Road trip alternatives for genealogy research

Following the recent post about the importance of local history and genealogy societies, an important question came up: What if a genealogy road trip to visit these locations is difficult or impossible? Are there any road trip alternatives?

Here's what one reader wrote:

“I would love to be able to travel around the country (and more) to check the local genealogy societies, historical societies, cemeteries, etc. Unfortunately life, financial and health issues get in the way.”

We get it. Expense is a real impediment. Gas, airfare, lodging, meals and other costs can add up. For us, trips for genealogy research usually take place in tandem with family vacations or to visit relatives, which reduces the financial impact. We are also conscious of health issues placing further restrictions on travel as we age.

That said, there is a lot family genealogists can do as a road trip alternative. Some local societies offer online databases or records to browse, and the Library of Congress and NARA have millions of genealogy documents available online.

Local road trip alternatives

I’ve also found county historians to be responsive to basic email or phone queries (“Do you have any documents or newspaper articles relating to the Lynch family of Schulyer Falls?”). They may be able to provide contacts with local researchers to perform deep dives for a fee that would cost a lot less than going on your own.

Some municipalities and counties and states make it possible to order copies of old vital records, usually for a modest fee ($10 to $25 is typical). Call or access the agency's website to determine costs and other requirements.

Another avenue: reaching out to reference librarians at local libraries to ask about records they may have in their collections such as maps, voter rolls, or yearbooks.