You'll need a trip kit! Here's what we carry:
Notebooks and pencils (Historical Societies don't allow pens, nor do they let you take bags and purses into their depths). I carry a plastic satchel with notebooks, pencils, and a magnifying glass, as well as some of my research material. Mick likes to write on big pads, I prefer steno books.
Magnifying Glass -- great for in a building peering into musty records or out in the field at the graveyard. I've used ours in the libraries and archives, too; especially when trying to stare at old microfiche!
Bristle Brushes -- for cleaning off headstones. Sometimes we take a small pair of grass clippers with us, too.
Chalk -- can't read the inscription on that tombstone? Try chalking it to see the lettering. Any color will work. Carry a spritzer bottle of water to wash off. The chalking doesn't hurt the stone.
Record of Cemeteries -- if you're taking a road trip look into these handy guides. Most county historical societies sell them for their own area. The books list all the cemeteries in the county and often give decent maps for finding them.
A List of Who and What you are looking for. There is nothing more discouraging than getting into a treasure trove of records and realize that you forgot to bring names and dates with you from home. I carry a complete list of all our people in our files along with their birth and death dates everywhere we go. If there is one thing we've learned in our travels -- records are always subject to error and you may finally find that Penelope you are searching for under a weird category -- having birth, death, marriage and other info can save you from smacking your head later. You might also like to carry several of our GraveDigger forms that are free and here on-line in .pdf version. Visit our Genealogy Forms page these!
Money -- In cash. You'll use it for copies at the library or historical society -- then, there's lunch, and...oh! That great book you just have to have on the secrets of unearthing your relatives...and...you get my drift. Our advice is also: Join the historical society you are visiting if you know your relatives lived in the vicinity. You will get red carpet treatment with every visit and you are supporting the very institutions that are helping to preserve the history you're trying to find.
Cell Phone -- For emergencies. If you don't want to be bothered? Turn it off; but, keep it where you can get to it -- especially if you are planning to wander around in cemeteries.
Your Camera -- Oh, woe is me cried I when we went out to dinner the other night and I spied a graveyard I hadn't seen. Where is my camera? Your camera is a vital part of your research. Some historical societies allow you to take photos of documents, many do not. Be sure to ask first.
Your Laptop -- we don't carry ours -- just too much to lug around; but, some people wouldn't be caught dead without one permanently glued to their digits. That's okay. Just be sure you check with the institution you are visiting on their rules -- they do have rules -- and they differ from one place to another.
Miscellaneous Items that you wish you had; but forgot. Tissues, asprin, water, umbrella -- oh -- Imodium -- never leave home without it.
