I would start by scanning all the documents into computer files and
indexing and cross-referencing the files. You can do that by yourself
without anyone's help and then you have a dtabase you can use to make
something publishable out of. If the material needs to be typed up to be
published the publisher can have the typing done by someone anywhere on
the planet from yoru scanned originals. Same with modernization of the
vocabulary and measurements if needed.

If there is sufficient material you might want to do a number of smaller
publications in a series. Once you get the material scanned and indexed it
will be easier to decide how to proceed.

If you decide not to go ahead there is always the Smithsonian or some
other archives which would at least preserve the documents.

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