Q. What can someone who has no living heirs do with his or her photos, documents and heirlooms so they won't be thrown away?

A. Many libraries, historical and genealogical societies, historical museums and state archives accept donations of family papers, genealogical research and heirlooms. Consider giving your items to a repository in an area that figures prominently in your family history research. The New England Historic Genealogical Society <www.newenglandancestors.org>, for example, seeks diaries, Bibles and other documents related to New England research. Or look for a museum or university library with a collection that would make a fitting home for your treasures—say, Italian immi-grant photographs or WWII ephemera.