Unusual Digital Artifcts from Genealogy 

When we think about estate planning, we tend to focus on the big things: the house, retirement accounts, investments, and life insurance. We make plans for our financial assets, update our beneficiaries, and decide who will handle the important details when we're gone. 

But what about everything else? 

The jewelry tucked away in a drawer. The artwork hanging on the walls. The family china, the vintage record collection, the tools in the garage, and the box of photographs in the attic. What about the things that might not be worth much financially but mean the world to us—or to someone we love? 

With Boomers set to pass down more than $3 trillion in tangible goods, aka “stuff,” to Gen X over the next decade, the question isn't whether our belongings will need attention. It's whether we're going to make that process easier for the people we leave behind. 

Because here's the thing: your family shouldn't have to guess what you wanted to happen to the things you leave behind. 

At Artifcts, we believe estate planning should go beyond financial assets. It should include the objects that tell our stories, the memories attached to them, and the wishes we have for their future. And with National Estate Planning Awareness Week as our reminder to get organized (it's this week!), there's no better time to start. 

Give Your Family a Roadmap with “In the Future” 

Imagine your family sorting through your home after you're gone. They find a beautiful necklace, but no one knows whether it was promised to a daughter, granddaughter, or a niece. They discover a collection you spent decades building, but have no idea whether you wanted it sold, donated, or kept together. They come across a box of treasured keepsakes and wonder which ones mattered most to you. 

These aren't just logistical questions. They're emotional ones, too. 

Without guidance, even well-intentioned families can find themselves navigating difficult decisions during an already painful time. They may disagree about what to keep, worry about making the wrong choice, or unknowingly part with something another family member would have treasured. Our co-founder Heather experienced all three scenarios when going through her mother's estate. Spoiler alert, it was not fun. 

That's why we created Artifcts' “In the Future” feature. When you create an Artifct you can also document what you'd like to happen to that item down the road. 

Want your granddaughter to inherit your favorite necklace? Record it. Hope your beloved book collection stays together? Say so. Prefer that a piece of furniture be donated to someone who needs it? Make that clear. Already parted with an item? Update its record so no one goes on a scavenger hunt looking for something you no longer own. 

The choice is yours. The important part is making your wishes known. And because your wishes deserve a place in your broader estate plan, your Artifcts can be easily exported and shared with your estate planning attorney or advisor, or incorporated into the documentation that supports your will. No more scattered notes, mysterious lists, or guesswork about who gets what. 

Instead, you can provide a practical roadmap for your family, with the added benefit of capturing the why behind each decision. 

After all, knowing that a watch belonged to your grandfather is one thing. Knowing he wore it every day of his life, that it traveled with him across the ocean, and that he hoped it would one day belong to you? That's something else entirely. 

Your Artifcts Deserve to Live On: Meet Legacy Contacts 

There's another important piece of estate planning that can easily be overlooked: your digital legacy. 

Think about the time you've invested in creating your Artifcts. You've photographed meaningful objects, recorded family stories, uploaded documents, and preserved memories that might otherwise have been lost. You've created something valuable—not just for yourself, but for the people who come after you. 

What happens to all that work when you're no longer here? 

At Artifcts, we believe your Artifcts are no different from the tangible assets you'll leave behind. You've put time, thought, and care into documenting your life's stories. Your heirs should have the opportunity to receive and enjoy that legacy, too. That's where our Legacy Contacts feature comes in. 

Unlike platforms that may offer only one designated legacy contact, Artifcts encourages you to name both a primary and a secondary Legacy Contact. Why? Because life is unpredictable. The person you initially choose may move, become unavailable, or pass away before you do. Having a backup helps ensure that the stories and memories you've worked so hard to preserve have a better chance of reaching the people you love. 

Your primary and secondary Legacy Contacts are the trusted people you designate to help carry your Artifcts forward. They might be family members, close friends, or another trusted individual who understands the importance of preserving your stories. 

By setting up your Legacy Contacts, you're taking a simple but meaningful step toward ensuring your Artifcts don't disappear when you do. 

And there's a distinction we think matters: your Artifcts remain your stories, told in your voice. Your Legacy Contacts help preserve and pass them along, so the memories you've chosen to document can continue to inform, connect, and inspire future generations. 

Setting Up Your Legacy Contacts Is Easy 

Ready to put your plan in place? 

Sign in to your Artifcts account. Navigate to Account Settings → Security & Longevity → Preserve My Artifcts. Add the email addresses for your primary and secondary Legacy Contacts. Review the available account longevity options and confirm your preferences. 

You can update your contacts as life changes. It's a small task that can make a big difference in the future. 

Estate Planning Is About More Than What You Own. It's About What You Leave Behind. 

We know that thinking about our own mortality isn't exactly how most of us want to spend an afternoon, but estate planning doesn't have to be an exercise in worrying about what might happen. It can be an act of care for the people who matter most. 

It's an opportunity to spare your family unnecessary stress. To help prevent misunderstandings. To make sure treasured possessions find the right homes. And to preserve the stories, traditions, and memories that might otherwise disappear along with the objects themselves. 

You don't have to document everything in one sitting, either. Start with three things that matter to you. Take a photo. Tell the story. Add the important details. Then use “In the Future” to record your wishes for each item. Once you've started building your collection, make sure you've designated your primary and secondary Legacy Contacts. 

As you go, consider sharing your Artifcts with your estate planning attorney or advisor so your wishes for tangible belongings can be reflected in the appropriate estate planning documents. And remember, the most meaningful things you leave behind aren't always the most expensive. Sometimes they're the handwritten recipe card, the well-worn baseball glove, the necklace passed between generations, or the ordinary-looking object that carries an extraordinary story. 

This National Estate Planning Week, Give Your Family the Gift of Clarity 

The great stuff transfer is already on the horizon. The question is whether we'll leave our families with a lifetime of possessions to sort through—or a thoughtful roadmap that helps them understand what matters, what comes next, and why. 

At Artifcts, we're here to help you do just that. Document the things you love. Preserve the stories behind them. Record your wishes for their future. And designate the people who can help carry your digital legacy forward. 

Your stuff has a story. Your stories deserve to live on. And your family deserves to know what you wanted them to do next. This National Estate Planning Week, don't leave your family guessing. Leave them a plan, a story, and a legacy worth sharing. 

Ready to get started? Visit Artifcts.com to begin documenting your keepsakes, exploring the “In the Future” feature, and designating your Legacy Contacts. 

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Looking for additional resources to help you jump start the conversation? We highly recommend AfterLight Founder, and co-founder of PALS Rachel Donnelly's book, Late to Your Own Funeral: How to Leave A Legacy And Not A Logjam. 

We also sat down with Rachel last year for an in-depth conversation about preparing with the end in mind. You can read more about our conersation here.

© 2026 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

There it is. The silver tea set your grandmother brought out for special occasions. The china your parents received as a wedding gift. The grandfather clock that's been in the family for generations. Or perhaps it's a piece of furniture, a collection of figurines, or a box of family treasures you inherited without ever asking for them. 

You know these things matter to someone. Maybe they mattered to the person who owned them, or perhaps other family members have always assumed they would stay in the family. You may even remember the stories attached to them. 

But here's the thing: You can love your family, cherish its history, and appreciate an heirloom's significance without wanting to own the object yourself. 

As we accumulate belongings, inherit them, downsize, or help loved ones navigate a move, we're often faced with a difficult question: What should we do with the things we don't want but don't feel comfortable getting rid of? 

At Artifcts, we believe the answer starts with separating the story from the stuff. The history, memories, and meaning behind an heirloom can live on, even when the physical object moves on to someone else. 

So before you tuck that heirloom back into a box, leave it on a shelf out of obligation, or quietly wonder whether it's okay to let it go, let's explore your options. 

First, Give Yourself Permission to Let Go 

Let's get this out of the way: You are not obligated to keep every family heirloom you inherit. Read that again if you need to. 

Family heirlooms can carry enormous emotional weight. They remind us of people we love, connect us to our childhoods, and give us a tangible link to generations who came before us. Sometimes, though, they also come with expectations, guilt, and a sense of responsibility that can be difficult to untangle. 

Perhaps your mother always said her china should stay in the family. Maybe your siblings assume you'll take the family furniture because you have the biggest house. Or perhaps you're the person everyone turns to when it's time to sort through a parent's belongings. 

It's easy to become the family keeper by default. 

But being a good steward of your family's history doesn't mean becoming the permanent storage facility for everything it contains. 

Instead, try asking yourself a few questions: 

• Do I genuinely enjoy owning or using this item?
• Does it hold personal meaning for me, or do I feel obligated to keep it?
• Do I have the space, time, and resources to care for it?
• Would I rather preserve its story than keep the physical object?
• Is there someone else who might treasure it more than I do? 

Your answers can help you decide what comes next. And remember, you don't have to make every decision immediately. It's perfectly reasonable to set an heirloom aside while you learn more about it or talk with family members. 

The goal isn't to get rid of things as quickly as possible. It's to make thoughtful decisions about what deserves a place in your life—and what might be better off somewhere else. 

Before You Pass It Along, Capture Its Story 

One of the biggest mistakes we can make with family heirlooms is assuming that the object's story will always be known. 

That rocking chair? Your great-grandfather built it for your grandmother when she was expecting her first child. Those serving dishes? They came out every Thanksgiving, and everyone knew which one held the cranberry sauce. That old watch? It belonged to a family member who wore it every day for decades. 

These details are what transform an ordinary object into a family heirloom. Without them, future owners may see only a chair, a dish, or a watch. The connection to the people and experiences that made it special can disappear. 

That's why we encourage you to Artifct the heirloom before you decide what happens to it next. 

Here's how to get started: 

1. Take a few photos. Photograph the entire object, along with any distinctive details, inscriptions, maker's marks, or signs of wear that help tell its story.
2. Record what you know. Who owned it? How did it enter the family? Was it purchased, handmade, gifted, or inherited? When and how was it used?
3. Capture the personal details. What do you remember about the person who owned it? Was there a tradition associated with it? Did someone have a favorite story about it? Don't worry about getting every detail right or knowing the whole history. Start with what you know.
4. Invite others to contribute. A sibling might remember a detail you've forgotten. A cousin might know who originally made the item. Share your Artifct and invite family members to add their memories. 

You may discover that the process of documenting an heirloom makes it easier to let go. Once its story is captured and shared, you can feel more confident that you're preserving what matters—even if the physical item no longer lives in your home. 

And if you discover that the story is incomplete? That's an opportunity to ask questions while the people who know the answers are still here. 

Who in the Family Might Want It? 

Before you donate, sell, or otherwise part with a family heirloom, give relatives the opportunity to express interest. To avoid those guilt-laden requests that soon turn into obligations, start by sharing a little of its story. Explain why it mattered to its previous owner and ask whether anyone would genuinely like to have it. 

You might say: 

“I'm making some decisions about Grandma's belongings, and I'd love for this tea set to go to someone who would enjoy having it. It was something she used during the holidays. I've captured a few photos and memories, too. Would anyone like to have it? There's absolutely no pressure if it's not right for you.” 

That last part matters. Your relatives may have their own space limitations, tastes, and inherited belongings to manage. They may cherish the memory of your grandmother without wanting her tea set. That's okay, too. 

A few things to keep in mind: 

• Give people time to respond. Not everyone will be ready to make a decision right away, especially after a loss.
• Share the story, not just a photo of the object. Context can help someone recognize why they'd want it.
• Be clear about the practicalities. A large piece of furniture or fragile collection may require transportation, storage, or special care.
• Agree on a plan. If several people want the item, talk through a fair way to decide who receives it.
• Set a reasonable deadline. You can be compassionate while still moving forward with your own plans. 

And if nobody wants it? You have not failed your family. You've given people a chance to keep it, and you can now explore other ways to honor its history. 

What If No One in the Family Wants It?

You've asked. You've shared the story. And no one has raised a hand. Now what?

The good news is that you have options. The right one depends on the type of heirloom, its condition, its potential value, and whether its history connects to something beyond your immediate family.

Option 1: Find a New Home for It

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for an heirloom is find someone who will appreciate it in a new way. Consider reaching out to:

• Friends and extended family. Someone outside your immediate family may have a connection to the item or simply love its style.

• Community organizations. Schools, theaters, historical societies, and community groups may be interested in certain objects for their programs or collections.

• Collectors and enthusiasts. Specialized online communities can connect you with people who appreciate particular types of antiques, vintage items, or collectibles.

• People who can use it. Furniture, household goods, tools, and other practical items may be useful to someone setting up a home or starting a new chapter.

When possible, include the item's story when you offer it. A piece of furniture might be more appealing when its new owner learns who built it. A set of dishes might become more meaningful when someone knows they were used for decades of family celebrations.

And don't overlook the possibility of giving the item away. You may find more satisfaction in knowing someone will enjoy it than in trying to recover its monetary value.

Option 2: Donate It to an Organization That Can Preserve Its History

Some family heirlooms have significance beyond the family itself.

Perhaps your great-grandfather's military papers document an important chapter in local history. Maybe your grandmother's journals reveal something about life in a particular era. Or perhaps your family has photographs, letters, business records, or objects connected to a community, profession, or historical event.

Consider contacting a local historical society, museum, library, university archive, or other institution with a relevant collecting focus.

A word of caution: Not every organization can accept every item. Museums and archives typically have specific collection priorities, and they may decline items that fall outside their scope. Contact the institution first, explain what you have, and share any known history or documentation.

If an institution is interested, ask about its donation process and any paperwork needed to document the transfer.

Before you part with the item, create an Artifct with photographs, relevant documents, and the story as you know it. Share it with family members so they can retain a connection to the item even if the physical object enters a public collection.

Option 3: Sell It

Let's talk about money. Some heirlooms have significant monetary value. Others are valuable primarily because of the memories attached to them. And sometimes, what looks like a priceless antique turns out to have a surprisingly modest resale value.

If you think an item may be valuable, do a little research before selling it. Depending on the object, you might consult a qualified appraiser, an antiques dealer, a reputable auction house, or a specialist in that category.

Keep in mind that an item's age alone doesn't determine its worth. Condition, rarity, maker, provenance (its documented history of ownership), and current market demand can all play a role.

If you decide to sell, consider how you'd like the item to be used or appreciated by its next owner. You may also want to preserve photographs, records, and stories before the sale so the history doesn't disappear with the transaction.

And if the heirloom has both financial and sentimental value, take a moment to consider whether you're comfortable letting it go. You don't have to sell it simply because someone has told you it's worth money.

Option 4: Repurpose or Reimagine It

Sometimes, an heirloom can have a second life without remaining exactly as it was.

A collection of embroidered linens might become a quilt. A few meaningful pieces of jewelry might be incorporated into a new design. A well-loved piece of furniture might be refinished and put to use in a different home.

Of course, not every heirloom lends itself to repurposing, and altering an object can permanently change its character or value. If the item is rare, historically significant, or potentially valuable, seek expert advice before making changes. 

Option 5: Recycle or Dispose of It Responsibly

Not every heirloom can be sold, donated, or repurposed. Some items are damaged beyond repair, and others simply aren't suitable for another owner. If that's the case, it's okay to let them go.

Before throwing something away, consider whether any components can be recycled or whether a local organization accepts the materials. For items containing hazardous substances or requiring special handling, follow the appropriate local disposal guidance.

If the item has meaning for you, take photographs and record its story before you part with it. That way, the memory doesn't have to disappear simply because the object does.

What About Heirlooms With Significant Monetary or Historical Value?

A quick but important note: Before disposing of or transferring an heirloom, take time to understand what you have.

If an item may be an antique, a valuable collectible, a work of art, or an object with historical significance, consider obtaining a professional opinion before making a decision. You never want to be THAT family member that donated a million dollar piece of art to your local Goodwill store by accident. 

Likewise, if you inherited the item as part of an estate, confirm that you have the authority to decide what happens to it. There may be estate documents, ownership questions, or other family considerations to resolve first.

And if you believe an heirloom has significant financial value, remember that an online estimate isn't necessarily the same as a formal appraisal. A little research now can help you avoid regrets later.

The Bottom Line: Keep the Story, Even If You Don't Keep the Heirloom

Family heirlooms can connect us to the people, traditions, and experiences that shaped our lives. They remind us where we came from and help us understand the generations who came before us. But the physical object isn't the only way to preserve that connection.

You can photograph an heirloom, document its history, record a loved one's memories, share those stories with family, and then decide whether the object should stay with you, move to another family member, find a new owner, or leave your home altogether.

You can appreciate an heirloom without keeping it. You can honor the person who gave it to you without carrying the burden of storing it forever. And you can preserve family history without preserving every object that comes with it.

At Artifcts, we believe it's the stories, memories, and meaning behind our belongings that make them worth remembering. That's why we encourage you to Artifct the heirlooms that matter, share their stories with the people who will appreciate them, and think intentionally about what happens next.

Happy Artifcting!

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© 2026 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

October is Family History Month—a perfect opportunity to pause and think beyond names, dates, and genealogy charts and consider the stories that make your family history uniquely yours.

At Artifcts, we see family history everywhere: in the china passed down from a grandmother, the recipe card covered in her handwriting, an old photograph tucked into an album, a piece of jewelry worn for decades, or an everyday object that carries a story only one person in the family still remembers.

These keepsakes and heirlooms are more than “stuff.” They are tangible connections to the people, places, traditions, experiences, and values that came before us. But without the stories behind them, those connections can easily become lost over time.

The story would have been lost if we hadn't asked, "Grandma what's the story behind this china?"

That’s why we take Family History Month as an opportunity to document and preserve the stories, memories, and value behind the things that matter to us. Whether you’re a dedicated genealogist or someone who simply has a few treasured family objects, October is a great excuse to capture what you know—and share it with the people who will want to know it someday.

So this Family History Month, do it your way. Start with an heirloom. Tell the story behind a photograph. Capture a favorite family recipe. Record what you remember about the person who gave you something special. Preserving family history isn't only about remembering who came before us; it’s also about making sure future generations understand why the things we leave behind mattered.

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Hello Family Genealogists, Historians, And Those In the Making

You don't have to be a professional genealogist—or even particularly interested in genealogy—to be a keeper of your family's history.

Maybe you've spent years researching your family tree and have boxes of documents, photographs, and notes to prove it. Or maybe your family history lives in a much less organized collection: a few old photographs, Grandma's carnival glass collection, an old journal, your father's favorite chair, or stories you've heard so many times you assume you'll always remember them.

But here's the thing: family history isn't just about names, dates, and where your ancestors came from. It's about the stories and meaning behind the things that connect us to the people who came before us. And those stories are surprisingly easy to lose.

The person who knows why that painting hung in the family room. The person who remembers where a particular piece of jewelry came from. The person who can explain why everyone makes the holiday stuffing that way. When that person is gone, the object may remain—but the story can disappear with them. That's where Artifcts can help.

Rather than trying to document your entire family history at once, start with one thing that matters. Take a photo. Add what you know. Tell the story behind it. Capture a memory, a voice recording, a video, or any other detail that helps explain what it is, why it matters, and what you hope happens to it next. That's the heart of Artifcting.

And don't worry if you don't know everything. Start with what you do know. Share your Artifcts with family members and invite them to fill in the blanks. Your memories can spark someone else's, and together you can create a richer picture of your family's story.

Think of it as passing down more than an object. You're passing down the context, the connection, and the “why” that makes it meaningful.

A Few Easy Ways to Start

• Choose a family heirloom. What is it? Who did it belong to? How did it come into your family? Most importantly, why does it matter?

• Capture a family recipe. Don't just save the ingredients. Record who made it, when your family enjoyed it, and those little tricks that never made it onto the recipe card.

• Add the story to an old photograph. Identify the people, place, and occasion—but also capture whatever you remember about that moment.

• Ask someone to tell you their story. Sit with a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or longtime family friend and ask about the things they've kept. You may be surprised by what you learn.

• Share what you've captured. Family history becomes more valuable when it's accessible to the people who will carry it forward.

Our co-founder Heather Artifcted her mother's cranberry sauce recipe and included a video to show her daughter how to sort the cranberries. 

You don't need to preserve everything, and you don't need to know everything. Just start with something that matters—and make sure its story doesn't get lost.

Share the History

The reality is not all families have a family keeper, that person who by choice or default holds onto the heirlooms, photos, recipes, and slew of documents that represent generations of a family’s history. Or maybe you are a solo ager, the last keeper, or recent inheritor of all this family history and are thinking, “Now what? I really don’t want this stuff.” 

There’s a second reality that is important to recognize: family history is not only family history. Sometimes family history is part of local, national, or even global history. It offers clues to key figures, ways of living, and the social, political, and religious practices of a place in time. So, consider sharing pieces of your family history with the world through donations. 

• Philanthropic donations. Consider galleries, libraries, research centers, foundations, and museums with specialties that may overlap with your items. Donations are not necessarily only in the realm of inherently valuable objects. Often, you guessed it, the story behind the object is the key. Don’t know the story either? That’s okay. Reach out to an institution, share your items, and give them the opportunity to tell you!  
• Archival donations. Transform your personal family history into elements of a shared community history by offering your items to professional archives. What types of items might fit this category? As a starter: scrapbooks, journals, letters, and diaries; original business materials (certificates, advertising, shares, board documents, voting records); media (photographs, slides, film, even websites too). You can learn more at the Society of American Archivists. 

Using Artifcts? Before you donate, Artifct the items to retain the family lore and history that’s relevant to you, and then share with family. Make sure no one else is interested in the item before you donate it, and attach any documentation related to your donation to the Aritfct. You can then rest easy knowing your family’s history will be in the capable professional hands of institutions that will preserve and protect them for generations to come. 

Let's Talk Wills and Legacy

We admit, not your typical topic for Family History Month, but hear us out. Wills are not simply about death, they also ease the burden on those we leave behind. We all too frequently ignore the items we've collected over time. And, no, they will not sort themselves into piles to sell, donate, or bequeath. At the end of the day, someone will have to make 1000s of decisions about what becomes of every single item. Do you really want to leave a burden as your legacy? 

Wouldn’t you rather everyone be better prepared and informed? Not only will making a plan and creating documents make it easier for your family to pick up the pieces, but they can also help loved ones understand why you valued the items you are leaving behind. We've got some tips to help:

• Don’t have a Will? There are many wonderful estate planning attorneys in each community who can help you with this process. But this is an industry transformed by the digital revolution, and then some. If you are looking for a digital, self-guided approach, check out our fellow AARP AgeTech Collaborative partners at Trust & Will.   
• Haven’t really seen your Will in a while? Give it a checkup. There's no time like the present. Add it to your to-do list this month! 
• Confirm: Are the major themes covered?  Consider your physical estate, digital assets, retirement accounts, powers of attorney, medical directives, living wills, minor children, and even relatives with disabilities.  
• Is there a list of tangible assets referenced in your Will? Your Will may provide for a separate “Memorandum” that can be updated and changed at any time without making any changes to your Will.  
  • • • No list? Start. Just take a first cut by looking around the house (or your Artifcts collection!). 
      • Already have a list? Double check that it covers at least those items of greatest financial or heart (sentimental) value. 

Using Artifcts? Pick three or four of your most treasured items to Artifct and let your loved ones know why each item matters to you. Use the "In the Future" field to think through and record what you would like to happen to this item one day. Will it be passed down? Rehomed? Sold? Consider sharing the Artifct with your estate planner or attorney to list with other tangible assets referenced in your Will.   

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Artifcting Starter Resources 

We have all sorts of resources that can help you make the most of Family History Month this October:

Inspiration Checklists

Videos on YouTube

Artifcting Quick Tips

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© 2026 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.