Tennessee Genealogical Society
Genealogy Travel Kit
I came across some helpful aids while doing your family history while
traveling. Here are some items to have for your genealogical travel kit.
Stationery: Notebook, pens, and files or folders in which to keep your valuable
documents, photographs and local information.
Documents: Copies (not originals) of vital records and other archival leads.
Geographic Aids: Up-to-date road maps, street guides and guidebooks.
(Try to find maps of the time period of which your ancestor lived, how have the
boundaries changed over time periods?)
Travel Documents: Passports, visas, driving licenses, traveler’s checks,
Credit cards, local currency, and strong foreign currency, such as
US dollars or German marks.
Insurance Policy: Check that all your belongings and documents are covered by
your travel insurance policy and you have the original purchase receipts in the
event of theft.
Camera, Camcorder, & Tape Recorder: A camera, digital, if possible, and a
good supply of film. Camera film may be hard to obtain or cost much more than
you would normally pay. Check that your camera is suitable for photographing
original documents close up and indoors, since this is an effective way of
recording documents if you are not able to obtain a copy. Try photographing
documents at home to make sure your camera is up to the job. Do not rely on
photographs as a means of recording information on original documents: You will
still need to transcribe or abstract the relevant information.
Video camcorders and audiotape recorders are useful for interviewing contacts
and preserving your own experiences in the form of a diary.
Contact Details: Names, addresses and telephone numbers of your local contacts.
You should also take a supply of cards or stickers containing your own name and
address. You may meet people who will not be able to find out information for
you and send it to you after you return home.
Phrase Book: Take a good phrase book and bilingual dictionary to help with the
language. Do not assume everyone will speak your language.
Clothing: Worn-in comfortable shoes are essential for genealogical trips,
whether your are visiting foreign cities, cemeteries, farmland,
cobbled streets, rural paths, or ancient church archives; dress in comfortable
clothes; check ahead to see what the weather will be on the day you plan to
visit.