Another good tip I heard...... If you arrive in that town say mid afternoon and your plan is to hit the library, courthouse etc the next morning.... as Sandra said, check the hours.... but if you need books etc pulled..... drop off a list to them so it will be ready for you in the morning so what precious time you have there is not spent waiting for that process to be done. If you can't do that, drop your list off to them first thing and spend "that" time searching their computers, or preparing your work table or going through books. Some things you can pull yourself and find the pages you want copied and get those ready for them to do while they are doing whatever for you. Just remember to consolidate your time. You won't be the only one there and therefore may have to wait to be assisted. LOL, I sound like an expert...... I've only been to one place in my researching years...... I just heard this on line. Janean ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra Ferguson" <ferg@ntelos.net> To: <PA-OLD-CHESTER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 10:40 AM Subject: [PaOldC] BEFORE you get there! > The DAR library is also closed, due to flooding......I have a friend in DC > as we speak, and she is having to just use the LOC, which is still > open......being on Capitol Hill, it hasn't flooded. > This is a good entree into the importance of doing your homework before > visiting an area to research (although, this flooding is above and beyond). > Here are some things I do, before visiting any area. > Mainly, I do my homework.....I check to see what sort of libraries, > historical societies, etc there are, in the area I'm going to visit....most > of this sort of information is readily available online. > Then, be sure to check the days and hours each are open....all you have to > do is go somewhere ONCE, and discover the library is closed on Tuesdays and > this is Tues....to learn the wisdom of checking BEFORE you arrive! > Many places, including the DAR Library and the LOC, in DC, and many > others, including historical societies, have their card catalogues online, > so you can go through them and find books you want to see before you get > there......I never have unlimited time when I research, so I need to make > the most of what time I DO have.......arriving with a list of titles and #s > is one way to do this. > Be prepared that many larger libraries do not allow you to take in 1) > cameras 2) computers 3) backpacks and bags of notebooks, etc...check with > each one so you'll know to leave behind whatever it is you can't take in. > I always prepare, to take with me, a list of the books they have that I want > to see, along with pertinent #s.....I leave my purse behind and have money > (take change for copy machines), picture ID (drivers license), in a small > change purse I can keep in my pocket....otherwise you either have to drag > your purse with you everywhere...into the stacks, etc..... or leave it on a > table, which isn't safe. I also have a list I've made of what it is I want > to find...and, I itemize. Believe me, when you get in there, it's very easy > to forget something...so, write them down. There isn't a library that won't > allow you to take in a tablet...keep your lists there and you'll be fine. > Sometimes libraries have lockers you can rent, to keep your disallowed stuff > in, but why bother, or depend on them to not all being in use? Leave stuff > where you're staying. (It is also NOT good to leave them in your car. I had > a friend researching in NY, and she left notebooks, etc, in her car, only to > discover someone had broken in and taken everything....this included family > photos....originals....and she had no copies. So, don't leave things > anywhere they can be stolen or vandalized.) > These are a few things I always do......there are probably > others...but, if you do just these you'll be ensuring you get to see the > places you want, and maximize the time you have there. > > > "And like you should anyway before going on a trip, check things on line. > The National Archives is closed due to flooding." > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.6/378 - Release Date: 6/28/2006 > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > Unsubscribing. To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com > with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot." > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY ferg@ntelos.nettp://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/pa-old-chester > this site allows you to browse by month.. > > please visit the Chester Co rootsweb site...it is full of area photos, helpful URLs and lots of county information > http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/ > > if you have a problem contact ME ferg@ntelos and NOT the list > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >

You probably heard that from me....I've posted it many times before.....when I visit the LOC I go the evening before I wish to research there, fill out a card for EACH book I wish to see (from my list I brought with me), and give the attendants the maximum # they'll allow. These books will be pulled and waiting for you when you get there the next morning. Then, immediately give them the next 10 slips you've filled out (they'll only pull 10/hr)....with the ones they pulled in the night + the 10 new ones/hour, you won't be sitting there, twiddling your thumbs with nothing to do till they can get you more. However, this the LOC is the only library I've been to that has this policy. Thus, the MAJOR importance of doing your homework and knowing about each facility you wish to visit....believe me, they're all different. As far as the LOC goes, you must also have a picture ID made....so, don't neglect to have your drivers license with you...you'll need it as proof of who you are....have this made the evening before, when they're MUCH less busy, instead of in the morning when you wish to start researching. Also, the LOC has different hours at different times of the year, so don't 'assume' if they were open so and so in July that the hours will be the same in Nov. Homework, homework, homework.,,,,it's like the Boy Scout's motto....be prepared! S. "Another good tip I heard...... If you arrive in that town say mid afternoon and your plan is to hit the library, courthouse etc the next morning.... as Sandra said, check the hours.... but if you need books etc pulled..... drop off a list to them so it will be ready for you in the morning so what precious time you have there is not spent waiting for that process to be.............................................." -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.6/378 - Release Date: 6/28/2006