This article was originally published on July 24, 2022.
Are you looking for a new vacation destination with exciting adventures and meaningful experiences? Have you ever thought about visiting the lands of your ancestors?
Today there are many resources to help you learn about and prepare for a visit to the lands where your ancestors were born. A little preparation before can add meaningful experiences and opportunities to any trip. Here are a few ideas that might be of help:
Prayer. Begin your search with prayer. Let the spirit of Elijah be a part of your research. There are those on the other side who are waiting to help you and through prayer you can be connected to help from the other side of the veil.
FamilySearch. The “Where Am I From” section of the Activities drop-down menu is a good place to learn where your ancestors are from and information about those places. You can review it by family lines, generations, converts, or immigrants. It also provides information about the food, traditions, social life, and other fun facts about many countries. The FamilySearch Wiki also contains a wealth of information on many countries. One couple I assisted at the Granite Family History Center found that four generations back they both had relatives from the same town in Denmark. They decided to visit that town on their next anniversary trip.
Read About Your Ancestors on FamilySearch. As you read stories about your ancestors you may develop an interest in a certain place that has significance in one or more of your ancestors’ lives. Most of the time FamilySearch has already organized volumes of information for you. Go to the person page of an ancestor and click on the “GO TO NEW DISCOVERY” box in the upper righthand corner. That will immediately provide you with a life summary of the ancestor, a timeline, information about the country they are from, and world events occurring during their lifetime. (This can be found now by clicking on the “Timeline” tab on an ancestor’s person page).
The Family History Guide. Once you have identified a place you would like to visit, go to https://thefhguide.com/. This site can help you find valuable information that will make your visit more meaningful and productive. Go to the “Countries” menu and find the town, city, province, or country you have an interest in. There are links to numerous articles, maps, videos, and other resources that will help you learn more about the country and unique facts about the era of time of your ancestor. I have found the links to old maps and gazetteers particularly helpful. With each country, The Family History Guide also provides lessons about the geography, culture, and history.
Plan Your Trip. Once you have done the research to feel a connection to somewhere in the world, begin your vacation planning. A helpful article on the FamilySearch blog is found at https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/travel-abroad-discover-your-heritage. Whether it is a single or multiple destination trip, it will have more meaning and greater opportunity for tender mercies as you combine it with family history.
I can’t wait to hear about your experiences. If you need help with the planning, visit us at the Granite Family History Center during normal hours. After your trip, drop in and tell us about your experience.
– Dave Castleton, Director (previously), Granite FamilySearch Center