Summer is in full swing, and this starts to be the time when many Latvian emigrants and their descendants make a summer trip to the homeland. Will that be you?

Latvia is a beautiful place to visit in the summer, especially the countryside. Also remember that this year RÄ«ga is one of the European Capitals of Culture, so there are all sorts of extra-special events going on. The World Choir Games are also in full swing right now, with tens of thousands of singers and supporters from all across the globe in town, performing and touring around in their spare time. The museum I work with, Latvians Abroad – Museum and Research Centre, has an exhibition as a part of the larger Corner House exhibition in the former KGB building on the corner of BrÄ«vÄ«bas and Stabu streets (when visiting our “Latvian Suitcase” exhibit, after you visit the first four exhibit rooms, don’t forget to walk down the brightly lit white corridor to the rest of the exhibit!).

As some of you may already know, I’ve recently made the more permanent move to Latvia, so I can work on genealogy projects more full-time. So if you’ve got a project for me, get in touch as soon as you can! You can view prices and contact information here on my Services page.

If you’re planning a visit to Latvia this summer or fall, and want to visit some key sites that are a part of your family history, do get in touch as well! I can help you plan your excursion to your ancestral homes, either by putting together a self-guided tour for you, or accompanying you on your trip, and helping by giving directions, explanations, helping to translate if you happen to meet Latvian-speaking relatives, and so on. I’m not a regular tour guide, but I can help you with the family history parts of your trip. Please contact me if you have any questions or want some help planning your trip!

And oh – if you happen to come to the archives this summer to do some research of your own (though do note they are closed in August), let me know if you want to say hello! I’m there almost every day.