Book a Trip to the “Old Country”

Some things simply cannot be learned from an old document. If you have the time and resources, a trip to the village, town, or city from which your family originated can provide fascinating insights that cannot be replicated on a computer screen. For example, smaller libraries may have almanacs, town censures, and other arcane documents that aren't available online. Even if you don't find any physical treasures, walking down the same streets your family did can bring them to life in a way that, while not tangible, is far more rewarding.

You'll need to double-check the ancestor's hometown's exact location against maps from that era and today. Travel visas may be required to visit some countries, which you should check with the embassy of the country before leaving on your trip. If you have ancestors who immigrated to other countries, you may be able to find a group of people from your heritage in your town or city. This organization may have its own records or may be able to assist you with major points of emigration from the country of origin.