Collections
Collections
Each collection is a short path through the reference, laid out for one family occasion. Instead of reading everything in a row, you go through a few pages that together tackle one task: going through an album with older relatives, putting letters in order or drawing a family tree for a celebration. Each one includes pages that make a good starting point and pages worth coming back to once you've taken the first steps.
Your best helper in sorting an album is sitting right next to you on the couch. While they reminisce, keep a pencil handy and a phone recording, as long as they don't mind.
Only finished pages of the reference are included here. We don't link to shops or paid services and don't recommend equipment by name: you can work through each collection at home with a box of papers, a phone and a bit of free time.
A weekend with Grandma's album
For anyone planning to spend a day or two going through photos with older relatives who wants to capture everything they remember. Ask in advance whether it's okay to record, and ask open-ended questions: not “Is that your uncle?” but “Who's here, and what was going on at the time?”
- Your first box of photosGetting started
Five simple steps that make a good start: piles, captions, copies and envelopes.
- Asking questions over photosGetting started
The memories section: how to prepare questions, ask permission to record and transcribe the conversation.
- The whole albumNext steps
The digitizing article, for when the photos are labeled and it's time to copy the entire album.
Letters and cards
For anyone with a tied-up bundle of letters, greeting cards and telegrams in a drawer who wants to sort through them without damaging the paper.
- Storing letters and papersGetting started
Answers about folded sheets, paper clips, rubber bands and where to keep the box.
- Envelopes and archival boxesGetting started
A glossary of materials that help paper last for years without yellowing or creasing.
- Capturing backs and captionsNext steps
From the digitizing article: why you should capture both the front and the back, and name files by a single rule.
A family tree for a celebration
For anyone who wants to draw a family tree for a milestone birthday or a big family gathering and show it to relatives without revealing too much about the living.
- How to start a treeGetting started
Answers about first notes, uncertain dates and what's fine to show people outside the family.
- Generations and lines of descentGetting started
Simple explanations of the terms “generation,” “direct line” and “collateral line.”
- Going deeper into genealogyNext steps
The genealogy section: how to keep notes and honestly mark what's still uncertain.
Further reading
- Sections
The four topics of the reference: photographs, documents and letters, elders' memories, and genealogy.
- Guides
A step-by-step article on digitizing a family photo album yourself, plus the catalog of articles.
- Questions
Short answers about storing papers and photos, digitizing, genealogy and privacy.
Sources
- General guidance on storing photographs and papers
- Russian Federal Law No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data”
This information is current as of the date the page was prepared. Old photographs and papers vary a great deal, so handle fragile and especially valuable originals slowly and carefully, and when in doubt, it's better to leave them alone.