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Jewish Family Archive Starter Kit

A practical first-week plan, inventory and permissions worksheet for scattered family memories.

By Pinkas · Updated September 28, 2026

The download opens in any text editor. You can also print this page or save it as a PDF from your browser. Keep completed worksheets private.

A small first week

  1. Day 1: Choose one box, one person or one event. Write your scope: __________.
  2. Day 2: Inventory what exists before rearranging it. Photograph original folder labels.
  3. Day 3: Copy five items. Keep originals and working copies separately.
  4. Day 4: Ask one relative to identify people. Record their exact words and uncertainty.
  5. Day 5: Record dates, places, sources and who may access each item.
  6. Day 6: Make a second copy in a separate location. Open a file from that copy.
  7. Day 7: Invite one relative to review. Choose the next manageable collection.

Collection inventory

  1. Collection ID and title: __________
  2. Current holder and contact method (keep private): __________
  3. Physical location / digital folder: __________
  4. Formats and estimated count: __________
  5. Most urgent risk or missing context: __________
  6. Permission to copy / share / publish: __________
  7. Backup location and last successful restore check: __________

Give the answers a lasting home.

Connect your worksheet to the people, photographs and sources it describes in a private family archive.

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