Eugenics Record Office, Archives Room at Cold Spring Harbor

I love to do research from the comfort of my home, but there is way too much data out there for it all to be digitized–or at least, yet! Sometimes I have to go somewhere to look at physical records, and that can be both a pain and a pleasure. Going to an archive or agency that holds historical information I need will mean a trip (and the extra time that takes) at the very least. Hopefully the information resides in a location I actually want to visit or where I have friends who might be able to put me up while I’m there. With great locations, I can sometimes tack on a day or two and make the trip a mini-getaway.

But, unless the facility is really close by, I have to figure on paying for gas, food, parking, and a hotel for however long I need to be there. Then there will be copying fees and perhaps entry fees if I’m going to a place where there are tours or collections for the public to view. Gathering information can be expensive–researchers always need to consider the costs when they decide what to write about. There may be great subjects, and even great information available. But, can you get to it at a price you can afford?