Recently, I have overheard a number of people contemplating what is to become of their family possessions. Many of them were talking about silver, china and furniture, which they said the younger generations just don’t want or need. Others were talking about family photographs, Bibles, letters and diaries.
Before you decide no one in your family wants or would care for these items, at least ask them. Don’t just assume. Then, if you feel as if no one really would care for them or preserve them, it’s time to determine if they are worth donating and the best place for them.
Not all libraries and archives take family materials, but some do. Your family’s papers could contain important family letters or war-time letters. You could get help to make a CD, create a website, or find another way to share family photographs with those that might be interested. There are many Atlanta-area archives that could guide you to a potential home to place the originals. The Society of Georgia Archivists (soga.wildapricot.org) has members statewide. You could check with the archivists at the Georgia Archives, Atlanta History Center, DeKalb History Center, or universities such as Emory or the University of Georgia or get advice on your options.
Don’t just toss your family’s past out with the trash, or leave it for your estate to decide what to do.
Find A Grave has been overhauled, check it out
The popular and free website Findagrave.com has undergone an overhaul, and it’s much more sophisticated than before. If you have not gone there lately, check it out. They have added many more options to link things, more ways to search, and more maps. Check your ancestors there, because sometimes the information needs to be amended. You could also take over management of your ancestors’ entries, and enter more kin yourself. It’s a great way to pay tribute to your ancestors and a good way for others to find you if they are trying to locate someone related to your line.
Cold cases, revisit annually
You may have given up on a research project. With so much being digitized and being posted online by the major websites Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org, you need to check back frequently to see what has been added. I recently went back to a project started more than 25 years ago and finally found the answers. So keep a running list to check back on.
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