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Preserve your family history
Did you realize that valuable genealogical materials may be deteriorating in your closets, attics, or garages? When a beloved relative passes away, many individuals pack up their belongings and never revisit those items. If you are reading this, now is the opportune moment to examine these potentially significant family artifacts and donate them to your local genealogical society to preserve for generations to come.
It is remarkable how many items are discarded or destroyed daily that could serve as critical evidence of an individual’s or relative’s existence. Most people fail to recognize the potential historical value of seemingly insignificant objects. What one might consider trash could, in fact, be invaluable “gold nuggets” for those conducting genealogical and family history research.
Steps to take
If you have inherited or discovered family photos and documents that hold no personal significance for you, we recommend contacting your local genealogical society. These organizations can assist you in two primary ways:
Professional Document Review
The society can arrange a consultation to systematically examine the materials with you, helping to identify potentially significant historical or genealogical information.
Archival Donation
Alternatively, you may choose to donate the entire collection to the genealogical society. This ensures that these historical artifacts are preserved and potentially made accessible to researchers, historians, and family members seeking to understand their ancestral legacy.
Believe it or not, not everyone in your family shares an interest in preserving family history
This reality plays out in countless ways, often with heartbreaking results.
Consider the common scenarios: when a loved one passes away, their belongings are left for others to sort through. Sometimes it can be overwhelming for those who inherited such materials. Old photographs of unfamiliar faces and documents brimming with untold stories often hold little meaning for those tasked with this responsibility. Without context or a clear plan for preservation, these invaluable pieces of history frequently end up in the trash, their stories lost forever.
Even when these items are spared the garbage, they’re often boxed up and placed in storage, where time and neglect take their toll. Rodents, water damage, or simple decay erase what could have been priceless glimpses into the past. Worse yet, when someone without close family dies, their photos, letters, and documents are often discarded outright, as if their life and legacy never existed.
The sad truth is that not everyone is inclined to be the keeper of the family’s history. Yet, these artifacts—these fragile connections to the people who shaped who we are—deserve better than to be forgotten or destroyed. Preserving them isn’t just about saving objects; it’s about safeguarding the stories that make our family’s legacy come alive for future generations.
Old photos found in thrift stores
People pass away, and sadly, the legacy of their lives often ends up forgotten. One of the most poignant reminders of this is the old photographs I’ve seen for sale in thrift stores. These images, once cherished, now sit on shelves as mere curiosities.
Many of these photos bear no names or dates—just the faces of people whose stories have been lost to time. Occasionally, I stumble upon a photo with identifying details on the back. When I do, I make it a point to purchase the photo, digitize it, and reach out to the local genealogy society to see if they want it for their files. These organizations often hold the key to reconnecting these precious images with their rightful families, ensuring that they don’t remain anonymous relics of the past.
Why you should donate your family photos and papers to your local genealogy society?
Your family photos and documents are more than just personal keepsakes; they are pieces of history. By donating them to your local genealogy society, you ensure that these priceless artifacts are preserved, valued, and accessible to future generations. Here’s why your contribution matters:
Preserve Your Family’s Legacy
Old photographs, letters, and documents are often at risk of being lost, damaged, or discarded. Genealogy societies have the expertise and resources to protect and preserve these items, ensuring your family’s story endures for years to come.
Connect the Past with the Present
Your family’s history might fill in the gaps for someone else researching their ancestry. A single photo or document could unlock a mystery, spark a memory, or provide a missing piece to someone else’s family tree.
Avoid the Risk of Loss
Too often, family memorabilia are left in attics, basements, or storage, where it becomes vulnerable to water damage, pests, or simple neglect. By donating to a genealogy society, you guarantee that these items are cared for in a way that protects their historical value.
Give Back to Your Community
Local genealogy societies rely on contributions from individuals like you to enrich their collections and help others trace their roots. By donating, you’re investing in a resource that benefits your entire community.
Your Family Becomes Part of History
Every family has a story worth telling. By sharing yours, you contribute to the larger narrative of your town, region, or even country. These personal touches bring history to life in a way that textbooks never could.
Instead of leaving your family photos and papers to chance, consider donating them to your local genealogy society. It’s a meaningful way to honor your ancestors, preserve their stories, and ensure their legacies live on for generations to come.
By taking these proactive steps, you can transform what might seem like mundane paperwork or outdated photographs into valuable historical resources that could provide meaningful insights for future generations.