Ancestral tourism is a growing trend in the UK, which focuses on the history of ordinary people rather than kings and queens. If you're considering a visit to a town, village or city that your ancestors called home, then here are a few suggestions to make the most out of your trip.
- If you're arranging accommodation, consider if there anywhere you can stay that would help you feel connected with the past. For example, renting a traditional cottage, or staying at the local inn. The Georgian house where my twice great-grandfather lived in Lancaster has now been converted into self-contained hotel apartments.
- In advance, prepare a list of every address connected with your ancestors - not just their homes, but schools, workplaces, churches and workhouses. Check on Google Maps to see if these still exist. If they don't exist, National Library of Scotland's Maps has great coverage of Britain to work out where these locations were. You could even print these off to take with you (copyright permitting of course).
- See if the area has a 'Then and Now' Facebook page, a heritage society, or if you're very lucky, a heritage centre. You might be able to connect with somebody interested in local history to show you around, or some distant cousins to meet for a brew.
- Familiarise yourself with local archives, record offices and libraries that might hold undigitised records. The National Archives 'Other Archives' is a great place to start for working out what's out there. Check their opening hours and if they require booking in advance.
- Look into what museums are in the area. Visiting a living museum can really help to immerse you in the past - 9 of the UK's best can be found here. How about a maritime museum if your ancestors emigrated, or occupational museums such as coal mining or railway for a feel of your ancestor's everyday lives?
- Contact the local church(es) or cemetery. They might have additional records like burial plans, or arrange to meet you to show you where your ancestors stood on their wedding day.