Vee: I wonder how many are out there in similar situations, would it be a good idea to put things like this in a will? After all, that way, you can be most likely sure that you'll have your wishes made known. When my grandmother, Frances Esther Thomas Clickner was writing our family history (of which I have a photocopy of), she was probably hoping that my sister or I would continue what she started. I well remember going with Grandma Clickner and my mom to visit cemetaries and visitng with people who knew her ancestors. She didn't make any stipulation on who would carry on the family history or inherit the family's heirlooms, pictures, diaries, etc. Of course, at that time, I was a teenager in high school, and I thought such things were boring. Now I am years older and wiser, and realize the the treasure I have. Later in Phoebe's diary, she describes having typhoid fever. From what she had written about it, she must have suffered greatly. I don't know, but there must be something about writing down the words your ancestor wrote, there has got to be a special connection there. I was looking at the time I am writing this and it's 1:30 am, Vee, you must be a night owl like me! Kim

Dear Folks, Kim had mentioned: > I wonder how many are out there in similar situations, would it be a good idea to put things like > this in a will? After all, that way, you can be most likely sure that you'll have your wishes > made known. I've thought very carefully on that subject when I made out my will. I have no children or grandchildren but I still have family. And EVERYONE in my family currently knows that if even if the most insignificant family heirloom I have is sold for ANY price, I will come back to haunt him/her for the rest of his life. Regarding who gets what will have to be settled by my survivors. I know that it can get a bit "sticky" but my sister, brother and I managed to divide up Mother's precious things equitably with no hard feelings. Granted it took a bit of give and take. Such as when we all wanted the same piece but decided what other piece or pieces would be close enough in family value. We managed to get through it rather nicely and we've been speaking to each other every since then. Regarding Daddy's scrapbook, I've only recently brought it to light. My sister and I weren't allowed to even look at the "dirty pictures" in it and therefore the scrapbook wasn't discussed much in the family. My brother John wasn't born until two years later; therefore, he's only heard vague reference to Daddy's trip. The scrapbook has barely seen the light of day in the past 65 years. Whatever your family makeup is now at the moment, if nothing else let family members know what family heirlooms you have and tell them the stories that you know about them. In addition, photograph and/or scan them and/or write stories about the history of them. vee