Enrollment options
Optional Print Course Material: Eastern European: Onsite Research in the Ancestral Homeland
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
No matter how convenient it may be these days to research ancestors without leaving home, you probably still dream of visiting your family’s homeland. You are yearning to see where your ancestors lived, stand in the church where they were baptized, enjoy traditional cuisine, and understand what life was like for your ancestors before they made the journey to America. With heritage travel, you have an opportunity to go beyond the same old research strategies and discover those details you can’t get from online databases, books, or microfilm. In this course, you will learn about “immersion genealogy”—the process of discovering where and how our ancestors lived, worked, and worshiped, and experiencing first-hand those customs and traditions they passed down through the generations. We will begin with planning your trip (including packing and travel tips). Then, we will cover how to contact relatives and locals (mayors and priests) in advance, what to do when you meet them, and creating an itinerary. Finally, we will review what to do after the trip to document your meetings, travels, and research.
Course Length: 7 weeks
MODULE 1
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Determine Your Destination(s)
Build Your Itinerary
Hiring a Guide/Translator
Getting Around Europe
Packing for Your Trip
Tips for a Successful Trip
Recommended Resources
MODULE 2
IMMERSION GENEALOGY
Planning Your “Who Do You Think You Are?” Experience
Research the Locality
Learning the Language
Research Customs & Traditions in Advance
Recommended Resources
MODULE 3
VISITING YOUR ANCESTRAL TOWN
Meeting Relatives & Locals
Should You Ask for a DNA Sample?
Meeting Local Residents
Churches & Synagogues
Viewing Church Records
Cemeteries
Setting Realistic Expectations
Handling Disappointments & Research Roadblocks
Recommended Resources
MODULE 4
VISITING ARCHIVES & LIBRARIES
Preparing for Your Visit
Types of Archives
Common Archival Terms
Libraries
University Collections & Other Repositories
Military Sources
Five Key Steps to Follow
Guidelines for Onsite Research
Abiding by Rules & Policies
Communication Challenges
Recommended Resources
MODULE 5
TOURING HISTORICAL SITES & MORE
Tourist Attractions
Museums
Village Celebrations
Serendipity & Heritage Travel
Recommended Resources
MODULE 6
AFTER THE TRIP
Follow Up with Relatives & Contacts
Organizing Photographs & Information
Evaluating Your Genealogical Information
Creating a Research Log
Sharing Your Experiences
Books/Keepsake Photo Albums/Smashbooks
Journaling the Journey
Blogs
Will You Plan a Return Visit?
Recommended Resources
APPENDIX