The Stuff I Recommend

This page contains recommendations from Amazon. I will receive a small affiliate bonus for things purchased through this page. I do own and use everything listed here. These reviews are authentic.

Scanners, printers, and tech

My favorite home printer: HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer

I purchased this printer recently after years of using HP Office Jet Pro printers. It was much easier to set up and I feel like the prints are crisper, especially when it comes to the photos. The one I got came with 2 years of ink included so it will be a while before I report back on how easy it is to change the ink out.

My favorite home scanner: Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner

I've used a ton of scanners and I always come back to the Canon CanoScans because they're so easy to use, they're very fast, and they take up very little space in your office.

My favorite portable scanner: Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner

Surprise! It's the same scanner I recommend for home use. This scanner gets power from the USB connection to your computer and it's very lightweight, making it perfect for research trips or visits with relatives.

My favorite for filming: DJI Pocket 2

I had this camera on my wish list for a long time before I took the plunge and I wish I'd gotten it sooner. It's tiny and lightweight but it has an internal gimbal stabilizer so it's great for people whose hands shake a little (like mine). It's also a lot less intrusive when you're out and about or talking to relatives since it's so small. Videos are transferred to your phone or device either through the cord or through the DJI app.

My favorite hard drive for backups: Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive

These hard drives are small, affordable, easy to use, and incredibly reliable. At 2TB, you'll be able to use this for a long time before you need another.

My favorite iPad: Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch with 2TB of memory

I get asked often which iPad I use and I'm always a little shy about sharing because the one I use is in the upper price range. The reason I like to use this specific model (I've bought three for our family by now) is that I think the larger screen makes a big difference in usability and I want enough to memory to store absolutely EVERYTHING related to family history on my iPad. Definitely a matter of preference but I live and breathe through this iPad.

My favorite slide scanner: Kodak Digital Film Scanner

I used to recommend the larger Epson scanner that can handle film and slides but this little Kodak one is cheaper, smaller, and creates images that are just as good. If you have larger negatives, though, you'll have to go with the Epson!

My favorite for digitizing home movies (VHS): Elgato Video Capture

This little device makes it easy to create a digital video file by connecting your computer to a VCR and playing your VHS home movies. The downside is that you have to have a working VCR for this all to work and it can be harder to find those than you'd think. If you have one, don't get rid of it!! Nobody makes them anymore.

My favorite for digitizing home movies (film): 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker Pro Film Digitizer

I prefer to digitize home movies myself so they don't get lost in the mail. This is easy to use and it's light enough that I was able to fly it to Ohio to do my in-laws' home movies as well.

Tech accessories

My favorite keyboard (plug in): Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

I like to use gaming keyboards because I enjoy the color and lights but my favorite thing about this keyboard is the satisfying click sound the keys make.

My favorite keyboard (bluetooth): YUNZII Upgraded Wireless Keyboard

There are lots of keyboards out there that work with iPads but I like this one because the style means that there's a little groove that holds the iPad like a retro typewriter. Also, these typewriters come in lots of sizes and I like this one because it's closer to a traditional keyboard size and I don't make as many mistakes when I use it.

My favorite portable battery (small): INIU Portable Charger

Not much to say on this because we've had a million portable chargers and now I buy these ones exclusively so the kids don't fight over them. They're indestructible and the paw print is such a bonus.

My favorite portable battery (large): M150 Power Station

I love this thing. It's bulky to carry around but it's so handy to be able to have it around the house because it's a great charger and it's useful as a phone stand. There is a compartment for cords and additional output ports besides the magnetic charging top. And it's so cute. Fair warning - when I fly with this, I always get stopped by security. It's not a problem but they always want to check it out and ask me where I got it.

Research supplies

My favorite pens: Le Pen

I was gifted a couple of Le Pen pens in 2012 and I've used them pretty much exclusively ever since. They're just lovely.

My favorite notebook (large): Miquel Rius Sprial Notebook

If you haven't tried these, they're quite pleasant. Sturdy covers, lots of colors, and perforated pages. I like.

My favorite notebook (small): Field Notes

This might be a little predictable, but is there anything better than starting a new Field Notes notebook? I have these pocket notebooks for lots of ancestors or family groups to help me keep all my scribbles together when I'm researching.

My favorite little USB drive: Thumb Drives for Kids

Don't take your big portable hard drive when you're researching. (A) You don't need it and (B) if you lose it, you'll be sad. Instead, make sure you have an empty USB drive with you that holds at least 32 GB. I prefer to get mine in funny shapes. They're easier to find in my bag and if I do leave it behind I'll have a lot more success having them find it if I can say, "it's a banana" instead of the usual USB drive.

My favorite post-it notes: Post-it Super Sticky Notes

Get the assorted sizes. You don't know what you're going to need them for, but I do. You're going to need them for EVERYTHING.

Notebook-building supplies

My favorite paper for printing at home: Hammermill Printer Paper, Premium Color 28 lb Copy Paper

I've used this paper for years and it's the best. It does show through to the other side just a little bit and if you want to really not be able to see through, you should go up to 32 lb paper, but personally I think that makes the notebooks too bulky.

My favorite discbound notebook covers: TUL® Discbound Notebook with Pebbled Leather Cover

Now, if you just want a bunch of cheap notebooks, get the plain plastic black covers from this same brand. However, if you want a notebook you're going to use again and again or you're setting up a notebook to be a nice gift, the TUL leather covers are my favorite. Durable but classy.

My favorite discbound notebook hole punch: Levenger Circa Universal Desk Discbound Hole Punch

This is the higher price point for a discbound hole punch but this thing has lasted forever and I've never had an issue with it. Super sturdy.

My favorite discound notebook discs: Talia Metallic Discs

I don't know if there's really a performance difference between plastic discs or metal discs, but I prefer the pretty metal ones.

My favorite discbound notebook starter kit: TUL® Discbound Notebook Starter Kit

You won't need to buy more than one of these. It's fun to have the extra page options around when you're building notebooks and I like the inserts that hold the tabs for flagging research rabbit holes.

My favorite ring binders: Avery Heavy-Duty 3 Ring Binder, 1.5 Inch

I never would have thought that 3 ring binders were something I had an opinion about but when I was working for the State of Ohio, I got hooked on Avery binders. All of the other brands would eventually get dented, jammed, or fall apart.

My favorite post-it tabs: Post-it Tabs

People ask for these all the time. There are flashier and more decorative versions but these are affordable classics and I promise you'll use them forever.