Heritage Travel Comes of Age
A Guest Post by Thomas MacEntee
There comes a time in our lives when the need to learn more about our ancestors “kicks in.” The timing is different for everyone, but one component of the discovery process that more and more people are embracing is the concept of heritage travel. Making a trip, or a series of trips, back to the land of our ancestors can bring meaning to family history and actually change the way we look at not only ourselves but also travel.
Trip Savvy – This Is Not Your Grandfather’s Travel
Our ancestors may have crossed the ocean on a ship or across America in a covered wagon, but our own travel has become much easier in the 21st century. Not only can we get from point A to point B faster and in comfort, but consider all the “tools” at our disposal to enjoy the trip and preserve the memories.
We live in an age when we not only can take photos and videos with our smartphones, but actually use them to plan a heritage trip. Take a look at Pinterest and you’ll see some amazing resources including apps to find the best airplane seat or how to keep a travel journal.
I’m sure you’re tired of hearing, “There’s never been a better time . ..” but it is true when it comes to travel. So pack your suitcase (or valise as my grandparents would say) and plan your next trip to a place where your ancestors lived.
Tips and Tricks for Planning Heritage Travel
Here are some ideas to consider when planning your next trip with a focus on family history:
- Travel Solo or With Someone? Whether you decide to go it alone or with one or more fellow travelers is up to you. Take some time to understand what type of traveler you are (Bare bones? Adventurous? Pampered?) and whether you’ll be a good fit with others.
- Plan Early. Now is the time to start looking at Spring 2014 travel and beyond. This doesn’t mean you can’t make a trip now. In fact, you should always have a bag packed and ready to go for those last minute specials that pop up!
- Set Goals. Many travelers make a list of the “must see” or “must experience” places on a trip. The same can be true for a heritage trip: seeing your great-grandparents farm, visiting the stores where they shopped etc. Make a list and prioritize the stops.
- Call Ahead. Travel books and even websites can only help you so much. Imagine the disappointment if you tried to visit a historical site only to find it closed? Make sure you use the phone and email to ensure that you’ll be able to experience those “must see” places.
- Be Flexible. Stuff happens. Have a back-up plan and also plan for emergencies. Make sure family members know where you will be and how to reach you.
- Collect and Preserve. You’ll have great experiences on your heritage trip, but how will you share them with others? You may need to plan ahead to make sure you can preserve the best moments of the trip. Download any apps you need and make sure you have all the tools required for capturing photos and more.
Travel With Purpose and Meaning
How do you describe to a friend or even a stranger, what it was like to visit the places where your ancestors lived, worked and laid the foundation for your being here? You won’t know until you make that journey yourself.
I can’t predict everything that may happen on your own heritage journey, but I have a pretty good idea: the trip will pass all too quickly and you’ll want to preserve every moment so you can savor it again and again.
© 2013, copyright Thomas MacEntee
About Thomas MacEntee
Thomas MacEntee is a genealogy professional specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogy research and as a way to connect with others in the family history community. He is the author of Family History Trippin’: A Guide to Planning a Genealogy Research Trip available at Amazon.
When he’s not busy writing blog posts, organizing the 3,000+ members of GeneaBloggers.com, teaching online genealogy webinars and more, Thomas is busy in his role as “genealogy ninja.” Stealth is not easy, but he manages to get the inside track on emerging technologies and vendors as they relate to the genealogy industry. After being laid off from a 25-year career in the tech industry in 2008, Thomas has been able to “repurpose” his skill set for the genealogy community and loves to see other genealogists succeed, whether it is with their own research or building their own careers in the field.
I have set a goal to be able to travel more during the next year. I want to not only do more on site research but to be where my people were. There is nothing better than walking where they walked.
So true Cheri! Walking where they walked, you can almost envision them. It is a very special experience!
Thanks for the post, this just renewed my excitement for a upcoming Ancestral Trip! I usually go alone. This one will include a few family members who have DNA Tested as a retreat to Explore and Discuss our Findings over the years. Since I'm the most experienced in Genning Trips I'll take these into account. Thanks for the ADVICE!
Hi True!
Thanks for visiting our new blog! We're looking forward to sharing many more great roots travel tips!
I am ready to prepare for my next trip. Great tips Thomas for the traveling genealogist & family historians!
Thanks Shelley! Thomas is the best, isn't he?
— Toni
What a great way to get started researching! Been wanting to research my family for sometime… Sounds like this book can help to organize and plan a successful collection of information!
Hi San!
Thanks for visiting our new blog and commenting! :0)
Great tips from thomas! He has lit the fire for me to do that traveling I have been putting off. thank you.
Jane
Thanks for visiting Jane! Hope you get to schedule that trip soon!
Great tips! My husband and I are going to Italy next May and one stop is the town that my great grandparents are from. I am excited and hope to knock down a few brick walls! 🙂
Wow, that sounds like an incredible trip. You must be so excited! Thanks for visiting our blog!
Thank you Thomas for the tips. Although I live a little more than hour from the old home places, I would like to get the maximum from my trips.
Thank you for visiting our new heritage travel blog Linda!
I truly enjoy a research trip! I have had some with a genea-buddy and some without! Regardless, preparation is the key! Looking forward to making a trip back to Tennessee in 2014!
So true Angela! If you are prepared you can hit the ground running when you arrive. Thanks for visiting our new blog!
11 African nations visited, 40+ to go, though some have a greater priority for me and some I want to revisit again and again. Then, there's a need to get back down to SC. My sister, cousin, & I haven't done some good long days in the archives in way too long.
Wow, 11 nations! Thank you for visiting our new blog!
These are some awesome tips. I have recently been working with my grandmother on our family genealogy and she has done quite a bit of work. With these tips I believe we can really get much further in our search. Thanks Thomas.
Hi Dontavius,
Thanks for visiting our new blog!
Pleased to see a guide that'll be extremely resourceful towards planning my Ancestral Sojourn to the Southern states more notably. Hmm, just thought may be great Holiday gift as well. Kudos and #Success
Thank you so much, and thanks for visiting the blog!
I can almost guarantee that any genealogical research trip will hold surprises. Jim and I went on one years ago and found out that a Medal of Honor Society was looking for his GG-Grandfather's descendants to get permission to put a new headstone on his grave to denote he had been awarded that honor. That's not typical, but many of our trips have brought us new information we might never have seen before.
That was pure serendipity! Thank you for visiting our new blog and sharing your experiences.