How to deal with old newspaper clippings

Not sure if this has been covered already--can't find anything yet.

Dad had an old 'magnetic' photo album that has finally(!) decided to give up the ghost. Besides many old pictures, he's got old newspaper clippings, and was going to pitch them. I told him hang on, I'll try finding some help.

Any ideas out there?

You can scan the newspaper clippings and save it on your computer.

I was also going to suggest scanning them - that is what I do now and they come out perfect. Don't know how you can actually keep the originals nice, especially after they have started yellowing.

Thanks for the feedback.

Scanning is not an option with my printer, so....

As for the yellowing? Not that it matters, really. It's just that Dad got so bent out of shape that the album finally gave out. Can't say I didn't warn him...

If you really do want to scan some of the articles that may have particular significance to you or your dad, take it somewhere like Walgreens where you scan it for a nominal fee. Or Office Depot, Staples, Office Max - all of those scan for a really low price if there are articles you really want to keep.

There are also products like "Make it Acid Free" that are supposed to keep things from yellowing but since yours is already yellowing it may still take out acid to keep it from disintegrating. I have 4 new cans on my desk, wish you were close enough that I could just give you one of them.

I wish I had other suggestions - I'm just a blank on this one. How lucky you are to have the old clippings and photos in the family!

Thanks, Henri!

IIRC, some articles dad saved are 'yellower' than something he saved from a few years earlier. Strange.

I'm a little late here, but I had to chip in. The yellowing is not caused by acid, it's caused by the lignin that is used to make cheap paper such as newspapers. The higher the lignin content, the more prone the paper will be to yellowing. Nothing you do to it will stop the yellowing, unfortunately. "Make it acid free" will neutralise the acids, slow down the disintegration of the paper, and stop the acids from damaging your photos.

Thanks, RedSquirrel! I haven't 'acquired' any of the clippings yet. I don't think I am going to be adding pictures with the clippings, either.

Thanks Rosey - I use "Make it Acid Free" but never knew how it worked!

I recently made a baby book for my sister in law and used some of the Project Life envelopes so she could store her baby shower cards and other items from the hospital. These could work great for you if you're unable to scan your items.

http://www.scrapbook.com/store/ac-380026.html

http://www.scrapbook.com/store/ac-380027.html

http://www.scrapbook.com/store/ac-380501.html

http://www.scrapbook.com/store/ac-380028.html