I’ve always enjoyed genealogy and exploring the branches of my family tree. Travel has allowed me to connect and reconnect with family members near and far–both geographically and generationally.
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I have vivid childhood memories of my grandfather spreading out his family tree. He had painstakingly researched it for decades before the advent of the personal computer. It included at least seven generations, nonetheless it was much wider than it was long. It included thousands of names, dates, and locations. It was all done in pencil, except for the countless Jewish stars in blue ink. Those stars represented the relatives who were concentration camp victims. I think it was the devastation that was the impetus for my grandfather’s passion.
How far back can you go? Try the 200-Year Challenge.
Cousins
My kids have had the opportunity to go out for ice cream, spend a Shabbos, or even entire weeks with their fourth cousins–some of whom they are actually very close with. How did this happen?
It happened in a couple of different ways. The first is that my grandfather grew up pretty close with his first cousins. Their grandmother was insistent that all the grandchildren visit regularly (and together). Then, after the Holocaust, those that survived remained close regardless of the physical distance.
Throughout the Generations
I grew up with many of my grandfather’s first cousins coming out to visit. As I got older and began traveling, we would go visit them. But I wasn’t really interested in hanging out with a “bunch of old people”. So, I would spend time with their grandchildren–my third cousins! One of whom is two years younger than me and we were often mistaken for sisters since we look so much alike. The fact that we didn’t speak the same language was irrelevant.
A third cousin means that we have mutual great-great-grandparents. Many people don’t even know their first cousins, let alone their third. But, fast forward a few decades, and my third cousins and I have all grown up. Now we’ve begun traveling and our kids are playing together, visiting each other, and becoming friends.
Whether it’s pizza in Pittsburgh, a Bar Mitzvah in Israel, Shabbos in Memphis, house guests from Romania, a science center in Baltimore, or meeting up in NY with cousins who live in Ukraine–we’re all family and our kids are fourth cousins!! If my grandfather’s grandmother (after whom many of us have named children) knew what she had spurred!! WOW!
As the next generation is growing up, they’ll start getting married and having their own kids soon. I can’t wait for the fifth cousins to get together.
“Newly” Discovered
This is where things get really interesting. New technology has brought new discoveries and connections.
My grandfather was the last male in his line (maybe). So, I did a DNA swab on him through FamilyTreeDNA. I wanted to preserve that Y-chromosome and this was the best way to do it. Also, he spent over 70 years trying to determine what happened to one of his brothers after liberation. (Please contact me with any information–hence the “maybe” earlier.) I also did a swab on myself through Ancestry DNA.
As a result of these tests, I have been contacted by family members from around the world. A third cousin of my mother’s from Seattle joined a memorial event for my grandfather. We met up with a fourth cousin from Delaware for ice cream. I reconnected with a relative in Spain whose parents had lost touch with my grandparents. As a caveat: I am not necessarily the best at STAYING in touch, especially as life gets busy–which is always! On my perennial “to do” list is to stay in touch better with all of these relatives near and far. It’s no excuse, but in my defense, none of the people I just mentioned still have children at home. But if any of them are reading this article: I am so sorry for not bing better at this!
I have also maintained my membership at Ancestry.com, even if I almost never have time to spend there. I know that even five minutes will suck me in and down the rabbit hole. But I do want to. And I really enjoy the search as well as the discovery. I enjoy adding to my family tree and making new discoveries.
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Inspired Travel
Whether it’s passing though one city for dinner or spending Shabbos in a specific locale, we’ve planned routes around connecting with family. We’ve visited cemeteries and museums with familial connections and we’ve joined genealogical societies that have opened doors for us. It’s also a great way for kids to learn about history. The further up your family tree you go, you’ll find some interesting stories if you know where to look . It makes history come alive, more relatable, more interesting.
We’ve discovered stories of shipwrecks, soldiers, famous rabbis, wealthy businessmen, powerful women, tragic orphans, pioneers, and so much more. We’ve even traced back to Adam and Eve.
One of my kids (although only one of them) has referred to the Family History library as his “happy place”.
Where will your family tree take you? I’d love to hear about your genealogy and your journey. Perhaps we are more closely related than you would think.
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