| Genealogy has some very distinctive | | | | scrapbook, as the original document doesn't get |
| requirements for supplies, when compared to | | | | damaged. |
| most hobbies. In essence Genealogy is the | | | | All of the supplies you need for the early stages |
| collection of information and what tools you would | | | | of your research are easy to come by. Once you |
| use to gather that information. | | | | have exhausted your family members memories. |
| Genealogy, no matter how you look at it, begins | | | | You need to start looking for other sources of |
| with word of mouth. Whilst talking to family, you | | | | information. One of the most common methods |
| accumulate a lot of information. Most people | | | | currently used is the Internet. In the abstract a |
| wouldn't even consider that they would require | | | | web site may not appear to be a supply, |
| supplies, when they are discussing their ancestors. | | | | however with Genealogy it is. Most of the easy |
| However having particular things to hand can | | | | to use web sites, charge a small fee. From |
| make the world of difference. It is absolutely | | | | experience paying that small fee is money well |
| critical that you keep accurate notes of all your | | | | spent. You might also consider buying some |
| discussions. At the very minimum you need a | | | | specialist genealogy software to help organise and |
| good notebook, hardback is probably best, after | | | | structure your work. Genealogy software allows |
| all you might be taking notes on your knee. Even | | | | you to store all the photographs and documents |
| better is a notebook with sections in it. These | | | | you scanned into your computer. |
| sections can be used for example to separate | | | | Another supply that is very useful is a family tree |
| generations or families, you may find other uses | | | | template. Creating a family tree from scratch can |
| and this is a good thing. Another part of the | | | | be daunting at first.You want it to look good as |
| process when talking to family is collecting old | | | | you may well hand your family tree to friends or |
| photographs and documents. These can be kept | | | | family. It can be very challenging to fit all the |
| in a folder or envelopes, however it is probably | | | | names and information in. Another conundrum is |
| better to get an expanding file. Also remember | | | | what to include and what to miss out. For |
| you will need to keep track of what everything is | | | | example if your grandmother had four sisters and |
| so either take scrap paper and paperclips or post | | | | each sister had four children should this be |
| it notes with you for writing notes on. There may | | | | included? Templates, charts or forms that are |
| be occasions when you need to make copies of | | | | readily available on the Internet can solves these |
| documents, although a photocopy is great, | | | | challenges for you. |
| scanning the document onto your PC is better. | | | | Genealogy doesn't require lots of supplies, |
| With that in mind a computer scanner is very | | | | however having the right ones at the right time |
| useful. It means you can run off multiple copies at | | | | adds so much more fun and enjoyment to |
| a later date without any loss of quality. Also | | | | researching your family tree. They also remove a |
| printed documents are a viable alternative to a | | | | level of complexity. |