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Biel’s Role in Preserving History

It’s no secret that paper documents don’t last forever. Over the years paper becomes faded, torn and stained, sometimes to the point where it is no longer legible. This can be difficult for historians, academics and organizations who are trying to preserve history for future generations.

One of the many benefits of document scanning is the ability to preserve history for the next generations. Since being founded in 1939, Biel’s has worked with cemeteries, historical societies, libraries and other organizations to restore and preserve old documents. Most recently, Biel’s digitized over 400,000 images for Buffalo’s landmark Forest Lawn Cemetery. Some of these images were dated as far back as 1853. In working with Biel’s, Forest Lawn Cemetery was able to create the new Margaret L. Wendt Archive and Resource Center, preserving Buffalo’s rich history for generations to come.

In our current digital age, historical documents of all kinds can now be digitized, greatly extending their shelf life while increasing their availability. While researchers and historians once had to leaf through archives and book shelves, they can now log onto a searchable centralized database for their research. Digital Document Conversion has revolutionized document preservation and historical research.

Since the beginning, Biel’s has been at the forefront of document preservation. Over the years, Biel’s has preserved countless historical documents including census records, rare books, photographs, maps and birth/death certificates. Biel’s has had vast experience working with historical documents, successfully converting even the most delicate of old files. Below are just a few ways in which Biel’s digitally converts historical documents.

Microfilm: Biel’s has the ability to create digital images from Microfilm, and Microfilm from digital images. Many organizations have archives that exist solely on Microfilm. While Microfilm continues to be an excellent archival solution, digitizing your Microfilm archives will increase their accessibility for others to view them.

Book Scanning: Books do not age well, as paper looses its quality over time. Book scanning has become a widely used archival solution, popular among publishers, libraries and universities. Books of records, census books and rare books can all be efficiently scanned. Book scanning will increase the shelf life of any old book.

Document Conversion: If you are looking to store your historical archives in one central location (like a database), then document conversion is the perfect solution for your. Once you digitize your documents, you can edit and enhance the document to increase readability.

For more information, please contact Biel’s.