Hey there! I’m Abbey.

I’m an archivist, coffee lover, fur mom to two English bulldogs, and eternal optimist with a passion for teaching real people (just like you!) the steps to preserve their invaluable family memories for years to come.

An archivist originally from the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada, I’m honoured to work with people like you to organize and preserve your unique family memories and archives.

Through emails, free resources, one-on-one consulting and online trainings, my goal is to help you celebrate your family memories and heritage, get over your “I don’t even know where to start” overwhelm, and actually get to work preserving your unique memories.

I want you to fall in LOVE with preserving your memories. because the actual process can be so satisfying and enjoyable and because the results are too!

Why am I for you?

 

BECAUSE you have that old shoebox full of family photos.

You watch your photos (and memories) fade away year by year, feeling guiltier as time goes by. You are overwhelmed and scared to even go near the box.

BECAUSE you are responsible for preserving your organizations’ history and heritage, sometimes indirectly.

You value the historic importance to the archives and objects housed at your organization, but are lacking the guidance or professional training to get started.

BECAUSE you are the gatekeeper to your family heirlooms and archives.

You totally believe your family memories should be preserved. But, you didn’t ask for the responsibility and don’t know where to start.

I started my career bringing archives center’s up to professional standards. Most importantly, I helped them organize, preserve and share the invaluable memories with the community.  

Over the years, I’ve also helped other historical society’s, organizations and individuals with their archives needs - experiences that have been equally rewarding and memorable. 

My career path has been fuelled by my desire to make sure everyone has a voice and that those voices are remembered. 

So how does this all fit within family archives?

I strongly believe that it’s our duty as the gatekeepers of our family history to ensure that our family members’ lives are remembered, that their experiences, joys and hardships are not forgotten.

Essentially, our job is to make sure their voices remain, even after they have left us. 

So how can an archivist help? 

As an archivist, it’s my job to help you organize, describe, digitize and preserve and share your family archives - everything from family papers, old photographs, kid’s drawings, recipe cards, scrapbooks, diaries, photo albums, sketches and even a few family heirlooms - according to professional standards, your goals and budget.

Want my back-of-the-book type bio? Here it is:

Abbey Lacroix is an archivist and holds a bachelor’s degree in classical studies and history from the Université de Montréal as well as a certificate in archival studies and a post-graduate diploma in Ancient Greek and Latin from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in library and information sciences at the Université de Montréal. Her research focuses on the role of emotions in archival descriptions and outreach programs,  with an emphasis on historic records.

Abbey has been working with archives in different capacities since 2014, where she has been introduced to many fascinating collections and has had the privilege to discover, describe and preserve the memories of many individuals and families. 

Want to know more about me? Here are 6 random facts.

 

#1 I LOVE coffee

I am a BIG fan of coffee - like Lorelei Gilmore level.

I love the smell, taste and warm comfy feeling you get when you hold a cup in your hands. But, try walking into an archives with a cup of coffee. You won’t get far…

#2 I’m a huge fan of holidays. Like all holidays.

At home, we take the holidays seriously. They’re a time to get together with family, bake incessantly, decorate and just get in a good mood.

Growing up, it was always exciting to see how many Christmas cards we would receive (like over one hundred) and who sent the nicest one. A little friendly competition never hurt anyone.

There are also greeting cards for basically every occasion. Trust me, I’ve probably got a fair amount of them at home.

#3 I’m a princess

Well, sort of… I’m officially an Irish princess alum of the United Irish Society of Montreal. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

It was a great opportunity to learn about my family heritage and deepen my understanding of Irish history. I also met so many wonderful individuals, attended a few balls and got to go around with my princess crown for a month.

Family history can be fun.

#4 I’m a proud fur mom of two

Family is super important to me, and that includes my two oh-so-loveable English Bulldogs named Winston and Maude.

Fitting, right ;)

#5 I love being an archivist

I love history, handwritten letters, diaries, photos, and playing detective to find out all the missing info. Having taken my fair share of Latin and Ancient Greek courses, I also get super excited whenever I find another classicist (even if they're almost always from a previous life).

Most importantly, I love helping individuals preserve their family archives and objects so that they can share their memories with their loved-ones for years to come.

#6 I’d be honoured to help you preserve your family memories

My goal is to be YOUR archivist, and help you on your journey to discover and preserve your unique memories - from photos to old letters and even some family heirlooms.