Changing research travel

 

                                                                                       A view of Edinburgh

Fresh from a European cruise in 2019, my cabin mate and I planned to travel together the following year. The 2019 trip had been a brilliant, combining genealogy research with visits to many historic places. There was lots to see as we went from Dublin to Belfast, then on to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton, Guernsey and Cobh. The cruise was the major part of the trip but at the end we went our separate ways exploring other places of interest. I took a week long course at the Society of Genealogists before heading off to Leicester to find out more about the story of Richard III.

We wanted to continue the momentum in 2020, this time planning our side travels around a scenic rail tour in Scotland. That seemed a logical jumping off place since we both had ancestors who came from Scotland. Just like our previous trip, we planned to tack on side trips on our own. Our travel was postponed.

Now that things are opening up again in 2022, it's time to get back to planning. The focus of the trip is still the scenic rail tour although the itinerary has changed slightly. The tour company has altered it so that we're no longer going to Islay, the place so many of my ancestors came from. That's a disappointment but really it seems indicative of how travel and in-person research have changed.

I've just begun to look into the usual research spots in Scotland as we've decided to stick to one country as it seems more prudent. My plans for the 2020 trip included a clan gathering in Ireland and a trip to London. Checking now in Scotland, the usual research facilities have finally opened but restrictions make them a dicey proposition. Until May 4th the National Archives required a lateral flow test (rapid test) before using their search rooms. Thankfully that's been updated but a perusal of the restrictions in the reading rooms brings home the message that accessing family history information this trip will not be as easy or fruitful as it has been in the past. 

Sources:

National Records of Scotland visiting info https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/about-us/service-status