Tag: family history

How to Store Photos and Letters for Long-Term Preservation

The Science of Saving Memories:

Temperature and Humidity Control

📅 Published: December 15, 2024👤 By: Heritage Keeper

Your family’s precious documents and photographs are more vulnerable than you might think. Every day they sit in storage, invisible chemical processes are slowly breaking them down. But here’s the good news: with the right environmental controls, you can dramatically slow this deterioration and preserve your heritage for generations to come.

Temperature Golden Rule: Keep storage areas below 75°F (24°C). Cooler temperatures slow chemical decay and reduce insect activity that can damage your materials.

Humidity Sweet Spot: Maintain relative humidity below 65% to prevent mold growth, but above 15% to avoid brittleness. Aim for 45-55% for optimal preservation.

Think of your attic in summer – temperatures can soar above 100°F with humidity levels that create perfect conditions for mold and insect damage. Similarly, that damp basement might seem cool, but high humidity is equally destructive. The ideal storage space is climate-controlled, like a main living area of your home.

Continue reading about environmental controls →

Cold Storage: The Secret to Saving Color Photographs

📅 Published: December 10, 2024👤 By: Photo Preservation Expert

Those vibrant color photos from your childhood? They’re fading faster than you realize. Color photographs, slides, and negatives are particularly vulnerable to deterioration, often showing significant fading within just a few decades when stored at room temperature.

Professional archivists use cold storage to extend the life of color materials by decades or even centuries. While this requires special preparation and packaging, it’s the most effective way to preserve your most precious color memories.

Cold Storage Benefits: Can extend the life of color photographs by 5-10 times compared to room temperature storage. Essential for irreplaceable family photos.

Before considering cold storage, ensure your photos are properly cleaned, organized, and packaged in archival materials. The National Park Service provides detailed guidance on preparing materials for cold storage.

Learn more about cold storage techniques →

Safe Storage Locations: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers

📅 Published: December 5, 2024👤 By: Archive Safety Specialist

Where you store your family archives matters as much as how you store them. Many well-intentioned families lose irreplaceable documents and photos to preventable disasters simply because they chose the wrong storage location.

Danger Zones to Avoid:

  • Basements: Prone to flooding and high humidity
  • Attics: Extreme temperature fluctuations and often dusty
  • Garages: Temperature extremes and potential water damage
  • Near pipes or windows: Risk of water damage from leaks
  • Kitchen or dining areas: Attract insects and rodents

Instead, choose interior spaces with stable temperatures, low humidity, and protection from water sources. A bedroom closet or dedicated storage room in your main living space often provides ideal conditions.

Pro Tip: Store items on shelves, never directly on floors where they could be damaged by minor flooding or cleaning activities.

Discover more safe storage strategies →

Archival-Quality Materials: Your First Line of Defense

📅 Published: November 28, 2024👤 By: Materials Science Expert

Not all storage materials are created equal. The boxes, folders, and albums touching your family documents can either protect them for centuries or slowly destroy them through acid migration and chemical reactions.

When selecting storage materials, look for products that are:

  • Lignin-free and acid-free or buffered
  • Appropriately sized (no folding or cramming required)
  • PAT-tested for photographic storage
  • Made from stable materials like polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene

Avoid regular cardboard boxes, plastic bags, rubber cement, tape, and any materials that feel cheap or flimsy. These can release harmful chemicals or fail to provide adequate protection.

Shop for archival supplies with confidence →

Creating Family Archive Albums That Last

📅 Published: November 20, 2024👤 By: Album Design Specialist

A well-designed family album isn’t just a collection of photos—it’s a storytelling device that connects generations. But creating an album that will survive decades requires careful attention to materials and mounting techniques.

The safest mounting approach uses no adhesives at all. Instead, use acid-free photo corners or polyester sleeves that allow photos to be viewed while protecting them from handling damage.

Album Assembly Best Practices: Never overstuff pages or albums. Leave room for materials to expand and contract with humidity changes, and ensure easy handling without stress on bindings.

Choose binding styles based on how you’ll use the album. Ring binders allow for easy reorganization, while sewn bindings offer traditional elegance and durability.

Master the art of archival album creation →

📋 Preservation Checklist

  • Temperature below 75°F
  • Humidity 45-65%
  • Away from water sources
  • Acid-free storage boxes
  • Polyester photo sleeves
  • Climate-controlled location
  • Regular condition checks
  • Digital backup copies

🌡️ Quick Environment Test

Check your storage area:

  • Feel: Comfortable room temperature?
  • Smell: Any musty odors?
  • Look: Signs of water damage?
  • Listen: Pipes nearby?

If any concerns arise, consider relocating your archives.

📚 Recommended Supplies

  • Acid-free document boxes
  • Polyester L-sleeves
  • Archival photo corners
  • Buffered tissue paper
  • Digital thermometer/hygrometer
  • Museum-quality albums

🔗 Expert Resources

© 2024 Preserving Our Legacy. Dedicated to helping families safeguard their heritage for future generations.

Based on preservation guidelines from the National Archives and Records Administration

Smart Content Strategies: Ditch What Doesn’t Work

How I’m Using Pinterest, ChatGPT, and a Bit of Common Sense to Work Smarter (Not Harder)

Lately, I’ve been rethinking how I manage my time, especially when it comes to juggling genealogy research, client work, blog updates, and social media. I’ll be honest: some platforms just aren’t worth the energy anymore. Twitter (or X or whatever it’s calling itself this week)? Noise. Spam. Trolls. Nope. And LinkedIn? A good idea in theory, but it just doesn’t work for my audience.

I gave both another shot recently, but the interactions felt hollow, the effort didn’t match the return, and honestly, I’d rather spend that time untangling a 19th-century census record.

Medium and Fiverr? Same deal. I learned that if I don’t own my content (like on Medium), I’m at the mercy of the platform—and I’m not about to lose hours of writing to a deleted post. Fiverr, while useful for some, didn’t generate leads for my genealogy services. So I walked away from both and haven’t looked back.

Enter: Pinterest, ChatGPT, Claude, and Content Strategy Magic 🪄

One thing I have added back into the mix is Pinterest—and this time, I’m actually seeing results. Thanks to analytics (and some trial-and-error), I’ve noticed Pinterest drives steady traffic to my blog and shop. It’s not just a place for recipes and DIY crafts anymore. It has become a visual search engine, especially for Gen Z, who now prefer it over Google for daily decisions.

Even better? Pinterest content sticks around way longer than a Facebook post or Instagram story. That’s what we call “evergreen,” baby.

I’ve also been using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, plus content strategist-approved tips to help me plan smarter, not harder. Tools like Canva have made it easier to create posts that look good and connect with the right audience without sucking up all my time. I now batch content, reuse templates, and prioritize engagement over perfection.

To make the most of what I create, I’ve started reposting my Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts—same video, more reach. I’m also on BlueSky, but I use it mostly to network with fellow family historians rather than as a primary platform.

These updates have freed up my time and helped me stay sane.

What’s Working (and What’s Out)

Here’s my current social media + content strategy lineup:

✅ Instagram – Best for connecting with the genealogy community, sharing Reels, and building relationships
✅ Pinterest – Great for evergreen content, traffic, and reaching new audiences (especially younger ones)
✅ Facebook – Still solid for group engagement and community support
✅ YouTube Shorts – I’ve started reposting my Instagram Reels here for more reach without extra effort
☑️ BlueSky – I’m not actively posting, but I do use it to network with other family historians
❌ Twitter/X – Too noisy, too spammy, and too short-lived
❌ LinkedIn – Not the right vibe or audience
❌ Medium + Fiverr – Didn’t bring leads or lasting value

The Bottom Line

Sometimes the best way to grow is to stop doing what isn’t working. Once I let go of platforms that weren’t giving me value, I had the time and energy to focus on what does, and it shows in the quality of my audience connections and my productivity.

I’m keeping things simple, meaningful, and strategic. If it’s not moving the needle for Loganalogy, it’s off the to-do list.

Thanks for being part of this journey—I’ve got more tips, tools, and content updates coming your way. Let’s keep learning, sharing, and building those trees 🌳 together.

👇 Need help managing your genealogy journey or building a tree that actually makes sense?

Visit my Loganalogy store to explore tools, guides, and research support!

Why Taking Breaks Boosts Genealogy Research

Why Stepping Away Might Be the Best Move You Make

Working with clients means I spend more time climbing their family trees than my own—more than I’d like, honestly. But here’s the unexpected perk: taking a break from your personal research can actually be one of the best things you do for it.

When you stare at the same ancestor profiles day after day, it’s easy to feel stuck… or like you’ve hit the end of the road. But chances are, the road just needs repaving. And maybe a pit stop or two.

🔁 “All the Records Are Gone!” (Spoiler: They’re Not)

One thing I hear a lot from fellow researchers is that sites like Ancestry or FamilySearch have “nothing new.” But that’s just not true. These databases are constantly adding new records—many of them quietly in the background.

Here’s just a glimpse of how often things are updated:

  • 📜 FamilySearch adds ~180 new collections monthly from all over the world
  • 📰 Chronicling America updates hundreds of historical newspapers regularly
  • 📚 Ancestry and FindMyPast both add and update collections weekly
  • 🌍 MyHeritage continues growing by the billions (yep, billions) annually

Moral of the story: if it’s been a while, go back and check again. That “dead end” ancestor may have left a clue behind while you were busy living your life.

💥 Real Talk: My 7th Great-Grandmother’s Will Changed Everything

I recently took a break from my own tree, and when I came back, BOOM—there it was. A will I had never seen before, sitting quietly in my Ancestry hints.

That one document listed her children and grandchildren, which led me to her father’s will, and then her mother and siblings. Just like that, a wall came down, and a whole new branch opened up.

👀 What You Might Be Missing

🧾 Old records, new eyes: Go back and re-read sources you saved years ago. You’re more experienced now—what didn’t click back then might stand out today.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Research sideways: Don’t just follow your direct line. Look into siblings, cousins, and in-laws. They often lead you straight to your missing link.

📚 Check offline: Not everything is online (yet). Local archives, libraries, and family history societies often have gems that aren’t digitized. Don’t be afraid to send an email—you’d be surprised what’s free.

📺 Social history & video tutorials: YouTube is full of amazing, free content—walkthroughs, history docs, obscure record set tips. Don’t sleep on the power of context.

🧠 Bottom Line: Take a Step Back to Move Forward

Taking a break doesn’t mean giving up. It means giving your brain space to reset. The records aren’t going anywhere—but when you come back, you might just see something you missed before.

Need fresh eyes on your research? I’d love to help you break through that brick wall.


Visit Loganalogy.com to get started!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Guess what? Get Your Freebie and Loganalogy has a newsletter now! 🧾🌳

Hey there!

If you signed up for one of my freebies recently—like 12 Mistakes New Family Researchers Make—you’re already part of the Loganalogy crew. 🙌

Didn’t get your freebie?

Get it here!

But now, I’ve got something new just for you…

📰 A short, sweet, and beginner-friendly newsletter that drops helpful genealogy tips, free resources, and tools to make your family history research easier (and way less overwhelming).

What to expect:

  • Genealogy guidance in plain English
  • Mistake-saving tools & cheat sheets
  • Updates on new blog posts and Etsy goodies
  • Zero spam. Zero drama.

Think of it as research help from a Gen X friend who’s been in the archives and survived to tell the tale.

You’ll see your first official issue on August 1, and after that, just a couple times a month.

And hey, if you ever feel like it’s not your thing, you can unsubscribe anytime—but I hope you’ll stick around. There’s good stuff coming. 😉

Talk soon and remember, Share Their Stories!
Marlee @ Loganalogy 🌳

P.S. Got questions? Hit reply—I read every one.

Did you know most family stories are lost by the second generation?

Let’s rip the band-aid off:
By the second generation, most family stories are LOST.
Not just misplaced. Not “I-think-I-wrote-that-down-somewhere.”
We’re talking poof—gone. Disappeared. Like Aunt Jean’s secret pecan pie recipe. 😩

And honestly?
It’s heartbreaking. Because when those stories vanish, so does the wisdom, culture, and connection they carried.

Why Does This Happen?

It’s not because our families don’t care. It’s because life gets loud and fast, and storytelling isn’t exactly trending on TikTok. Here’s what really causes those precious stories to fade:

✨ Family conversations about our roots are becoming rare
✨ Storytelling takes a backseat to busy schedules
✨ Traditions fade as modern life moves in
✨ Nothing gets written down, so memories disappear
✨ We spend less time with older generations
✨ No one’s guiding the next generation to carry it all forward

Sound familiar?

But Here’s the Good News:

You have the power to break the cycle.
This year, let’s flip the script and be intentional about preserving our stories.

Here’s how to start (and yes, you can totally do this in your pajamas):

📝 Write down stories—even the small ones matter
🎙️ Record conversations with parents or grandparents (voice memos count!)
🌳 Build a family tree using digital tools or printable worksheets
📖 Journal your memories and what you’ve learned along the way

Your ancestors lived full, complex lives. Their experiences shaped your family—and you. Let’s honor them by telling their stories while we still can.

🔍 Want help getting started?
Check out the Loganalogy Shop for beginner-friendly genealogy worksheets and quick reference guides. Or visit Loganalogy.com for tips, tools, and 1:1 support.

Your family history deserves to be remembered. Let’s preserve it—one story at a time. 💛

Guess what? Loganalogy has a newsletter now! 🧾🌳

Hey there!

If you signed up for one of my freebies recently—like 12 Mistakes New Family Researchers Make—you’re already part of the Loganalogy crew. 🙌

Didn’t get your freebie?

Get it here!

But now, I’ve got something new just for you…

📰 A short, sweet, and beginner-friendly newsletter that drops helpful genealogy tips, free resources, and tools to make your family history research easier (and way less overwhelming).

What to expect:

  • Genealogy guidance in plain English
  • Mistake-saving tools & cheat sheets
  • Updates on new blog posts and Etsy goodies
  • Zero spam. Zero drama.

Think of it as research help from a Gen X friend who’s been in the archives and survived to tell the tale.

You’ll see your first official issue on August 1, and after that, just a couple times a month.

And hey, if you ever feel like it’s not your thing, you can unsubscribe anytime—but I hope you’ll stick around. There’s good stuff coming. 😉

Talk soon and remember, Share Their Stories!
Marlee @ Loganalogy 🌳

P.S. Got questions? Hit reply—I read every one.

Discover Your Family History with Quick Reference Guides

You asked, and I delivered! If you’ve ever wished genealogy came with a quick-start manual (preferably without a 600-page history book attached), then this one’s for you. I’ve added brand new Genealogy Worksheets and Quick Reference Guides to the Loganalogy store, and yes—they’re beginner-friendly, printable, and very much “why didn’t I have this when I started?!”

🎬 What You’ll See in the Video

In the video clip, I give you a sneak peek of what’s inside:

  • The Family Group Sheet to help organize households in your tree
  • A Research Log to track your rabbit holes—I mean, discoveries
  • A Birth Year Estimation Cheat Sheet that makes census math way less painful
  • The ever-popular 50 ChatGPT Prompts for Genealogy to bust through brick walls (and creative slumps)

Why I Created These Tools

Let’s be real. Genealogy is fun… until it feels like detective work with zero clues and 18 spelling variations of “Smith.” These guides are designed to:

  • Give beginners a simple, visual way to start
  • Help seasoned researchers stay organized
  • Provide reference info that saves time and sanity (yes, I’m talking to the person re-Googling “1900 census column meanings” every other Tuesday)

I wanted these tools to be printable, affordable, and easy to use—whether you’re researching on a lunch break or teaching a grandkid how to build a tree.

How to Use Them

Print them, laminate them, slap them in a binder, or fill them in digitally—whatever fits your style. These tools work for personal projects, family reunions, or even genealogy clubs that need simple worksheets for new members.

🔍 Ready to start or simplify your research?
Check out all the new listings now in the Loganalogy Shop!

Need more help? Visit Loganalogy.com Research Specialist page! I offer guidance to streamline your research, provide expert tips, and help you build a family tree that future generations will cherish.

Break Genealogy Barriers: 5-Page ChatGPT Prompt Pack

Stuck in a genealogy rut? Break through brick walls, decode old records, and finally write those ancestor stories using this 5-page ChatGPT prompt pack made just for family historians. 🧓🏼🧾🌳

This printable PDF includes 50 beginner-friendly prompts to help you brainstorm new research angles, get location-specific help, and turn dry facts into memorable family narratives. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been researching for years, these prompts will help you ask smarter questions and get better results.

Created by Loganalogy, this guide includes a bonus cheat sheet, storytelling tips, and a beginner-friendly intro to ChatGPT for genealogy.

➡️ Download instantly and reuse.

Visit the Loganalogy store to grab your printable starter pack today!

Uncover Your Family History: Start Your Genealogy Journey

Ever opened your family tree and felt like you’re staring into a storybook you 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 to read?

That’s how it started for me—and now I help others find the stories behind their surnames.

Your family history isn’t boring. It’s waiting for you.
✨
🧬 Want help starting your journey?

Visit Loganalogy.com and let’s build your family tree together 🌳

The Legacy of a Scotch-Irish Pioneer

John Logan was born in 1699 in Ahoghill, Antrim, Ireland1. (It is referenced that his father was from Restalrig, a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland.) Restalrig is notable because my mother shared that my father named his ranch in Washington State “Restalrig.”

John Logan arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1717 and married Margaret Carr in 1723. Margaret, born in Massachusetts about 1703, remains a subject of ongoing research. The gap between John’s arrival and their marriage—six years—is a mystery still waiting to be unraveled. Together, they had eight children: seven sons and two daughters.

Service During the American Revolution

Two of their sons, John and Mathew, served under General George Washington during the battle for New York City in the American War for Independence. After the Continental Army became surrounded, Washington orchestrated a strategic nighttime evacuation to Philadelphia. John and Mathew likely endured the hardships of Valley Forge later on.2

Roots in Voluntown, Connecticut

John Logan founded the Logan family in Washington, Connecticut, and was descended from a lineage of Scotch barons. Their ancestral home, Logan, in Ayrshire, lent its name to the family. John immigrated with a group of Scotch Presbyterians led by Reverend Samuel Dorrance, a University of Glasgow graduate. After facing numerous challenges, the group traveled from Marblehead Harbor and Boston to Connecticut. There, they purchased Volunteer Grants in Voluntown and established the Presbyterian church on Ekonk Hill.3

The Scotch-Irish Influence in Connecticut

“John Logan, the founder of the Washington family, was descended from a long line of Scotch barons deriving their name, Celtic in origin, from the ancestral home, Logan, in Ayrshire. He came from the north of Ireland with the Gordons, Kassons, Keigwins, Parkes, Wylies, and other Scotch Presbyterians, under the leadership of Reverend Samuel Dorrance, a graduate of the University of Glasgow.

Their party, after experiencing a great many unusual difficulties, came from Marblehead Harbor and Boston to Connecticut, and buying up the Volunteer grants at Voluntown, forming the nucleus of the Presbyterian church Ekonk hill.”3

The Rising Sun Inn and the Logan Legacy

In 1748, John Logan built the Rising Sun Inn at 6 Romford Road in Washington, Connecticut. Originally a 1-1/2-story, five-bay lean-to house, it underwent significant renovations in the early 19th century. Matthew Logan, John’s son, expanded the house, adding three bays to the north, raising the roof to two stories, and incorporating a ballroom. The surrounding property features a historic barn, and photographs from the Sunny Ridge Historic District highlight additional barns that once stood behind the house.

A black-and-white postcard from July 1913 depicts the Logan Homestead—formerly the Rising Sun Inn—with its clapboard façade, dark trim, and multi-paned windows. The Gunn Historical Museum archives this image, offering a glimpse into the home’s storied past.5

Interesting Note: The Rising Sun symbol was associated with Edward III and appears in the arms of Ireland. It also served as a favorable omen for businesses and inns during that era.6

The Church on the Green
The Church on the Green: The First Two Centuries of the First Congregational Church
at Washington, Connecticut

We are related to the Hollister family. A Hollister Logan lived at the Logan homestead. I have a letter from her (actually, a friend wrote it for her as she was in her 90s.)

dvm_LocHist004193-00060-0.jpg
The Church on the Green: The First Two Centuries of the First Congregational Church
at Washington, Connecticut

Family Connections and Tragedy

John married Dorcas Root around 1771 after the death of his first wife, Margaret. Dorcas was previously married to John Royce; he died in 1760. Their daughter, Azubah, married John Logan, Jr. This makes John and Dorcas my double-sixth great-grandparents.

Dorcas died on 07 January 1777, at age 58. John Logan, Sr. passed away on 2 December 1777, at age 77, in Washington, Connecticut, during a year marked by a smallpox epidemic. His grandson, Matthew, also died that year at age 2. While it’s uncertain if smallpox caused their deaths, it remains a likely possibility.

The Logan Lineage

The Gunn Historical Museum in the Washington Green Historic District holds numerous Logan artifacts, photographs, and stories. My connection to John Logan was confirmed through DNA testing, initially via a Yahoo group and later through collaboration with a distant cousin—the President of the Clan Logan Society International. Together, we aim to uncover the link between John Logan and his Scottish origins.

Logan name variations include Loban, Lobban, Loben, Logan, Logane, Logen, Loggan, Loggane, Loggans, and Login.

Discover more about the Lowland Logans by clicking below:


Learn about the Connecticut Logans: https://amzn.to/4cyG14M

  1. The Logans of Scotland by James C. Logan. ↩︎
  2. The Logans of Scotland by James C. Logan. ↩︎
  3. A National Register of the Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Volume 1 ↩︎
  4. A National Register of the Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Volume 1 ↩︎
  5. The Sunny Ridge Historic District archives. ↩︎
  6. Jacob Larwood and John Camden Hotten’s History of Sign Boards, p. 118. ↩︎

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.