A QUESTION THAT HAUNTS MANY OF US

Many of us wonder what will happen to our possessions after our deaths. Would our children discard some of these treasured memorabilia as junk? Image credit: *FLIQALINDIA* on Pexels.

By DR CHANDRAKANT SHAH

Over the years, many of us collect books, family videos and photographs, family heirlooms and wealth; and wonder what will happen to all these possessions after our deaths.

Would our children discard some of these treasured memorabilia as junk? Recently, I was forced to think about what to do with the material things I have accumulated over the course of my long life and career – mounds of papers, books, correspondence, Indigenous paintings and digital records in email, teaching materials, research papers, reports, etc. While I discarded many of my collections or gave away some, there were still a lot that I was unable to part with as they dealt with some important events in my life. And yet, at the same time, I did not want to burden my sons with sorting through them after my death. Fortunately, I came across a historian who informed me about archiving some of my material with the Archives and Record Management Services at the University of Toronto, sparking my interest in legacy and archives.

At some point in life, we all wonder about the legacy we will leave behind – what will be passed down from one generation to the next, encompassing our values, achievements, traditions, material wealth, or cultural influences. A legacy represents the lasting impact of an individual, family, community, or institution on the future. Legacy can be intentional (actively created and preserved) or unintentional (formed through the consequences of one’s actions over time).

There are several types of legacy:

Personal legacy: The impact an individual leaves behind through his/her actions, contributions, and character – a writer, musician or artist.

Family legacy: Traditions, values, wealth, and stories passed down within a family. This includes financial assets, heirlooms, ethical principles, or business ventures. The Eaton and McConnel families are good examples.

Cultural legacy: Contributions to art, literature, language, traditions, and societal values that shape a community or nation. For example, Indigenous paintings by Morriseau, and Margaret Atwood with her books.

Institutional legacy: The influence of an organization, educational institution, or business on society, often through innovations, policies, or corporate social responsibility. The Hospital for Sick Children, to name one.

Historical legacy: The long-term impact of past events, civilizations, or influential figures on the present and future. Prime examples would be Mahatma Gandhi and Justice Sinclair with his Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation work.

Philanthropic legacy: Contributions in the form of charity, foundations, or social reforms that benefit society. For example, the Atkinson and McConnel Foundations.

Political legacy: The policies, reforms, and governance structures left behind by leaders or movements. Tommy Douglas as the father of universal healthcare in Canada, for instance.

Archival material is essential in documenting, maintaining, and transmitting legacy across generations. These materials include:

• Documents such as letters, contracts, legal papers, and manuscripts such as the treaties signed by Canada with the Indigenous People

• Photographs and videos capturing historical moments and family milestones, e.g. occupation of Ottawa by protesters during the COVID crisis

• Oral histories such as recorded interviews and stories, e.g. interviews of survivals of the residential schools or veterans of World War One

• Artifacts and memorabilia such as tangible objects like clothing, furniture, or medals, e.g. the shoe collection in Bata shoe museum; digital records such as websites, emails, social media content, and cloud-stored data, e.g. Hansard Report for the record of parliamentary and legislative debates.

Thus, archives serve to preserve and organize valuable information for future generations.

These different forms of archival material are essential in legacies by preserving authenticity and accuracy by ensuring that future generations have a reliable record of historical events and family heritage. They provide continuity and identity by helping individuals and communities maintain a connection to their roots. They are also vital for education and research to provide primary sources for historians, genealogists, and scholars. Archival materials have tremendous cultural and social value by helping societies retain traditions and values that define them. They also have legal and financial relevance by preserving vital records such as wills, property deeds, and historical business transactions.

For most people, archives play a crucial role in preserving individual and family legacy by maintaining the memories, history, and identity of individuals and families.

They are useful for:

• Documenting family history by preserving birth records, marriage certificates, family trees and letters that connect generations

• Maintaining cultural and personal identity by storing family traditions, recipes, languages and folklore. Archives help pass down heritage.

• Preserving achievements and contributions such as personal diaries, awards, and professional work that document an individual’s impact on society.

• Ensuring legal and financial security, for example, vital records such as wills, property deeds, and financial transactions provide continuity and protection for future generations.

• Enhancing historical research as family archives contribute to historical and genealogical studies, helping descendants understand their roots.

• By sharing stories with future generations by allowing descendants to connect with their ancestors through preserved narratives and artifacts.

Achieving individual and family legacies involves systematically collecting, organizing, and preserving documents and materials by identifying personal documents, family records, photos and videos, cultural heirloom items and professional and achievement records. One also needs to organize and categorize materials such as legal, personal, financial, and historical and label photographs and documents with dates, names, and descriptions. Nowadays it is important to digitize physical records for backup and easy access. Digital preservation is an ongoing process that requires using open formats, redundant storage, periodic migration, and metadata management. By planning for future technological changes, you can ensure archives remain accessible for generations. Also, donating important documents to historical societies or libraries will be useful in preserving a legacy so that future generations can connect with their history and identity.

Proper documentation and preservation techniques help safeguard valuable memories, achievements, and cultural heritage for generations to come.

SENIOR MOMENT

A QUESTION THAT HAUNTS MANY OF US