Tarver-Gen: Tarver Family Research http://www.tarver-genealogy.net -------------------- : FUN STUFF - The Genealogist's Desk -------------------- on your desk ... And now for the abridged inventory of the things that should be on a genealogists's desk: o Calculator: to figure ages and estimated date of birth. o Pad of paper: with lines to doodle & note while on the phone. o A phone. o A dedicated phone line: for outgoing calls (so spouse won't bother) and modem. o All the "How to" books they ever bought, just in case - near the desk. o Two pens at all times. The pens should be BLACK, to make copies clear. For the same reason, highlighter should be light-blue. [Latter added by Dr. William L. Pratt] o Envelopes & return address labels. Large envelope for sending the printouts to the cousin you just interviewed on the phone so they can correct what you got wrong. o Stamps and all other post office accesories such as "Air Mail" stickers, return-receipts forms, express-mail labels. o Empty disks: for quick backups & a disks or tape holder for an organized backup filing-system. o Stapler: to staple together notes from interview but NOT letters & documents! o Special file to put all the hobby-related expenses. These become deductible once you publish your book. o Software manuals: How to export the database to HTML? to MS Word?? As murphy-law says: "If all alternatives fail, consult the manual." o Maps of the area you are searching. An Atlas would do, too. o Business cards. Always a good attachment to letters and "printouts" you send out. ------- And now, for the things that SHOULD NOT BE NEAR A GENEALOGITS'S DESK: o Matches, candles or heaters. These are associated with small house fires. o Water, liquers or food. These bring various distresses to your stored documents. o Pencils. What you'll write in pencil will fade, sometimes after a short period. o Laundry basket, towl hanger. Besides the mess and possible paper that could be laundered, you get higher humidty near towl hangers. Author Unknown Uploaded 28 June 2002 ----------- © 1997, 1999, 2002 Lotus D. Cirilo -- All Rights Reserved Do not copy or extract data or photos, except for use in your personal research. Contact me lotus@cirilo.net if you have any questions. TERMS OF USE You may freely link to this Web site. You may view, download, and print material from this site only for your personal, noncommercial use. You may not post material from this site on another web site or on a computer network without express written permission. You may not use this site or information found at this site (including the names and email addresses of those who submitted information) for selling or promoting products or services, soliciting clients, or any other commercial purpose. ------------------ (c) 2002, All rights reserved. Tarver-Gen, Lotus D Cirilo http://www.tarver-genealogy.net