When it comes to preserving our family history, we often think about collecting old photographs, documenting family stories, and building a detailed family tree. But what many genealogists and family historians overlook is how to protect all that research from unexpected disasters.
From house fires to hard drive crashes, history has shown us that disasters can happen when we least expect them. Without proper safeguards, decades of work could be lost in an instant.
So, how can you ensure that your carefully collected family history survives the unexpected? Let’s dive into some practical steps to keep your genealogy research safe for generations to come.
The Biggest Threats to Your Family History
Many of us store our genealogy records in one or two main places, perhaps a set of filing cabinets, a digital folder, or even a single online family tree. While this feels secure, it actually puts your research at serious risk.
Here are some of the biggest threats to your family history:
🚨 Natural Disasters – Fires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes can destroy both paper and digital files in seconds.
💻 Technology Failures – Hard drives fail, cloud accounts get deleted, and websites shut down. If you don’t have multiple backups, your research could disappear.
🗑️ Accidental Loss or Disinterest – Without clear instructions, future generations may not know what to do with your records—or worse, they may discard them.
The good news? There are ways to protect your research before disaster strikes.
1. Digitize Your Records and Heirlooms
One of the best ways to protect your genealogy research is to create digital copies of everything.
✅ Scan old photographs, vital records, and handwritten notes.
✅ Convert important documents into PDF files.
✅ Take high-resolution photos of family heirlooms and label them with descriptions.
💡 Tip: Invest in an external hard drive and a cloud storage service to keep your digital files safe. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud offer secure backup options.
2. Store Your Research in Multiple Locations
Never keep all your research in just one place! The best way to disaster-proof your genealogy is through redundant storage.
✅ Physical Copies – Keep a printed version of your family tree and key documents in a fireproof, waterproof safe.
✅ Digital Backups – Store copies on an external hard drive and at least one cloud-based service.
✅ Family Sharing – Share your research with relatives, so multiple family members have copies.
💡 Tip: Consider storing a copy of your most valuable research outside your home, such as with a trusted relative or in a safe deposit box.
3. Use Online Genealogy Platforms for Backup
Websites like Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch are great for researching your family tree—but they can also serve as a backup for your work.
✅ Upload your family tree and attach key documents.
✅ Use the “Notes” feature to record details about sources and relationships.
✅ Periodically download your tree in GEDCOM format for an offline backup.
💡 Tip: Don’t rely on just one website! Always store a local copy of your research in case an online service changes or shuts down.
4. Protect Your Research from Future Family Decluttering
It’s a tough truth: not everyone in your family will appreciate genealogy the way you do. Without a plan, your research could be lost or thrown away when you’re no longer around.
✅ Designate a “genealogy guardian.” Choose a relative who shares your passion for family history and will ensure your work is preserved.
✅ Leave clear instructions. Create a document explaining where your research is stored and what should be done with it.
✅ Donate to a historical society. If no family members are interested, consider leaving your research to a local genealogy society, library, or archive.
💡 Tip: Print and bind a book of your research to make it easier to preserve and pass down.
5. Create a Family History Emergency Plan
Just as we prepare for emergencies in other aspects of life, we should do the same for our genealogy.
Your Genealogy Emergency Checklist:
✅ Store important records in a waterproof, fireproof safe.
✅ Keep a USB or external hard drive with all digital backups.
✅ Print a quick-reference family tree for easy access.
✅ Write down login details for genealogy websites and online accounts (store securely).
✅ Regularly check and update your backups and storage solutions.
💡 Tip: Set a reminder every 6 months to check that your files and storage devices are still accessible.
Your Family History Deserves to Be Protected
Your research represents years of dedication, countless discoveries, and the legacy of your ancestors. Taking the time to protect it today ensures that future generations will benefit from your hard work.
🚀 Want a step-by-step guide to securing your family history?
I created my eBook, Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: Protecting and Preserving Your Genealogy from the Unexpected, to help genealogists like your disaster-proof their research.
Inside, you’ll learn:
✅ The best tools for digitizing your genealogy
✅ How to create a foolproof backup system
✅ Steps to ensure your family history is never lost
📌 Get your copy today and start protecting your family’s legacy!