Heritage tourism is all the rage these days, and with good reason. Of course, we all want to connect with our biological roots, and to be able to do that physically by visiting places where our ancestors actually lived, is beyond fascinating!
With genetic testing kits easily available these days, you can easily find out your genetic makeup and your geographic origins. And that’s usually the first step for those planning a heritage tour.
So, take a DNA test, and find out all the places you’re linked to. Typically, there will be multiple populations in your ethnic breakdown. Start with the one with the highest percentage in your genetic makeup, and start planning the trip!
Start By Identifying the Purpose of Your Tour
Once you’ve decided you want to take a heritage tour, think about your expectations from it. Is it for you to expand your family tree, or are you going there to explore and find answers to the many question mark and blanks in your existing family research?
By identifying the purpose, you can narrow down plans for your itinerary. For instance, you might want to include a trip to the library but may decide that a trip to the local cemetery isn’t necessary.
In short, thinking about the purpose of your tour will help you streamline your plans.
Research The Place as Much as Possible Before You Arrive
Spontaneity is great, but if you have many family research goals you need to accomplish during this tour, you’ll be setting yourself up for failure if you go into it without research.
Learn about the place as much as possible, and jot down important addresses and directions. Also, make some calls to find out the days and timings all the libraries, repositories, and churches are open—you’ll be there for a limited time with a packed schedule, make the most of it.
Make Sure to Travel with All Research Essentials
When planning a heritage tour, don’t go into it like a rookie. Packing for a regular trip is very different from packing for a heritage tour. Make sure you have all the research essentials, including:
- Notebook
- Laptop/tablet
- A good camera
- Important maps
- A flash drive
- Any existing research you have
- Essential genealogy application downloaded on your phone
Also, if you want some help planning a successful heritage tour, consider reaching out to our team at DavisDNA And Family Research. We offer family history research services and can help you plan a comprehensive tour that helps you discover your family history.
