How A One-Of-A-Kind 1850s Record Book Is Professionally Conserved | Refurbished

Bexx Caswell-Olson is the director of book conservation at the Northeast Document Conservation Center. She shows us how she restores a 170-year-old marriage record book. This includes deconstructing the book, washing the pages, mending any tears, and reassembling the book. The book has not been copied or digitized, so it is important to conserve it since it is the only record of this information.
For more, visit:
www.nedcc.org/
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How A One-Of-A-Kind 1850s Record Book Is Professionally Conserved | Refurbished

[@briangarrow448]

I worked at a small town in the Pacific Northwest as a wastewater treatment plant operator and the decision was made to clean out the old records out of the building department. I spent a few evenings after work pulling old blueprints out of the dumpster behind city hall. Nobody asked me to do it, and nobody was interested in helping me. I was able to save a number of beautiful blueprints of a few of the original structures in the town, like the bridges, old water plant and other buildings. I turned the drawings over to the local history museum. I hope that someday they will have a presentation on the original structures that were built in my hometown, and use the prints I rescued.

[@kktt725]

You’re a good man

[@stonksagent9040]

A good man you are.

[@historyhound6891]

You are going to be part of the reason why some kids in your town become engineers

[@notconvincedgranny6573]

Thank you! So many people these days are quick to toss and/or replace their history, but then marvel at things that have been cared for and preserved.

[@inodelacruz1245]

Great thinking and initiative! 👍

[@JasperCasper24]

I can’t help but think the digital imaging department is just one person with a scanner

[@OHOE1]

Whaaat, she used mending without killing a animal lol

[@Kahli21]

Digitizing is actually people typing the information by hand as well as scanning each page. Handwriting done in cursive is too variable for a machine to accurately read, and for a growing number of people to read too.

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

oh it definitely is xD

[@OfficialMyxomatosis]

@@Ass_of_Amalek I *clearly remember* being that person. I also had a nice "overtime off the books" agreement at that job as well. But I am good, and we became very busy. Suddenly... Salary. Ha! Life, got *much* better.

[@VenturiLife]

A machine can do it.

[@ramonwang4611]

The fact that it's a marriage record book, and that everyone in it at one point was going through a precious moment in their lives, and that even though they are no longer here, we still have a small symbolic reminder of those important moments from people who would be otherwise insignificant to us. It makes me weirdly emotional to a small degree :"D

[@martast.john-anders6448]

And that's why I do genealogy.

[@4realjacob637]

Digitizing all the old books is so critical. My Prof always raves to me about how awesome it is so read old books no one has read in 100's of year all online.

[@rocketsauce08]

For sure, technology is great for research

[@Dansback21]

It’s not as critical as preserving the old texts before they decay. Digitizing is just a copy, not the original

[@inkland2003]

Online is a backup, but not a solution

[@shafinislam5427]

I just love the handwriting.

[@stonksagent9040]

Same, it’s _unique_

[@AyangStudios]

Yes

[@Ram_jagat]

Me too

[@spiceyboogerspiceybooger6437]

The cursive is very pretty. My Mom can write similar to this with a fountain pen.

[@alaric_]

I was the last year to get taught this style of handwriting, next year students had less stylized style of writing taught to them. And then they just basicly tossed the whole writing in style thing.....

[@KaleidoSTARPH]

im surprised that ink back in a day were waterproof, that washing the paper scared me but nope... im amazed!

[@notconvincedgranny6573]

Iron gall ink is available today, but iron does mean that it doesn't always age well and usually darkens. It will eat through some paper (and some pens, too).

[@bogbog]

I'm guessing carbon ink is waterproof too.. have been using them all my life but I've never tried checking if they dissolve in water..

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

water and alcohol-proof

[@samuraiboi2735]

Yeah ikr but not the ball point pens of today tho

[@TinaTissue28]

Thats because it was written with an Iron Gall Ink, which is still available today. You have to be careful with it because it can eat through some paper (I haven't come across that yet), darken the ink over time and ruin the pen if you leave the ink too long. If it was a water based ink, the writing may not have been readable

[@andererYanic]

It impresses me that the ink didn't get hurt just a little

[@alexandracuciuc2962]

Same

[@kiyoshi5430]

Same

[@highwolf3945]

Same

[@shrvn_k]

Same

[@arnogoetz6241]

If it isn’t a water-based ink, typically a water bath won't hurt the ink at all! I am a printmaker and have a bit of experience with bookbinding and the like. Fun fact: a paper conservator was once hired to conserve a copy of an unsigned Declaration of Independence. The conservator knew that the copies were all printed with a non water-based ink and put the document in a water bath to clean it. When the conservator came back to it a few minutes later, the ink had washed away! Turned out that the copy was a forgery made with a water-based ink and the conservator had to break the news to the client....

[@ahadsajid7116]

Damn, this is some Nicholas Cage National Treasure shit. I like it.

[@mangopipino]

U have Some fine beard

[@stonksagent9040]

That’s a damn gorgeous stache

[@printer9797]

@@stonksagent9040 ikr holy

[@stonksagent9040]

@@printer9797 that stache has more care put into it than my dad

[@f22littleraptor21]

@@stonksagent9040 lmao

[@artyyunden8351]

Finally a person who actually did their homework their entire life.

[@ijunkie]

These records are so precious to genealogical and historical research. A big thank you to everyone involved in preserving these treasures.

[@tildeissobieberlike]

Is that washi kozo? The Japanese paper I mean.

[@MCD183]

Let me guess, you watch baumgartner restorations too?

[@athoswolff776]

Upset that there was no belgium linen

[@PedroAbilleira]

I came here looking for a comment like this one hahaha xD

[@krutikgandhi4508]

Its beautiful these people are long gone and maybe forgotten but a part of their history lives through this. Always as a proof they were there.

[@kolLP3OO]

thats cool to see, we have a book from 1480 at home and sent that a few years ago for restauration. mind blowing to think about how many people must have held that in their hands

[@BuffinsTheCat28]

WOAH! 1480?!? Dang books last a long time!

[@Eve0127]

@@BuffinsTheCat28 there are even older ones out there. Printing has been around for a long time.

[@jtbeav]

That seemed like an insane amount of effort to just preserve an old book 😯 I didn't realise it was quite so complicated

[@sharonolsen6579]

It is not merely the preservation of a book, but history .. and that is worth every amount of effort needed to be successful.. : )

[@martast.john-anders6448]

Well, I love books in general, old books especially, but anything that is a unique record for genealogy purposes most of all. That book might contain the one piece of information someone like me needs to build the family tree. Each of those marriage records tells the bride and groom's names, their ages, their parents names, the date and place of the marriage, even if it was a second marriage. Pur gold for genealogical purposes.

[@ShellyCline]

The problem is that you see it as "just an old book."

[@mzansime]

What a delightful short doccie. 😊❤️ It's so well made, with a lovely, informative voiceover. And the actual book restoration work it covers is fascinating. It really makes me wish it had been a career choice. ❤️

[@jessicab2202]

This is so fascinating to see, thank you so much for sharing your work in such a great video! It’s very satisfying to see the whole careful process, and watch the book be gently taken apart, cleaned and repaired, and then put back together. Really delightful. Thank you again.

[@rbeehner2]

I appreciate seeing the process and care taken. I have a dozen or so first edition books from the 19th century needing such restoration. The first thing I did to that end is do no repair myself.

[@junelovell1189]

as a restoration nut and family history obsessed person: please digitize this content. Thanks for the wonderful video, loved the narration, as well.

[@iamayzah]

argue with me, but I need these restorations with no voiceovers because of the satisfying asmr

[@SuperJellybaby]

check out baumgartner restauration, he does awesome asmr videos

[@madmattsx5000]

They usually use that lazy buzz voice which ruins the explanation

[@honor_ed5875]

You are kind of right.. Kind of wrong.. But take my like Anyways...

[@lisamcdonald2877]

Nothing wrong with mute.

[@Lili.a47]

voiceovers actually keep me entertained, if its just asmr i get bored really fast

[@valfssantiago]

2:44 still a better adhesive than Elmers Glue.. ohhh im commenting on the wrong restoration channel?

[@ssnoc]

Amazing process - enjoyable to watch - Thank You for sharing 🙏

[@MsShawnPhx]

I love this. I love books and do calligraphy. I love watching art restoration and am into genealogy. This ticks many boxes for me. Good to see it was digitized as part of the process so more people can read it (marriage records are a big part of genealogy), but restored to keep intact for future generations.

[@karma13612]

Wow. Just amazing what is involved. I’m an amateur book binder. This kind of restoration is just mind blowing! 💗

[@xitroenable]

Excellent work I am very impressed by your restoration. Bravo to your team for that great work

[@tommyboybr]

Wow, what a beautiful process to preserve history!!!! I love these restoration videos!!!!

[@vixis]

My rule of thumb is if I can't say it to your face, I will not say it online. I learnt this after a thoughtless comment I made to someone years ago and hurt them. I glad I learnt - being polite online is necessary and you *don't* know what anyone else is going though. Well said, and my appreciation to you for being gracious in pointing out a better way for all of us.

[@inkland2003]

your work is so valuable, thanks!

[@kaumowammu]

To let someone teach you the steps of this process, to then learn it and apply it is one thing. But to be the first one to come up with that is another thing. Of course things evolve, but it's still fascinating to witness a process that is so specialized and tight (and once was not invented).

[@Blizzpoint]

The fact that this is written in hand, with that beautiful handwriting amazes me.

[@jennahrashed3819]

My great grandfather kept a record of everyone who died, was born, got married, and events that happened. I respect him deeply for that

[@bpkolos1974]

Job wonderfully done! Satisfyingly enough to bring foliants back to life for another period of time, preserve records for next generation to come. Greetings from Kyiv, Ukraine!

[@CocoPops7]

"Very thin, but very strong" *proceeds to tear by hand*

[@grejuli97]

Just found a book from 1860 in the bookshelf of my grandmother. It was my great great grandmothers book.

[@peytoncooke1334]

I would have a hard time cleaning old books like that, I’d be looking through it instead haha

[@lexluthor3890]

Maaan, this channel is just so good.

[@liam82706]

That is so fascinating!

[@inkland2003]

Truly a great work for preserving the book.

[@leisongivangomo5656]

Fascinating process! Well done

[@matheussanthiago9685]

it's real shame that John Wick was supposed to be a book restorer as a hobby and they cut that from the final version it would've been so cool to see it

[@sarroumarbeu6810]

They cut down on the badassery....it would have ended us all

[@setton_san_0276]

UGHHHH I KNOW!!!! I really really hope something shows up in the 4th movie

[@abaddon2148]

this gives me hope that my grandma's 1940s joy of cooking recipe book with the spine torn and some papers loose can be fixed, looks amazing.

[@jacobusvisser4804]

Found a ledger for rent that dates back to 1901 just a few days ago. Pretty fascinating stuff

[@janinepyke4643]

That was bloody brilliant!! Thanks 👍

[@therin1340]

listen, i've watched a lot of baumgartner restorations, you can call the japanese paper washi kozo

[@sarahhannah9647]

I was saying washi kozo over and over in my mind 😂😑.

[@Ginny855]

Sorry to disappoint you but actually most conservators just say japanese paper 😅 Greetings from a paper conservator ✌🏻😊

[@n.radonjic3082]

there are also many different types of japanese papers, just because its japanese paper (washi) it doesn’t necessarily have to be made out of kozo (paper mulberry) though kozo paper is very common in conservation practices

[@gildedstorm326]

As a bookworm, seeing them cut the binding, and submerging the books gave me anxiety 😬

[@mrjoemarc]

So amazing!

[@user-st5up4kh9y]

I like buying old second hand books , and then restoring them in good condition. I recently bought an old medical journal , which was written in 1950 . I feel , it's kind of my secret treasure.

[@rudra7615]

I'm never going to do this in my life, but...I like watching these videos.

[@McMartinLC]

I am surprised to see they don't use plastic gloves when touching the pages

[@pendaco]

This! You risk the oils from your hands damaging the paper or smudging any of the ink. Very strange that they don't wear gloves 🤔

[@littlekreeper8918]

@@pendaco A lot of conservators actually opt out of using gloves because when you wear gloves you can't feel the pressure you're putting on the paper and could risk damaging it even more. Not to mention the point of doing this is to bring the book to a stable point where you can handle the book if need be, additionally; I know for a fact most art conservators do not use gloves most of the time when handling the painting itself because you need to be able to gather as much possible detail from touch since sight can often be lacking.

[@ezraglasbergen7530]

@@littlekreeper8918 you're absolutely right! I have done academic research in Europe with documents that were even older than this one - you're not allowed gloves, and you can't wear any kind of jewellery and have to wash your hands thoroughly. Gloves make it super difficult to gently handle the pages. Besides, the documents were handled by many many hands in the past, so already have been in contact with skin and oils, while the residu on gloves is completely foreign and probably much more damaging than the little natural oil that's left after you wash up.

[@chris24hdez]

before working on precious documents or photos, i wash my hands with a grease cutting soap, then strip any oils out of my fingertips with rubbing alcohol. This works for about 10-15 minutes before the pores make more oil to leave residue. Also careful to not touch skin anywhere else which definitely will transfer oils.

[@mikel1199]

Great video! Very surprised paper can be washed successfully. That book press though looks like it should be next up for conservation!

[@aliceksipes6015]

Will these be digitized afterwards? I just got to the part of the video where you answered my question. Thank you. Realizing. I'm impatient.

[@SnowPink90]

I found this so interesting. I’ve read fiction books and they mention bringing someone into the castle to rewrite with new paints, etc and I always wondered how people today fix old book. Loved seeing professionals doing their jobs. Awesome!!👩‍🦳💗

[@nickduncan7373]

Thanks for this, a couple of questions. Could you share the Methyl-Celulose recipe? Was the Water/Ethanol spray 50/50? You appear to have avoided darkening on the leather on the boards - did you have a particular method to avoid this? Thanks again!

[@TheArcticTurt1e]

Crazy to think that every person who is written in that book, had a hand in writing that book, helped produce that book, and designed that book are all dead. None of the original handlers are alive.

[@rsmith6366]

Most people of the time would sign marriage registers with a X. Some signed though. A lot of places in Britain had a 'fill in the blanks' style records by this time. Meaning that the text is more uniform and readable. The typed text was still very stylised though.

[@tenny810]

It’s kind of amazing how reconnecting with ancestors can be such an expensive task.

[@Pysslis]

Putting the glue on the acetate to get into those hair to reach places was genius!

[@lisamcdonald2877]

I love this video. So glad there are people who preserve past treasures.

[@stonksagent9040]

Damn, last time I was this early my dad was on his way to get some milk.... *He’s still not back-*

[@hdgavin4192]

Umm

[@rainbowzdraws1629]

😬

[@error7898]

Ok?

[@heizenspin]

ok

[@liltacodaddy4002]

This was amazing. Just what i needed after a chaotic day at work.

[@tired_person2569]

I just realized just how early I am.... Hello hope you have a good day/night :)

[@franklopez8243]

Amazing work bravo those pages were beautiful

[@G2girl18]

So interesting! Book arts and conservation are fascinating

[@LuisSoto-uo1ik]

Increible trabajo, saludos desde Melipilla

[@Alex_science]

What an amazing job! An art to conserve other art. Fantastic! I cannot even realize the price to conserve a book like this. For sure lots of hundred dollars. Congrats!

[@christinad4432]

I wish these insider restorations were longer!

[@Richard-ze9hh]

How long does the process take start to finish and what does it cost roughly?

[@tazman540]

Wow this is just amazing how they do this!!!!!!

[@zefdin101]

Amazing work!!!

[@dorcasmalahlela2805]

Does someone know the names of the pieces of music in the background? I'm really bad at remembering names, and now I want to hear the music.

[@mvmarchiori]

The only i recognized was the first: Meditation from Thais, by Jules Massenet. Hope it helps (y)

[@dorcasmalahlela2805]

@@mvmarchiori oh thank you so much! I can't sleep and this makes me feel much better.

[@mvmarchiori]

@@dorcasmalahlela2805 glad it helped :)

[@sylvaind9086]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@akshay_0352]

Yea make more videos like this.. This was so satisfying

[@crisvangarzel]

What music is playing in the background? Does anyone know the composer?

[@rodmoralles]

Fantastic work!

[@ssengupta5071]

This is called *love*

[@honor_ed5875]

Your comment would be so underrated ever. Love is difficult to grasp for most. Kudos.

[@ssengupta5071]

We all are in search for it, unknowingly. Thank you so much for your kind words

[@terrystephens1102]

A beautiful job of restoration 😃👌👏👏👏

[@jameskirk8274]

I adore book binding!

[@lordtaraden]

Seeing theses kind of registry, where major event of people's life were handwritten 150+ years ago, it just feels like you knew these poeples... I do feel the same when staring at photographs form these eras, a tiny part yet prestine of distant past life, a moment in time carved in paper for us to witness today... Truely amazing job, love the way its vintage looks got preserved ! Bravo. (I'm french btw, might not be perfect english up there lol)

[@rachelhammitt9260]

that was neat, a true art to restoring history!

[@KingKatura]

How do you learn to do that? I would like to save books, Although i think they should all be digitalized as well the originals are more important. This repair process how does it last? I can't imagine to long. Before it has to be redone?

[@lisabrightly]

So nice to watch her work 🤗

[@lucastang6091]

Anyone know the Background Music?

[@juliamelone8109]

I get that’s how you save a book like this but my gut reaction to her taking it apart is just panic and fear lol

[@pawpatrolnews]

When they said it was a record book, I thought it was an older copy of the Guinness book of world records 😅

[@markwinap]

washing the paper made a huge difference, the only doubt I have is related to the gelatin coating.

[@quinnhen2325]

Fascinating!!

[@brianjett5718]

Important work.

[@doulguldur]

WASHI KOZO GANG

[@tomebarrios]

what's the name of the first music?

[@wickandde]

This is like extreme spa day and makeover: paper edition

[@a.8874]

FINALLY! They actually have a TRUE professional making a video for once instead of some amateur "mom and pop" shop owner that doesn't know wtf they're doing! I think the only "mom and pop" type individual they've had on here that actually EARNED the right to call themselves a professional was a guy who restored a old white piece of furniture but that's literally the only one. All of the other have done REALLY sh*tty work.

[@rein4700]

Imagine when the person who wrote that book was so tired the he or she even wanted to rip that book and then they just restored it😭😂😂

[@mikail90]

Yes! This what I need to know at 1.30 in the morning.

[@spensert4933]

Libraries and books are wonderous

[@sherriv4860]

Beautiful ❤️

[@addressjess993]

This is going to blow up, I’m sure.

[@delatempo]

Look at how young each couple that is getting married are!!!

[@frostcrispy9561]

5:17 enchanting the book with mending

[@Kanehiei]

That handwriting is gorgeous

[@kingloc4830]

I’m so sad in humanity that this only has 300k views and they have horrible videos with like 10 times that this is absolutely amazing 🤩

[@TheJame951]

does anyone know the name of the piece in the background at the beginning?

[@isekaiguy9113]

It's 2021, what is going on with the an audio quality, Insider? I didn't expect Dolby Atmos, but it's really hard to listen, sometimes I can't hear, what does she talking about!