Many of us have been interested in our family histories for a very long time. However, with the coming of home computers and easy access to the Internet, those interests have become easier to look into. It has become so easy to sit in front of our glowing computer screens, looking up census data, or chatting with newly discovered cousins. The Internet has made the pursuit of genealogical information an achievable goal, one that might never before have been possible for a great number of people. But at some point it is inevitable that anyone seriously researching their family history will want to push himself or herself away from the computer, and travel to some "family places."
A road trip may be just the thing to gain new enthusiasm for your research, and to add depth and dimension to the family members you're discovering. Incorporating travel into your family research efforts doesn't have to be a complicated ordeal. You may already have planned a trip to visit family, and wish to visit the county courthouse while you're there. Perhaps you are scheduled for a business trip to a location where you know some of your ancestors lived. On the other hand, you may wish to plan an entire trip with the sole purpose being acquisition of family history information. There are even guided tours available to various regions, including European countries, with a focus on genealogical research.
If you have made the decision to incorporate travel into your family history digging, here are some things you should do to prepare yourself before you go.
Decide what information you wish to obtain. Are there specific facts you would like to research? Is there a certain ancestor who remains a mystery, and you're certain you might find out more where you are going? Perhaps there are one or more surnames you would like to flesh out. Keeping a purpose in mind will help you stay focused on your trip.
Where can you find the information you are seeking? Make sure you are familiar with the research possibilities in the area you are traveling to. Learn about general resources . Check out the county and/or state GenWeb page for the area you're venturing to. These pages are often a treasure trove of information for those wishing to do local research. Most of these pages contain specific information about libraries, courthouses, etc.
Find out the business hours of places you plan to visit. There's nothing so upsetting as travelling 1000 miles to visit a courthouse that is closed for the holiday weekend. It is extremely disappointing, as well as a time-waster. Call ahead to find out the hours that the library, courthouse, historical society, etc. is open.
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