This post continues the story we began in one of our most popular blogs, Italian Love Letters Preserved—a tribute to the enduring love between Armando and Evelina Pasetti, captured in hundreds of handwritten letters.
We recently sat down to catch up with Carla Pasetti. In our conversation, we explored how this archival journey has evolved into a full-fledged photo book project for Pasetti, blending digitization, design, and storytelling.
From Cigar Box to Coffee Table
After her father’s passing, Carla inherited a collection of fragile letters and postcards stored in a cigar box. Some were written on onion skin paper, folded and faded with time. With the help of Anderson Archival and a trusted paper conservator, the collection was stabilized, digitized in high resolution, and arranged chronologically.
“I wanted this to be an homage to their correspondence back and forth. I wasn’t going to alter or edit anything—I just wanted a clear picture of each letter,” Carla shared.
With the collection now digital, Carla was free to create new family heirlooms and share the story captured in Armando and Evelina’s letters with the rest of the family.
Building the Family History Books
Using a photo book building service, Carla crafted two beautifully bound volumes (with plans for a third to complete the series) that not only preserved these memories but elevated them through thoughtful design choices. Hats cut off in photos? Artistic intent. Color-coded volumes? A nod to Italy’s tricolor flag.
Carla described the process as a labor of love, investing nearly 20 hours a week over several weeks per volume. The result? A visual and emotional journey through time, complete with Edelweiss flowers, drawings, and poignant messages from loved ones.
Her background in editing and software testing gave her a unique lens for detail and structure, telling a story of love, loss, and legacy.
A Labor of Love
With such a significant time investment, the project was limited to the tools Carla had available. What would “level up” a project like hers?
For others exploring the creation of a family history book, Carla emphasized the importance of storytelling. She suggested adding historical context for each letter, and even interviews, when possible, to help enrich the narrative. Another idea: “A map of where my father was in relation to my mother… so the kids could look at this and know,” she said.
Considering the personal effort required in a project like Carla’s is something we frequently discuss. While Carla wanted to build her own books from the letter collection, others may want to hand over the task.
A flexible, concierge-like vendor like Anderson Archival, unlike most digitization vendors, could be the solution. As we’ve shared in other posts, we’re just as invested in the “what now” of a collection as we are in its digitization.
Carla’s advice to others, whether building your own books or outsourcing the labor to a vendor? Don’t wait. Preserve your family’s stories now.
“I really hope that people do this… It’s something to be treasured,” Carla says, reminding us that digitization is more than preservation—it’s storytelling for future generations.
If you’re ready to take the first step in preserving your own family’s collection, say hello. We can’t wait to meet you.