After a decade of researching my Baugniet family genealogy I flew to Brussels to visit the land of my ancestors.Genealogy research leads to amazing discoveries and lifelong friendships. Whether finding old pictures in the attic or trading stories about ancestors, each new name or date added to the family tree is cause for celebration.
Imagine the excitement of traveling to the homeland of ancestors whose births date back to the 1700's. That alone requires a bottle of champagne. So arriving in Belgium with my sisters Marian and Wendy to continue my genealogy research on the Baugniet family, planning to meet friends and relatives who have helped me over the years to gather information, and looking forward to tasting the indescribable chocolates, cheeses and beers found only in Belgium . . . well, bring on the mugs and steins and pilsner glasses. And salut!
The plan was to relax in Namur, tour the towns of our ancestors in Mont St. Andre, Autre-Eglise and Mehaigne, taste test the foods and wines in Brussels, and enjoy the artwork and beers of Brugge. Flexible arrangements were made for research at the archives in Namur and Anderlecht. Our itinerary included visits with Raymond & Eliane Baugniet, Jacques & Denise Beguin, and Willy & Jacqueline Baugniet.
Whether these plans would materialize seemed wishful thinking. The reality was that every plan, every arrangement, and every welcome did occur, with greater intensity than our wildest expectations. And we were to soon learn why, because: De Belgische mensen zijn prachtig . . .Les belges sont magnifiques . . . The Belgian people are magnificent.
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