Family history what to do to pass it on

[sue 1950]

When you think of it we all have our hobbies and usually when you die your hobby goes with you??I think my eldest son will keep what I have but I am afraid my other two sons won't want it. I just hope it dosn't go on the skip along with all the photo's that my grandparent's had, because I would of loved them now.

[Lloydy]

I have absolutely no idea what will happen with all my family tree stuff!  None of my 3 children are interested, and as I'm an only child I have no-one else to leave it to

[Gillg]

Even though you think none of your family are interested now, it's quite likely that one or other of them will become interested when they get older.  If we are honest, I think most of us only started to look into our family history from our middle age onwards.  I'm so cross that I didn't ask my grandparents and parents more about their history while they were alive.  Don't throw it away, whatever you do!

Gillg

[Berlin-Bob]

If we are honest, I think most of us only started to look into our family history from our middle age onwards.  [...]

I agree. There are a few who start young, but most of us needed a "kick-start" (significant event) in later life to get us going.

If you have kids, then

Don't throw it away, whatever you do!

, just pack everything away in a box (or leave instructions for this) and hand it on to your children with the instructions to either look at it when they have the urge, or to pass it on to their kids, when they start to have questions about where they came from.

Otherwise, it's as sue1950 says, we all have our hobbies!  We get our pleasure out of them but we can't demand that others do, too. If it dies with us, then it dies with us. Sad, but then our children or childrens' children also get the chance to say -- as we do -- "if only I'd thought to ask them then ..."   

Bob

[trish58]

I agree with GillG & Bob, it is a treasure, and some one down the track-maybe many years from now will say WOW, look at this, isn't it great.

Yes, I also wish I had questioned more family members before they passed on, but we can't turn back the clock, just gain more and more of the future and pass this on.

Trish

[Gillg]

Don't forget, by the way, to write the names of people on the back of their photos - I have a whole albumful of old photos of bewhiskered gents and crinolined ladies, and I can only name a few of them.  I don't think even my mother knew some of them, so they remain anonymous.

Gillg

(later)  Actually. don't write on the backs of the photos, as it may show through, but apply a small sticky label and write on that.

[SophiesChoice]

The best places to send your genealogy information is the the Records Office nearest to you.

A lot of people in one society are finding out that work that was donated is being disposed of ie put up for sale.

At least in the Records Office the work would be held for the use of others.

I do know that I offered my library of valuable history books including some first editions to a Society I belonged to and was told they didn't want them but were interested in any information I had on cd's etc., I presume these would be scanned and put online.


Sophie

[little meg]

I am slowly preparing for that inevitable day

-produced one book, another on the way.
-created a web site
-storing on cd and passing on to family members.
-giving details of family to local history groups

Then, hopefully, all of my 'stuff'  that has been accumulating  has been distributed in one form or another and I won't be turning in my grave worrying about all my work 

Margaret

[falcybe]

and I won't be turning in my grave worrying about all my work

No, you'll be turning in your grave wondering if they got your name right on the death cert.