There is still a significant amount of genealogical material (particularly local records) that are not available online. These materials must either be accessed onsite or via microfilm. In discussing a problem with a colleague, I was told that the records most likely to help me with my problem were only available onsite or on microfilm.
It was a good reminder for me as I was hoping to access “just the right database or website” and solve my problem.
It is not possible to mouse click your way to every record, at least not yet. And that day may not come until many of us have ceased to exist among the living. 
2 Responses
How true! I am off for a 6 town, 2 county, research trip to NY to look at those elusive original documents. I did get asked by one town historian why I wanted to see the minutes of the town meetings from the late 1700s & had to explain I wanted to see if they recorded ear marks as well as who was appointed to various town offices such as path master. Then I had to explain why that information was important!
Hi, Michael,
Jan Wright here – from your August 2015 ACPL trip and also several webinars. I have a question for you from the program chair of our local genealogical society. Do you travel to do presentations? I am in Kalamazoo, Michigan, about 2 hours east of Chicago. I’ve talked with several people about what I’ve learned from you and the program chair is interested in having you present to our society.
We meet the third Monday and the program would be about an hour to 1.25 hours. Of course, price will be the determining factor! What info can yoou give me to take back to the program chair?
Thanks-
Jan