SPRINGTIME RESEARCH TRIPS
Brenda Kellow
April 10, 2011
Spring is the time for change, for getting outside and taking those valuable research trips. When the sun is out and there is a nip in the air is my preferred time for taking research trips, especially those involving cemeteries. Before the temperature begins to climb, the snakes have not begun to crawl, and it is still cool enough for searching, unlike our summer and early fall months.
The tight economy, increasing airfare and gasoline may affect the genealogy budget involving a little different planning than used in better times. I still live by the opinion that genealogists should be happy with what they can get. If I have to stay at one of the hotels targeting people on a budget, that is fine. Actually, I prefer it. After all, I only sleep there. It is not as if I am staying in the room for several days. I prefer a room with Internet hookup with a desk or table for sorting and organizing my projects. In some cases, I have used the second double bed in the room as my desk. It isn’t as comfortable, but it is bigger.
Although the research ability on the Internet is phenomenal, it still does not have everything. It doesn’t take the place of researching in archives, cemeteries, libraries and old courthouses. I enjoy locating my ancestor’s property and actually walking and photographing it. The environment, the bugs, crops, trees, and creeks seem to call my name. Research seems to form a bond with the families but visiting the area, farms, and houses seals that connection.
Planning is always important. The laptop must have current information loaded into it and its charger. The camera needs a spare, charged battery and extra memory card. If you are going to use special collections, then call ahead and arrange for those to be available when you arrive. Find out the hours of operation and whether or not the facility closes for a lunch break. Inquire about available parking and cost. If you will be using a bus or a taxi, find out when it serves that area.
Sometimes it is practical to fly and rent a car at the destination. Other times you may prefer to drive your personal car. If going by air is your preferred method of travel, check far ahead of your travel dates for lower fares. Certain days and hours cost more. Tickets bought at the last minute can be very expensive. If driving, then be sure the car is properly serviced before your trip.
Check with the airline for food and drinks served on your flight. Some airlines serve a snack and a drink while others only serve drinks. I pick up a sandwich and water at the airport after I go through security and before getting on the plane. I learned to take food with me after being stuck on the tarmac for four and a half hours back in 2007.
We include a ‘Stanier’ box on all car trips. Years ago, when the kids were small we were going on a trip into the south. Our neighbor brought us a cigar box filled with crackers, suckers, gum, motion sickness medicine and something for chigger bites. They had gotten one from their friends, the Staniers, before a vacation and thought it was such a good idea that she passed this along to me. Today, our grown daughters pack a Stanier box filled with special treats for their kids before every car trip.
Know where you are going. I always carry a detailed map of the area that shows churches and cemetery locations, and a handheld GPS for coordinates. A single cross on a map indicates the cemeteries. A church is marked as a rectangle. A cross over a rectangle indicates a church with a churchyard cemetery. Usually only commercial cemeteries have a sextant who logs burial locations.
Many of the budget hotels serve a continental breakfast that is filling enough to last you until the usual hamburger or sandwich for lunch. I usually eat dinner at a chain restaurant before going back to the room to sort through the documents, photocopies and pictures taken during that day.
Get up, get out, and get to researching and making memories for your descendants and relatives.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].
The tight economy, increasing airfare and gasoline may affect the genealogy budget involving a little different planning than used in better times. I still live by the opinion that genealogists should be happy with what they can get. If I have to stay at one of the hotels targeting people on a budget, that is fine. Actually, I prefer it. After all, I only sleep there. It is not as if I am staying in the room for several days. I prefer a room with Internet hookup with a desk or table for sorting and organizing my projects. In some cases, I have used the second double bed in the room as my desk. It isn’t as comfortable, but it is bigger.
Although the research ability on the Internet is phenomenal, it still does not have everything. It doesn’t take the place of researching in archives, cemeteries, libraries and old courthouses. I enjoy locating my ancestor’s property and actually walking and photographing it. The environment, the bugs, crops, trees, and creeks seem to call my name. Research seems to form a bond with the families but visiting the area, farms, and houses seals that connection.
Planning is always important. The laptop must have current information loaded into it and its charger. The camera needs a spare, charged battery and extra memory card. If you are going to use special collections, then call ahead and arrange for those to be available when you arrive. Find out the hours of operation and whether or not the facility closes for a lunch break. Inquire about available parking and cost. If you will be using a bus or a taxi, find out when it serves that area.
Sometimes it is practical to fly and rent a car at the destination. Other times you may prefer to drive your personal car. If going by air is your preferred method of travel, check far ahead of your travel dates for lower fares. Certain days and hours cost more. Tickets bought at the last minute can be very expensive. If driving, then be sure the car is properly serviced before your trip.
Check with the airline for food and drinks served on your flight. Some airlines serve a snack and a drink while others only serve drinks. I pick up a sandwich and water at the airport after I go through security and before getting on the plane. I learned to take food with me after being stuck on the tarmac for four and a half hours back in 2007.
We include a ‘Stanier’ box on all car trips. Years ago, when the kids were small we were going on a trip into the south. Our neighbor brought us a cigar box filled with crackers, suckers, gum, motion sickness medicine and something for chigger bites. They had gotten one from their friends, the Staniers, before a vacation and thought it was such a good idea that she passed this along to me. Today, our grown daughters pack a Stanier box filled with special treats for their kids before every car trip.
Know where you are going. I always carry a detailed map of the area that shows churches and cemetery locations, and a handheld GPS for coordinates. A single cross on a map indicates the cemeteries. A church is marked as a rectangle. A cross over a rectangle indicates a church with a churchyard cemetery. Usually only commercial cemeteries have a sextant who logs burial locations.
Many of the budget hotels serve a continental breakfast that is filling enough to last you until the usual hamburger or sandwich for lunch. I usually eat dinner at a chain restaurant before going back to the room to sort through the documents, photocopies and pictures taken during that day.
Get up, get out, and get to researching and making memories for your descendants and relatives.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].