Tips on scrapbooking your family history

• Make photocopies on acid-free paper.

• When using "plastic" sheet/page protectors and sleeves, make sure they are made from acid-free polypropylene.

• Clean residue from tools and stamps before storing in a dry, dust-free area.

• Store tools and supplies out of direct sunlight.

• Keep supplies organized and well-stocked.

• Use traditional heritage colors and earth tones such as beige, black, chestnut brown, dark blue, deep burgundy, gray, olive green, rust, tan. Colors not normally associated with, but accurate to, any time period are bronze, gold, silver.

• Sources for finding authentic-looking materials for layouts include out-of-print history books containing maps and pictures, estate sales and antique stores, relatives who have collected and saved old greeting cards, playing cards or cooking labels, flea markets and craft fairs.

• Don't scrapbook original pictures, letters and other priceless artifacts — make copies.

Source: "Scrapbooking Your Family History"