I began writing a post about one of my grandmother’s siblings and quickly realized it will take more than a week at a time to write about each of the siblings. There is simply too much material to put together into a cohesive narrative. While I am working on the first one, I thought in light of last week’s DeKorn treasure I would write about the subject of:
WHAT TO DO WITH OUR TREASURES AND HEIRLOOMS?
Recently I’ve had several people mention that they have no place to leave their treasures at end of life (or before). They have no children or other relatives who have shown any interest, or they have no close relatives at all. In many cases, they have photographs. In most cases, they have done at least some family tree work, if not extensive work.
This rings a bell to me because I feel similarly. I have a beautiful collection of family photos and documents and have spent a lot of time organizing and researching. I have cousins with children who may or may not have any interest in the treasures or the organization into story. I do plan to eventually pull it all together into one digital format and distribute to everyone. Then they can decide what to do with it. God willing, I will be able to complete the project.
But this still leaves me with two problems. One is that it’s possible that not one of the people I give the digital copy will end up passing it on to future generations. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a storage place for all this that would go on to “live” in perpetuity?
Do you consider an Ancestry family tree to be just that, if one adds all the photos and documents for each family member? I know that Ancestry has been a bit unreliable with DNA, but I don’t foresee them shutting down the giant tree they are constructing. Anything is possible, I suppose. I also use My Heritage, but have not gone through the laborious process of putting photos and documents on my tree over there.
Or are there other ways to save the information for people outside the family?
The second problem is that I still have to find an eventual home for the original photos and documents and other treasures (to be stored with their stories). How does one go about finding a young relative who actually cares about these things and would like me to pass them on to her or him when I am done with them? I could hold a contest and assign treasures to the contest winner, but it’s a contest nobody would show up to!!! LOL
A little side note: I have shown an interest since I was college-aged, which is why I was given photos and glass negatives and lots of stories. Imagine if somebody had already done all the work I am doing three generations before me? WOWSA, that would be something.
As I work on the organization and research of my family, I am sending folders to my daughter to hang on to as a backup. She knows who to send them to in the event of my sudden death. My daughter and son were both adopted and neither is very interested in history in general and their family history interest is mostly connected to the people who have affected their lives–their grandparents, my aunts and uncles, and their Kalamazoo great-grandparents (Grandma and Grandpa Zuidweg).
I’d love to hear your ideas.
Photo: part of a children’s coffee and tea service originally owned by Therese Remine
The Family Kalamazoo 
I have a similar dilemma.
Oh, I’m sorry! I would think with all that work you’ve done that the regional history people would want some of what you have?
What about the library or historical society in Kalamazoo? I have told my younger daughter she is in charge and that my older grandson is in charge after that. But who knows whether they will really do anything to preserve all my work? I don’t have many material objects or even photos since most came as images from others so it’s mostly digital. I back it up in a few places, but who will care enough to find those back-ups? And since my family is spread all over, there’s not one geographic location to focus on. So like you, I am at a loss. I guess if someone else has to start all over, they wlll have the same joys and frustrations I did!
I understand about the geographic location problem. It IS a problem. Does Jewish Gen have anything set up where you could digitally store what you’ve done (outside of you keeping a blog)? After reading all these responses I plan (when I am more organized) to contact the archives at WMU, the library, the historical society, the museum, and see who wants want, if they do. If more than one wants stuff I will see who seems the best option (security in perpetuity and also access are what I am concerned about).
I am glad you have a plan. That’s terrific!
Now I just need another 72 hours a week and couple more pair of hands to help . . . .
this is one of the most difficult issues… we spend all this time, money and effort then what!?! I have tried to make sure my compiled family history books were shared electronically and print copies to family, genealogical societies and archives. They are even part of the Family Search Library. I haven’t figured out the ‘after I’m gone part’ but working on a plan. I found lots of help on Cydi’s List (https://www.cyndislist.com/preservation/after-youre-gone/) and working thru that. I have been organizing all my original items and digitizing them and keeping a digital archive spreadsheet of all these items. I am hoping that I will be able to donate this to the Fort Wayne Genealogy Library archive. Sue
Wow, this is a great list! I am going to have to process what all these items are! Thank you! That would be great if the archives will take all your work! I want to do the digital family history books or some version of that, as well. I just never feel organized enough, but I think I am getting to the point where I will have to pull it together “as it stands.” Maybe next year when I am over this stupid Valley Fever. Thanks, Sue! xo
Dear Luanne, I feel your pain and dilemma. I have reached out to Regina Gorham of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. I am planning on donating items before and after my passing. A collection of family documents and photos will be welcome there, as well as the Kalamazoo Public Library. I have her email, if you want it. Although, due to Covid, they are not accepting material right now, they are very interested. I use Ancestry, and send links to family. I have carefully added media to each profile. It is stored, whether or not your have an active account. Mine is suspended, as I settle in while I move. I spent 4 years at the KPL media library, “The Hub,” digitizing my documents and photos, as well as other media. She is interested in finding out about Kalamazoo families, especially with photos. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions. Best of luck!
Other than the local museum and library that have already been mentioned, WMU has extensive archives of the community and its history. check out the Zhang Legacy Collections Center online.
https://wmich.edu/library/visit/zhang
Some local groups may be able to help. For example, the Chicago Genealogical Society has a program to archive people’s genealogy work to meet this very need.
Check out your state archives. I discovered that our provincial archives were more than willing to accept my family’s documents. They said most of their fonds are government documents, they have little pertaining to family history. That’s where I’m donating all my “stuff.” The advantage — they will be available to anyone and everyone doing historical research.
You most definitely got me thinking about this Luanne. I read a few of the suggestions on this thread and there seems to be some good ideas.
I also have thought about this problem. One of the things I am trying to do is to cut down on the bulk. For example what can be done with the thousands of photographs I have. No one wants that many pictures. However a printed photo book of selected photographs may do the trick. A printout of the family lines with sources listed bound at your local Staples Store may also help. That being said I have close to 50 binders of records hundreds of letters and other such items. What to do I am not sure.
Such a shame that our children/younger generation don’t share the same feelings. I’ve had several of them tell me they like hearing the stories, but that’s as far as they want to get involved. Once we are back to normal and no longer social distancing I plan on donating my research — and especially the original diaries and letters together with my transcriptions — to the Kalamazoo Public Library. Since so many of the diaries and letters revolve around Galesburg in Kalamazoo County, and mention so many neighbors from the 1800s, I’m hoping that somewhere down the road one of their descendants will go to the library to do some research and will find their families.
As you know, Luanne, I am equally concerned about the original photos and documents I have collected through the last 50 years. I have always been fascinated by family history, so I have also had materials passed to me for as long as I can remember by others who don’t know what to do with the treasures. I’m using Ancestry more for images of photos/documents, but the original items still remain with me. Sigh. Not helpful to you, sorry.
I’m sure my mother is not alone in sticking labels on or under everything. Like you, my photographs are an important collection – to me. No problem with the carefully saved 50+ years pre-digital. The books are another: one daughter, and one grandson are real readers.
I’m in the same position, I’m afraid, and I’ve been putting off thinking about it.
Hi Luanne,
I host first cousin game nights, which include dinner and a sleepover. These fun gatherings have been going on for seventeen years. My generation now brings their daughters and their son’s wives (in their twenties). Every time we gather, I tell them to go around my house and if there’s something of interest, take a photo and send a text to me. I now have a running list of where some of the heirlooms are going. At these gatherings, I tell some family stories (described to draw them in). Plus, they are now in my IG & Facebook group, where I share blog posts, tidbits, and photos. The twenty and thirty-somethings say they enjoy it. A couple of the 1C1R have shown interest in genealogy, so I plan to ask them if they are interested in receiving my research. We’ll see. . .
I haven’t found an answer. When my mom dies in 2017 I got all of her stuff and her parents. I’m still going through everything.
Ugh, I hope we all find answers in time hah!
I keep finding prayer cards in odd places.
That might go on for a while!
I can totally relate to this post! You have a really fun and interesting blog. I like looking at photos and reading about family history even if it’s not mine. 😀
I am the same way! It’s so much fun. Thanks for stopping by.