Green Genealogy Tips
Kill lots of birds with one stone (figuratively, of course). If youre headed to a repository or Family History Center, search the facilitys Web site ahead of time to see what resources it has. Then plan to complete as much of your genealogical to-do list as possiblethus saving a second fossil-fuel-burning trip.
Make it a road trip. Grab a few fellow society members and carpool to libraries and cemeteries. Itll be more fun that way, too.
Pack out recyclables. If youre doing research where recycling isnt available, take home your plastic water bottles and empty soda cans. Or get a reusable bottle and fill it at the drinking fountain.
BYO mug. Instead of taking foam cups, bring a reusable travel mug for coffee. Some shops give you a small discount for using your own mug.
Dont waste juice. Turn off your desktop or laptop between research sessionscomputers draw energy even in sleep mode.
Recharge it. Power your digital camera and other handheld devices with rechargeable batteries. And dont throw out spent batteries with your regular garbage: Theyre considered hazardous waste. Drop them off at a local collection center (click for help finding one, or check with your community’s department of environmental services).
Use less paper. Genealogy by nature involves accumulating paper. Many printer manufacturers recommend against printing on the back of used paper (though weve done this successfully on our home inkjet printers). You can use scrap paper for taking notes at the library, or recycle it.
Go for paperless copiers. At some repositories, you can use copiers to scan a record and e-mail it to yourself or burn it to a CD. Ask at the information desk, and have someone show you the equipment.
Recycle printer cartridges. Many office supply stores discount new cartridges if you bring in used ones. Some charities take them, too, for fundraising purposes.
Save trees and your back. Attending a genealogy conference? If possible, opt to get the syllabus on CD or as a PDF. The upcoming National Genealogical Society conference (May 14-17), for example, will make the syllabus available to attendees as a PDF.
Isnt it cool how doing greener research also can save you time and money? Click Comments (below) to add your own tips.
Grace
This reminds me of a funny video from GOOD magazine about vampire energy—the juice your appliances suck up when you think they’re sleeping:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgZfry82LC4
Allison
Of course, you would never WANT to throw away your old copies of Family Tree Magazine… 🙂 But if you need to do some purging, don’t toss those magazines in the trash: Donate them to a library, genealogical society or a research buddy.