I won't bore you with a long whining session, but this issue is brought up among legitimate family researchers time and again. In fact, the other day in a history class I teach the students expressed their own interest in family research. Many would love to know their family history, but they don't know where to begin. I blame their families. Yes, there is online material, but that will take them only so far (or sometimes nowhere).
Family photos, memorabilia, etc. are great to have, but salting them away and not sharing will, in the end, leave your descendants lacking a connection with history. It also sets a bad example for your family - teaching them to be selfish. In the end, and probably long after you've left this world, they'll end up fighting amongst themselves over this or that material object, merely following your lead.
If you don't have the time for research but would like to keep originals, go and make some copies on a copy machine (it costs very little these days). If you're concerned someone is going to publish the next New York Times bestseller using your information, then let me put your fears to rest. Photos of Aunt Bessie aren't going to fetch much, or any, money. The only people who care are the people who are related to you! People want to know what their ancestors looked like. Now, then, I've heard the sob stories about this or that person not giving something back or stealing this or that. We're not all thieves. Learn to judge people on a case by case basis in your family.
I'm sure if our ancestors could speak they would urge you to honor their memories. What better way is there to serve your ancestors than to share information with your cousins? I am not naive, I know I can't exactly root out conspicuous selfishness on a blog. Instead, let us ALL create the habit of conspicuous sharing.
