Since we are methodical people, we have always kept birth certificates, Baptismal certificates, marriage liscense, passports, jewelry evaluations, innoculations / vacination records ( child ) , social security numbers, deeds, etc. in a fireproof safe. The Wills are there too, as well as with the lawyer.
One helpeful hin, that I can give, is IF you are going to give someone something, and you have LOTS of " somethings " ", don't wait until you die ! DON'T clean yourself out ... but it's ways nice to give an heirloom, and actually SEE the joy on the person's face, who is getting it. : -)
There is also a way to leave a museum or a historical society something BEFORE you die, get a tax writeoff, and still keep it, until you do die. ASK YOUR LAWYER / ESTATE PLANNER FIRST ! NEVER ASSUME ! DON'T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT !
Oh, and when you make out your Wills, ALWAYS supply an address and current phone numbers of your heirs, you lawyer !