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Archiver > TMG > 2008-03 > 1205526760


From: John & Lee Wood <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] OT: Genealogical Estate Planning
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:32:40 -0400
References: <mailman.23971.1205462561.20267.tmg@rootsweb.com><47DAD7B3.1000400@nm.net>
In-Reply-To: <47DAD7B3.1000400@nm.net>


Michael is right in that an executor is perhaps least equipped to
deal with massive files BUT, suppose one dies before one has provided
for the proper disposal (perhaps a bad choice of word) of ones
research? What then happens to the files? A codicil might then
provide some modicum of assurance that, at least, there would be some
legal requirement to provide. The codicil might well include some
previously checked out repositories that might be willing to accept
the supposed massive files.

I am close to 72 and, based on an analysis of age at death of some
400 years of ancestors, I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-16
years left, give or take.

What is the best way to ensure that one's lifetime of research just
doesn't go down the drain because one simply wasn't well prepared for
the inevitable, but unknown time of death? Any one of us could be
struck down by a drunk diver tomorrow. What then?

John Wood
At 03:53 PM 3/14/2008, you wrote:
>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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