Preserving Family Artifacts When There’s No One to Pass Them On To

Family artifacts—like my father’s Navy memorabilia and his treasured pilot logbook—are more than just objects. They’re pieces of a life once lived, pages from a story that shaped who I am. But what do you do when you cherish these things deeply, yet find yourself with no clear heir to take them when you’re gone?

This is a question I’ve wrestled with—and one that many people face, especially those without children or close family. The good news is: these artifacts don’t have to be lost. There are ways to preserve them, honor their history, and even share them with others who value their significance.

1. Document the Story Behind the Artifacts

Objects without stories risk becoming anonymous. Take time to write down the history behind each item—where it came from, who owned it, why it mattered. For my father’s logbook, I’ve added a few pages with photos of him in uniform, and notes about where he flew, what he saw, and how it impacted his life.

You can:

• Create a short written history to include with each item

• Record an audio or video explanation of what the item means to you

• Use labels, tags, or folders for collections (digital or physical)

2. Digitize for Future Generations

Whether or not someone takes the physical items, digital copies can live on. Scan logbooks, photograph medals or uniforms, and save everything to a cloud drive. Add notes or metadata to explain each file.

Even better—consider submitting some digital versions to:

• Online archives (like Fold3 for military records)

• Virtual family trees (on Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch)

• A personal website or blog documenting your family history

3. Find a Permanent Home: Museums, Archives, or Historical Societies

You might be surprised how many organizations are eager to preserve personal histories—especially related to military service. Your father's pilot log and memorabilia could be valuable to:

• A local veterans’ museum

• A military or naval aviation museum

• A state historical society

• The Library of Congress Veterans History Project (for recordings, letters, etc.)

Reach out with a brief description of what you have. Curators and archivists are often grateful for meaningful, well-documented items.

4. Create a Legacy Collection

If you’re comfortable with the idea, curate a small “legacy box” to be donated in the future. Include:

• Key artifacts

• A summary of the items and your family story

• Your contact info and final wishes for the items

This can also be registered with historical preservation groups, or even included in your will with donation instructions.

5. Share the Story Widely

You may not have family to pass things on to, but your story still matters. Share it:

• In a blog post like this

• On social media history groups

• Through an article submitted to a veterans' magazine or local newspaper

You never know who might read it—a distant relative, a history buff, a researcher. Sometimes strangers become the next caretakers of family stories.

It’s hard to hold the weight of memories when you’re unsure of their future. But preserving and sharing them—digitally, publicly, historically—can ensure they live on, even beyond your personal circle. You may not know who will care for these artifacts one day, but if you put them into the world with care, someone will.

And that, I believe, is a legacy worth leaving.