Cunard, Ancestry Team on Queen Mary 2 Cruise

PRESS RELEASE_VALENCIA, Calif., March 13, 2018 – For the first time ever Cunard has collaborated with Ancestry.com, the largest online family history resource in the world, to offer guests the opportunity to trace their family history on flagship liner Queen Mary 2 while sailing across the Atlantic.

Cunard played a critical role in the immigration movement to the US in the late 1800s -- one in five immigrants who came through Ellis Island arrived on a Cunard liner.  This Crossing offers an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one’s ancestors and experience sailing across the Atlantic like so many immigrants did.

The seven-night Transatlantic Crossing, November 4-11, 2018, will feature four genealogists from Ancestry to assist guests in learning who they are and where they come from.  These experts will show guests where their family originated, how to sift through census and military records, and determine their ethnic mix through AncestryDNA. 

Ancestry genealogy experts include:

• Jennifer Utley, director of research who oversees Ancestry.com research for the television shows Who Do You Think You Are? and Long Lost Family.
•  Angie Bush, genetic genealogist who uses her knowledge of traditional genealogy and genetics to solve complex questions of kinship and identity. Her areas of expertise are DNA, unknown parentage, 20th century, and the Midwestern US.
• Crystal Beutler, part of Ancestry ProGenealogists, specializes in US Southern and Mid-Atlantic research, lineage society research, and works on episodes of the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?
• Simon Pearce is also part of Ancestry ProGenealogists and specializes in researching military ancestors from the First and Second World Wars.

“Cunard has a deep history with immigration to the US,” said Josh Leibowitz, SVP Cunard North America. “Cunard’s partnership with Ancestry.com for the November transatlantic crossing will be an extraordinary experience for our guests to learn about their ancestors as they retrace their passage to the US, sailing into New York on a Cunard liner.”

Cunard is offering a unique two-night post-voyage tour of Ellis Island and New York’s Ancestral Trail which offers insight into the early history of New York in downtown Manhattan including historical landmarks such as Wall Street, the New York Exchange, Federal Hall and the Trinity Church. A detailed 90-minute guided tour of Ellis Island will include the immigration halls and immigrant hospital buildings.

From March 1 through August 31, 2018, guests who book the post-voyage historical tour can save up to 40% off a balcony cabin on the November 4 Ancestry Crossing.

---