This is a dilemma for many of at a certain time in our lives. The desire to keep something of our loved ones for remembrance is normal and I have one thing each from aunts and uncles for a reminder of their lives and love. It's my parents' things which, like you, are the issue. All the 'things' (clothes, ornaments, kitchen utensils etc) have been distributed or given to charity (or the recycling centre). Now I am left with documentation (passports, newspaper cuttings, diplomas, letters and poems, birth certificates etc) which reveal things we did not fully know in their lives as well as many photographs some of which are repetitive and some of which we have no idea were they were taken, but it is a record of their lives and the family history.
Who cares? Probably only close family just now, but one day curious grandsons and granddaughters may become curious and be disappointed if it was all thrown away.
@Thomas52 all interesting points for consideration. Now who or where are you going to keep all these papers, pictures? Who knows what they are looking at in the pictures unless a detailed written explanation on the back of the picture. It gets hard to throw away fond memories that you have, but who else wants to carry on the luggage of stuff
@turbineman40 I know - I have reduced it to one box now and digitised some of the photos, but you're right about the explanations, some of which have already disappeared with the departed.
