Imagine walking through the streets your ancestors once called home, standing in the same villages where family traditions were born, and retracing the steps that led to your family’s history. This is the beauty of ancestral travel—an opportunity to explore your roots and reconnect with your heritage. While I haven’t embarked on this journey myself yet, as a first-generation Canadian with Greek parents, the idea of visiting Greece to uncover more about my family’s past and potentially claim dual citizenship is an exciting one. If you, too, are thinking about exploring your heritage through travel, here’s some help to inspire and get you started.
1. Where to Begin: Tracing Your Family Tree
Start with Your Family Tree
The first step in any ancestral journey is creating or expanding your family tree. For me, this means gathering as much information as I can about my parents’ roots in Greece, including the small villages they came from. Start by talking to older relatives who might know key details about your family history. You can also look through old family documents like birth certificates, letters, or photos for clues.
Websites like Ancestry.com and MyHeritage offer excellent tools to help you piece together your family tree. These platforms have access to a wealth of historical records, including census data, birth and death certificates, and even immigration records. If your family, like mine, emigrated to another country, these resources can help track their journey.
Explore Genealogy Records
Once you’ve mapped out some basics, dig deeper into historical records. Many national and local archives, including Greece’s General State Archives, provide access to vital records that can help trace your lineage further. Exploring these records may lead to the discovery of specific towns or even houses where your ancestors lived.
Consider DNA Testing
If you want to gain more clarity or uncover new connections, DNA testing can be a valuable tool. Services like AncestryDNA or 23andMe provide detailed breakdowns of your ethnic heritage and can connect you with distant relatives. I have an account with Ancestry and have made many connections all around the world.
2. Planning Your Ancestral Trip: How to Make it Personal
Identify Key Destinations
Once you’ve gathered enough information, you can start planning your visit to your family’s homeland. For me, this means visiting the towns and villages in Greece where my parents grew up. One is a small village tucked away in the mountains and the other a town that is named after the ancient king of Macedon, and father of Philip II and grandfather of Alexander the Great. I might be a decent of Alexander the Great!? That would explain my thirst for discovery and travel! I digress! Visiting these places would allow me to experience the same landscapes, food, and culture that shaped their early lives.
Think about the key sites that would be meaningful for your journey—family homes, churches where relatives were baptized, or cemeteries where they were buried. If you’re visiting a major city or historical region, you can also explore cultural landmarks and museums that reflect the history of the time when your ancestors lived there.
Engage a Local Genealogist
Depending on where your family comes from, you may encounter language barriers or difficulty navigating local archives. This is where a local genealogist can be invaluable. A professional genealogist can help trace records, connect you with local historians, and even facilitate introductions to distant relatives you didn’t know you had. While I haven’t yet explored this option for my Greek heritage, many travelers have found it incredibly helpful in gaining access to hard-to-reach records.
Explore Beyond the Records
Ancestral travel is not just about paperwork and documents—it’s about the emotional connection you feel when visiting places tied to your family’s history. Walk the streets, visit local markets, eat the food, and experience the culture of the region. In Greece, I’d love to spend time in the small towns where my parents grew up, discovering how local life there differs from the big city they moved to.
3. Beyond Travel: Exploring Dual Citizenship and a Second Passport
For those with deep roots in a particular country, ancestral travel can offer more than just personal discovery—it might also open doors to dual citizenship. Many countries, including Greece, allow descendants of emigrants to apply for citizenship, providing an opportunity to hold a second passport. As someone with Greek parents, the idea of obtaining a Greek passport is something I’m seriously considering as it would not only reconnect me to my heritage but also offer practical benefits.
How to Begin the Process
To begin exploring the option of obtaining Greek citizenship, the first step is gathering all relevant documents, such as your parents’ birth certificates, marriage certificates, and your own birth certificate. These documents will help establish your direct lineage.
Here’s a basic outline of the process for claiming a Greek passport:
- Step 1: Collect Key Documents: Start by gathering any Greek legal documents related to your parents, such as birth or marriage certificates. If you don’t have them, you can request copies from Greece’s General State Archives or Greek consulates.
- Step 2: Contact the Greek Consulate: Reach out to your local Greek consulate to learn about the process of applying for citizenship through descent. They’ll guide you through submitting your documents for approval.
- Step 3: Register with the Greek Nationality Register: Once your documents are verified, you’ll need to register with the Greek Nationality Register (Mitroo Arrenon for men or Dimotologion for women). This process confirms your Greek citizenship and prepares you to apply for a passport.
- Step 4: Apply for a Greek Passport: After registration, you can apply for your Greek passport, which will allow you to live, work, and travel freely in the European Union.
While I haven’t started the process yet, it’s something I look forward to exploring in the near future.
Resources for Dual Citizenship
- Greek Consulate Services: Contact your local consulate for assistance in the citizenship process.
- Law Firms Specializing in Dual Citizenship: Consider hiring legal experts who specialize in navigating the complexities of dual citizenship applications, such as GreekDualCitizenship.com.
Start your ancestral journey today and reconnect with the people, places, and cultures that shaped your family’s story. Whether you’re tracing your roots or considering dual citizenship, the experience is personal and deeply meaningful. I’m inspired to explore my Greek heritage—now it’s your turn to uncover the rich legacy waiting for you. Stay tuned for more!
As you embark on your travels, remember that our journey leaves an impact. Embrace eco-friendly accommodations, support local communities, and reduce plastic use. Respect wildlife by observing from afar and conserve resources like water and energy. Choose sustainable transportation, leave no trace behind, and participate in conservation efforts. Educate yourself and others about the environment you’re exploring. Let’s ensure that we tread lightly on our planet, leaving only footprints of kindness and taking home memories that inspire others to protect our beautiful world. Happy responsible travels!