TimeCapsule

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MacAdam Reunion Web Site
(July 28-30, 2006)

- Descendants of Alban Bertram and
Margaret Tena (MacDonald) MacAdam -

Biographies Pictures 2006 Reunion Details Family Tree Hall of Fame

1916

1967

TIME CAPSULE

A. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF A TIME CAPSULE?
A time capsule is a chance for all of us to capture those special moments of our past that signified our lives. The challenge of a time capsule is to immortalize our moments so that they will be passed on for future generations to discover. These future generations will then have an understanding of our sentiments, traditions, culture, and nostalgia... a scrapbook of the MacAdam Family. This will remind future generations of who we were and where we came from.

B. WHAT SHOULD WE PUT IN OUR TIME CAPSULE?
Cookbooks (because it gives the amount of fat and calories per serving, and people in the future might or might not be amazed that we cared about such things), pictures (pets, family members, events such as births, first day of school, parties, weddings, and other special occasions), toothbrush, footwear (sandals, sneakers, shoes, boots), team hats, pyjamas, stuffed animals, plaques, pack of cigarettes, medical records, water bill, electric bill, rock carvings, grocery bills (shows what we ate and how much it costs), necktie, drivers' license, levi's, toaster, drawings, toys, books, a rose from your wedding bouquet, your prized golf ball, Christmas tree ornaments, a lock of hair (in a hundred years, scientists maybe be able to take DNA from your hair and clone you), a burned out candle from your birthday or special evening, grandpa's pocket watch, grandma's glasses...

Bottom Line: It's up to you! All of the items you include should be simplistic, yet, represent your individuality... what YOU are all about.

(Note: Each family will be responsible for compiling and completing an 'inventory checklist' which you can forward to the Co-Chairs. Do not reveal the intimate, personal details of your contents but, instead, just note your items on a very generic level. We will then combine this information into a small booklet and whoever would like to obtain a copy of this list can do so by contacting us. We will also place a copy of this inventory checklist inside the time capsule)

C. WHERE SHOULD WE PUT OUR TIME CAPSULE?

There are only two choices: above ground or below ground. We suggest 'above ground' because during my research I discovered that many, if not most, time capsules are never found if they are buried. Over time, people forget where they are, buildings are constructed over them, people steal them, and people move around too much.

(Note: Specific location to be determined)

D. HOW BIG SHOULD OUR TIME CAPSULE BE?
Each MacAdam family is invited to provide a shoe box (maximum size) full of items to add to the MacAdam Time Capsule. These boxes will be placed in a yet-to-be-determined location for 24 years for the benefit of the next generation.

E. TIME CAPSULE QUESTIONNAIRE
One item that we could put in our Time Capsule that may be very interesting and informative for our future relatives would be the Time Capsule Questionnaire in the link below. If you like, take a few minutes and fill this out. Print off a copy and then include it in your shoe box items.

Click here for 'Time Capsule Questionnaire'

F. SOME TIPS FOR A TIME CAPSULE

1. Establish a selection preference for books and documentation printed on the highest quality paper. Newspapers and similar low quality paper items are highly acidic and quickly deteriorate as well as contribute to the deterioration of other items in the capsule. Newspapers and similar quality materials should be photocopied onto archival quality paper to ensure longevity.

2. Enclose each item in an archival quality envelope, folder, or other appropriate container, or wrap each item in acid-free tissue. Labeling these enclosures in pencil would be useful to the intended future audience.

3. Select a container that is non-rusting, leak-proof, and durable. Polypropylene, aluminum, and stainless steel are currently considered as acceptable capsule structure materials. Seals are critical; butyl or propylene gaskets are currently favored.

4. Include items that do not require any technology or equipment other than the eye and hand to use and interpret. Today's computer disks and similar electronic media will not be playable in the future.

5. Document the time capsule. Label the outside of the capsule clearly with a permanent material; create a checklist of the contents in duplicate (one copy for the time capsule enclosure and one file copy); and insure that a record of the time capsule, along with a list of the contents, is kept in several places.

6. Avoid plastics. Because the aging characteristics of some plastics are not good and others are not truly known, these materials cannot be counted upon to survive in their original form. This problem is compounded if a plastic object is the medium for information (as with CD's or video tapes)

7. Use black and white photos if at all possible. They are much more stable than color prints. To keep photo emulsion surfaces from sticking together, interleave the photos or sleeve them with archival quality photo envelopes.