Anna1111 wrote:
Any great suggestions for dealing with MOUNTAINS of paper from multiple generations- family letters, newspaper articles, photographs, diplomas, recipes, etc?
I have probably 50 bankers boxes of this description to go thru.
Well, as usual, Pam ALWAYS has good ideas that make a lot of sense!
I would probably set up an area of the house (like Pam mentioned...set up a table in the corner of a room) and try to go through at least one box per day. I would just HAVE to set a goal....I'm a goal setter!
I would have a trash can handy, and as I went through the box, I would toss stuff that was unimportant/un-valuable/unnecessary, etc. Maybe get some little plastic baskets from the Dollar store and label them with someone's name (a sister, cousin, family friend - or even a time frame....60's, 70's, 80's) and if any document pertains to that particular person, put it in their basket.
I'd try to whittle it down to at least 25 boxes....then start the whole thing over again!
You know...just keep thinning it out and whittlling it down....
I really like the idea of scanning documents and photos electronically and putting them all on a disc...that sure is a space saver. My son has done a LOT of my old photos like that, and it has been a help to me. I don't like having so much stuff....especially paper stuff...and I have been able to do some digital scrapbooking. One year, for Christmas, we got my parents a digital photo frame and put a BUNCH of old photos in it....they still enjoy it!
Paper stuff is TEDIOUS to me!
It can be difficult to know what's important and what's trivial.
Have fun, Anna!