Before you donate your papers to an archives or library:

  • make certain they are able to receive the donation
  • organize the material you have
  • remove duplicate items
  • remember that archives and libraries prefer to collect unique material–usually unpublished items (letters, diaries, etc. ) and not photocopies of papers

It is essential that you communicate with the facility before you make the donation and while you are still alive. Don’t just “put a clause in your will” donating your papers and think that’s enough–it’s not.

  • Communicate with the facility
  • Communicate with your family
  • Organize what you have

The facility may not want or be able to take your materials. Find out while you are still alive and kicking or your heirs may be forced to kick your materials to the curb.

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One response

  1. Are there any legal factors to be concerned about donating letters and other personal dairies, etc..
    Ex: I have some letters from a grandparent and a parent, which do tell where bodies are buried and why.
    Many of the younger generation are asking questions, other older ones say “keep it quiet” and some of these are now gone.
    On one side of the family, this concerns a hereditary illness that occurs in every generation.
    Thank you Michael for your great blogs.

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