What Should I Do With Old Family Documents?

Old family documents are valuable pieces of your family's history and should be preserved. Here's what you can do with them:

1. Review and Identify: Take a close look at the documents you have. They often hold important clues to the past and complement the memories found in photos.
2. Decide What to Save: While you don't need to keep everything, consider saving items like certificates, diplomas, legal documents, informational booklets, payroll stubs, tax forms, receipts, letters, and other types of memorabilia.
3. Scan and Digitize: Preserve these documents by scanning them either as JPG or PDF files. For single-page items, scan as JPG to easily save with other photos. For multi-page items, scan as PDF for easy viewing and sharing.
4. Organize with Photos: Save the documents with photos from the same time period or related events. For example, save love letters with photos of the couple when they were dating.
5. Create a Digital Album: Consider creating digital albums based on time periods or themes, and include both photos and related documents. This will help organize and preserve your family's story.
6. Preserve Your Photo Estate: Your family documents are a valuable part of your photo estate. Treat them with care and ensure they are saved for future generations.

By preserving and organizing them, you ensure that these historical records continue to be cherished and passed down for generations to come.