Disaster Preparedness for the Family Photo Archive

The Photo Detective

As I watch the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian, I’m worried about the next disaster. My mind is thinking about When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast of the United States in 2012. It was not the powerhouse storm that Dorian is, but the effects were felt all the way into New England. On the New Jersey shore near Union Beach, family photographs started washing up on the beach. One woman took action and tried to rescue as many as possible partnering with the public library, enlisting the aid of conservation professionals and relying on volunteer time and donations of scanners and other supplies. I reached out to see what I could do. The amazing thing about that project was that Jeannette was able to reunite many photographs with family, but there were also a large number that went unclaimed.

I’m not sure that having a disaster plan could help a community literally blown and washed away by a storm, but museums, libraries and archives have them. By taking steps we know what to do afterward and we’ll have the resources we’ll need.

This special podcast focuses on Disaster preparedness for a family archive.

Links:

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• American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
• Operation Photo Rescue
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I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

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