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Lesson 002...                                                                                                     2015 09 01
The Genealogy Bag-Always Ready                                                             Published Monthly

A separate kit-bag is essential for genealogy.
The idea is not simply to have these things in your desk, but rather to have them always ready.
Be prepared for last minute, happenstance finds, as well as a preplanned excursion to somehere.

All of the items are very basic and inexpensive things that are readily found and easily stored.
Your kit can sit for weeks or even years, and the same basic necessities will still be the same.
These are only suggestions, so feel free to add or subtract from the list however you see fit.

The cost is minimal, and probably the least expensive of any worthwhile hobbies you'll find out there!
Aside from photographic capabilities, it's extremely doubtful that you'll spend over $25.00 combined.
Generally speaking, most people now have cellphones with built-in camera's and will be using those.


The Office Bag...
This is the most used item of the entire kit. The importance of this piece cannot be overemphasized.
Generally speaking, it can be anything you feel comfortable with that will hold all your items securely.
It should never be used for things other than genealogy. This prevents bad habits from ever starting.

Spend some time finding the right one to suit you. It'll be well worth it in the end.
It is the crux of all your effiency, comfort and professionalism, so be sure to try out several!

My personal preference is for a "Padfolio Style". They zipper to protect your work from the elements.
They're inexpensive in closeout stores ($4.00-$8.00), and separate items with sleeves and pockets.
Plus they zipper shut to help keep things in and protect your work from the inevitable elements.
They also provide a natural handheld and mobile writing surface while doing field research.

Notebook Paper...
Take along more than you need. You might have extra, but if it isn't with you, it does you no good.
It's not only for taking down information for future lookups, but also for drawing maps or descriptions.
Use separate pages for each person so data doesn't accidentally mix while transfering to computers.

Pens, Pencils, Erasers, Sharpener...
These sound so simple that they border on it being childish to remind ourselves.
However, if forgotten, can totally ruin an otherwise perfect venture out to historical sites or cemetery.
Relying on memory isn't nearly as good as one thinks it is. Especially when visiting many grave sites.
Forgotten details, wrong measurements, and many other mistakes can make a second trip necessary.
With several thousand people to catalog in your tree, spending time revisiting sites is NOT an option.

Sticky Notes Pad-Small/3x3 Inch Max...
Good for add-on/after thoughts, or reminders, leaving info for someone to call you, or other needs.
Small, doesn't take much space or cost, and worth having even if used only once.

Business Cards...
There's no reason why you can't have them for personal use even if you don't have a business!
They serve as a good intro when at cemetery's if someone should inquire why you're in a given area.
Also very good for leaving callback info for someone looking up information for you in other towns.
Plenty of private uses also to justify the small ink or shipping expense-And makes you look legit!

Rubber Bands, Paper Clips, Binder Clips...
Just a few of each in a pouch will suffice.
You never know when multiple papers or pamphlets will pop up.
Stay organized while you work, whether at a desk or in the field during wind, rain and other elements.

Paint Brushes...
Small paint-by-number ones, and something larger, from 1 to 3 inch size.
Many times older tombstones in unkept cemetery's will have insect cocoons or dirt in the engravings.
Markers that lay flat usually have a lot of dirt around the corner edges-Or need light snow removal.
For best results, use the brushes to clear away any debris before takinging pictures.
A lot of time is spent finding the stone, spend a minute cleaning it for a picture that will last years.

Measuring Tape...
Small flat styles are best suited. Dollar store ones range from 3 to 10 feet .
They're good enough for most tasks, and this is not something to invest heavily in.
Use when describing plaques, signs or important items they may be useful if you need accuracy.
Seamstress tapes are also handy since they take up minimal space and can wrap around odd shapes.

Magnifiers...
Several handheld types are useful, such as credit card size, full page, and "Sherlock Holmes" styles.
Inevitably, while researching papers, you'll find writing that must be magnified to discern diferences.
Handwriting penmanship is a MAJOR flaw in transcriptions from document to computer transfers.

Eyeglass & Hand Wipes...
Rain, dirt, sweat and more can obstruct vision and lenses easily, and make the ventures far less fun.
Proper wipes for cleaning lenses without leaving permanent scratches is essential for clear images.
A spec on a lense means bad pictures all that day and wasted time, gas and expendatures.

A few moist towelettes might be worth having (Anti-bacterial bottles may, leak-use caution).
Again, almost no added cost or space needs, and quite possibly something you already have.
Worth its space even if used just for cleanup between rumaging and having a sandwich for lunch.

Electronics: Cameras, Cellphones, Scanners & Software....

Phone Charger Cord...
Though you may already own one or several, having one in your bag is essential.
Phones are the more common way to take pictures nowadays. But if it isn't charged, it won't work.
For the cost of a dollar store item you can keep one in your bag that's still in it's flat packaging.
You never know when you may travel in someone elses vehicle who's charger won't fit your phone!

Memory Card or USB Flash/Thumbdrive Stick...
Separate from any others you have, and dedicated to genealogy only-IMPORTANT/Don't overlook this!
Large enough to hold ALL your genealogy data and pictures-Also: Program Software/Backups/Etc
You'll get an idea of how large after trial & error. 32GB is enough for most people if well organized.

It's important to save the program software on here-Because, what happens if your hard drive fails?
You'll soon discover that genealogy research takes an EXTREME amount of manhours.
Be smart, back up everything and then hope you'll never need it!

Make it easy on yourself...
Odds are you've already used your cellphone camera for genealogy and don't even know it!
Pictures of your relatives, homes and vehicles all can find their way to the software being used!

When using your cellphone for genealogy pictures, having a seperate area strictly for these is advised.
Easy search and transfer makes you more likely to actually do it than if it's random and more difficult.
Plus the risk of any losing a few scattered images is substantially lowered.

Besides weddings, reunions and cemetery visits they're also good for photographing of documents.
Sometimes a marriage license, photograph or death certificate is just not going to be lent out-Period!

Cell phones can be purchased without contracts or minutes and provide an easy way to take pictures!
You can then remove the memory card and transfer the images to computers for saving and printing.

They also have the ability to make calls to emergency services even when not connected to any plans.
Since phones are flat, they fit very nicely inside most planners (Approx lowend phone cost: $20-$50).
CRITICAL INFO: BE CERTAIN YOUR CELLPHONE STYLE HAS A MEMORY CARD!!


These are only basic reminders, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

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