Kim, I too have been thinking about future generations. I have been reading a lot about it and have gathered the following info from various sources: If you're planning on opening in 50 years, include letters, photos, newspaper clippings etc. Some have suggested photos of cars, house, family, genealogy, etc. Also including a letter to your great great grandchildren is often mentioned. Include the things you wished you knew about your ancestors. Price lists would also be interesting. If you're planning on opening longer than that, do not include newsprint. It will deteriorate and probably ruin the rest of the contents. I have also been told not to include any data on video, cd, etc. If you think back 50 years, we didn't have discs, cds, camcorders, etc. The "shelf life" has not been determined and technology advances so fast, they probably won't have the equipment to play it on. After all, my family doesn't own an 8 tract tape player or any form of movie projector or record player. Much to my disapointment, I also found that photos taken today will no longer last like those of 100 years ago due to the chemical process in making them. To make them last as long as possible, use acid & lignen free papers, protectors, adhesive, etc. Keep in the main floor of your home. Store albums upright and in the dark. Clean fingerprints off before storing them. Hope this helps! Candy Parent Tazewell County, VAGenWeb Coordinator http://www.rootsweb.com/~vatazewe Candy's Clan http://www.htonline.com/~candy candy@htonline.com -----Original Message----- From: Kim Hall <billhall@erinet.com> To: KYJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com <KYJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, December 11, 1999 4:16 PM Subject: The future >Hi everyone, >I have been busy wrapping presents and thinking about what I would like to leave for future generations of my family to make it easier for them 50 years from now when they want to know about us......I would like some ideas, sort of a time capsul.........maybe a letter written about our life now. I would like some other ideas....maybe someone on the list can help can throw soem ideas this way........ Well back to wrapping kids are gone so this is my only day to do it :-) Thanks, Kim > > >==== KYJOHNSO Mailing List ==== >Comments or suggestions pertaining to this list may be sent to the listowner, Ann Lemaster-Applegate >annapplegate@maysvilleky.net >Visit the Johnson County Historical Society homepage: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyjchs/johnson.html > >