Genealogy Travel-Tips and Tricks

It’s travel season everyone! I’ve been feeling the travel bug ever since my neck of the woods has warmed up somewhat. It’s got me thinking about doing some genealogy travel. What is that you ask? It’s where you travel around the world for genealogy purposes. You can travel for researching at archives, for visiting your ancestor’s hometown, or for experiencing your ancestor’s way of life. There are many companies that offer genealogy travel tours and heritage vacations such as Road Scholar and European Focus. These are just a few that I know of that are geared specifically toward genealogy. You can also create your own genealogy vacation. It just depends on what your goal is for this kind of travel.

Purpose

What is your purpose for going on a genealogy travel? Is it to do research, to visit ancestral homes, or do what your ancestor’s did? It could also be a combination of all three or none of the above. This will impact how you plan for this visit. Find out your “why” for going.

Take a minute to answer some more questions to hone in on what you really want out of this trip.

How long do you want to spend at the archives? What will other members of your party be doing while you are at the archives? What ancestor will you be researching? Have you called the archives and set up the necessary things in order to enter that facility? What items do you need to bring to research well? What ancestral places can you visit in the time you have?

Archive Tips

When you know you’re going to be researching at an archive or library, there are a few things you should know.

Bring contact information, addresses, and cash for copies if they don’t allow digital copies. Some archives won’t allow any electronic device so have a backup plan when you can’t bring in your laptop or even your phone.

When planning to visit the archive, call ahead and ask for the protocol on how you can research there. Every place has different rules. Know them! It’s just good genealogical etiquette.

Know what holidays the archive will be closed. It would be a bummer to show up and it’s closed for a holiday!

Bring snacks and water if it’s allowed. Or know where you can find a quick bite to eat or a drinking fountain so you can spend more time at the archive and less at a restaurant.

Treat the workers with respect and don’t cause a scene if you don’t get what you want. Being kind offers bigger rewards.

Have room in your luggage to store all of the new papers that you will hopefully acquire after your visit.

Never bring original genealogy documents with you on the trip. Always make copies ahead of time.

Cemetery Tips

Bring clothing items fit for the season because you will be outside looking for awhile. This includes bug spray, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, umbrella, jacket, gloves, etc.

Bring your phone and paper to record where exactly the headstone is located. What row, how many headstones down, what landmarks are around it, south side of cemetery or north side, etc. If you can get a map of the cemetery, mark where your ancestor is buried for future explorers.

You can upload headstone photos to findagrave.com if it’s an American cemetery. This will help others to find it when they can’t travel there themselves.

I like to bring paper and crayons or pencils to make a light rubbing of the headstone markings. Some people balk at this because you shouldn’t use certain materials to mark a headstone because it may cause damage. I still need to research this for myself. But I take my daughter and we actually have fun doing rubbings of the designs we like in the cemetery.

Take water and snacks if you’re going to be there for a long time. This is a lifesaver if you’re doing it in the summer.

Sightseeing Tips

Give yourself extra time to get lost when trying to find your ancestral home.

Let the locals know you’re there because of genealogy. They may have extra tips for what to see or what to buy to remember the trip.

Take lots of pictures of the actual town including streets, buildings, landmarks, etc. These are the places your ancestor saw just like you. This is especially important when you can’t find your ancestral home or it doesn’t exist anymore.

Schedule tours of churches, history museums, etc ahead of time. If your ancestor’s occupation still exists, then schedule a time where you can learn all about it or experience it hands on.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the locals. People are just people. They’re like you. Some will help while others will walk the other way. Let them be human beings. Be brave and you’ll probably have a richer experience.

Again, have room in your luggage to bring back genealogy travel souvenirs. You never know what will speak to you as you sight see.

The Most Important Tip

Leave your expectations at the door!

Do not forget that while you didn’t find that elusive headstone or that ancestral home, you are still standing in the same place as your ancestor. You are still living your genealogy dreams of going to these places. Enjoy the moment now not your expectations in the future! Be open to new opportunities and new perspectives instead of trying to control the trip to fit your expectations.

So go out there this travel season and experience your ancestor’s life through genealogy travel. It’s worth the effort!

Good luck and happy hunting!

Tiffany