No matter how many people claim we are living in a digital age, genealogists still collect a lot of paper. But technology can help. This post contains a list of 3 genealogy gadgets to help tame the clutter.
- A good portable scanner is key (we talked about such items being a part of your research kit back in Chapter 2 of my book, Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes.) You can easily scan papers and documents while on research trips, visiting family members, or at libraries.
- If you do not own a scanner, take a picture with a digital camera or smartphone. Voila, one less piece of paper for you to store or misplace! Smartphones have the added advantage of supporting video, genealogy apps, spreadsheet apps, and cloud-based backups (see Chapter 5 of Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes.)
- A good label maker for your growing collection of stuff is also great to keep everything in order. Many people print off labels from their computer for larger items, but a small handheld one is great for the small items you come into contact with. In addition to a label maker, a paper shredder should be considered. (It may seem an odd addition but we can’t keep everything, and we do not want someone finding a copy of a vital record in the trash.)
What genealogy gadgets do you use when you go out on a genealogy road trip? Feel free to share in the comments below.
Gadgets like the iPhone 6 can help with document scanning, video interviews, and genealogy apps