Shannon and I are returning to Europe in April 2026. After the 2025 run we decided we wanted to return to Europe, slow the overall pace, see more of Germany, and specifically spend more time in Schmerlecke and surrounding villages.
Once we return, I’ll post a more granular day to day itinerary. I’ll also have data/photos/video for this site, YouTube, and Find a Grave.

The quick summary is as follows
Belgium: Brussels, Brugge, Ghent, and Antwerp
Germany: Köln, Münster, Lippstadt, Frankfurt
Flying into Amsterdam via JetBlue [points] and flying out of Frankfurt.

Genealogy related sites we’re visiting
Antwerp: The Red Star Line Museum to gather information regarding emigration in the late 1800s and see the port where Ferdinand, Henrietta, Bertha, and Kasimir left for America.
Benninghausen: The monastery which was a majority land owner from the 1200s to early 1800s.
Horn-Millinghausen: Church and cemetery, which is the location of a Bals family plot.
Schmerlecke: Church, WW1 memorial, Seidhoff distillery, Pehle-Bals house, original site of Lusebrink by the Trotzbach, windmill, chapel.
Erwitte: Church, castle, government admin buildings.
Hopefully we’ll be able to visit the Bals-Lusebrink. We also have tentative plans to meet family members from the Anton Theodor Bals lineage.