National Archives of Australia
Media Release
Canberra • Melbourne • Sydney • Brisbane • Darwin • Adelaide • Perth • Hobart
naa.gov.au
ARCHIVES HELPS AUSTRALIANS PRESERVE FAMILY TREASURES
The National Archives of Australia has announced the release of Keeping Family Treasures, an
illustrated guide on how to look after precious family heirlooms.
Using the family treasures of famous and lesser-known Australians, National Archives
conservators provide clear and helpful preservation advice on caring for family keepsakes.
Contributors include cookery writer Margaret Fulton, ABC presenter Andy Muirhead, and
actor and historian Alice Garner.
The chapters address preserving letters, albums, photographs, diaries and notebooks,
scrapbooks, and precious objects and textiles. The preservation of audio and video tapes,
home movie film, CDs and DVDs and time capsules is also covered.
Conservator and co-author Ian Batterham said, “With interest in family history at an all-time
high, more people recognise the importance of preserving their family’s special records, but
aren’t sure where to start. Keeping Family Treasures fills the gap with professional advice that
isn’t available elsewhere in such a readable form.”
As caretaker of some of the nation’s treasures – the records of the Commonwealth and its
people – the National Archives works with Government agencies to ensure records are
properly managed and preserved.
“Keeping Family Treasures provides an opportunity for the Archives to extend this assistance
and knowledge to the public. The book also continues the family history theme central to the
Archives’ previous publication, Family Journeys,” said Mr Batterham.
Ian Batterham is a senior conservator at the National Archives and author of The Office
Copying Revolution; Keeping Family Treasures joint author Elizabeth Masters writes for the
National Archives and is the author of Australia’s Government Explained.
Keeping Family Treasures is available through the National Archives e-shop for $24.95. Further
information is available at naa.gov.au.
Media contacts:
Emma Buckley (02) 6212 3957
Yvonne Kennedy (02) 6212 3755
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