Ancestry Academy  > Education  >  Discover Live Tour

 

In this immersive virtual event, Ancestry’s Corporate Genealogist Crista Cowan and her father, Steve, join Ancestry ProGenealogist Kyle Betitt to demonstrate the unique capabilities of Discover Live. This session features a real-time, private virtual tour of Crista’s ancestral homeland in the Pomerania region of Poland, formerly Prussia, led by a local guide named Łukasz. The key objective is to showcase how this collaboration between Ancestry and Discover Live allows individuals to visit the towns, museums, and historical environments of their ancestors without leaving home, offering a deep, experiential interpretation of family history.

 

This virtual event follows the structure of a live guided tour, beginning with an analysis of historical maps to clarify the complex border shifts between Germany and Poland and the specific locations of the Cowan family's ancestral villages, such as Linowno. The group virtually visits the Koszalin Museum, housed in a 19th-century mill, to explore artifacts ranging from furniture to post-WWII relics, providing context on the region's cultural evolution. The presentation culminates in an outdoor exploration of a recreated fisherman's cottage and blacksmith forge, illustrating the daily lives of 19th-century peasants and prompting a moving discussion on the bravery required for ancestors to immigrate to America.

 

Chapters:

- Introduction to Discover Live

- Geographic and Historical Context

- Inside the Koszalin Museum

- Peasant Life and Architecture

- Reflections on Immigration

 

Book a private or group virtual tour with Ancestry and Discover Live today to walk in the footsteps of your ancestors and bring your family history to life!