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This summer, I realized that I had all my vacations early in the year.  So my summer is just normal work.  I was thinking of planning a weekend get-away or something, but realized that all that vacation early in the year has me, well, tired.  So my weekends are going to be spent at a ResortPass poolside with a paperback and sunscreen.  How are you spending your summer vacation?

Usually I’m the one wondering if our road trip route happens to pass within striking distance of great-great-grandpa’s old stomping grounds. If you are the same, no judgment here. That’s exactly the energy I’m hoping for.

Summer is basically genealogy season in disguise. You’re already driving places, visiting relatives, and wandering around towns you don’t live in — which means you’re one small detour away from a real breakthrough. Here’s how to sneak a little family history sleuthing into your vacation without turning it into homework (unless that’s your idea of fun, in which case, go wild).

“Oh, We’re Basically Driving Right By There”

Before you lock in your route, pull up the family tree and see if any ancestral hometowns are lurking suspiciously close to your path. A two-hour detour is a small price to pay for standing on the actual dirt your great-grandparents stood on. Bonus points if the old family farmhouse is still there and you get to have a moment.

• Jot down the town, county, and state for anyone you’d love to “visit”
• Google-map the old address — you’d be amazed what’s still standing
• Look up the local historical or genealogical society. These folks live for visitors like you.

Sweet-Talk the County Courthouse

Yes, seriously — courthouses are secretly one of the most exciting stops on a genealogy road trip (we know how that sounds, we don’t care). Deeds, probate files, marriage licenses — a lot of this stuff never made it online, and clerks often know exactly where the good stuff is hiding.

• Call ahead so you’re not standing there confused during someone’s lunch break
• Bring quarters for the copier, because apparently it’s still 1998 in there
• Ask nicely if you can take photos instead — free is a beautiful word

Cemeteries: Nature’s Original Family Tree

Nothing says “fun vacation activity” like wandering a quiet cemetery photographing headstones — and yet, genealogists know it absolutely is. A single stone can hand you a maiden name, confirm a death date you’ve been guessing at for years, or reveal a whole cluster of relatives you didn’t know were buried together.

• Snap a close-up of the stone and a wide shot so you can find it again
• Swing by the cemetery office — burial records sometimes have extra juicy details
• Upload your finds to Find A Grave or BillionGraves so future-you (or some stranger three states away) says a silent thank-you

 Reunions Are Basically Cheat Codes

If a family reunion happens to land on your summer calendar, treat it like the goldmine it is. Living relatives are the best sources in genealogy, full stop — and Aunt Carol is not going to remember that story forever. Bring your phone to record a casual chat, print out a pedigree chart to spark conversation, and let people ramble. The ramble is where the good stuff lives. 

Small-Town Libraries Are Secretly Incredible

Don’t skip the library just because it looks sleepy from the outside. Local history rooms are stacked with yearbooks, old newspapers, city directories, and church records you won’t find anywhere on the internet. Call ahead, ask what they’ve got, and prepare to lose track of time in the best way.

Future You Will Thank Present You

Here’s the unglamorous but important part: jot down the date, place, and source for every photo and document as you go. It takes ten extra seconds and saves you from the classic “wait, where did I even find this” spiral back home. A notes app or a battered little notebook both work great.  Field Notes are my fav.

What tips do you have for a genealogy vacation?

Helpful Links
Events: https://www.californiaancestors.org/events-and-education/
Special Interest Groups: https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/
Calendar view: https://www.californiaancestors.org/cgs_calendar/
Tips & Talk: Oakland FamilySearch Center Family History Classes: https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/oakland_california/classes