Comments on: What to do with old letters http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:14:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Pamela http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-44147 Pamela Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:38:04 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-44147 If you are worried that you don't want anyone you know to see the letters, the archivist will seal them for 70 years (it's the law here in Canada) so there's a good chance no one who is alive will be affected when the letters are finally made public. Talk to them. The worst they can say is no. If you are worried that you don’t want anyone you know to see the letters, the archivist will seal them for 70 years (it’s the law here in Canada) so there’s a good chance no one who is alive will be affected when the letters are finally made public. Talk to them. The worst they can say is no.

]]> By: Pamela http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-44146 Pamela Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:35:24 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-44146 I know I come very late commenting to this post, but if you haven't destroyed your letters yet, consider giving them to your municipal archives. In Toronto, the City of Toronto Archives are looking for old letters, journals, etc to track how the city and it's neighborhoods have changed and developed over the years. There is a lot of documentation that is considered "old" but photos, letters, etc that are 20-40 years old are very rare. With the digital age, in 50 years there is a real fear that all this memorabilia will be permanently lost and a huge gap in hour city's history will be created. You may not think these letters are important, but to an archivist and future generations, they are gold. I know I come very late commenting to this post, but if you haven’t destroyed your letters yet, consider giving them to your municipal archives. In Toronto, the City of Toronto Archives are looking for old letters, journals, etc to track how the city and it’s neighborhoods have changed and developed over the years. There is a lot of documentation that is considered “old” but photos, letters, etc that are 20-40 years old are very rare. With the digital age, in 50 years there is a real fear that all this memorabilia will be permanently lost and a huge gap in hour city’s history will be created. You may not think these letters are important, but to an archivist and future generations, they are gold.

]]> By: schism.ca » Blog Archive » Love letters http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-38686 schism.ca » Blog Archive » Love letters Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:12:07 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-38686 [...] keep one’s old love letters, (lord knows one of my fav sites once rubbed me the wrong way by suggesting the exact opposite) doing so seems like the right thing to do for [...] [...] keep one’s old love letters, (lord knows one of my fav sites once rubbed me the wrong way by suggesting the exact opposite) doing so seems like the right thing to do for [...]

]]> By: Margaret Golden http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-24515 Margaret Golden Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:46:42 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-24515 Last year I went through a LARGE box of letters dating back to first grade. I'm 45 years old, so this was a daunting task! I sent a stack of letters to a long-lost high school friend, and surprisingly, he also had kept a stack of letters and "notes" I had sent him during high school. We got such a kick out of reading these and sparked a new friendship between us. Similarly, I sent an old girlfriend letters she sent me when she went to Europe as a young girl. She was able--at last--to trace her alcohol dependency and abusive behavior to a terrible thing that had happened to her while abroad--something she had totally blocked out and had no memory of. The letters and memorobilia we keep may not always be for ourselves... Last year I went through a LARGE box of letters dating back to first grade. I’m 45 years old, so this was a daunting task! I sent a stack of letters to a long-lost high school friend, and surprisingly, he also had kept a stack of letters and “notes” I had sent him during high school. We got such a kick out of reading these and sparked a new friendship between us. Similarly, I sent an old girlfriend letters she sent me when she went to Europe as a young girl. She was able–at last–to trace her alcohol dependency and abusive behavior to a terrible thing that had happened to her while abroad–something she had totally blocked out and had no memory of. The letters and memorobilia we keep may not always be for ourselves…

]]> By: Lapsed Librarian http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-22114 Lapsed Librarian Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:33:03 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-22114 I recently came across letters I had saved from a couple of friends who had studied abroad during college (about 20 years ago). The letters described their lives in a different country, places they visited, etc. So I gave each of them their letters, so they could have a record of their experiences in their own words. Similarly, when clearing out my grandma's house after she died, I came across bundles of letters she had saved from each of her grandchildren. I gave everyone the letters they had sent. I haven't actually read mine yet, but I like the idea of having this record of my life in my own words from such a young age. One of these days, I'll read them! I recently came across letters I had saved from a couple of friends who had studied abroad during college (about 20 years ago). The letters described their lives in a different country, places they visited, etc. So I gave each of them their letters, so they could have a record of their experiences in their own words.

Similarly, when clearing out my grandma’s house after she died, I came across bundles of letters she had saved from each of her grandchildren. I gave everyone the letters they had sent. I haven’t actually read mine yet, but I like the idea of having this record of my life in my own words from such a young age. One of these days, I’ll read them!

]]> By: Karryn http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-21420 Karryn Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:20:19 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-21420 Oh, and another tip: all the pretty cards people gave us for our wedding were, well, pretty. But did we ever sit down and look at them. Never. So I made a collage of them, had it matted and framed and now it hangs in our bedroom where we see the insides of the cards (the personal wishes are what counts really) every day. Oh, and another tip: all the pretty cards people gave us for our wedding were, well, pretty. But did we ever sit down and look at them. Never. So I made a collage of them, had it matted and framed and now it hangs in our bedroom where we see the insides of the cards (the personal wishes are what counts really) every day.

]]> By: Karryn http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-21419 Karryn Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:18:50 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-21419 Funny, but I'm married to my university sweetheart - and I also buggered off to France during the relationship (pre-Email). For our first wedding anniversary, I took the letters and postcards and made them into a beautiful book. I bought a handmade book - the most beautiful I could find- from an artist who works on the little island where were married. I presented this book to my husband and it remains one of our most prized possessions. Now, when we move on, our daughters will have something beautiful to look at and cherish, rather than having to sift out the dross. I've already done it. Funny, but I’m married to my university sweetheart – and I also buggered off to France during the relationship (pre-Email). For our first wedding anniversary, I took the letters and postcards and made them into a beautiful book. I bought a handmade book – the most beautiful I could find- from an artist who works on the little island where were married. I presented this book to my husband and it remains one of our most prized possessions. Now, when we move on, our daughters will have something beautiful to look at and cherish, rather than having to sift out the dross. I’ve already done it.

]]> By: Rue http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-21339 Rue Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:45:55 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-21339 Once again, the debate of what constitutes "clutter" rears its ugly head! :P But IMO this isn't an argument about clutter versus non-clutter; it's more of a "one man's trash is another man's treasure" thing. Some people don't care about letters and sentimental things, some do. If you have children or relatives who might want mementos such as this, or if you just can't bear to toss them, then save them. Find a pretty box (such as the hat box that someone mentioned) and toss them in. Bingo! You have them stored, and you can use the pretty box as decoration in a room. If you are attached to the sentiment of the letters but not to the pieces of paper, scan them all in and toss them! You can always save a couple to frame for art, put in scrapbooks, etc. Once again, the debate of what constitutes “clutter” rears its ugly head! :P But IMO this isn’t an argument about clutter versus non-clutter; it’s more of a “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” thing. Some people don’t care about letters and sentimental things, some do.

If you have children or relatives who might want mementos such as this, or if you just can’t bear to toss them, then save them. Find a pretty box (such as the hat box that someone mentioned) and toss them in. Bingo! You have them stored, and you can use the pretty box as decoration in a room.

If you are attached to the sentiment of the letters but not to the pieces of paper, scan them all in and toss them! You can always save a couple to frame for art, put in scrapbooks, etc.

]]> By: ClintJCL http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-21335 ClintJCL Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:16:35 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-21335 I think a better solution would be to scan them all in and have them organized. Even better, if you typed up the text of the letters, they could become searchable. The originals can be thrown away (or attic'ed for sentimental-but-zero-space-taking purposes). I think a better solution would be to scan them all in and have them organized. Even better, if you typed up the text of the letters, they could become searchable. The originals can be thrown away (or attic’ed for sentimental-but-zero-space-taking purposes).

]]> By: Another Deb http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-21248 Another Deb Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:26:42 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-21248 I have discovered the joys and challenges of genealogy this year and I would dearly love to find a bundle of letters describing my ancesters' daily lives. I live 1000 miles away from the old home place so anything I find now will have been archived by someone else. The county historical libraries and genealogical societies would welcome some of the old stuff. Chuck Stuart, I hope you have found a home for the family treasures! I have discovered the joys and challenges of genealogy this year and I would dearly love to find a bundle of letters describing my ancesters’ daily lives. I live 1000 miles away from the old home place so anything I find now will have been archived by someone else.

The county historical libraries and genealogical societies would welcome some of the old stuff. Chuck Stuart, I hope you have found a home for the family treasures!

]]> By: Chuck Stuart http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-5163 Chuck Stuart Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:12:29 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-5163 My wife and I are 80, and have boxes of old family letters dating from the 1880's up through the 1950's. We ned to get rid of them, and our children do NOT want them. Any ideas from anyone? I've searched the internet for collectors of such items, but have found none. I did donate some WWII letters to a project in Florida that collects historic memorabilia from WWII. The rest are slated for the trash unless I can find someone who wants them. Chuck Stuart Worcester, MA P.S. Photographs, too. My wife and I are 80, and have boxes of old family letters dating from the 1880′s up through the 1950′s. We ned to get rid of them, and our children do NOT want them. Any ideas from anyone? I’ve searched the internet for collectors of such items, but have found none. I did donate some WWII letters to a project in Florida that collects historic memorabilia from WWII. The rest are slated for the trash unless I can find someone who wants them.
Chuck Stuart
Worcester, MA
P.S. Photographs, too.

]]> By: Serene and Not Herd http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-4368 Serene and Not Herd Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:16:00 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-4368 "Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements." Mary Schmich, June 1, 1997 – Chicago Tribune This is my technique. Rather than decide which ones are valuable enough to keep, I keep them all, and get rid of stuff that I really don't need, and doesn't have personal historical value. Of even more importance is my collection of letters from my grandmother, the matriarch and herald of my family. To my knowledge, I have almost every one she's written me since I was about 9 years old. The 22yo collection is in fact, a massive database of personal family history. Births, deaths, marriages, graduations, etc. “Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.” Mary Schmich, June 1, 1997 – Chicago Tribune

This is my technique. Rather than decide which ones are valuable enough to keep, I keep them all, and get rid of stuff that I really don’t need, and doesn’t have personal historical value.

Of even more importance is my collection of letters from my grandmother, the matriarch and herald of my family. To my knowledge, I have almost every one she’s written me since I was about 9 years old. The 22yo collection is in fact, a massive database of personal family history. Births, deaths, marriages, graduations, etc.

]]> By: STL Mom http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-4326 STL Mom Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:44:12 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-4326 Last winter, I helped my mom clean out my grandparents' apartment. I found a stack of letters I had sent them years ago. According to the first letter, my Christmas present that year was a promise to write to them every month for a year - and there were the twelve letters. I had completely forgotten about these letters and was touched that my grandparents, who I had always considered unsentimental, had kept them. It was great fun to read them and I'm so glad to have had the chance. However, anyone keeping paperwork from their conferences or newsletters from their clubs - your grandchildren will toss those in an instant! Last winter, I helped my mom clean out my grandparents’ apartment. I found a stack of letters I had sent them years ago. According to the first letter, my Christmas present that year was a promise to write to them every month for a year – and there were the twelve letters. I had completely forgotten about these letters and was touched that my grandparents, who I had always considered unsentimental, had kept them. It was great fun to read them and I’m so glad to have had the chance.
However, anyone keeping paperwork from their conferences or newsletters from their clubs – your grandchildren will toss those in an instant!

]]> By: cate http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-4280 cate Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:19:28 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-4280 What a lovely idea! I, too, save all of the old memory letters, esp. cards...from loved ones and my kids.........I have a pretty hat box I bought (cheap) at a Value City store....It is decorative, yet, I can store all of my memory letters,photos, and cards from my kids and friends in the pretty box. I placed it on my cedar chest at the bottom of my bed...........it looks nice, yet, I can open it when I am feeling down/nostalgic and look at them and read them as a "pick me up"..... What a lovely idea! I, too, save all of the old memory letters, esp. cards…from loved ones and my kids………I have a pretty hat box I bought (cheap) at a Value City store….It is decorative, yet, I can store all of my memory letters,photos, and cards from my kids and friends in the pretty box. I placed it on my cedar chest at the bottom of my bed………..it looks nice, yet, I can open it when I am feeling down/nostalgic and look at them and read them as a “pick me up”…..

]]> By: Dana http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-4243 Dana Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:46:12 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/10/18/what-to-do-with-old-letters/#comment-4243 I don't think it's a big deal if you don't have kids. My husband and I are not having children, and it's very freeing to toss things without worrying about whether someone would want them after I'm gone. I don’t think it’s a big deal if you don’t have kids. My husband and I are not having children, and it’s very freeing to toss things without worrying about whether someone would want them after I’m gone.

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