Inherited family collections
A house full of memories can feel overwhelming. You do not need to identify every face, sort every box or make every decision today.
Make a safe first pass
Keep photographs, negatives, slides, letters and labelled tapes together. Set aside anything damp or mouldy; do not clean it or pack it against dry items. Ask us before sending damaged materials.
Preserve the clues
Photograph handwriting on envelopes, album pages and tape labels. Keep the original grouping even if dates or names are uncertain. Those small clues can help later research.
Share without dividing the originals
Digital copies let relatives see the collection without splitting it between homes. Agree who will keep the physical originals and where they should be returned.
Choose how much help you want
Digitise creates copies; Preserve adds protective rehousing; Archive adds cataloguing and a research goal. Start with a manageable selection if the whole collection feels too much.