jerseygirl, I'm wondering what your decision was?
Did you dismantle the heavy albums?
Years ago, I did in-home care for a couple in their 80's. The husband had Alzheimers, the wife spent her time coping. On their coffee table were two attractive 11x14 boxes. One had personal letters, love letters, postcards from friends, letters from their now-very-grown children written when they were in college, etc. The other had a jumble of photos, all labeled on the back as to when and who was who.
When I saw how poignant, immediate and available everything was, I went home and did just what you are thinking of doing.
I dismantled all the photo albums, tossed a bunch of pictures and labeled everything I kept, but was careful to keep a detailed, notated chronological album of negatives. I sent each of my kids copies of those pictures that would matter to them most.
Now, like that couple I was so fond of, I have a box on my table of photos that anyone can peruse. To me, the out of order nature of the collection is more interesting and provocative than a row of tidy but uninviting, heavy books. I admit, though, I haven't had the nerve to put out any love letters! ;-)
Q