Humidification

Back in December  I did a humidification project with some rolled documents.  

Start with an empty box that has a lid - this is a Rubbermaid box - notice the rolled documents on the floor to the right. 

I arranged the documents in the tote around a plastic container filled with hot water.  The documents are nice and dry.  Starting with hot water will move the process along a little faster, but cold water will work too. As the water evaporates it goes into the documents. 

I put the lid on the box and left it there for 3 days.  5 days is the longest I would leave documents in a humidification chamber without checking on them.  You have to watch and make sure you don't create mold on documents.  

When I checked it everything was pliable enough to lay flat and put heavy books on top of.  They stayed that way for a couple months.  

This is J.R. & Lou (Speer) Gurley's family record.  It's in really rough shape, torn, taped and dirty.  This is why you should never use scotch tape, especially on the top.  The adhesive migrates off the tape and into the document. These stains might be lightened, but I don't think they will ever completely come off.  

Anyway, on the right side Marriages is recorded James Gurley, Lou Speer, Dec. 28, 1892. 

In the Family Record Names - Births section are their children:

• Edith Gurley - June 2, 1894
• Elston Gurley - August 31, 1895
• Edna Gurley - Nov. 1, 1897
• Ruby Gurley - Ruby  April 12, 1901
• Lyman Gurley - May 23, 1907

Harold Erkman's purple heart certificate which reads:

The United States of America - To all who shall see these presents, greeting: 

This is to certify that the president of the United States of America pursuant to authority vested in him by Congress has awarded the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782 to Private First Class Harold E. Erkman, A.S. No. 6659052, for military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death February 11, 1944. 

Given under my hand in the city of Washington this 8th day of April 1944. Major General James A. Ulio, the Adjutant General. Henry L. Stinson, Secretary of War

Ruby Gurley's school attendance certificate that she got on her 15th birthday.

Certificate of Award - This is to certify that Ruby Gurley a pupil of the Public Schools of Wayne County, Illinois is commended for Punctual and Regular Attendance having received four monthly Certificates of Perfect Attendance and is therefore entitled to this testimonial. Given at Fairfield, Illinois this 12" day of April, 1916. Hershel Whitaker, teacher.  J.B. Galbraith, County Superintendent of Schools

The other item in the box was the panoramic photo of Fred Erkman's military unit. It was, like most panoramic photos, rolled tight and very stiff. Had I tried to unroll it, it would have broken in several pieces.  The three days in the bucket were just enough to let it unroll naturally and enough that I could get it on the scanner without doing damage.