Oh my goodness... I would have to agree with you about this. I generally don't have attachment to things even if they are family heirlooms, and I certainly wouldn't wish to burden future generations like that. Then again I don't have heirlooms, so I guess I'll never truly understand.
If it's about rollers, I wonder if ball bearings could be equipped on an older piece.... Hmm.... Live on as an upgrade?
That should be possible, if you were handy with making things or if you hired a carpenter to put some modern rails on the drawers, etc., but I think it would require cutting some of the old wood out to create space for them.