Telegrams are among the most fragile items in a family archive. The paper used for telegram forms was thin and low-quality even when new; the tape strips of pasted text were stuck with water-activated adhesive that dries out and shrinks over decades. Many telegrams have already lost their pasted strips along the edges or have developed long tears from handling at the fold. Despite this, they carry messages that were sent at moments of real consequence — the birth of a child, the end of a war, news of a death — and are worth preserving carefully.
Sorting before storing
Lay telegrams out on a clean, smooth surface one at a time. Avoid sliding them against each other, as the tape strips detach easily. Separate them into three categories: stable (complete, no detached tape), fragile (partial detachment or tears), and critical (tape fully detached and loose, paper torn or mold-affected). The critical items need immediate enclosure to prevent further loss.
For telegrams with loose tape strips, do not attempt to re-adhere them. Place the telegram flat in an acid-free folder with the detached pieces in a labelled glassine envelope attached to the folder. Note on the folder that fragments are present and their approximate position. This allows future study without risking further damage.
Environmental threats to thin paper and adhesive
Telegram paper was often made from low-grade wood pulp, making it inherently acidic and prone to yellowing and brittleness. The adhesive used for pasted-text strips dries and becomes brittle in low humidity, causing the strips to curl away from the base paper and eventually fall off entirely. High humidity causes the adhesive to soften and the paper to absorb moisture unevenly, buckling both the base sheet and the strips.
Even stable telegrams stored in attics or basements accumulate acid from adjacent materials — acidic cardboard boxes, rubber bands, and newspaper wrappers all accelerate deterioration. Transfer any telegrams stored in non-archival containers into acid-free housing as a priority.
Archival storage for thin and fragile paper
House each telegram in its own acid-free polyester sleeve or between two sheets of acid-free tissue in an acid-free folder. The sleeve provides additional support for fragile items and prevents loose pieces from falling when the folder is moved. For very thin telegram paper, a rigid backing board of acid-free card inside the sleeve provides additional support.
Store folders flat in an archival box rather than upright in a filing drawer. Upright storage allows folders to lean and puts lateral pressure on fragile items. Flat storage in a box that fits the folder size without excess room is the most stable option.
Handling fragile telegrams
Pick up a telegram from below, with a flat support — an acid-free card slightly larger than the telegram — rather than from the edge. Do not unfold a telegram that is still folded unless it is necessary for scanning; each unfolding risks cracking the tape at the fold. If unfolding is necessary, do so slowly, with even pressure from both sides, and photograph the result immediately so the content is recorded before any accidental further damage.
Avoid touching the face of the telegram where tape is present. The adhesive, even when dry, can transfer oils from fingers and cause the text strips to darken unevenly over time.
Digitising telegrams
Scan telegrams at 600 dpi to capture the fine print of pasted text strips, which is often smaller than standard document typeface. Save master files as TIFF. If the telegram is in poor condition, photograph it before scanning to have a record of its condition prior to handling. A phone photograph under consistent artificial light takes less than a minute and provides a useful before-and-after reference.
For telegrams with detached strips, scan the base sheet and then each strip separately, noting on a paper record which strip belongs in which position. In the digital file, include a text transcription of the message as a separate document or as metadata, because the pasted text may be difficult to read in a reproduction.
Labelling for future use
On the outside of the archival folder, write the date of the telegram, the sender, the recipient, and a one-line summary of the message. This information should be in pencil on the folder itself, not written directly on the telegram. Inside the folder, attach a small card with the full transcribed message and any contextual notes — for example, what event the telegram refers to or who the identified parties were.
Group telegrams chronologically within the same archival box as other family correspondence of similar date. A single box covering the 1940s might hold family letters, telegrams, and postcards together, all in separate labelled folders.
Donation and historical context
Telegrams relating to public events — wartime announcements, national disasters, political messages — may be of interest to a local archive or museum. Contact the relevant institution before assuming that private family telegrams have no public significance. Many archives use telegrams as primary sources for the history of communication as much as for their content.
When donating, provide the receiving institution with your transcription and any contextual research. A telegram without context is harder to catalogue and may be stored without proper association to the family or event it documents.
Worth remembering: House each telegram in its own acid-free sleeve with detached strips in a labelled enclosure, store flat in archival boxes, and scan at 600 dpi before the adhesive and thin paper deteriorate further. Transcribe the message text as a separate record.
Common questions
What is the simplest way to start?
Photograph each telegram with a phone camera before handling it, then place each one in its own acid-free sleeve or between sheets of acid-free tissue. Do not unfold telegrams that are currently folded unless scanning requires it.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Do not attempt to re-adhere detached tape strips. Do not store telegrams in acidic envelopes or folders, or wrap them in rubber bands. Do not unfold brittle telegrams without first humidifying them gently to relax the paper.
How do I know when the project is finished?
The project is stable when every telegram is in an individual acid-free enclosure, detached fragments are labelled and kept with their source document, and a digital scan and transcription exist for every message in the collection.