How it works
Preserving memories should feel simple.
You do not need to know what can be scanned, restored, labeled, digitized, or saved. You only need to show us what you have. Elise Archives will help you understand the best next step.
From a box of memories to a careful archive.
Most family archives are mixed. A few albums. A stack of letters. Loose photographs. A cassette tape. A folder of documents. A handful of negatives. Sometimes everything is organized. Often it is not.
That is normal.
Our process is designed to make the first step easy. We begin with a simple submission, review the materials, and guide you toward the right preservation plan.
The process
Three careful steps.
Upload your archive
Send a few photos of the materials you want to preserve.
Take simple photos of the archive as it is now. You can photograph a box, an album, loose pictures, letters, tapes, slides, documents, or any fragile items you are unsure about.
You do not need perfect images. We only need enough to understand the type, volume, and condition of the materials.
- A full view of the box, album, or collection
- A close-up of a few example photos or pages
- Any damaged or fragile items
- Audio or video tapes, if included
- Notes, labels, dates, or envelopes that may provide context
Review by Elise
We carefully review your submission and recommend the best preservation path.
After your submission, Elise reviews the materials and considers what kind of preservation makes sense. Some archives only need careful scanning. Others need sorting, restoration, audio transfer, organization, naming, or a more detailed family archive structure.
You will receive a response within 48 hours with a clear recommendation.
- Material type
- Condition
- Approximate volume
- Fragility
- Organization level
- Restoration needs
- Audio or video digitization needs
- Family context and preservation goals
Preserve with care
Once the plan is approved, we begin the preservation process with care and transparency.
Depending on your archive, the next step may be scanning, restoration, organization, audio transfer, video digitization, or a closer private review.
You always know what will happen before anything begins. Original materials are handled carefully and returned safely after preservation.
- Simple digital scan
- Organized family archive
- Photo restoration
- Audio or video transfer
- Slide or negative digitization
- Private review for larger archives
- Safe return of original materials
After approval
After you approve the plan
Careful preparation
Materials are sorted, documented, and prepared for scanning or digitization.
Digitization
Photos, albums, letters, documents, tapes, slides, or negatives are digitized using the right process for each material type.
Optional restoration
Faded photos, damaged images, or worn recordings can be carefully improved when appropriate.
Organization
Files are named, grouped, dated, tagged, or arranged into private family archive folders.
Delivery
You receive your digital archive and your original materials are safely returned.
Preservation options
Choose the level that fits your family.
Simple Digital Copy
Best for families who want clean scans of photos, letters, or documents without detailed organization.
Organized Family Archive
Best for albums, family branches, timelines, or collections that need names, dates, folders, and structure.
Restoration and Repair
Best for faded photos, damaged prints, fragile documents, or materials that need careful visual restoration.
Audio and Video Transfer
Best for cassette tapes, VHS tapes, MiniDV, voice recordings, interviews, and family videos.
Private Legacy Archive
Best for larger collections that need a complete digital archive with context, notes, family history, and guided organization.
Questions
Common questions
Do I need to organize everything before sending it?
No. You can show us the archive as it is. We will help you understand what should happen next.
Can you preserve very fragile materials?
Often, yes. We review fragile materials first and recommend a safe process before handling begins.
Will you share my family photos or documents?
No. Your archive is private. We only share or publish materials with your explicit permission.
Can you digitize cassette tapes and home videos?
Yes. We can help with audio and video digitization, depending on the tape format and condition.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the size and condition of the archive. After reviewing your submission, we will give you a clear timeline.
Can you help identify people or dates?
We can help structure information you already know, and we can add names, dates, locations, and notes to the archive system. We do not invent missing family details.
Start with what you have
A few photos are enough for the first review.
Send us a quick look at your archive and Elise will reply with a careful recommendation within 48 hours.
Start archive review