Published in the Lackawanna Historical Society newsletter
In my previous article, I offered a bit of insight into why it’s important to create an archive for your family—and even for your community. But let’s be honest: understanding the importance and actually doing something about it are two very different things (don’t I know it!).
It’s easy to talk a good game, but when it comes down to taking action, that’s where many of us stall. If I had to guess, I’d say the boxes you inherited are still sitting in the damp basement (or hot attic… or garage…) waiting for you to “have the time.” Or maybe it’s all those outdated devices tossed in a drawer—or old computers and hard drives—holding your digital photos hostage and in total disarray.
Whatever your version looks like, one thing’s likely true: overwhelm makes us close the door and think, “I’ll get to it this winter.” (And how many winters have passed now?) I go through this phase too—believe me. (I’d rather write this article than face my own unsorted stash!)
Let’s tackle the most common excuse head-on so that instead of guilt, you walk away with a little momentum—and dare I say, pride?
Start with Three Words: Just Fifteen Minutes
That’s it. If you have more time, great. But so much can be accomplished in just fifteen minutes.
“But Cheryl, you don’t understand the amount of stuff I have—what can I do in just 15 minutes? I need weeks!”
Oh, I understand. That’s exactly why I say: don’t wait for weeks—just start with one 15-minute window. Here’s what you can do in that time:
- Make an inventory of the boxes, videos, albums, and devices around your house.
- Example: 3 cardboard boxes of Grandma’s photos – hall closet; 10 VHS tapes – TV cabinet; old phones and memory cards – kitchen junk drawer.
- Don’t forget heirlooms you use or display: Grandma’s turkey platter – dining room cabinet.
- Set up a workspace that’s out of the way of daily life and curious pets. No permanent space? Choose a spot where things can stay organized so you don’t have to start over every time.
- Gather your supplies if you’re working with physical photos or keepsakes: acid-free sleeves, sorting bins, nitrile gloves, sticky notes, a soft pencil, and a proper pen like the Zig Memory System Photo Signature Pen. (Absolutely no ballpoint pens or Sharpies, please.)
- Label bins by decade or category and sort just one album or a few envelopes of loose photos.
- Bundle your VHS tapes or home movies for digitizing—so you can finally watch them again!
Progress over perfection. One fifteen-minute step at a time.
Fifteen minutes is all it takes to build momentum—and build a legacy.
Other Activities to Bring Your Legacy to Life
Uncover the Stories
Here’s the secret sauce: document the details before they disappear. Names, dates, places, and memories—anything you know or have heard. Don’t worry about writing a novel—a couple of sentences or bullet points are pure gold.
Here are a few quick wins:
- Ask relatives while you can.
- Use your phone’s voice recorder when chatting about photos—it’s easy and priceless.
- Label the back of photos using a soft pencil or archival-safe pen—or attach notes digitally if scanning.
Digitize Without the Drama
You don’t have to scan your entire collection in one weekend. Just start with the most fragile, most meaningful, or most likely to get lost photos first. Once scanned, securely protect these gems in archival packaging to assure their longevity.
For long-term preservation, I recommend using a secure, permanent private cloud platform that doesn’t compress your files and won’t mine your data. (I personally use Forever)
And don’t forget to include your notes and stories alongside the images.
Create a Living Archive
This is about more than organizing—it’s about creating something useful, meaningful, and shareable.
Think of ways you can share or enjoy your collection:
- Create themed albums or photo books.
- Share curated folders or slideshows with family.
- Use photos to spark stories at reunions or family dinners.
- Gift photos to someone who shares the memory.
Your archive doesn’t have to be “done” to be valuable. Every photo you identify, every story you write, every label you add is a gift to future generations.
In Closing
What starts in a shoebox can become one of the most meaningful legacies you leave behind.
Don’t wait for the “perfect time” or the “perfect system.”
Just begin today—with fifteen minutes.
Your stories are waiting.
I’d love to hear about your archive project!