If I had money, where would I travel to?

Posted on February 6, 2026

If I had the money I would love to travel to the countries where my possible ancestors might have come from. I believe in one of my other blogs, I wrote about the meanings of my last name. I have both a German and Italian ancestral background. My father has German and English ancestry. I think it would be interesting to be able to travel to the different countries of my ancestral heritage to see if I could find some of my long-lost ancestors who still might be living or be able to continue a geological journey. My last name Hassell is the English spelling but in German it is “Hazel.” My third Great Grandfather was John Adam Hazel but the last name we are not 100% sure is the correct spelling. My mother’s maiden name is Aiello. My grandmother’s maiden name was Kuepper which is German. Although, my mother’s family came from part of Italy. The name “Aiello” in Italian is Ajello. My father came from the Buffalo, New York area but I am not sure at all if my relatives changed the name from Hazel to Hassell.

I have an ancestry tree on Ancestry.com. Doing an Ancestry test to find out the background information of your relatives is really easy. My eldest sister Sue came to my place in Mechanicsburg and brought the box with the stuff to do the test. First, you take the Q-tip to swab the inside of one of your cheeks, once that is done you put the swab in a tube. That tube is put into an envelope which is then sent to the Ancestry lab. When they receive the tube, it will take several weeks for the DNA test results to be sent back both in an email and in a letter. Once you receive the results you can start adding your own family info on the Ancestry website. On the website you can find your nationalities percentages, you can start your own family trees, and you can find possible other relatives that you can learn more about.

My DNA results are as follows:

· Southern Germanic Europe – 20, while

· Northwestern Germany – 14%

· Southeastern England & Northwestern Europe – 24%

· Cornwall – 4%

· Devon & Somerset – 2%

· Northeast England – 2%

· Southern Italy – 11%al

· Leinster & Ireland -8%

· Northern Wales & Northwest England – 2%

· North Central Europe – 7%

· Lithuania – 3%

· Northern & central Greece – 2%

Here is some information about several of my ancestral regions where my DNA came from. Germany – The coastal regions of northwest Germany have for centuries been centers for trade, fishing, and raising livestock. Once the heartland of the powerful Hanseatic League trade Union, the culture rich region now boasts major urban centers and shipping ports such as Hamburg and Bremen, as well as flat grassy lowlands, taken back from the sea and marshes by extensive construction. In East Frisia, the picturesque sand dune islands, beaches, and local tea traditions attract millions of tourists each year, while the areas unique architectural forms, such as the Low German House (Fachhallenhaus) and the Brick Gothic style, are well known. People in this region live primarily in Germany.

Southern Germanic Europe – Germany’s wealthiest and most scenic localities lie in its southernmost region, home to the German Alps and Alpine lakes. It is also home to world-famous car manufacturers such as BMW and Audi, which power the economy and make the city of Munich one of the most expensive cities in Germany. Southern Germans also have a reputation for standing out culturally from other Germans. The saying “mia San mia” (“we are who we are “) expresses such pride. Southern Germans revel in their love of beer at the annual Oktoberfest fair, which showcases traditional food and drink like German pretzels and a special brewed Wies”n Bier. Most of the people in this region live primarily in Germany, Austria, France.

Southeastern England & Northwestern Europe – 24%

The regions along the English Channel share more than a thousand years of history. Sothern England, French Normandy, and the low countries Belgium and the Netherlands have been linked by trade, conquest, and cultural exchange since medieval times, imported Cotswold wool was spun by Flemish weavers, Norman stones and architectural styles shaped English cathedrals, such commercial connections preceded William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion, which transformed English history and language. Centuries later, these coastlines became battlegrounds during the World Wars of the 1900s. Today the Channel Tunnel, shipping routes, and airlines continue the connection, linking England and mainland Europe. where do people in this region live? they live primarily in Belgium, Channel Islands, France, Netherlands.

Southern Italy – 11%

Southern Italy’s history has been shaped by its rugged environment and foreign rule. Greeks began colonizing the region in the 8th century BC, planting olive oil groves that still produce oil today. Byzantine emperors controlled much of Puglia and Calabria, leaving behind painted churches and fortress towns. Norman Knights built stone castles to defend countryside. Spanish Kings charged heavy taxes, and peasants got creative with simple meals from ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Frequent earthquakes taught people how to rebuild quickly. This harsh existence shaped a culture where survival depended on family and neighbors, simplicity, and determination.

So, you can see where I got some of my DNA could come from and how it has shaped me as to the person I am today.