Hi all, I got this todat from Rootsweb Review. Thought you might be interested. Dot CARE OF PHOTOS Old photographs are extremely valuable artifacts. They are the visual link to our past and they help connect us to our shared history in ways that no other records can. Yet they are extremely delicate and their preservation can pose special problems. The biggest enemies to photographs are light, heat, moisture and pollution. These can catalyze chemical processes within photographic materials. U.V. radiation can fade photographs. Heat and moisture work together to cause chemical reactions within the photographic media and they also can encourage mold growth and insect activity. Heat alone can increase the brittleness of a photograph. Dust can scratch a photographic image and pollutants can carry destructive chemicals that can react with delicate photographic emulsions. One of the best things one can do for any photographic collection is to ensure a very stable environment. Make sure that the storage location is cool, dark and dry. Insure that the environment does not suffer from severe fluctuations in these conditions. Attics, garages, basements and wallets are definitely NOT ideal locations in which to store precious photographs. Try to hold photos and negatives by their edges only. Be sure not to place your fingers directly onto the photographic image. Oils and microscopic dirt on fingertips can cause slow but permanent damage to photos. If and whenever possible, separate the negatives from the actual prints. Both should be stored in a cool, dark and dry area. Store important originals in a safe place and make copies of these photos for display. When using albums, care must be given to the type selected. There are now many "archival safe" products on the market. However, make sure that the paper is acid free and that the plastics used are PVC free. Acidic paper turns yellow with time and becomes brittle. Even new photos can be harmed if the paper touching them is acidic. With regard to plastic storage materials, PVC gives off a strong vinyl or "plastic" smell. The chemicals present in this type of plastic are incredibly harmful to photographic materials. Avoid "magnetic" or "sticky back" photo albums. These contain harmful chemicals and adhesives that are detrimental to photos. In time these can permanently bond to the photo and yellowing adhesives can eventually migrate through the image. Using the correct (and often more expensive) materials may seem like a needless luxury at first, but the pennies you spend now will save dollars if someday faced with a restoration of a favorite photo. Think of the expense is an investment: one that will ensure that the memories within these artifacts are preserved to be enjoyed and studied by future generations. For more information on the care of valued photographs be sure to visit <http://www.photorevival.com> From; RootsWeb's Genealogy News, Vol. 3, No. 5, 2 February 2000. RootsWeb: <http://www.rootsweb.com/>