A Rose for Sharon
For many years now, I have posted the single pink rose image to my social media on August 19th and June 4th. Those who know me well know it is in honor of my little sister, Sharon, who died in 1994. Her birth date and her death date. That has been the extent of my communication about my sister or her life since. Thirty-two years is a long time to hold onto words. I have considered writing about her. It doesn't matter how deep my feelings are for her or how much I cherish her memory, the words don't come easily, if at all. Words feel cheap and wrong. It's hard to even describe why. Maybe it is because she was our family's: Our sister, our cousin, our niece, our daughter. We knew her best, so no one else should have the right to know about her like we did. Maybe that's why I hold onto my words. But I realize that if I don't tell her story, who will? I have spent hour upon hour researching my long-gone ancestors, yet I haven't written about my own sister. ...
All very good repositories for family history materials! Sometimes specialized institutions may be interested in specific artifacts and materials. I donated my aunt's WAC book and bite-sized bio/genealogical info to the US Army Women's Museum: https://climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com/2019/01/finding-home-for-my-wac-aunts-materials.html
ReplyDeleteI remember! That's where I got the idea to donate my grandmother's V-Mail letters to the WWII Museum! At least one thing has a new home. Baby steps!
DeleteThere are also quite a few small local libraries and historical societies which would love to have family history materials pertaining to the local area.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Always worth investigating and "thinking outside the box." Thanks for reading.
DeleteAnother option, if you can't find a repository, is to create pdf's of your story and upload to the Internet Archive. I have done that. It's sort of like posting to FamilySearch Family Tree or Ancestry Trees but more public.
ReplyDeleteI just read about someone else doing that recently, Lisa. I will have to look into that for myself. Add it to the list of "to-dos"! Thanks for reading.
DeleteSharing research and materials is important make sure these bits of history are not lost.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more! (Is this Sandra?)
DeleteGreat article, Nancy! As a retired librarian who has worked in both public university libraries, I want to emphasize to ALWAYS discuss your possible donation with the staff first - don't just drop it off.
ReplyDeleteI meant both public AND university libraries.
DeleteAmanda, that is a GREAT point. I should have said that! And also that it is organized and not just a box of stuff, right? Appreciate you reading/commenting!
DeleteI agree re: the descendants. I have two kids. One is open to getting my materials but not so sure about heirloom stuff. So much to think about and plan for. Thanks for reading, Colleen.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder and ideas. My kids have already told me that when I go, they will only takes the books I published and don't care about any of the other genealogy stuff I have such as the 1 file box, presentation books, family books, photos (except our immediate family), my online trees, etc. I told them I will leave instructions for where to donate them. :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a good plan together already! Kudos!
DeleteOne of my biggest fears is that I do all this work and then no one continues it. Luckily my son is (mildly) interested, and I'm trying to get a niece or nephew interested as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your son is interested, and who knows, that might change over time. For my son I think he is more interested in the really cool stories, but could care less about how I got there (which is the most fascinating part to me in some instances). It's good that you are blogging as well, as that is the permanent way to get the research out there and one of the main reasons I write. I can't tell you how many times distant cousins have contacted me b/c they see something that pertains to their family on my blog. I frequently post on FB genealogy groups when permitted, for localities where I research. Spreads it around. Thanks for reading.
DeleteVery timely article and much needed, as many of us search for permanent homes for our years of work.
DeleteThanks, Molly. I do hope it is helpful to many. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
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