Best use of search time on location

[Lisa in California]

If you visit graveyards, I might suggest taking a few photos of headstones that have unusual surnames you are researching (just as you pass by them - I’m not suggesting that you walk around seeking out unfamiliar names on headstones).  When I was searching for my Ibbotson ancestor, I found a headstone that seemed like it was for my ancestor but the wife’s information was not known to me.  I kept the photo and many years later I found out that my ancestor’s first wife died and he remarried. So, I DID find my ancestor’s burial plot, with his second wife.  I was so pleased that I kept the photo as I’ve never been back to the cemetery.

I doubt I will ever visit England or Ireland again, but I would love to be able to sit for a few moments in the churches where they worshipped.  We once peeked through the church windows where my husband’s ancestors worshipped (in an old mining town) during the 1880s.  Their home had long since disappeared; it was comforting to gaze into the closed church and imagine life as it had once been.

I hope you have a very enjoyable time; I envy you.    Lisa

[Liza115]

Remember to take with you, in accessible form, the basic details of all the family members you know of who lived in the area (names and vital dates), and a list of any burning questions you have about them that might be able to be answered by documents in local studies libraries or archives. I saved genealogy reports as Word documents on my phone.
Do ask archivists what records they have that might mention your people. They may have documents you didn't know existed.
Have fun!