This may not be the best place to post this, but it has to do with passing the torch, or seeing that there is a torch available to pass. In the May issue of Saucer Smear, Jim Moseley has begun a series of articles called "What Happens When UFO Research Organizations Die?" The first installment tells the tragic tale of what befell the APRO files after the death of Coral Lorenzen. The APRO hands are now in private hands and are not available to researchers. The article series seems to be focusing on organizations, but individual researchers should make provisions to protect their work after their death as well. I heard that John Keel's files were (at least in part) thrown away after his death. The same thing could have easily happened to Gray Barker's files, but luckily they were saved and are available to the public in the Clarksburg WV library. Most UFO cases are in effect "cold cases". An obscure bit of data could easily prove valuable years later, but if lost or destroyed, future researchers will never see it. Sadly, we're mortal. Everyone should have a will, but researchers especially should carry it a step further and protect their records.
Many people are sloppy in their personal lives about this sort of thing. It's no surprise it carries over to their professional life.
Small clubs and organizations tend to suffer from long term continuity problems. I remember when S Miles Lewis decided to divest himself of his extensive collection of esoteric literature. Smiles was able to pass it along to a broader organization with a permanent location in Austin that keeps a really cool library. This is unfortunately the exception, and whatever material. most clubs or avid individuals have accumulated usually winds up scattered and lost.
Ive already taken care of my collections, My Sci-Fi library is being donated to a local university who have an already extensive Sci-Fi wing. and my Models and Toys are going to a local Toy and railway museum. Both organisations have already accepted my offers. My Body itself is being donated to a university so med students can use it. Any leftover cash is going to the RSPCA
