Discover Your Ancestry on Your Upcoming Holiday

In our increasingly virtual world, people are seeking authentic connections, including a connection to those who came before us. This trend, known as heritage travel or ancestry tourism, has seen a significant boom in recent years, fueled by advances in technology and genetics that make it easier than ever to trace your roots.

FamilySearch.org, a free service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers a vast resource with 13 billion searchable names in its historical records section. Meanwhile, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com) has more than 65 billion records from over 88 countries and offers memberships with varying pricing based on information, tools, length, and payment method. At-home DNA testing kits, such as those offered by Ancestry, provide information about your ancestry composition, insights into regions where your ancestors likely lived, and the ability to contact potential relatives who share similar DNA.

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, self-research and planning, professional services, or a mix of both can be options for heritage travel planning. If you're not a do-it-yourselfer, you can get expert assistance through professionals such as genealogists who live in the area where your relatives once roamed. Hiring a local expert can be beneficial as they are on the ground, know the territory, and speak the language.

Modern signs of society may be present in heritage travel destinations, but tangible connections to ancestors can still be found. Many travelers are exploring tiny towns and remote villages in a bid to connect with their ancestral roots, instead of well-known tourist destinations. Traveling to remote areas without the assistance of a tour operator or local genealogist requires extra research and planning.

Research is the single most important component of planning a meaningful trip for heritage travel. Prioritizing one lineage over others is often necessary when planning a heritage travel trip. Be meticulous when compiling your data for heritage travel, as incorrect information can lead to confusion at your destination.

Group travel requires coordination and agreement on travel plans beforehand. Flexibility in the schedule is necessary to allow for acclimation, spontaneous conversations, and wandering down new leads. Leaving time in the itinerary to enjoy simple things helps reduce stress and enrich the heritage travel experience.

If you decide to hire a pro, get details on their pricing models, find out whether they charge hourly or by the project, and get written confirmation of the services they'll provide before you spend any money. The cost of custom heritage trips can start at $9,000 per person for a 10-day journey. The Association of Professional Genealogists notes that hourly rates can vary from $30 to $40 per hour to well over $200 per hour, based on experience, location, project type, and other factors.

Determining a budget is important to ensure a better experience and efficient use of resources. Adding a cushion for special purchases to the budget is recommended. Determining how to preserve memories from the trip is important to document the experience for oneself and future generations.

Meeting up with relatives during heritage travel requires consideration of language barriers and sharing personal details. International data plans and SIM cards can be useful for phone connectivity during heritage travel. Map and translation apps can be helpful tools for navigation.

Genealogical tourism provides a sense of belonging and gives the feeling that we're part of something bigger than ourselves. In the Netherlands, several Dutch genealogists, such as Genealogisch Bureau Nederland and Historisch Recherchebureau Nederland, offer heritage travel planning services.

Remember, be sure to give the professional enough time to get their work done, as reaching out two weeks before your trip may result in them being booked up. Documenting experiences during heritage travel as soon as possible is important to maintain accurate information.

As you embark on your heritage travel journey, approach it with an open mindset. Embrace the opportunity to learn about your ancestors, connect with your roots, and create unforgettable memories.