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Preserving the Past, Informing the Future | Skip Navigation Links |
A Genealogical Tool Kit
Ideally, one can walk into any research facility with no other tools than a pencil and a sheet of paper. In practice, research is a foray into unknown conditions and locations, as well as a search for unknown information, and often involves trips of some distance. Long and hard experience has taught genealogists that it is necessary to be prepared to meet situations that may affect the enjoyment and success of the research time. In order that beginning family history researchers may not be caught unprepared, we list here some items that patrons have suggested as helpful to have along on that important research trip, as well as some that our own experiences have shown to be useful.
The following lists try to cover basics, but are not inclusive. There are multiple suggestions under several categories, and it is intended that the patron will select those items which best fit his or her situation. Not all items will apply to all people. An inexpensive canvas bag could carry the items you need. If nothing else, let the lists serve as memory-joggers for that next fact-finding journey.
When Visiting Archives, Libraries, and Town Halls
Equipment
- Band-Aids, a few for paper cuts
- Calculator, small, to total up costs, distances, ages, etc.
- Camera and film
- in libraries, archives, and town halls, ask permission to take photos
- Computer, portable
- not a necessity, but wonderful for those who own or can borrow one
- be sure to take external power adapter, spare batteries, and extension cord
- remember that foreign countries (Mexico, Canada) may have different voltages than in the U.S. If you go to Europe, you will need to buy a special adapter or you will not be able to use the computer.
- Envelopes
- a few business-size, in case you need to write a letter or leave a note for someone
- Eraser, art gum
- File folders, empty, for information found on each surname
- Flashlight, in case the records are under the stairs or up in the attic!
- Glue stick
- Kleenex, small hand-size pack
- Magnifying glass
- Medications
- If you are on medication, be sure to take some along. There is nothing worse than getting sick in a strange place.
- Money, carrier
- "fanny pack" or small change purse
- Money for lunch! Time stands still for the engrossed researcher, but the brain still needs food to sustain the substantial amounts of energy required by intensive research.
- Money, for parking meters and copy machines
- assorted change (dimes and quarters)
- one-dollar bills
- some people prefer to keep quarters in empty 35mm plastic film canisters
- if extensive copying is anticipated, get rolls of dimes or quarters from the bank before you go to the library or archives
- Notebook, loose-leaf
- Notepads
- post-it notes
- small, loose-leaf
- Paper, typing and lined
- Paper clips, a small bunch kept in a small zip-lock plastic bag
- Paper punch, of size desired
- 1-hole
- 3- hole (some are designed to fit into loose-leaf notebooks)
- Pencil sharpener, small, hand-held
- Pencils
- regular, with erasers
- in several colors
- Pens, regular and in several colors
- some archives may not allow pens
- Protractor
- useful in plotting property descriptions from old deeds
- Ruler
- 6" or 12", depending on your preference
- clear or colored plastic
- some people may prefer a miniature tape measure
- Scissors, small
- handy for trimming photocopies
- Stamps, to mail any letters/notes that might need to be written on the spot
- Stapler
- miniature staplers are available
- Staple-pulling device, "tiger jaws"
- Tape, frosted
- Tape recorder, small portable
- you can record entries too long to type or that cannot be copied
- Yellow transparency sheet
- helps when reading faint writing on microfilm reader screens
- Pedigree charts for the families you are researching
- COPIES (originals stay at home)
- blank charts for new information
- Family Group Sheets for the families you are researching
- COPIES (originals stay at home)
- blank charts for new information
- Census forms, blank preprinted (available for 1790-1920)
- ID, photo ID
- Library and archives, etc. information
- location
- hours and days open
- special staff or departments to see
- charts of Dewey Decimal/Library of Congress subject classifications so you can readily locate your subject
- Maps
- town, county, state, or regional as needed
- Research log
- Soundex codes for surnames you are checking in the census
- Surname list
- alphabetical list of all names you are searching in the area
When Visiting Cemeteries
- Many of the items above will also be useful in cemeteries, with the following additions:
- Camera and film
- Clothing, proper
- hat to shade from sun
- sturdy shoes
- socks and long pants, with long-sleeved shirt (protection against sun and ticks)
- First Aid kit
- include an allergy kit, if you are allergic to bee stings, etc.
- depending on the area, you may want to include a snakebite kit
- Gloves, gardening, in case you have to clear a gravestone by pulling grass
- Insect repellant
- Mirror (to shine light at headstones, to make inscriptions more legible)
- Plastic garbage bags, to kneel on if you have to pull grass from around a headstone
- Rice papers and crayons, to make rubbings of inscriptions. Be sure to get permission from the person or organization responsible for the cemetery prior to undertaking rubbings.
- Shovel, small, portable auto shovel, in case your car gets stuck
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Trowel, for clearing away grass around cemetery markers
- Umbrella, in case of rain or to shade from sun
Prepared by the History and Genealogy Unit, Connecticut State Library, 11-96.