Document Scanners
Preserve letters, certificates, birth records, and family documents. Convert paper archives into searchable digital libraries.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why Digitise Documents?
Family documents tell irreplaceable stories - birth certificates, letters, deeds, and records document your family's journey through history. Paper deteriorates over time and is vulnerable to fire, flood, and loss.
Digital copies can be searched, shared with family members, and stored in multiple locations. OCR technology makes handwritten and typed documents searchable by name, date, or location.
How to Preserve Your Documents
Sheet-Feed vs Flatbed
Sheet-feed scanners pull documents through (fast but risky for fragile papers). Flatbed scanners place documents flat (slower but safer). For precious letters and old certificates: always use flatbed. For recent documents: sheet-feed is fine.
OCR for Text Recognition
Optical Character Recognition converts scanned documents into searchable text. Essential for family research - search entire collection for names, dates, locations. Most document scanners include OCR software. Save as PDF with text layer - maintains image whilst allowing search.
Preserving Fragile Documents
Very old or brittle documents: photograph instead of scanning. Scanning pressure can damage. If must scan: use flatbed with lid open (no pressure). Support document from behind. Better to have lower-quality scan than damaged original.
Our Recommended Scanners
Brother ADS-1200
~$180-250Compact sheet-feed scanner, 25 pages per minute, duplex (both sides), USB-powered. Perfect for recent letters and documents. Popular with genealogists. Portable for scanning at relatives' homes.
Check Price Affiliate linkFujitsu ScanSnap iX1600
~$500-750Touchscreen, 40 pages per minute, WiFi connection, excellent software. Industry standard for document archiving. Handles stacks of documents efficiently. What professional organisers recommend.
Check Price Affiliate linkPro Tips
- Scan birth certificates, marriage licenses, deeds IMMEDIATELY for backup
- Use maximum quality settings for irreplaceable documents
- Store digital copies in multiple locations (external drive + cloud)
- Include handwritten letters - these are goldmines for family stories