I don't know if this site is the right place to ask this question, but there is so much knowledge here, that I'm starting with you all. I have made contact with someone in Letovice, Czech Republic, via email, who has the same name as a person in my dad's days in that town before he came to the U.S. This person responded to me, and indeed says he is related to the person who knew my dad, and he would be happy to have us visit there, and he would take us around town, etc. My question is: is there some way for me to know or verify that the person I contacted, who responded to my email, is for real? He claims to have a card that my dad sent to this person's mom. I thought I would ask him to send me a copy of it, just to see it, and then i could check the handwriting to see if it does belong to my dad. Because my dad is now deceased, this is harder to verify. I don't want to get into a situation that is unsafe, but I hate to pass up the chance to make this connection if it is real. Any ideas??? thanks for any input.
Julie
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2335 posts
Unless you hire a private investigator, it's pretty hard to find out if the person is who they say they are. You could have him send a copy of the card, but unless your father had very distinctive writing it might not help. Do you have your dad's address from that time period? Are there facts, photos, or locations that you could use to verify what you're hearing about from the person? There is little harm visiting the town and meeting the person in a very public place, like a coffee shop or restaurant. Ask a lot of questions. If they seem friendly and legitimate, consider taking them up on the offer to show you around town. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, politely decline the offer for a tour or drive. I have friends that have connected with people this way (not even relatives, just local people who wanted to show them historic sites) and had wonderful experiences. Go with your gut. Even if they stand you up, you've gained the memory of a quirky day trip to rural Czech Republic.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Prosim.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
I would say 99% you are safe. First because it was you who initiated contact. The person responded. And second: this is rural Czech Republic, not America. Violent crime is extremely rare. It's different there; you will see.
Posted by
OP
St. Clair Shores
23 posts
To CL and Ilya, I think it will be okay. I feel better just getting another opinion in the positive. Thanks for the reminder that I am not visiting America. Sad testimony I guess. Always happy to get good input from everyone on this great site.
Djekuje!
Posted by
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
290 posts
I too think you'll be just fine. You might want to take a good Czech English dictionary with you just in case face to face communications get tough to understand. It's been my experience that Czechs in general are very curious about American connections. Even though my husband is from there and know well the immediate family of uncles, aunts, first, second cousins, we have tracked down even more distant relatives and they were very happy to meet us. It seems like every time we go back there's someone new we meet. Our 1-2 week visits are now going to be expanded to not less than 2 weeks but closer to 3 in order to see everyone.
Posted by
OP
St. Clair Shores
23 posts
Debbie, thanks for the words of encouragement. I do think it will probably be fine. The person I contacted did seem excited and eager to meet, asking me to let him know what day I was coming so he and his family could take the day off work. Having never done this type of thing, I just wanted to get some input from others with more experience. thanks again.
Julie