History surrounds us, in museums, in our community and in our homes. Whether objects were bought, found or inherited, these artefacts offer glimpses into the past - a time, place, event or person we wish to remember and share with the future. As custodians of pieces of our history, we are faced with how to maintain these items. Our family history may be held in documents, photographs, books, clothing or textiles, sometimes complete collections of items such as coins, trading cards or stamps. Once you've determined what you have, it's time to decide how you'll care for these things. This professional conservationist discusses: creating an accession list; what are conservation, restoration and preservation?; deciding on display, storage or using the artefact; common threats, such as light, humidity, insects and rodents; and, when to call in a professional. Here is all you need to determine what you can do yourself to preserve your precious things for future generations.