I just re-read your original post, and have been thinking about what a wonderful and amazing collection that you have amassed. It has a great historical value, and it is a history that hasn't been very much told.

I hope I don't need to tell you that you should keep the original tapes. No matter how good the digital recording may be, it is just a picture of the original.

Also, there's a lot more work than just transcribing--the recordings will have to be documented--I know that people will have hundreds of questions about every song--

My suggestion is that you should ultimately shoot for putting the collection online, in the fashion of the Library of Congress--it would mean sending out letters and getting permission, etc, but it would also mean that we all could hear what you've got--