If you’re thinking about preserving your family history, knowing what to keep can feel overwhelming. There’s more to family records than just photos and names—every item can tell a unique story or hold important details. Keeping the right things helps you build a richer, more meaningful family history for yourself and future generations.
You don’t need to save everything; focusing on key items can make your collection organized and valuable. This article will guide you on what to hold onto, making it easier for you to understand your roots and pass on your legacy.
Old letters and postcards
Old letters and postcards give you a personal glimpse into your family’s past. They show how your relatives communicated and what life was like when they wrote them.
Keep ones that have clear messages or unique stories. Even simple postcards can reveal places your family visited or events they experienced.
You might want to digitize them by taking photos or scanning. This helps preserve their details, especially if the originals start to fade.
Old family photos (both loose and albums)
You should keep old family photos, whether they’re loose or in albums. They show the faces and moments that make your family story real.
Try writing notes on the back with names and dates if you know them. Use pencil to avoid damage.
Store photos in acid-free envelopes or folders to keep them safe. If you find unknown images, consider sharing them with local history groups.
Birth certificates
You should keep your birth certificates safe because they are the foundation of your family history. These documents prove important facts like your full name, birthdate, and place of birth.
They’re often needed for legal purposes and to verify your identity. Storing them in protective sleeves or a secure folder helps preserve them for future generations.
If you have birth certificates for ancestors, they can reveal key details that connect the family tree together. Keep originals whenever possible, and consider making digital copies as backups.
Marriage certificates
You should keep marriage certificates as part of your family history. They have important details like names, dates, and locations that help connect family members.
These documents often list witnesses and officiants, who might be relatives themselves.
Storing them safely in a cool, dry place keeps them in good condition. Use acid-free folders to avoid damage over time.
Death certificates
Death certificates are a key document for your family history. They include important details like names, dates, and places that can help you find more records.
You’ll want to keep original copies or certified ones if possible. These certificates can also prove relationships when requesting other documents.
Having these on hand makes tracing your family tree easier. They’re a solid starting point in uncovering your ancestors’ stories.
Divorce decrees
You should keep a copy of your divorce decree, especially one signed by the judge. A certified copy is even better to have on hand.
Divorce decrees can provide important details about family changes and legal agreements. They might include information about custody, property division, or name changes.
Keeping these records helps you understand your family history and can be useful for future reference. Don’t overlook this document when organizing your family papers.
Military service records
Military service records can reveal a lot about your ancestor’s role in the armed forces. You can find details like enlistment dates, ranks, units, and discharge information.
These records often include muster rolls, pay vouchers, and even medical records. They help fill in gaps about where your family member served and what they did.
Keep an eye out for variations in names or nicknames when searching. These details make it easier to track the right person in military archives.
Wills and probate documents
You’ll want to keep any wills and probate documents in your family history files. These papers show how your ancestors planned the distribution of their assets.
They give clues about family relationships and important legal decisions. Having them organized can also help you understand your family’s financial and personal history.
Make sure these documents are up to date and stored safely for future generations to reference.
Handwritten family recipes
You should keep handwritten family recipes because they carry more than just instructions. They show your family’s cooking history with smudges, notes, and personal touches.
These recipes connect you to moments shared in the kitchen. They’re little pieces of your family’s story you can hold onto.
Storing them safely helps preserve these memories. Use archival boxes or scan them to keep the originals intact.
Family Bibles with notes
You’ll often find family Bibles filled with handwritten notes about births, marriages, and deaths. These little details can give you a direct link to your ancestors’ lives.
Handle these Bibles carefully to keep the notes intact. Store them away from sunlight and in a cool, dry place to avoid damage.
It’s helpful to add a sheet explaining whose Bible it is and how they relate to you. That way, future generations understand its importance without digging through everything.
Newspaper clippings about relatives
Newspaper clippings can give you small but valuable glimpses into your relatives’ lives. You might find birth announcements, obituaries, or even mentions in local events.
These snippets help add context to dates and places you already know. Plus, they sometimes reveal stories or details you wouldn’t find elsewhere.
Keep any clippings that mention your family members, even if just briefly. They’re pieces of history that fill in the gaps of your family story.
Funeral programs
Funeral programs give you a snapshot of your loved one’s life. They often include important details like birth and death dates, family names, and sometimes a short biography.
Keeping these programs helps you remember the service and the people who attended. They’re small but meaningful pieces of your family history that you’ll appreciate later.
Property purchase and sale records
You should keep documents related to buying or selling property. These records show where your family lived and when they made those moves.
Deeds, title documents, and contracts give clues about family assets and history.
These papers also help trace property ownership over generations. Keeping them safe can be useful for both your family’s story and legal needs.
Diaries and journals
You should definitely keep any diaries or journals from your family members. These personal writings give a unique glimpse into everyday life and thoughts.
Journals help connect gaps in official records and add a deeper understanding of your family’s story. Even small notes or reflections can be really valuable.
If you find multiple journals, compare them to see different perspectives on the same events. They bring history to life in a way that photos and documents often can’t.
Religious documents (baptism, confirmation)
You should keep records of your baptism and confirmation. These documents are important because churches usually keep a permanent record of your sacraments.
If you ever move or switch parishes, your original parish holds the official records. Having copies can save you time if you need them for family history or church purposes.
Photos or certificates from these events also add a personal touch to your family story. They help connect you to your family’s spiritual background.
School records and diplomas
Keep your school records and diplomas as part of your family history. These documents show where your ancestors studied and when they graduated.
Diplomas can reveal more than just a date—they might help you find other school records or details that fill in gaps about your family’s past.
Even report cards, yearbooks, and awards can add interesting information and context to your family story.
Ethnic or cultural certificates
You should keep any certificates that show your family’s ethnic or cultural background. These might include tribal enrollment cards, cultural association memberships, or citizenship documents from ancestral homelands.
They help tell the story of where your family came from and can connect you to traditions or communities. Plus, they might come in handy if you ever want to explore your heritage more deeply.
Even if they seem minor, these documents can be important pieces of your family history puzzle. Store them safely with other important records.
Family trees and pedigrees
Keep your family tree updated as you find new information. It helps you see how everyone connects at a glance.
Pedigrees are great for showing direct ancestors in a clear way. You can use fold-out charts or digital tools to organize these.
Adding photos or little notes to your trees makes them more personal. It’s easier to share stories that way, too.
