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Save Old Family Photos: Scanners, Backups & Storage
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items The shoebox has survived three moves. Nobody can name the man beside the Buick. Save old family photos with tools for scanning prints, making separate digital backups and keeping the originals organized. Reddit photo-archiving discussions shaped the ...
Read this free National Archives guide before putting a family photo through any scanner. I chose it because it explains careful handling, keeping the originals and why automatic feeders are unsuitable for fragile, weak, bent or valuable materials. M...
Digitizing Family Papers and Photographs
The useful free starting point for scan settings and file choices. I chose this Library of Congress lesson for its explanation of master scans, smaller sharing copies and descriptive filenames. It recommends keeping a TIFF master when available and m...
Personal Digital Archiving: The Basics of Scanning | The Signal
The slower, smaller-budget scanner choice for loose prints that fit on a flatbed. I chose the V39 II for its photo-scanning role and compact USB-powered design. Check current drivers for your computer and the usable scan area before buying. This mode...
Epson Perfection V39 II Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner | Products | Epson US
The larger purchase to compare when you have boxes of loose, sound prints and a real batch-scanning project. I chose the FF-680W because it can capture the front image and notes on the back, with USB or wireless connection options. Sort prints by con...
FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-speed Photo Scanning System | Products | Epson US
Another batch-scanner option for a family project that includes suitable loose photos and paper documents. I chose the Canon RS40 as an alternative to FastFoto, with an automatic feeder and Windows and Mac support. Compare supported photo dimensions,...
imageFORMULA RS40 Photo and Document Scanner
A compact external SSD for the working photo folder or a separate backup copy. I chose the XS1000 because its small size and included cable-and-adapter arrangement suit moving files between compatible USB-A and USB-C computers. Pick capacity after ch...
XS1000 External SSD – 1TB – 2TB - Kingston Technology
The portable SSD alternative for someone carrying a larger photo project between locations. I chose the current Extreme Portable SSD V3 to compare by capacity, connector and actual computer support. Check the exact generation and model before buying;...
1TB SANDISK Extreme Portable SSD (V3)
The external hard-drive alternative when capacity per dollar matters more than tiny size or fast editing. I chose Seagate Expansion for storing a separate copy of a growing photo collection. Compare current capacities and the included cable, then con...
Expansion Portable Hard Drive | Seagate US
A small sharing drive for giving relatives copies of selected family photos. I chose DataTraveler Duo G2 because its USB-A and USB-C connectors can suit different compatible computers without a separate adapter. Check capacity, device support and fil...
DataTraveler® Duo - USB Type-A and Type-C - Flash Drive - Kingston Technology
For an archive that also includes photos still sitting on camera memory cards. I chose this UGREEN reader for importing compatible SD and microSD cards through a USB-C connection. Check the exact card type, computer port and supported capacity before...
UGREEN 3-in-1 USB C SD Card Reader
An optional hub for a laptop that runs short of ports while scanning, copying files and reading memory cards. I chose Anker 555 as a single connection point to compare with a separate card reader. Check the host USB-C requirements and the ports your ...
Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)
A paid backup service to compare when you want a copy away from the house. I chose Backblaze Personal Backup for compatible Windows or Mac computers rather than treating one portable drive as the whole plan. Check the current per-computer subscriptio...
Backblaze Is The Home Computer Backup Provider To Protect and Preserve Your Files and Digital Memories
The originals still need a home after scanning. I chose this Gaylord Archival DuraShield photo and print box because the listed materials are acid-free and lignin-free and have passed the Photographic Activity Test. Choose a size that fits your print...
Gaylord Archival® DuraShield™ Photo & Print Box | Storage Boxes | Photo, Print & Art Preservation | Preservation | Gaylord Archival
A smaller purchase for separating suitable loose prints before putting them in a storage box. I chose these Gaylord Archival polypropylene sleeves because they open fully and use a self-locking closure, with materials that pass the Photographic Activ...
Gaylord Archival® 2.4 mil Polypropylene Self-Locking Print Sleeves (50-Pack) | Envelopes, Sleeves & Protectors | Photo, Print & Art Preservation | Preservation | Gaylord Archival
The modest finishing piece for making a family archive understandable. I chose these Gaylord Archival photo and negative index cards for recording names, dates, places and the source of an identification beside stored material. Match each physical gr...
Gaylord Archival® Negative & Photo Index Cards (24-Pack) | Cleaning & Protection | Equipment & Supplies | Photo, Print & Art Preservation | Preservation | Gaylord Archival