Creating the Family Tree Scrapbook Album
One of the most wonderful ways to preserve your family history
is through a family tree scrapbook album. You can showcase your
history from the earliest photos available from your family
archives up to the most recent baby addition. If you use a
scrapbook with the option to add pages, you can continue to
build on the scrapbook.
You likely have many photos to choose from, particularly from
the more recent family photo albums. Go through all your photos
and arrange them by family, from the oldest to the most recent.
If you are limited on early photos, use those you have and
consider using any other available photos or information.
Journaling is an important element to all scrapbooks, and is a
good way to add to pages where there are very few photos. If you
have any historical photos from the period, these can be added
as well, if they help tell your family story.
Because you will be using old materials, be sure to use
appropriate scrapbooking materials, such as acid free pages and
pens. Also, be sure to use PVC-free sheet protectors. If the
materials you have are in delicate condition, consider making
copies to use in the book. Photo labs and copy stores (such as
FedEx/Kinko's) have copiers that create photos nearly
indistinguishable from the originals. This will preserve your
memories without damaging the originals. You can also digitally
correct damage to the photos, such as scratches.
The most logical way to scrapbook your family tree is from the
earliest family to the most recent. How many pages you devote to
each family member will depend in part on the photos available,
but a spread for each member/couple is a good way to start. It
also depends on the size of your family! As you create each
page, add historical information as you can, such as the names
of each person in the photo, the date of the photo, and the
location.