Traveling to find your roots
By Nancy Battick
Will you be traveling for genealogical research or tourism this year? Genealogists often want to visit their ancestral homelands or long to visit libraries or archives.
The lure to travel for either of these can be irresistible. Few would pass up an opportunity to visit Salt Lake City’s Latter-Day Saints Library, for example. Others would be ecstatic to see where their ancestors lived.
If you’re planning such a trip, you need to be aware of changes that may impact your journey. If you’re traveling in the U.S. and a plane trip is involved, 2025 is the year of Real ID licenses starting May 7. Real ID will be required to board a plane or enter federal buildings. If your driver’s license doesn’t have the Real ID symbol, you need to pursue getting that as soon as possible. You can do this through the Department of Motor Vehicles. You’ll need documents including your birth certificate, proof of residency, and a marriage certificate if your surname has changed.
You can learn more online at www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/realid.html. Holders of a valid U.S. passport don’t require a Real ID license.
It is obvious if you’re planning a major research trip you need to have all your ducks in a row before heading out. Make sure you have all the necessary data regarding your ancestors. Plus, go online and do pre-research about the library or archive, so you will be familiar with their catalog and resources. If they offer welcome tours or videos, take them. Don’t neglect other sites in the same area. Find out any rules regarding what you can carry, such as your laptop.
If you’re planning an overseas visit to your ancestral home, be aware that you will need a passport. You’ll want to apply for that now since there can be delays. You also may need a visa or other forms of permission to visit even in Europe. Find out and take care of that as soon as you can. There’s information online or through foreign embassies.
Also, keep up with any travel alerts from the U.S. State Department. If the place you long to visit is in a war zone or Americans are subject to attacks, you should seriously postpone visiting. Don’t assume your American passport will protect you from harm. Stay on top of risks.
And do your homework. Arrange for a guide and driver if you’re traveling in a country where you don’t speak the language. Check out everything you can find online about the village or city you’ll be visiting. If you want to contact distant family members, don’t just show up on their doorstep. Be sure to let them know you’re coming and would like to meet with them.
Book your flights, hotels, and other amenities ahead of time. Travel and medical travel insurance can be worth the money if something goes wrong overseas.
Be respectful of foreign cultures and traditions. If this is your year to travel for genealogy, stay safe, have fun, and happy hunting.
Columnist Nancy Battick of Dover-Foxcroft has researched genealogy for over 30 years. She is past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, author of several genealogical articles and co-transcribed the Vital Records of Dover-Foxcroft. Nancy holds an MA in History from UM. Reader emails are welcome at nbattick@roadrunner.com.