Immediately was the primary day of the primary ever Family Tree Live present at Alexandra Palace in London.
The present is what felt to me like the primary of the three contenders to being the ‘substitute’ for the now defunct Who Do You Suppose You Are? Reside annual present that closed its doorways after a long term in London and later in Birmingham.
For me, the journey to Alexandra Palace has a few adjustments that I wanted to make on my practice journey, moderately than my direct route. On my journey at present I befriended a touring companion at Stevenage, when a fellow household historian from Lincoln requested me if it was the practice to Welwyn. Discovering our similar vacation spot, we caught collectively and talked about analysis and occasions we’d been to prior to now. This helped my journey cross fairly properly, though it’s little greater than an hour in whole, ending with a pleasant stroll up the hill alongside the sting of Alexandra Park to the venue. I believe there’s a free shuttle bus.
The doorway is on the far facet of the constructing, so in the event you’re attending tomorrow (Saturday twenty seventh April), then count on to stroll across the fairly Victorian facade, until it’s raining.
As soon as in, get your printed ticket prepared and you can also make your method via to the corridor, previous a myriad of indicators telling you to not take pictures or movie issues with out particular permission of the exhibitors. Ouch.
Stands, House, and Seats
The very first thing I observed as soon as into the exhibition corridor was that there was loads of house between the stands – a welcome addition after what had at instances been a little bit of a squeeze between stands at WDYTYA? Reside. I arrived at about 10am and the present steadily elevated in guests over the subsequent hour.
With this being a Friday, it’s exhausting to guage success, as many individuals might not have taken a time off work to attend. Fingers crossed that Saturday is a roaring success.
Like different exhibits, there have been a lot of Societies with stalls – these are nice for purchasing some county knowledge collections, or asking considered one of their stand consultants for recommendation on county-level sources.
I headed over to the Household Tree DNA theatre and caught Donna Rutherford‘s speak on getting extra out of an autosomal DNA check. Clearly a preferred alternative as I stood with others on the again.
Donna Rutherford at Family Tree Live 2019
" data-image-caption="Donna Rutherford talked about how to get more out of your autosomal DNA test results.
" data-medium-file="https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg?w=840&ssl=1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3839" fifu-data-src="https://i1.wp.com/familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg?w=840&ssl=1" alt="Donna Rutherford at Family Tree Live 2019" srcset="https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg 1200w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg?w=150&h=66 150w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg?w=300&h=132 300w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg?w=768&h=337 768w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/donna-rutherford-family-tree-live-2019.jpg?w=1024&h=450 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px"/>Donna’s speak gave me loads of issues to consider in the way to greatest use the information in my matches, but in addition concepts on what stage of cM to attract a line after and placed on the back-burner. I’ll positively go searching for the additional tagging in AncestryDNA to assist me handle these matches as I’ve 6 exams, and 1 extra to go.
Talking of DNA exams, while there have been loads of talks, the massive WDYTYA? Reside check firm, Ancestry weren’t current. FindMyPast weren’t both. While this may be a disappointment for a lot of (if solely since you’re searching for extra low cost check kits or subscription offers to purchase), it did imply that different firms like MyHeritage, LivingDNA, and FamilyTreeDNA had an opportunity to shine as an alternative, and I noticed loads of individuals at these stands.
I spent a while on the Railway Work, Life & Death Project stand, as they’re busy documenting railway accidents. Sadly, my Gt x3 Grandfather, James Martin‘s ugly demise at Black Financial institution, Cambridgeshire in 1868 was just a bit bit exterior of their remit, however I’ll be prepared at hand over data in the event that they ever get into the 1860s.
I additionally checked in on my annual family tree present pals, Paul and Pam, to see how Name and Place is getting on. It seems to be like their thrilling new mission is about to be launched into the wild, that may assist researchers searching for knowledge and data on the individuals in particular locations – a sort of one-name examine and one-place examine useful resource. There additionally appeared to be a very nice hyperlink in with Ancestry for census photographs as supportive sources. Can’t wait to see it dwell!
The meals was considerably disappointing on the venue, with not a very nice alternative. The workers appeared to be considerably in trauma after I tried to purchase a tea. With Alexandra Palace being up on prime of a hill, there’s not very a lot close by, so aside from strolling out of the corridor and going to the venue restaurant, you’re caught with a pair of sandwich and cake stalls, with tea and occasional.
I booked my present ticket on-line, which was very easy, however afterwards I realised that I wanted to guide my speak/workshop tickets too – and this was a separate system (of if it wasn’t, it wasn’t clear there have been different tickets to purchase when shopping for the primary ticket), so I used to be left with probability as to which talks I might attend.
Family Tree Live showguide 2019
" data-image-caption="You get a free showguide for Family Tree Live as you walk in.
" data-medium-file="https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://i3.wp.com/familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg?w=840&ssl=1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3837" fifu-data-src="https://i3.wp.com/familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg?w=840&ssl=1" alt="Family Tree Live showguide 2019" srcset="https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg 1148w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg?w=150&h=113 150w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg?w=300&h=226 300w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg?w=768&h=579 768w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/family-tree-live-show-guide-2019.jpg?w=1024&h=772 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px"/>The free present information revealed that just about all the Workshops had been bought out on the time of print – these definitely seemed busy, and for people who I spoke to who’d run one or attended one, they gave the impression of they had been actually helpful.
The AGRA consultants recommendation space was busy as traditional, and I noticed many acquainted faces at tables giving recommendation. That is sort of speed-dating for household historians, with every knowledgeable providing sensible recommendation on the customer’s family tree questions.
I additionally headed over to the The Postal Museum to speak about The Publish Workplace Rifles, and I additionally stopped on the newly re-branded Family History Federation stand to talk to them about their work. I used to be delighted to be given this amusing badge, which I wore on the practice house to a lot concern from my fellow passengers.
i seek dead people badge
" data-image-caption="The Family History Federation gave me this great badge!
" data-medium-file="https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/i-seek-dead-people-badge.jpeg?w=275" data-large-file="https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/i-seek-dead-people-badge.jpeg?w=800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3838" fifu-data-src="https://i2.wp.com/familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/i-seek-dead-people-badge.jpeg?w=840&ssl=1" alt="i seek dead people badge" srcset="https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/i-seek-dead-people-badge.jpeg 800w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/i-seek-dead-people-badge.jpeg?w=138&h=150 138w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/i-seek-dead-people-badge.jpeg?w=275&h=300 275w, https://familytreeuk.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/i-seek-dead-people-badge.jpeg?w=768&h=837 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px"/>Household Reunions
I’ve by no means been to a household reunion, however having been a household historian for… ugh… 24 years now (how the hell did that occur?)… maybe everybody has been ready for me to do it.
Having been going to exhibits like this for 10+ years, you get to satisfy up with acquainted faces and meet new ones, and so while I noticed my almost-as-distant-as-it-can-get relative Amelia Bennett, I additionally occurred to sit down down at a bench within the Village Inexperienced space reverse a lady studying via her notes.
She seemed up at me, requested me if I used to be Martin.. after which launched herself – because it seems that she is a maternal cousin of mine that I’ve by no means met earlier than. She recognised me as she’s a weblog reader right here and we’ve messaged one another earlier than. I knew she’d be going, however this stroke of luck introduced us collectively. We spent a while evaluating tree notes on our mutual ancestor (my earlier than heading off to our respective talks. She’ll be beginning her personal weblog quickly
Royal Customer
It was a delight to see that the present even had a royal customer – sure, Her Majesty the Queen and Empress of India was current and, if I dare to say, was trying a really younger and spritely 199 years outdated!
General
I solely booked someday, however I’m curious as to how Saturday will fare. With 3 exhibits to choose from this 12 months, I ponder which one the household historian (versus the professionals) will select to go to most.
I appreciated the ticket worth for this present – it’s the most affordable (RootsTech’s UK debut is by far the costliest), in order that’s a constructive, however it additionally perhaps means it’s the smallest. Nevertheless, the standard of the Society stands is unrivalled, as these native teams know their matter inside out.
The lacking FindMyPast and Ancestry stands allowed others to shine (FamilySearch appeared the largest), however I ponder if this may disappoint these interested in family tree by the tantalising TV adverts.
The ambiance was pleasant and constructive, the venue environment had been fairly, however just a few extra stands, and menu selections would actually assist this present out. I’d suggest increasing the Village Inexperienced concept (which I beloved), and maybe just a few smaller quick speak spots.
- Favorite half: Assembly my fifth cousin, twice eliminated.
- Least favorite half: Chips or unhappy sandwich resolution course of.
- General, 3 / 5, and would take into account visiting once more subsequent 12 months.
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