Rare one-of-a-kind documents can be digitally archived and greatly enhanced in the process, making previously unusable sources of important information accessable.

The image at right is a page from the 1880 "Nathaniel Grant Marshall Record Book" in the collection of the Old York Historical Society of York, Maine. To quote the preface to the recently completed digital copy of the book, "Mr. Marshall, for some unknown reason, transcribed the vital records using purple ink. This ink has been fading rapidly until some pages have become undecipherable. It was impossible to microfilm the pages that were unreadable. PhotoArk, of Woodstock, Vermont, was hired by Old York Historical Society to scan their photographic collection. They were also given the task to photograph the purple ink pages of Nathaniel Marshall's records in an effort to preserve or make the words readable for transcription. Macy Lawrence magically transformed the pages into readable documents."

Of course, magic played no role in the preservation of the record book. Careful work and skillful use of hardware and software has returned these valuable records to the people of York, Maine.