1. The insurance copy argument. If they have the original item, remind them that it could be lost or gone forever in a house fire or other disaster, or lost. By letting you copy it, the family gains a backup, security, insurance copy.
2. Broker. Offer to make them a copy when you make a copy.
3. Trade. Offer to exchange copies of records or items you have in return for their letting you copy their materials.
4. Family project. Design a family project - biography, photo collection, newsletter - for which you need to copy and use their materials. This links your request to a family cause rather than just being personal.
5. Purchase. If the person's reluctance to share is because of the monetary value of the items, consider buying the material or at least a part of it.
6. Take pictures. They might have an heirloom locket or Civil War uniform or other valuable items they won't let out the door. In such cases, take pictures of them and offer to share copies of your photos.

Used with permission from The Everything Family Tree Book by William G. Hartley (Adams Media, 1998)

The difference between a piece of junk and an heirloom or antique is simple: one generation of time. If items can survive the junk stage for one full generation, they will become curiosities and then valuable family keepsakes and heirlooms.

Used with permission from The Everything Family Tree Book by William G. Hartley (Adams Media, 1998)