Heirlooms in Genealogy

Preserving and Passing Down Family Heirlooms

This briefing document synthesizes the main themes and important ideas from the provided sources regarding the identification, documentation, preservation, and sharing of family heirlooms. The core message across all sources is the significance of heirlooms in connecting generations and the importance of actively preserving their stories to ensure their continued value to future family members.

Main Themes:

• Defining Heirlooms Broadly: The sources challenge the traditional definition of heirlooms as solely valuable antiques passed down through generations. Instead, they propose a more inclusive definition encompassing any tangible object holding genealogical information, adding to the family story, or possessing sentimental value.

• Diana Elder states, "Although an heirloom is often defined as a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations – I would propose that both of those examples are heirlooms. Heirlooms can be any size or shape and made from any tangible substance."

• Dawn Roode of Modern Heirloom Books echoes this, stating, "An heirloom in no way needs to be worth a lot of money! Consider these items that I certainly consider heirlooms: the grease-stained recipe cards my mom saved...my mom’s wooden spoon...my grandfather’s playing cards...my son’s tattered stuffed lion..."

• The Crucial Role of Stories: All sources emphasize that the true value of an heirloom lies in the stories and memories associated with it. Without these narratives, objects risk losing their significance and being discarded.

• Diana Elder advises, "Add a story to the object or experience, and the heirloom becomes even more memorable." She further suggests the rule: “If the story isn’t attached, it has to go.”

• Janet Few argues, "Without any associated narrative, heirlooms are examples of material culture. To put it bluntly, they are things... Without the stories that are attached to those items, much of their significance is lost."

• Active Planning and Documentation: The sources advocate for a proactive approach to managing heirlooms, including identification, inventorying, documenting their stories, and planning for their future.

• Marian Burk Wood's PASS Process (Prepare, Allocate ownership, Set up a genealogical “will,” Share with heirs), highlighted by Diana Elder, provides a structured framework for this planning.

• Remento Staff outline "Three easy steps to ensure the history behind your family heirlooms is preserved – plus questions to help you unlock their stories": Identify, Find Your Expert, and Record the Story.

• Modern Heirloom Books recommends creating an inventory, prioritizing meaningful items, and capturing their history through writing, photos, or even a "family heirloom catalog."

• Methods of Preserving Stories: Various methods for recording and sharing the stories behind heirlooms are suggested, catering to different preferences and the nature of the objects.

• Diana Elder lists options like writing lists with provenance, creating video records, and compiling an heirloom book. She also emphasizes uploading photos and stories to platforms like FamilySearch for wider accessibility.

• Remento suggests taking photos and notes, storing them with important documents, and ideally recording videos of relatives sharing their memories. They also provide prompting questions to facilitate storytelling.

• Modern Heirloom Books proposes keeping records in binders or recipe boxes, utilizing heirloom journals, or hiring a personal historian. For larger collections, they recommend creating a categorized "family heirloom catalog."

• Physical Preservation of Heirlooms: While stories are paramount, the sources also address the importance of physically preserving the heirlooms themselves to ensure their longevity.

• Denise May Levenick's articles in Family Tree Magazine offer detailed advice on organizing family inheritances and safely displaying heirlooms. She stresses the use of archival-safe materials, proper storage conditions (stable temperature and humidity, away from light and pests), and cautions against using damaging materials like cardboard or metal fasteners.

• Steven Decker quotes Randy Silverman emphasizing the "box-in-a-box" method and packing heirlooms as "time capsules" with alkaline paper and detailed notes.

• Levenick advises on identifying "good" versus "bad" archival materials and suggests creative ways to display copies or representations of fragile items, like printing signatures or family trees.

• The Role of the Caretaker: The responsibility of the individual who inherits or possesses heirlooms is highlighted. They become the "archivist" or "curator" responsible for understanding, preserving, and potentially passing on the objects and their stories.

• Steven Decker quotes Randy Silverman emphasizing the importance of identifying a caretaker who understands their role and asks "To whom is this important? To whom do I leave this?"

• Janet Few discusses how the temperament and personal associations of the "current curator" influence what is kept and what is lost over generations.

• Decision-Making on What to Keep: The sources offer guidance on deciding which items to designate as heirlooms and which might be let go. Sentimental value, genealogical information, and the ability to tell a compelling story are key factors.

• Diana Elder suggests considering if an item "contains vital genealogical information, adds interesting information to the family story, or is of sentimental value."

• Denise May Levenick provides a "GOOD versus BAD Archival Materials" list and a "WHAT TO KEEP" versus "WHAT TO LET GO" framework, suggesting keeping items with individual significance and letting go of perishables or easily replaceable copies.

• Sharing and Connecting Generations: Ultimately, the goal of preserving heirlooms and their stories is to foster connections between past, present, and future generations.

• Diana Elder emphasizes that while only one person can have the physical item, sharing photos and stories online allows all descendants to connect with their heritage.

• Janet Few concludes by highlighting how heirlooms can create a "sense of belonging" and bind family members across time.

Important Ideas and Facts:

• Heirlooms are more than just valuable objects; they are tangible links to the past.

• The stories associated with heirlooms are essential for their continued significance.

• Proactive planning, including inventory and documentation, is crucial for heirloom preservation.

• Various methods exist for recording and sharing heirloom stories, both physically and digitally.

• Proper physical storage using archival-safe materials and controlled environments is vital for the longevity of heirlooms.

• The individual who possesses an heirloom plays a critical role as its caretaker and storyteller.

• Thoughtful consideration should be given to which items hold enough value (sentimental, genealogical, historical) to be preserved as heirlooms.

• Sharing heirloom stories and images can create a sense of connection and shared heritage among family members.

• Even if one doesn't inherit traditional heirlooms, they can identify sentimental items from their own life or create new heirlooms for the future.

• Digital preservation requires careful consideration of file formats and accessibility for future generations.

By embracing the principles outlined in these sources, individuals can ensure that their family heirlooms continue to serve as meaningful connections to the past for generations to come.

Reference list:

Elder, Diana. "Connecting the Past to Your Posterity Through Heirlooms – Family Locket." FamilyLocket.com, August 26, 20231 ....

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Remento Staff. "How to Document the Stories Behind Family Heirlooms." remento.com/blog, August 202218 ....

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"How to preserve the stories behind your family heirlooms — Modern Heirloom Books." Modern Heirloom Books, copyright 202426 .... (Note: The specific publication date of this excerpt is not explicitly stated, but the website has a 2024 copyright.)

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Few, Janet. "Objects of Genealogical Desire: Stories Behind Family Treasures." Family Tree (for subscribers and Family Tree Plus members)50 .... (Note: The specific date of publication is not mentioned in the excerpt.)

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Levenick, Denise May. "Organizing Your Family Inheritance: A Genealogist's Guide." Family Tree Magazine71 .... (Note: The specific date or issue of the magazine is not mentioned in the excerpt, but it refers to a "sidebar on page 17" and "page 66 for this issue's" column).

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Levenick, Denise May. "Safely Displaying Family Heirlooms: Tips From a Preservation Expert." Family Tree97 .... (Note: Mentions a version of this article appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Family Tree Magazine, and refers to articles from May 2010 and September 2007.)

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Decker, Steven, and Jill Decker. "Timely Tips for Preserving Your Family Heirlooms." FamilySearch Blog, May 4, 2016129 ....

Slides from Leta Goodman-Jones' Presentation on March 5, 2025