I have been thinking about taking a trip back home to Massachusetts for quite some time now, but the need and desire to take that trip is growing exponentially with each passing day.
I have recently began to wonder what it is I would need to bring with me, because I know when I go back that I am going to maximize my time with research and by visiting family.
I know that there are many supplies which I will need to bring, but that I forget to include; so, I thought I would make a list for my reference (and for anyone else's), so that when the time comes I will have an adequate checklist to go by.
I began thinking of what I would use for all my research, but then realized that the tools and equipment I would need for my outside research is not the same as that which I would need for my inside research. Well, not entirely anyway. So, I broke it down for myself into two simple groups: one for outdoor use and the other for indoor use.
I thought that if I were to share this list, maybe others would have suggestions and or feedback as to what they bring with them or use while they were both out in the field and/or inside court houses and other indoor places of research.
This is not a comprehensive list by far, but it is what I was thinking I would need while on the go, and thought if I placed it online, on this blog, then I would be able to reference it anytime I have access to the internet -- be it through my smart phone or through a tablet or through my laptop, and I would also be able to edit it from anywhere as well, so should I think of something while I am at a store shopping, or when I am at an LDS Family History Library (FHL), I could make adjustments to it.
Please let me know what you would or do bring with you as well, I would love to compare notes!
SUPPLIES FOR GENEALOGY FIELD TRIP – CEMETERY / OUTDOORS
First, and most importantly, make
sure you always know the rules of the places you are going! If possible, make
an appointment to meet with the caretaker or the custodian of any where you
will be going to find out what their policies are at their location.
Second, ALWAYS be mindful of the local
and county and state laws regarding the use of a camera or other digital
recording and record keeping equipment. Some
venues do not allow the use of such material, even cell phones are disallowed
in some areas. Venture forward with caution.
R
List of
names, places and exact locations you wish to visit on this trip; plan ahead
and write a statement for yourself on what you wish to accomplish on this
excursion
R Backpack or Rucksack for keeping everything
in and for making traveling in rough areas easier
R
Cell
phone / Smart phone and GPS or GPS app on smart phone, to pin point exact
coordinates of where you are (latitude / longitude) for recording exact locations
of everything you find
R Digital Camera (at least 5 Mega Pixel) and
camera bag, plenty of memory sticks, extra batteries
R
Large
& Small notebooks, for keeping records of everything you do, every where
you go, and for everything you learn. Also helps for drawing maps to where you
are going and where you have been
R Multi-colored pens (red, blue, green, black)
and mechanical pencils
R plenty of water for drinking and water for
cleaning off dusty grave stones
R
wash
rags, for scrubbing gravestones clean and
heavy duty gallon sized zip-lock-style bags, for keeping wet wash rags in
R
hand
tools, such as hand trowels, hand shears, hikers shovel, military entrenching
tool, and dust brush, for cleaning around grave stones and removing over growth
R Pocket knife / utility knife / survival
knife (you never know when it will come in handy)
R
A Tape
Measure – I know this might sound like an odd piece of equipment to bring with
you, but if you are measuring distances between stones and size of stones or
inscriptions, these come in handy!
R
ADD YOUR
IDEAS AND GEAR HERE!
SUPPLIES FOR GENEALOGY RESEARCH TRIP – INDOORS (COURT HOUSE, FHL,
ETC)
First, and most importantly, make
sure you always know the rules of the places you are going! If possible, make
an appointment to meet with the caretaker or the custodian where you will be
going, being mindful of the policies they have at each location.
Second, DRESS APPROPRIATELY! I
cannot emphasize this enough… All too often, when going out to research your
genealogy in public places, far too many people do not think that their
appearance matters. When entering court houses and public offices, you should NOT
be dressed in jeans and a t-shirt! If you are male, perform one simple task: shave. You do not need to be clean shaven, but you cannot be scraggly
and appearing unkempt. Male or Female, You should always dress comfortably, yet professionally. How you look and how you present yourself to those you are
interacting with will be a direct correlation as to their first impression of you and your seriousness. As
the old saying goes, “You never have a second chance to make a first
impression”. That first impression will be the basis of how you are perceived
and how you are treated. It may not be what is said, it may not be right, but on a subconscious level, everyone does it.
Third, ALWAYS be mindful of the local, county and state laws regarding
the use of a camera and digital record keeping
equipment. Some venues do not allow the
use of such material; regrettably, even cell phones are disallowed in some areas. Venture
forward with caution by calling ahead and asking what the venue’s policy on
laptops, scanners, digital cameras and recording devices are.
When calling, ask to speak to the
person in charge of records and archives; ask them what their policies are with
regards to the equipment you will be bringing with you, and if they could cite the
policy and rules and tell you the places where these can be located if you need
to reference them again; are they publicly available online or in the town
hall’s offices? If they are publicly available,
where can you obtain copies or print outs? Whether or not any equipment is
allowed inside is irrelevant at this point; what matters is that you have the documentation
that is or is not allowed. Armed with this information, as well as the contact
names and numbers of the people you will be meeting with and the places you
will be going, you will have a much easier time getting through some of the more strict security checkpoints.
R
Laptop or
tablet computer loaded with genealogy software and image renderers; make sure
to include all the power cords and external devices you need to work with
quickly and efficiently (such as a small power strip, a mouse and mouse pad,
etc.)
R
Portable
/ External USB Powered Hard Drive with your genealogy research files backed up
and saved on there, in case you are not able to edit or use the family tree on
your computer; also useful if you need to copy data to and from other computers
or to and from other patrons
R Digital Camera (at least 5 Mega Pixel) and
camera bag, plenty of memory sticks, extra batteries
R Portable Hand / Page Scanner (great for
scanning books and old photographs)
R Multi-colored pens (red, blue, green, black)
and mechanical pencils and a ruler
R
Large
& Small notebooks, for keeping records of everything you do, who you have
spoken with (including their title, if possible) and for everything you learn.
Also helps for making notations about the condition of the documents and film
you are working with for future reference; also good for keeping track of
special call numbers and book titles in libraries. If an ISBN is available for
a book, make sure to write that down as well. Perhaps there are copies on the
internet which are within your price range or perhaps you may find an
electronic copy of the same book and/or reference material. Also used for jotting down sources or other
book titles and authors while you are reading and researching.
R
Plenty of
Blank research documents, such as family group sheets, pedigree charts, check
lists of available documents (if known), as well as plenty of change and single
bills for use of copiers and printers; don’t forget to bring a few empty
document holders, such as manila folders or large manila envelopes, to store
your printed documents and photos in.
R
Gloves; thin
white cloth as well as non-acid and non-latex based plastic and rubber ones;
food handlers disposable gloves are ideal, since they are thin enough for you
know how much pressure and force you are using in your hands while handling a
document, but also thin enough to protect the documents and/or film from the
natural oils of your skin, which are highly corrosive to old documents. REMEMBER: If you are allowed to
handle original documents, handle them with reverence.
R
ADD YOUR
IDEAS AND GEAR HERE!
Once again, Please let me know what you would or do bring with you as well!
I would love to compare notes!
~ Vince ~
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