GENEALOGY TRAVEL

Every Family Tells a Story

Follow your ancestors’ journeys with the help of genealogy services and tours. BY IRENE RAWLINGS

Heritage Help:

Lord Mayor's Lounge at The Shelbourne Hotel (left), and the Genealogy Butler, Helen Kelly

PHOTOS: © THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL M y husband’s search for his ancestors started with a virtual consultation with Helen Kelly, one of Ireland’s leading genealogists and the Genealogy Butler at Dublin’s nearly 200-year-old Shelbourne Hotel … and the only one in the world to hold that title. She helped set up a personalized research program and coached him on how to use publicly available online records. With Kelly’s assistance, my husband traced his Irish lineage back to the Great Potato Famine of the mid-1800s when his great-great-great-grandfather emigrated to the United States, where he fought in the Civil War before settling down to farm on the plains of eastern Colorado.

When it comes to beginning a journey into your ancestral past, Kelly suggests starting with the most recent known event and systematically working back in time. In my husband’s case, Ellis Island provided a good start, and Civil War records from the National Archives were enlightening. However, at some point it was time to fly to Ireland for some feet-on-the-ground research. We decided our pre-teen grandchildren would benefit from this lesson in history and geography, so we brought them along.

We met Kelly for afternoon tea in the elegant surroundings of the Lord Mayor’s Lounge in The Shelbourne Hotel (a warm and inviting jewel of a hotel built in 1824) overlooking St. Stephen’s Green. The grandkids and I sank into deep plush chairs, sipped tea with milk and consumed scones and smoked-salmon sandwiches from a four-tiered dessert stand while my husband chatted with Kelly, who tapped away at her laptop searching for birth, marriage and death certificates online.

“We are not only descended from our ancestors,” she said, “but greatly influenced by the landscape that cradled and nourished them.”

She added rural Ireland has not really changed that much in the past 100 years, so it is entirely possible to “walk the same paths and lanes as our ancestors walked.”

We rented a car in Dublin and drove four hours across the lush (so many shades of green!) landscape to a small village in Connemara on Ireland’s rugged west coast. There we found the graves of my husband’s ancestors in a postcard-pretty country churchyard. The church records revealed the ancestors’ “marryings and buryings” logged in round, precise, old-school penmanship. The most pleasant surprise of this visit was several people in town with my husband’s same last name — distant relatives, almost certainly — welcomed us into their homes and provided additional tidbits of information and ancient family gossip. When they weren’t speaking directly to us, they spoke Irish among themselves. We spoke only English, but over a pint or two (the kids were served bright-green milk shakes) at the local pub, we sang the same songs, including “Molly Malone,” “The Fields of Athenry” and, of course, “The Gypsy Rover.”

Helen Kelly is available for one-hour or full-day consultations for guests of The Shelbourne Hotel and for one-hour virtual consultations.

America is a nation of immigrants. Many people became interested in their own family’s backstory after watching (for 10 seasons, starting in 2010 on NBC and then on TLC) as various celebrities — from Sarah Jessica Parker to Spike Lee — discovered often surprising clues to their family tree on the Emmy-winning docuseries Who Do You Think You Are? Sue Hills, veteran producer and director on the BBC version of the series, founded Ancestral Footsteps with the goal of bringing tourists to their ancestral roots in much the same way as the celebrities on the award-winning show.

Where to start your research? Ancestry.com has more than 3 million subscribers and more than 15 million in its subsidiary AncestryDNA network, while 23andMe boasts 10 million subscribers. Both offer popular, direct-to-consumer personal DNA testing. Both require a saliva sample with which they analyze your DNA to determine your family’s origins. Each of them charges about $100 for the test. The analysis can also detect relationships with other subscribers based on a matchup of their and your samples. In addition, the analyses can provide wellness and health reports with information on cancer risks and health predispositions.

While a certain amount of heritage tourism occurs organically as families book travel to “the old country,” Ancestry partnered with Go Ahead Tours for guided travel to Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Germany. The tours include not only accommodations, food and sightseeing but also a pre-trip family history review and an Ancestry

Family Plot:

Graveyard in Connemara, Ireland

PHOTO: © DEBRA RESCHOFF AHEARN | DREAMSTIME.COM

Arrivals:

Ellis Island display of immigrants' luggage left behind

PHOTO: © JERRY COLI | DREAMSTIME.COM genealogist-guide who accompanies the trip.

Many countries actively entice their various diasporas back to the homeland. Northern European countries remain the standard-bearers for this trend. Susan Rienitz from German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven said, “Bremerhaven was once the major immigration [sic] port. Between 1830 and 1973 more than 7.2 million Europeans left the continent via the Port of Bremerhaven.” The German Emigration Center, located on one of the harbors where the emigrant ships cast off, opened in 2005 and was awarded European Museum of the Year in 2007. The exhibits take visitors through the stages of emigration through authentic recreations of real biographies of people who once emigrated, so the journey really becomes personal and emotional. The stages include waiting at the quay, the crossing, the arrival at Ellis Island and a recreation of New York’s Grand Central Terminal. “For the millions of Americans with German heritage, this visit will give you goose bumps,” she said. At the end of the tour, visitors can embark on their personal search for friends and relatives in the ancestry.com and Bremerhaven/Bremen passenger lists available on site.

More than 70 million people worldwide and 33 million U.S. citizens identify as Irish. If you are one of those people, the Irish Government website provides a good starting point, offering records of births, baptisms, marriages and burials from nearly all the counties. The National Archives website contains early 20th-century census data, and rootsireland.ie has more than 20 million records from genealogy centers in all of Ireland. To begin the adventure, simply type in your surname. You also have the option to engage the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland to help.

If you’re traveling to Ireland, a stop at Epic Ireland in Dublin is a must. This high-tech, interactive experience tells more than 10 million authentic emigration stories. Epic Ireland also contains an Irish Family History Centre, operated by genealogical specialists Eneclann. They’ll not only find your ancestors but also connect you with living relatives. Getting to meet long-lost cousins in the land of your forefathers can be a real thrill. My Ireland Family Heritage and Irish Emigrant Trails offer personalized, family-friendly, heritage-focused trips.

“Genealogy travel from the U.S. is pretty big for Norway,” said Harald Hansen of Innovation Norway. Between 1860 and 1920, one-third of the Norwegian population left for America, and today 4.5 million people with Norwegian ancestry live in the United States — mostly in the Midwest (Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota)

and in California and Washington. A good place to start tracing your ancestry is the National Archives of Norway. Also connect with the Sons of Norway, an active U.S. organization catering to everything Norwegian.

You can choose from many other ancestry tours, all of them family-friendly. Founded by a family of Polish genealogists, U.S.-based Ancestral Attic offers family heritage tours to all of Poland and Eastern Europe. Polin Travel specializes in Jewish genealogical research, visits to Polish shtetls and tailor-made tours to Holocaust sites, including the Krakow ghetto, Auschwitz and Schindler’s factory. Henderson Travel Services, the oldest Black-owned travel agency, founded in 1955, organized travel for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and offers customized heritage trips to Africa. To discover your roots in Asia, My China Roots offers a vast archive of records and operates trips that can take you to the village of your ancestors. Japan Deluxe Tours offers Nikkei Japanese Ancestry Tours to retrace your ancestors’ journey to America and an opportunity to overnight in your ancestral village.

Retracing the Journey:

German Emigration Center

PHOTOS: © GERMAN EMIGRATION CENTER

Wild Wanderings

Plan an animal adventure to connect kids with nature’s wonders. BY DEBRA BOKUR

Into the Wild:

(Left to right) Gorilla in Rwanda, view of elephants from a hot air balloon in Serengeti National Park, Australia Beachside Wildlife Adventure sighting of a koala, and quokka on Rottnest Island in Australia

PHOTOS: © KELVIN LACK | DREAMSTIME.COM, © ANDREY GUDKOV | DREAMSTIME.COM, © DISCOVER CORPS, © SAPPHEIROSPHOTO | DREAMSTIME.COM T he wide world abounds with remarkable life. For countless traveling families who adore animals, the opportunity to discover and learn about the astounding assortment of species on our small blue planet can be a powerful draw.

Research continues to confirm positive interactions with nature and animals offer a wealth of wellness benefits. Introducing kids to the wonders of the wild can help them develop empathy and awareness, and an enduring connection with the world affords benefits such as lowered stress and an increase in compassion and curiosity.

Marissa Brun, M.S., LMFT, and founder of WildSense Therapy in Colorado, says when we connect with nature and animals, we not only increase our capacity for understanding other species and their mannerisms, but we also foster a sense of connection that takes in the animals’ purpose, their habitats and how we co-exist with one another.

A wide variety of trips allows families to observe and interact with animals, contribute to conservation efforts and learn about nature. Gorilla treks organized by United States Tour Operators Association member Alexander + Roberts take participants to Rwanda’s mountains to watch the forest’s resident gorilla families going about their daily activities. In Tanzania, the company’s hot air balloon journey soars above Serengeti National Park to view graceful zebras and gazelles in their natural habitat. Witnessing firsthand the interconnectedness of life in the wild can be a powerful tool in imbuing children with perspective and other positive attributes.

“Often, connection with plants and animals allows children an outlet where they can feel more imaginative and allows for space to slow down and be with their own inner experience without interruption,” said Brun. “A child’s nervous system can be calmed just by being in nature and

tapping into a natural rhythm of harmony and balance. Connecting with animals and nature also boosts the neuroplasticity in the brain, which is particularly essential for children as they are actively growing and pruning synapses during this time. Having new experiences with animals and natural environments also changes a child’s brain by reducing cortisol (our stress hormone) and boosting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and oxytocin, which increase feelings of joy and connection.”

On Rottnest Island in Australia, small, smiling marsupials called quokkas roam free. Because they’re nocturnal, they’re particularly active later in the day. About the size of a large rabbit, they’re friendly and inquisitive (but they are definitely not domesticated and aren’t there to be picked up or touched). SeaLink Rottnest Island offers several familyfriendly tours that include Segways or e-bikes and plenty of opportunities to capture photos of quokkas and to learn from guides about the way they live. When observing animals, Brun reminds parents to always encourage your child to observe first at a safe distance, to ask for permission before coming close and to respect an animal’s natural boundaries and habitat.

“Animals, like children, are emotional creatures and have similar needs including food, play, safety and being a part of a group,” said Brun. “Being around animals can help children learn and read nonverbal cues and to recognize the needs of others. For example: Why is that animal behaving in this way? Perhaps they are hungry? To see our own experiences reflected in another being is a great way for children to understand their own emotions and feel less alone. This affects our feeling of attachment — not just to our own family but to the greater world around us — and provides context to how we impact other beings and how other beings impact us.”

AAA Club Adventures takes guests on a 12-day exploration of Sri Lankan nature that includes accommodations at an eco-lodge located within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, where big cats and monkeys live. During Audley Travel’s 13-day Birdwatching in Costa Rica excursion, families can hike along winding trails through lush tropical forests and the San Gerardo de Dota cloud forest in the company of a naturalist guide while surrounded by the natural wonder of the region’s 448 bird species. Accommodations for this trip include the Rancho Naturalista birding lodge.

Discover Corps offers a worldwide selection of trips. These include the Australia Beachside Wildlife Adventure, where kids get to meet and care for koalas, wallabies and kangaroos while learning from Australia’s Gold Coast rangers, and a Thailand Elephant Conservation Expedition

Close Encounters:

Thailand Elephant Conservation Expedition (top), and wolves at Parc Omega in Québec (bottom)

PHOTOS: © DISCOVER CORPS, © FRANCK PALATICKY | DREAMSTIME .COM that allows for up-close and hands-on care of elephants while being guided by the conservation center’s skilled caretakers.

If your family’s comfort level tends toward a little more physical space, you can enjoy an up-close — but still safely distanced — experience with fascinating wolves at Parc Omega in Québec. Spend the night in a specially designed Wolf Lodge, where a wall of glass looks directly into the park and allows for spectacular views of a resident wolf pack … and where you can watch to your heart’s content as the curious wolves peer back at you through the glass. The cabin sleeps up to four people and has its own fully equipped kitchen, so you can linger over breakfast while still enjoying the company of wolves. Afterward, tour the park in your vehicle to view Arctic foxes, moose, elk, reindeer, bears, ibex and birds of prey. (Hands inside the car, everyone.)

In fact, parks make an excellent choice for discovering animals and learning about their place in Earth’s ecosystem. At Yellowstone, families can participate in one of the park’s Lodging & Learning immersive field education experiences. Led by naturalist educators, choices include the Wolf & Elk Discovery, Yellowstone for Families, Trails Through Yellowstone and Spring Wolf & Bear Discovery.

Even when observing from a distance, you can deepen your child’s experience by encouraging them to consider an animal from multiple perspectives. Brun says to ask questions of your child when meeting a new species or animal: What colors and textures do they see? What characteristics of this new being stand out to your child? What emotion do they see in this creature? How does it move? What does it eat? Where does it live? What does it need to feel safe and at home? Is it alone or with others? Do they see any of their own experiences reflected in this animal?

“Growing up in an urban environment can limit exposure to the natural world and cause children to feel more isolated from the wonder around them — and can increase stress,” added Brun. “Nature invites access to all of our senses and inspires a deep curiosity that we often feel disconnected from due to living life indoors. Being in nature can offer a break from a child’s routines and stressors by offering more space for

Out for a Ride:

Whale-watching excursion in Skjálfandi Bay in Iceland (top); and family on horseback on Sun Mountain near Winthrop, Washington

PHOTOS: © ALEXEY STIOP | DREAMSTIME.COM, © GREGORY JOHNSTON | DREAMSTIME.COM play and creativity.”

Some of the most meaningful travel experiences are the ones that take us out of our comfort zone and plunge us into other worlds. Consider a whale-watching expedition in Iceland aboard a traditional wooden Icelandic sailing vessel with North Sailing’s Whales and Sails journey. Along with the extraordinary experience of observing the whales and birds of Skjálfandi Bay, you can help hoist the sails and haul in the lines under the supervision of the skilled schooner crew. Hot cocoa and cinnamon buns are part of the experience, and the crew provides expert guides and — if the weather demands — raincoats and warm overalls. You can enjoy horseback riding trips with family in many areas, including England and the Western United States. The website of the Dude Ranchers’ Association offers a comprehensive guide to finding a guest ranch suited to your family’s horse-related skills, including lessons. Global horseback riding tour agency Equitours offers riding excursions appropriate to all levels in locations throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, North America and Central and South America.

A trip embracing the natural world of animals can be a wonderful bonding experience for families. It can also spark the kind of wonder that inspires your child to continue exploring the world around them long after they’ve flown their own family nest. Being outside and interacting with other life on the planet is good for us, but be aware not all travel experiences that involve animals are ethical or humane. Be sure to travel with a company with a track record that reflects caring, compassion, sustainability and ethical responsibility. Then you and your children can embrace your adventure with curiosity, excitement and gratitude that we share this planet with such an incredible diversity of beautiful life.

Celebrity Cruises Will Take Your Next Family Vacation to a Whole New Level

With 16 award-winning ships visiting more than 300 destinations across all seven continents, Celebrity Cruises® offers a world of exciting possibilities for your next family getaway. Whether you want to kick back in the sun-soaked Caribbean, discover the wild wonders of Alaska, or experience the history and culture of Europe, Celebrity knows it’s not just where you go that matters but how you get there that makes all the difference.

Travel together in the unparalleled luxury of The Retreat®, with its stunning suites, exclusive spaces and wide array of services and amenities. Inspire your young explorers with Celebrity’s customizable Camp at Sea program, featuring eye-opening S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activities and more. Experience the best of every destination you’ll visit with exclusive excursions perfectly designed for families. It all adds up to a vacation that will bring you closer together the farther you go.

AN ESCAPE SO EXCLUSIVE, IT HAS NO ADDRESS Treat your family to the ultimate luxury experience at sea, The Retreat®, only on Celebrity. The Retreat isn’t just a place, a service or an amenity. It’s all this and more, combining incredible suite accommodations, a private restaurant and exclusive spaces, including a lounge with concierge service and an outdoor sundeck that rivals any high-end resort you’d find on land.

Every suite in The Retreat surrounds your family in beautifully designed spaces that feature floor-to-ceiling views and plenty of

room for everyone to relax. That includes the two-story Edge Villas with private plunge pools. Your suite offers everything your family needs to unwind in style, from Celebrity’s exclusive eXhale® bedding, featuring a luxurious CashmereTM mattress, to plush Frette robes, towels and slippers.

The Retreat takes Celebrity’s passion for fine dining to new heights at Luminae. Not only is the restaurant exclusive, but so are its menus, crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. The cuisine served in Luminae isn’t available anywhere else on board, and everyone in the family is sure to find new favorite dishes.

On select ships, including Celebrity’s highly awarded Edge® Series, The Retreat Sundeck is a chic open-air hideaway that makes it easier than ever to unplug and enjoy the great outdoors together. Dedicated attendants take

care of your every whim — drinks, snacks, fresh towels, you name it. At The Retreat Lounge, you’ll discover an inviting space where your family can stop by for complimentary drinks and gourmet bites throughout the day. A dedicated concierge is also there to make any arrangements your family needs — on board or off.

The Retreat even offers in-suite babysitting services, so you can enjoy a date night on the ship all to yourselves. Get a table for two at Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud on the breathtaking new Celebrity BeyondSM. It’s the world-renowned chef’s first signature restaurant at sea. Follow it up with after-dinner drinks at Grand Plaza’s Martini Bar, where the talented flair bartenders are always shaking up a good time with their gravity-defying techniques. Dance the evening away at The Club or watch a live concert at The Rooftop Garden. The night is all yours, and you can relax knowing your kids are well taken care of in the comfort of your suite.

Every guest of The Retreat will receive a host of amenities, including premium drinks, WiFi, tips, an onboard credit and a shore excursion credit.* Plus, your dedicated Personal Retreat Host will ensure you never have to lift a finger. Celebrity has thought of every detail so you don’t have to think about a thing — except enjoying your family vacation to the fullest.

NEVER THE SAME CAMP TWICE Celebrity has a one-of-kind program designed not only to keep your kids entertained on vacation but also to enrich their minds and inspire their creativity. The first fully customizable Camp at Sea program offers a variety of activities that change on every sailing based on kids’ interests. Celebrity designed more than 500 activities across four fun-filled categories — Art, Recreation, Culinary and S.T.E.M. With such a wealth of programming to work with, Celebrity’s Youth Counselors design daily programming that keeps everyone engaged and wanting more. Budding creators will love Adventures in Cardboard, a unique blend of competitive play and cooperative storytelling. Kids will design and create crowns, treasure chests, helmets, swords and masks — all out of cardboard. Activities then allow kids to explore, role play, strategize with teams, solve mysteries together and much more using their carboard works of art and their imagination.

For active kids, there’s a wide range of games and challenges on board to sharpen their skills and teach them the importance of teamwork. From modern twists on popular camp games to the Challenge Series that engages mind, body and creativity — there’s something for everyone.

Young foodies will savor Camp at Sea’s variety of culinary experiences geared toward developing the tastes of up-and-coming gourmets. They’ll love the kid-friendly cooking

demonstrations and going behind the scenes to see where our chefs work their magic.

Celebrity also knows the importance of introducing young minds to S.T.E.M., and that’s why they’ve partnered with leading names, like Frost Science Museum and Girls Who Code (on select ships), to create a one-of-a-kind educational experience on board. Celebrity’s S.T.E.M. at Sea program offers exclusive activities and events that will engage, entertain and inform kids on a variety of topics, such as marine wildlife, ecological conservation and nautical exploration.

Harder-to-please teens will be all in when it comes to Celebrity’s Teen Club, where they can connect with other teens at fun events like teen-only silent disco parties, gaming tournaments and sports competitions. Unlike the younger kids, teens can have the freedom to come and go as they please at the Teen Club. They might enjoy some pool time, try out the sports facilities or simply sit in the sun on deck with their new friends, bonding over burgers.

And while your kids are living their best lives, you can enjoy a little R&R, too. Escape for a soothing treatment at The Spa, get your endorphins flowing with a high-intensity interval training session, or just lounge away the day at the adults-only Solarium pool.

EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES ABOARD AND ASHORE The Retreat and Camp at Sea are just the beginning of what makes Celebrity such a perfect choice for your family vacation. Its award-winning ships are filled with even more unforgettable experiences you can all enjoy together. Discover Le Petit Chef, a unique dining concept where animated chefs prepare each course right before your eyes using stateof-the-art 3-D projection that brings your tabletop to life. Team up for a game of bocce or croquet at the Lawn Club, featuring real live grass at sea. Play a game of life-sized chess at The Rooftop Garden, or curl up under the stars and watch a movie on the big screen. Learn the art of glassblowing at the interactive hot glass class. Get into a little friendly dance competition at one of Celebrity’s popular silent disco parties. There’s so much for everyone to do you’ll wish there were more hours in the day.

When it comes to exploring ashore, Celebrity has your family covered, too. They offer an array of family-friendly shore excursions in every port they visit. With activities ranging from cultural tours to thrilling water sports, you’ll have no trouble finding a number of exciting excursions to make your vacation complete. Snorkel with sea turtles, zip line through tropical jungles and hike up volcanoes in the Caribbean. Set foot on active glaciers, meet champion sled dogs in training and go river rafting in Alaska. Explore the ruins of ancient cities, sample incredible local flavors and tour some of the world’s most fascinating museums in the Mediterranean.

Celebrity also offers exclusive excursions that will make your time ashore extra special. Its intimate Small Group Discoveries get you off the beaten path and deeper into your destinations with a knowledgeable guide at your side. Want to go VIP all the way? You’ll feel like you have the place to yourselves on Celebrity’s Private Journeys, which you can customize completely to your family’s wants and needs. You dream it up, and Celebrity’s Destination Insiders will make it happen.

START PLANNING YOUR FAMILY’S NEXT JOURNEY TODAY There’s no greater gift you can give your family than traveling the world together, and there’s no better way to do it than Celebrity Cruises. Whether you’re planning the ultimate summer vacation, turning your holiday get-together into a family getaway, or looking for a spring break like no other, Celebrity has the escape you all want and deserve. To start planning your family vacation, call Celebrity Cruises at 1-888245-4254, contact your travel advisor or visit celebrity.com today.

*Visit celebrity.com for full terms and conditions. All guests who book The Retreat® on or after November 17, 2020 will receive the Indulge Package at no additional charge. The Indulge Package provides a Premium Beverage Package, Unlimited Stream Internet Package, prepaid tips, and an onboard credit (“OBC”) for all guests in the stateroom. OBC amount varies by length of sailing: $200 per person for sailings 1 – 5 nights, $300 per person for sailings 6 – 9 nights, and $400 per person for sailings 10 nights or longer. OBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 p.m. on the final night of the cruise. Prepaid tips provide tips for butler, headwaiter, waiter, and assistant waiter in the amount suggested by Celebrity’s guidelines. Imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. ©2022 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.