Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors: A Family Reunion in Stična

On a sunny May day, I had the honor of organizing a very special family gathering in Stična, Slovenia.

Together with cousins from both sides of the ocean, including Blair Kilpatrick from the US, Milan Škrjanc, Marta Okorn, and Slavka Trnovšek, we returned to the Pustar homestead on Štorovje Hill – the home of our shared ancestors from the early 19th century.

The day was filled with stories, discoveries, and unforgettable moments that connected us not only with each other but also with those who came before us.

One of the most touching moments was standing next to the old barn, built in 1848. As we touched the aged stones, we could almost hear the whispers of those who built it, worked in it, and lived their everyday joys and hardships under its roof.

Our adventure took us beyond the homestead, to the Anžlovar family chapel, built in gratitude for a safe journey to the United States by the sons of Marija Korelc – Pustar. We also visited the Cistercian monastery in Stična, which played an important role in the lives of our ancestors, many of whom worked there or were part of its service. Among the last was my grandfather, Alojzij Korelc, who worked in the monastery as a butcher, and his aunt Pepa Korelc, who managed the monastery’s Marof estate and later worked in its laundry.

To conclude the day, we visited the Jurčič homestead in Muljava – a beautifully preserved example of rural life in the 19th century, helping us imagine how our ancestors might have lived.

These moments reminded us all how important it is to reconnect not only with each other but also with the land, the places, and the stories of those who made us who we are.

Reuniting family across generations and oceans is not just about tracing names on a family tree – it’s about bringing those stories to life, standing where they once stood, and feeling that invisible thread of belonging.