"Genealogists are more likely to give than to give in."

• Dress appropriately. You want to blend in with other professionals around you.
• Be organized. A briefcase works nicely. It is very distracting and consuming to be shuffling through papers.
• If you will want copies, take some cash along. Not all courthouses except checks. I recommend $1 bills. By using $1 bills, you will not have to wait for change and the clerks will not have to find it.
• Always document the location of each copy or information you find. You may need to locate it again later.
• Attempt to ask as few questions as possible. Be polite and patient. At times, you will need to find it yourself.
• Always keep in mind the court minutes. This will not provide you with all the information in the actual document, but it will help when the records are not available.
• Do not overlook information that is not an exact match, you may find where it belongs later.
• Remember that relationship terms can vary.
• In advance, learn the history of the courthouse. If it was burned, when and to what extent.
• Maintain a record of resources that have been checked.
• Be persistent or at times, come back later.
• Pens and pencils. Take extras.
• Plenty of notebook paper.
• Change for a snack machine or plan for taking a lunch.
• Any forms you would like to use to assist with transcriptions.
• Family group sheets on the family or families you are researching.
• A list of the areas of the courthouse you wish to visit and specifically what you are seeking.
• A magnifying glass.
• Paper clips and small stapler.
• A clip board.
• Comfortable shoes.
• Remember the three Ps-patients, persistence and plenty of time!