More of this Feature • Part 1: High-Tech Gifts • Part 2: Small But Fun    Join the Discussion "Post your Christmas wish list or holiday gift ideas in the forum!" --Kimberly Powell     Related Resources • Heritage Scrapbooking • Genealogy Supplies • Genealogy Vacations

These big-ticket items are a genealogist's dream gift - the ones they would really like to find wrapped up under the tree this year.

1. A New Computer
In the high-tech world of online genealogy a good computer can make the search so much more enjoyable. A faster processor can help load a 25,000 name database a little easier. More hard drive space provides room for lots of family photos and Internet downloads. More memory means less computer crashes and a happier genealogist! You may even want to consider a laptop so it can be carried to the local genealogy library or a national genealogy conference.

2. Airfare to One of the Big Genealogy Conferences
Genealogy conferences at the national level are a genealogist's dream come true - three to seven days of the latest genealogy products, lectures from internationally renowned genealogists and the chance to exchange info and swap stories with fellow family historians from around the world. Plus, throw in the fact that they provide the chance for travel to a new city and the opportunity to research in some of the world's best genealogy libraries and your favorite genealogist will be talking about this gift for years.

3. Professional Genealogy Research Services
Maybe your favorite person is interested in the family history, but just doesn't have the time or resources available to do all of the research themselves. Many professional research specialists offer preset package options or even let you order a gift certificate for their services right online. Professionals can provide detailed reports explaining how the research was conducted, a list of records searched, photocopies and extracts of the records in which your ancestors are recorded and lineages charts showing your family tree.

4. A Year's Worth of High Speed Internet Access
Genealogists with traditional modem connections spend a lot of time twiddling their thumbs waiting for images to load and for searches to access genealogy databases. High speed Internet access in the form of cable modem or DSL is going to make the family historian in your life ecstatic!

5. A Research Trip to the Family Homestead/Old Country
Almost any genealogist would love the chance to see where their ancestors were born and lived, whether it is 100 miles away or in another country. Combine this with access to local records and the other benefits of research on location and it turns into a dream come true. You can get creative with this one! The gift could include plane tickets, lodging in a luxury hotel or B&B, sightseeing packages and more! Of course you don't have to get that fancy, but if you just happen to have money burning a hole in your pocket...

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Article ©2002 by Kimberly Powell. Licensed to About.com