2/1/2007
By Fern Glazer
Grandma left you the family archive and now you're buried in papers and pictures. Dig yourself out with our guide to sorting, organizing and preserving the stash.
Your aging parents have just downsized to a smaller home, or your favorite aunt has passed away, and you've suddenly found yourself bequeathed a lifetime's worth of family papers, photos and miscellaneous, well, stuff that's threatening to overtake your family room.
If you're the designated family historian, you're probably thrilled to have this treasure trove — but overwhelmed by the job of organizing and preserving it. Or perhaps you haven't a clue about this genealogy stuff and don't know where to begin. Whatever your situation, we've got practical tips to help you decide what to keep, what to donate and what to preserve for posterity.
Take stock of your stash