This presentation by James L. Tanner addresses the critical issue of preserving genealogical research to prevent data loss upon the death or disability of the researcher. It clarifies the legal and practical aspects of research ownership, emphasizing that while personal papers are property, the actual genealogical data and ancestors themselves belong to the public domain or "the ancestral realm". To safeguard these records, the author recommends digitizing unique documents, sharing information via platforms like FamilySearch.org, and discussing the final disposition of physical collections with relatives or historical societies. Ultimately, the presentation serves as a call to action for genealogists to organize and distribute their life's work before it is permanently lost or discarded.
