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VIGNETTES G Time Travel VACATION'S NEWEST GLOBAL TREND SENDS TRAVELERS ON A TRIP TO THE PAST // BY Kathryn White GENEALOGY IS A TWISTED TREE. But its mystery is precisely what makes genealogy the second-most popular pastime in the nation. Perhaps no one understands the siren call of this promise more than genealogical tourists. These travelers know vaguely what they're searching for— some kind of tangible or illuminating connection to the past. Their past. A journey that is deeply personal, tailored to the individual. A trip could be as simple as experiencing frsthand the customs and culture of one's ancestors, or as complex as tracking down an ancestor's home. Researchers and travel professionals alike are not surprised by the growing popularity of heritage travel, now one of the fastest-growing markets in tourism. "Genealogical tourism provides an irreplaceable dimension of material reality that's missing from our postmodern society," explains Carla Santos, a professor of recreation, sport, and tourism at the University of Illinois. Her research highlights the great longing of contemporary society: for connection and authenticity. "Traveling to identify with an unknown past seems to give existence to meanings and values that the individual carries forward into their present," she says. However, planning a heritage tour is not quite as easy as phoning up your favorite travel agent. To get anywhere, you'll need a little background knowledge—and the more you know, the more you'll gain from your trip. Tom Nocera, the managing director at Ancestral Travel Network, suggests doing family research frst. "Think of it as building a road map into your past," he says. Then, once you're armed with basic facts about your family tree, a genealogical travel agency like Ancestral Travel Network can help you plan a unique journey of discovery. Genealogical travel agencies are not a novel concept, but their number is growing. Today, if you're looking to follow your ancestors' footsteps, you will have plenty of guides to choose from: highly specialized companies that focus on particular countries or people groups, as well as general agencies that can direct any trip, no matter the des- B L A ST TO TH E PA ST START YOUR TRIP OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT. BEFORE YOU CHOOSE AN ANCESTRAL TRAVEL AGENCY, DO YOUR HERITAGE RESEARCH. A COMPREHENSIVE GENEALOGY RESOURCE SUCH AS FAMILYFOREST.COM CAN GIVE YOU ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR YOU TO START PACKING YOUR BAGS. tination or objective. They'll customize a travel package to your family records and trip goals for an experience that is both rewarding and enlightening. No genealogical travel expert can tell you exactly what you'll find on a heritage tour; however, he or she can warn you about the addictive urge to travel again. "The more you learn about your family tree," explains Nocera, "the more places you will want to experience." "Think of it as building a road map into your past."- TOM NOCERA 24 Tempus-Magazine.com . Summer 2013