Want to know more about where you came from and who your ancestors are? Researching the family tree has taken on a whole new dimension as travelers not only sift through online records, but they are now embarking on trips to the country that their ancestors hail from in hopes of finding more answers.
Genealogy research trips can be a fun and exciting way to learn more about your background and, possibly, meet relatives along the way. Imagine flying to Scotland to learn more about your Scottish ancestry or stepping foot in Italy, where your grandparents once lived.
If this type of trip is new to you and you don’t know where to begin because you haven’t researched your background before, The National Genealogical Society (NGS) sponsors research trips where you can visit three noteworthy genealogical research destinations. Their next venture if coming up in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 12 to the 19th. The trips include hotel accommodations for the trip’s duration (extra nights available at an additional cost), various complementary services at the hotel, meet and greet session with other researchers on the day of arrival, research facility orientation, research consultations with group leaders and more. You will have the opportunity to do your own personal research.
Still need more help? There are a variety of resources to help you, including the Census Bureau’s Genealogy Page, the Nationwide Grave site Locator, The Department of the Interior (DOI), the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and, of course, The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation searchable database.
After all of this research, let’s say that you found out your ancestors. Talk to your travel agent about designing a trip to the area and walking the same steps that your relatives did. You can also participate in a group tour that includes a personalized research plan based on your own ancestry, additional research in the area, and then tours of places that meant something to your background. Many of these trips also include lectures and guided tours from genealogical experts.
These specialized trips to help you to uncover your roots are becoming more popular these days, especially since television shows such as PBS’ Finding Your Roots have hit the airwaves. Hosted by noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the show has delved into the ancestry of Hollywood’s elite, including Neil Patrick Harris, Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow.
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