Some of the families have given specific items to different family members, knowing that one son might be particularly attached to a certain photo or another daughter might be more interested in her mother's side of the family tree. Some circulate copies and keep all originals in one place (the genealogist's choice).
At times, the people who want the treasures may not be the best stewards of these often fragile items, even if it's "all in the family." I've also heard about family situations where no one is interested enough to want to safeguard the treasures--they might hold onto the items but not put them in particularly dry or safe places, know what I mean?
My family's next generation genealogist has already raised her hand. I plan to get things in good shape for her. Ancestor photos are now in plastic sleeves but not yet fully labeled. And those little scraps of papers with scribbles that litter my files will have to be transcribed and put into the database so no one has to reinvent the wheel and start the hunt all over again. Looks like all the treasures will be hers to hold for future generations. What about your treasures?
2022 update: I've written a concise book on this topic, Planning a Future for Your Family's Past.
My kids all made it quite clear that they were not interested in ANY photos and I should get rid of them now as they will burn them later. So I started polling my nieces and nephews. Not much interest except one! Thankfully there was one - I'm storing stuff for her in a box that is mailable...with a note stuck on it that says 'to be mailed to Wendy after my death'...she has promised to be the 'keeper of the ancestors' and to make sure they continue to be passed down the line.
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