SLC Genealogy Research Travel Kit

RootsTech 2011 Official Blogger

The Rootstech Conference and our genealogy research time in Salt Lake City is fast approaching.  We will be researching in the Family History Library prior to the conference. With that in mind I’m considering what will be in my SLC Genealogy Research Travel Kit.

Items on the list so far:

1. Netbook computer – this is all important for two reasons.  Research files and photos can be downloaded on the netbook.  Also a copy of our family tree can reside on the netbook for easy reference.

Secondly, I will be serving as an official Rootstech blogger. That means I will be reporting live from the event via social media such as blog, Twitter and Facebook and will require a computer or phone to do so.

2. iPhone (with  extra data roaming/phone service enabled).    I can tweet and Facebook from the conference with my phone if I don’t have room to bring out the netbook.  (I also have the family tree on the iphone…call me an addict).

3.  Research Plan – we will have several days prior the conference to research.  I have been reviewing my Genealogy To-Do list and creating a detailed research plan.   I will be concentrating on the KERRs, WILSONs and Irvines.  My husband, the “non genealogist” is “in training” as a research assistant and he plans to work on his MILLERs.

4.  Small accordion file organizer for the papers and photocopies I’m likely to collect.

5.  A Memory Stick or two – I can back this up onto my netbook at the end of each day.

6. My Magic Wand Portable Scanner. I plan to buy a Flip-Pal scanner at the conference but won’t have it in time for the research portion of this trip.  Many of the geneabloggers are buzzing about the Flip-Pal and how it is a very useful tool.

7.  Digital Camera for taking captures of microfilm screens.

8.  My Flip camera to capture moments with my fellow Rootstech bloggers and conference attendees.

9.  Magnifying ruler just in case the aging eyes let me down.

10.  Business cards – to hand out to conference connections.

11.  Small computer backpack to carry all of the above paraphernalia.

I’m sure I’ll think of more items for my SLC genealogy Research Travel Kit as the time gets closer.

Our adult children will be holding down the fort at home and will look after the cat and mail.  (It is our daughter’s cat anyway!)