way to go, so long as you also remember to cover them on the shelf to prevent dust from settling in.
Because sure enough old plastic binders do show dust and dirt and age.
Through all of this I have a cardboard mailing tube that contains some of my oldest, handwritten, and hand drawn charts. Much of what I wrote on these charts was there proven, some of it was speculation or calculation (birth and marriage and death dates.)
But when I think of the person(s) who will inherit my research, I think:
1) The hand written and hand drawn charts will probably feel more personal and valuable.
2) It's going to cost a whole lot to ship all this research to them.
3) But do they only want the end results, the book, or do they want to follow along with my research, realize just the high price of those end results, and will they be inspired to continue, documenting my life when I'm probably dead perhaps, or to travel to the places that their gggparents left? Will they even take care of all my research, such as taking care to pass it along to the person in the family who they deem the most interested and worthy?
4) I've concluded that I will provide some simple electronic resources, such as family pictures and some scans on CD.
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