This message below is being forwarded with permission. I thought it was excellent, Gretchen > > Family Tree Finders > by Rhonda R. McClure > Email: rhondam@sodamail.com > ................................................................. > > FAMILY TREE FINDERS > Friday - 9 March 2001 > > A reader's question about what to do with all of the > research she has gathered over the years. > > FAMILY TREE FINDERS > Friday - 9 March 2001 > > A Reader's Question: What To Do With My Research > > Q: Where do I leave my research when I die?  At a local  library? At a University?  The Mormon Church? In what  form does it need to be in? Should I label it for my family  or put it in the will?  -- Barbara > > A: While none of us likes to think about the inevitable final  event, it will happen to all of us.  For genealogists, there is  more to this.  In addition to the importance of bequeathing  our personal and real estate, we also need to keep in mind  the research we have compiled and what will happen to it. > > Ideally, you should be the individual to establish what will  happen to your records and research.  It is important to you.   You have exhausted countless years into developing the  family tree you now posses.  You will continue to make it  grow as your research progresses. > > If you haven't done so, you will want to investigate the > costs of publishing your research in a printed format.  It  doesn't have to be done in a hard back, expensive volume.   There are many of ways to publish your research and keep  the costs down.  If you only want to publish a few volumes,  for donating to various libraries, then you may want to look into the capabilities of one of the copy center companies,  such as Kinkos. > > Most libraries would prefer a compiled book.  The Family  History Library cannot accept file folders of our research.   They will gladly accept a book, but do not have the space or  personnel to take our file folders or numerous loose leaf  notebooks and make them available. > > It is a good idea to discuss your concerns about your > research with your family members.  Sound them out to see  if one of them will pick up where you leave off in your > research.  If someone is willing, then you may want to > stipulate that your records be given to that person. > > If your collection of research copies is extensive, you may  want to visit your local genealogical library or public > library with a genealogy department and see if they may  want your collection.  Some libraries have the space for  such file folders or vertical files as they are often called.   Usually the research need to be extensive, including a > variety of unique and perhaps hard to come by records and  resources. > > If you are like other genealogists, it is possible that you also  have many books.  These will most definitely be welcome,  usually at a local library.  If your local genealogy society  has a permanent building, they may also appreciate such  donations to increase their collection.   Again, it is a good  idea to ask someone ahead of time.  Don't assume anything. > > Rhonda R. McClure > rhondam@sodamail.com > * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     S  O  D  A  M  A  I  L     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > >   If you know someone who would be interested in reading this >     newsletter, please forward this entire message to them! > >      This is one of 25 Sodamail award winning newsletters >     and they're all FREE...  go to <A HREF="http://www.sodamail.com/">http://www.sodamail.com/</A>