This photograph from the Arline Allen Kinsel Archives haunts me. The inscription on the back notes that is a photo of my grandfather, Francis Ammi Brown with his second grade class in Olathe, Kansas. The broken pieces of the image speak of the many hands that have touched this image. I don’t know exactly which school this might have been, or the names of my grandfather’s classmates.
Perhaps, the photo can be digitally restored and some of the lost information recovered. It would be wonderful to know the name of the school. I am moving this photograph to the Number One position on my list of photo restoration projects.
The third day of my week long checklist of spring cleaning tasks for my genealogy archives. Follow #genspringclean on Twitter, and share your updates too.
Wednesday – Repair or restore damaged items.
Archivists and doctors have the same rule: “Do no harm,” but torn documents and damaged photos can be repaired with digital restoration. Scan damaged items and make a note to send out for restoration or to do it yourself. Evaluate broken artifacts such as china, picture frames, or textiles. If you intend to have the item repaired, place all fragments in an archival box or tissue, or wrap in a clean cotton pillowcase. If you don’t plan to repair the damage, decide if you really want to keep the piece. Maybe a photograph would serve as well. Write about the item and why it is special to you or someone in your family.
