Geneva Project #2; Destinations

Geneva's situation brings to mind the question- Can we trust our family to respect what we have worked so hard on?  I too have an office filled with books, documents, pictures, etc. Some of which are rare and old. What assurance do I have that these items will be here for future generations?  Is there an organization that accepts these materials to preserve and share them?

I decided to contact the Mormon Church.  Since they are known for their family history they are a likely start.  I was told that the Mormon Family History Library will accept pedigree charts and like items that are positively not copyrighted. Then I was transferred to the Church Archive Dept. They will accept materials (books, letters, etc.) that have reference to the Mormon religion.  Since I am not Mormon (with ancestors predominantly Baptist) and only have some items that mention Mormons, what do I do?  I assume other researchers may be the same situation so onward I go.

I had been meaning to inquire about the National Archives (NARA) and the Mormon Historians suggest I do so as well.  NARA [866-272-6272] informed me that they do not accept these items. In the past they have referred people to The Library of Congress. I was told I could locate them via the Federal Information Center [800-333-4636]. From there I was sent to the Rare Books & Special Collections Department [202-707-5434]. This gentleman suggested that I contact the Anglo-American Acquisitions Department [202-707-5361].  I researched the internet on this department and found this statement*: "It is the policy of the Library of Congress to foster the enrichment of its collections through gifts of materials within the terms of the Library’s acquisitions policies. In implementing this policy, division chiefs and other authorized officers of the Library may undertake, as representatives of the Library, preliminary negotiations for gifts to the Library. However, responsibility for formal acceptance of gifts of material and for approval of conditions of such gifts rests with The Librarian of Congress or his designee."

*Located online at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/julqtr/pdf/36cfr701.31.pdf

What does this mean? This means that they do accept materials, but someone in the Library of Congress will have a meeting and discuss weather or not they will take your items. Back to square one.  By the way- it's a good thing I have a flat rate for my long distance calls!

It is in my opinion that researchers are better off to donate their materials to the historical/genealogical society- AFTER researching who would best benefit from the material as well as take care of it.  Of course, you should clear it with them first. I would also find out their policies. Ask them what they do with items they feel are not pertinent to their collection and see if your descendants will have access to your items.  Some of these places also sell off items when they cannot be stored!

Don't wait until it is too late. If you are not actively using items donate them yourself to the places you feel would best benefit. Please, don't leave things to chance. I have heard many people say that their children know what to do with their things. Geneva Allison Epperson may have thought so too. She's still living and her things wound up on a dumpy flea market table. Is your hard work worth the risk?

I spent many hours trying to return Geneva's scrapbook.  I finally gave up & decided to restore the book to be archival safe and donate it to her former school's archive department where the items can be taken care of and still be useful to many others.