Have You Made Provisions For Your Family History Records After Your Death?
If you can answer "No" to any other these questions, this instrument might be for you.
- Have you included provisions for the care and placement of your genealogy collection in your Last Will & Testament?
- Have you made written plans for the disposition of your genealogy materials upon your death?
- When you pass away, do you know what will happen to your collection of family history books, binders, and boxes of photos?
- Can you be certain that your offspring will appreciate the investment in time, money, work and personal care that went into researching and maintaining your collection?
- Are you sure your children or grandchildren will treasure your family history as much as you did during your lifetime?
If you have not thought about it, not done anything about it, and have not made your wishes known in writing, now may be the time. You may want to consider copying the template below and creating a document to let your wishes be known and made a part of your Last Will and Testament.
Sample Genealogical Codicil to Your Last Will and Testament
To my spouse, children, guardian, administrator and/or executor:
Upon my demise it is requested that you DO NOT dispose of any or all of my genealogical records, both those prepared personally by me and those records prepared by others which may be in my possession, including but not limited to books, files, notebooks or computer programs for a period of two years. During this time period, please attempt to identify one or more persons who would be willing to take custody of the said materials and the responsibility of maintaining and continuing the family histories. [If you know whom within your family or friends are likely candidates to accept these materials, please add the following at this point: "I suggest that the persons contacted regarding the assumption of the custody of these items include but not be limited to" and then list the names of those individuals at this point, with their addresses and telephone numbers if known].
In the event you do not find anyone to accept these materials, please contact the various genealogical organizations that I have been a member of and determine if they will accept some parts or all of my genealogical materials. [List of organizations, addresses and phone numbers at bottom; include local chapters, with their addresses, phone numbers and contact persons if available as well as state/national contact information and addresses].
Please remember that my genealogical endeavors consumed a great deal of time, travel, and money. Therefore it is my desire that the products of these endeavors be allowed to continue in a manner that will make them available to others in the future.
Signature _____________________ Date ___________
Witness ______________________ Date ___________
Witness ______________________ Date ___________
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