Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog, in conjunction with Geneabloggers, has kicked off 2012 with a new series of weekly blogging prompts themed as 52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy. Week 4’s topic is Free Offline Genealogy Tools: For which free offline genealogy tool are you most grateful? How did you find this tool and how has it benefitted your genealogy? Describe to others how to access this tool and spread the genealogy love.
I confess that this topic confused me a little as I wavered between its meaning being a techno-tool which helped with my genealogy vs a source or repository, an equally valid interpretation. I opted to go with taking the term “tool” more literally as I’ll be addressing my offline sources and archive favourites in my Beyond the Internet series. So here is my priority offline kitbag (as you know I have trouble selecting just one):
- My camera plus pen(cil) and paper.
This has been true for all the years of my research, long before digital cameras, or computers for that matter. I use my cameras (now digital) to photograph old family properties, streets where my families lived, their home towns, the cemeteries and the family’s graves, etc. In the various archives I can now mostly use my camera to photograph documents quickly and easily so I can skim-read them in situ,then transcribe and digest them at home at my leisure. I also use it to photograph images from microfilm, having been given permission to do this at the library. I truly would feel almost as bereft if I lost my camera as if I lost my computer. As to the pencil and paper, sometimes I find it easier to document information by hand – yes, regressive I know, but I do also use the laptop for specific projects.
2. My research reference library
Ever since I started family history I’ve been accumulating relevant research books (combines my love of FH + books). Since we’ve moved to Darwin this accumulation has accelerated and I now have a fairly substantial reference library of books, maps, CDs and DVDs to aid my research, not to mention my family-specific information in folders. I would be lost without having this library readily to hand when I need background to something I’m researching…but there’d be more space in my study 🙂
3. Inter-library loans
I do try to curb my enthusiasm for book-purchasing to references which I know I’ll use repeatedly or which are not available through the National Library of Australia on inter-library loan. This is a great service and it means I can have resources sent up to Darwin from Canberra. These resources might be books but equally might be rural newspapers on microfilm which have yet to make it into Trove. Ken at the Northern Territory Library does a great job coordinating these loans at the Darwin end. (Don’t forget that if you live in Australia you can also get an NLA cardto access online resources).
4. My library and archive cards
I have a stash of these for libraries and archives from all over. Even if they have to be renewed from time to time they make for quick access when you arrive for a time-limited research trip.
5. Microfilms
I can’t say often enough how important microfilms from the local Family History Centre are to my research (see one post here, or search my blog). It’s not all online, so being able to research at least some parish records, shipping records, occupation documents etc is invaluable. Look at the FamilySearch catalogue for your ancestor’s home town, county or country to see which films might help your research. Order them online here, then when they arrive you’re in for tons of fun at your local family history centre, however big or small it may be.
6. Scanners
My scanner is a vital part of my offline world. My old photos, slides, negatives and documents churn through the scanner and go into my digital records. I love the Flip-Pal for quick scanning of photos for my blog or similar. It’s the interface tool between my online and offline world. I talked about both scanners last year here.
So there you have it, some of my “can’t do without” tools.
Which tools do you use in your research and which is your favourite?
Family history across the seas 
The three microfilms which I ordered after you suggested it to me have arrived at my “local” Family History Centre. I just have to arrange babysitting so I can get over there and have a look. I’m filled with a little trepidation at the German and possibly Latin text that I’ll have to decipher!
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Good luck Prue. They seem to have come quickly. I’m not sure about your local FHC but we were told here by the interstate gurus that it’s possible to photograph the films. I do that regularly and it’s helpful in terms of taking it away and understanding them. With the German ones, look for the name first and with Latin remember the first name will be different. You can try googling the name as a Latin variant. If you need help email me and I’ll see what I can find.
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Thanks Pauleen. I was hoping they might let me photograph them. I’ve printed out a whole lot of stuff on the German handwriting script from the LDS blog. I now at least have an idea what the surnames would look like. Thanks for the offer of help – I’ll definitely take you up on that if I need to!
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Good luck then. I must admit I can cope with different handwriting but throw in different script and it becomes a challenge. More persevering required. Good luck.
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