Are you certain your family heirlooms will end up in the hands of the right people? Heirlooms are valuable possessions that have been passed down from one generation to the next.  It may be an old oak table that provided family dinners for many generations, a timepiece carried in the vest pocket of your great-grandfather, or a family Bible with notes and a complete family tree.  These keepsakes may not be worth a lot of money, but they do carry the sentiment of a person or family and that makes then valuable.

When passing down cherished family possessions, I’m sure you would like future generations to value these items as much as you do. However, this is not always the case.  As older generations are downsizing and moving into smaller homes or retirement communities, the family possessions are not always being welcomed into the homes of the younger generations.  Adult children are increasingly saying “no thanks” to some of the family heirlooms which means they end up in thrift stores or the dumpster.  This often happens because the younger generation does not have a full understanding of the stories and significance behind the family keepsakes.  This is why it is so important to take an inventory of your family heirlooms.   

Steps to create a Family Heirloom Inventory

• Create your inventory using a separate sheet of paper or spreadsheet for each item.
• Take a picture of the heirloom to be attached to the sheet or spreadsheet
• Describe what it is, where it came from or who made it.
• List the location of the item. Is it in a safe deposit box, or china cabinet, or back bedroom bookshelf.
• Write out the history, story and significance of the family heirloom.
• List the person who should inherit the item.

It would be wise to ask your family members which heirlooms they would like to have as you are creating your list. This would help avoid family squabbles.  You can either give the item to them outright or, if two or more want the same item, come up with a resolution that would be fair to all.  I have seen situations where siblings no longer speak to one another because they both wanted grandma’s handmade quilt.  And the quilt could not be split!  Deciding who gets what now will contribute to family harmony long after you are gone.

Place your inventory sheets in your family legacy drawer. Be sure to keep the inventories updated.  You may receive additional family keepsakes that need to be added to the inventory.  You may change the location of the item or decide to give it to the person early.  Keeping the inventory updated will save time and worry for your family when it comes time for them to distribute the items.

Here is a sample heirloom inventory sheet you can use as an example and prompt to help you get started.