On My Way

I am on my way to New York this morning. In honor of the trip, I wanted to explain some of what I am taking, and why. I will skip the clothing, except to say that I brought layered things, comfortable shoes, an umbrella, and a couple of warm jackets. It is all in one suitcase, I learned to travel light when I was working and flying every week.

Now the traveling light thing goes out the window. Since this trip is based on genealogical research, I packed with that in mind. My not-so-brief (thank goodness it has wheels) case contains:

  1. Magnifying glass, computer glasses
  2. Pencils, pens, notepads, index cards
  3. Notebook with:
    1. Family group sheets
    2. Maps of each location I intend to research
    3. List of individuals by location, showing what events took place in that location
    4. List of research locations, including address, phone, fax and hours they are open. Yes, I called ahead.
  4. Camera, extra data cards, battery charger
  5. Laptop, cord, small mouse, small surge suppresser, cute USB cord
  6. Portable scanner
  7. Computer lock
  8. Extension cord
  9. iPhone with GedView and my gedcom loaded, a pdf reader app and pdf family group sheets and lists, address book, clock, GPS, camera, dictionary app, Dragon Dictation, music, games, Facebook, Google including maps, WordPress– well, almost everything. If I didn’t really need to type on a real keyboard and see a bigger screen, I would not need the laptop.
  10. Lifesavers
  11. Change for copies
  12. More stuff you don’t need to hear about

not so briefcute interface

My cemetery kit contains:

  1. Trowel
  2. Spray bottle
  3. Gloves
  4. Flashlight
  5. Tin foil
  6. Old shoes
  7. Mirror
  8. Paintbrush
    cem

I have a cooler, but it is mostly empty. By the time you read this I will have crossed the US/Canada border and I wanted to minimize the potential for problems. It is just easier to buy food in New York. I have an electric frying pan, a small electric tea kettle, an empty water bottle, laundry soap and dryer sheets, and our travel kitchen bag with paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, a can opener, my prescriptions and vitamins, garbage bags, baby wipes, hand sanitizer and empty plastic foot storage bags. I also have a small reusable lunch cooler bag. Papa and I do not often eat in restaurants, and I won’t be doing so too often on this trip.

If you think I forgot something, it is too late to help me. Luckily, I know there are stores in New York, Vermont and Massachusetts, and those are the places I will be visiting.

The most important thing is something I am not carrying with me, my Google Map. I constructed a map with all the landmarks and research locations marked. Each marker has the phone, hours and other details about the place. I hope between the iPhone and the map I will get to the places I consider most important and accomplish as much as possible.

5 comments

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    • TK on May 15, 2010 at 7:04 am

    Wowie! You are an awesome planner, my friend! I wish I was going with you! I have New York stuff to do, and Massachusetts too, and I got a feeling, when I get around to tackling it, I will end up being about 10% as effective as you. In any case, I’m bookmarking this list of yours… hmm, I think I will print it out too and put it in my… where will I find it again when I need it?… computer bag? suitcase? glove box? road atlas? Okay then, FOUR copies…
    .-= TK´s last blog ..The Anti-Rent War, 1839-1846 =-.

    • Candyce on May 15, 2010 at 7:10 am

    Pam:

    Once again you have succeeded in teaching me a ton about genealogical research. I never would have thought to bring HALF of that stuff with me when I finally decide to take a trip to my mom’s area of Vermont. I’m with TK. I’ll have to print out a lot of copies so that I don’t lose them!

  1. Sounds like an exciting trip! I’m looking forward to hearing all about it!
    .-= Miriam Robbins Midkiff´s last blog ..Funeral Card Friday: Clarence GEBBEN =-.

    • Apple on May 15, 2010 at 8:33 am

    Have a great trip! Have you said where in New York you are heading? Will you be in CNY?
    .-= Apple´s last blog ..Weekly Rewind =-.

  2. TK and Candyce: I am blushing. Add bug spray to the cemetery kit, I forgot it. Also, I think my umbrella is somewhere in my van at home, and I brought Papa’s car. Figures.

    Apple: Hoosick Falls, Salem and Greenwich in Washington County, NY. Bennington, VT. Kinderhook and area in Columbia County.

    Miriam, it is a special trip for me, hoping to find something, anything, really.

    Thanks for the comments, All!

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