Preparing for Our European Family History Trip: Insights and Tips
Dave and I are excited to continue sharing our European family history adventure with you. In this post, we’ll delve into the meticulous preparations that made our journey so enriching. Dave invested months of research and planning, and we’re here to let you in on the strategies and surprises we encountered along the way.
The Journey Begins
When it comes to exploring your family history, preparation is key. For Dave, this trip was a culmination of lifelong family stories, genealogical records, and countless hours spent piecing together our ancestral trail. My role started almost serendipitously, as an add-on to Dave’s carefully laid plans. A simple, “Let’s visit Switzerland while we’re going to Germany,” turned into, “Wait, I have ancestors there, too!”
Mapping Our Roots
One of our most valuable tools was mapping out the locations of our ancestors. Dave dug deep into genealogical databases like Ancestry and FamilySearch, physically charting where family members lived and moved. Discovering that my Swiss ancestors lived in places like Stein am Rhein only added to the magic—turns out, Dave was eager to visit there, too!
Flexibility and the Power of Serendipity
Although we had planned extensively, we stayed open to unexpected discoveries. While visiting Prague, purely for tourism, we unexpectedly connected with a DNA relative. These serendipitous encounters highlighted the importance of flexibility and being open to new experiences.
Travel Tips for Genealogy Enthusiasts
- Rent a Car: To fully explore remote villages and ancestral sites, we highly recommend renting a car. Public transportation is wonderful but having the freedom to explore less-traveled paths allowed us to visit multiple locations in one day.
- Plan Your Routes: Use tools like MapQuest to drop pins on genealogical sites and create efficient travel routes. Avoid back-and-forth trips by mapping a circular route.
- Pack Wisely: Remember to know how to drive a stick shift and bring euros for unexpected expenses, like gas stations that might not accept U.S. credit cards.
Join Us on This Journey
Watch Us Discuss How We Prepared for Our European Family History Trip
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for a free copy of “Gateway to Joy” and to be notified of next segments on our European Family History Trip and other blog posts.
