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Archiver > TMG > 2008-03 > 1205524403


From: "Michael J. Hannah" <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] OT: Genealogical Estate Planning
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:53:23 -0600
References: <mailman.23971.1205462561.20267.tmg@rootsweb.com>
In-Reply-To: <mailman.23971.1205462561.20267.tmg@rootsweb.com>


Thanks for all your comments. I am also passing them on to Karen.
She has kindly sent me a PDF copy of the outline of her talk, and I will
be attempting to post that on the Forum this weekend.

It was mentioned that:
> About a year ago a genealogical codicil to one's will was making
> the rounds of various mailing lists...

I would echo the comment Donald Schulteis made:
> I might suggest we may wish to "control" our own destiny.
> Rather than "leave directions," we do it ourselves before.

I find that codicil to be a perfect example of what *NOT* to do. What
makes anyone think that the executor or heirs will be better at finding
the right place for this specific collection of genealogical data than
the person that collected it? The executor is often unlikely to care
and be totally unfamiliar either with the data or possible genealogical
repositories. And remember, you will no longer be there to influence
their actions (other than haunting them as one lister mentioned <grin>).

As Donald suggests, do as much of it yourself as possible. And what you
won't have already done (such as distributing your original documents
and materials and photos and family heirlooms) create detailed
instructions yourself so that it is *easy* for them to follow your
wishes. And you should make sure in advance that who you specify to
send them to will take them (and treasure them?) and that the material
is in the format that the recipient requires. And if it is research
material that future generations will want to view, follow Lee's advice
to put them in some location where they are likely to think to look.

Michael

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