Hi Reader,

Week 1 of Family History Month was about discovering what you already have on your ancestors. Week 2 is about making sure you don't lose it. (I need this reminder as much as you do!)

Here's the uncomfortable truth: Every day you wait, you're losing family history. Photos are fading in those boxes. Documents are deteriorating in humid basements. And the relatives who hold your family's stories won't be here forever.

This week isn't about perfect archival systems or expensive preservation equipment. It's about simple actions that prevent loss while you figure out the bigger picture.

This week's focus: Preserve Before You Lose It

Your Week 2 preservation priorities:

For fragile photos: Move them away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. That's it. Don't worry about perfect archival storage yet - just get them somewhere safer. A climate-controlled room beats a hot attic every time.

For family documents: Look for anything stored in risky places - basements, attics, cars, hot closets. Move important papers to a stable environment. Temperature swings and moisture are document killers.

For family stories: Make a list of relatives whose memories you want to capture, starting with the oldest or most fragile family members. Don't wait for the perfect interview setup - a voice memo on your phone is infinitely better than a lost story.

🛠️ LISA'S PRESERVATION TOOLKIT

For immediate photo digitization: Photomyne app lets me scan photos on the spot when I'm at relatives' houses. No more "I'll come back and scan these later" - because we know later rarely happens.

For professional photo preservation: When photos are too fragile for DIY scanning, MemoryCherish offers professional-quality services that handle delicate materials safely. Perfect for those irreplaceable family treasures. Learn about Memory Cherish services.​

For basic storage supplies: Check out my Amazon recommendations page for acid-free storage solutions that actually protect photos and documents without breaking the bank. Check out Lisa's Preservation Picks​

This week's essential reading:

Start here: "How To Store Old Family Photographs" - Simple storage fixes that prevent damage without expensive archival supplies.

For family stories: "You Suspect Your Ancestor Changed His Name – Now What?" - This post includes the story of how a simple family clue helped me solve a mystery. It's a perfect example of why preserving those "random" family stories matters.

Remember: Small preservation actions this week matter more than perfect plans you never implement.

September was Save Your Photos Month, but preservation doesn't stop when the calendar changes. If you want to tackle photo organization systematically, start with my blog post "How To Store Old Family Photographs" - it's the foundation for protecting what you've worked so hard to discover.

More preservation strategies coming Saturday.