A slightly later blog today after my return to rural Wiltshire from the big smoke. Good heavens – it’s amazing how quickly three days can pass by when you are simply rushed off your feet talking about local, family and social history. Having spent most of my time at WDYTYA2013 promoting the online genealogy courses offered by The National Institute for Genealogical Studies, this year I spent most of my time manning the Guild of One-Name Studies stand and lecturing on some new topics – The Impact of World War One on rural communities and World War One: Women at War…. A full house for both!
As well as some excellent speakers across the various theatres on the Society of Genealogist‘s workshop programme, the great thing about this event is it brings together so many like-minded individuals in one place and provides an amazing platform to promote the wonders of historical research. From putting faces to the names on Twitter to catching up with ‘old’ friends, Who Do You Think You Are has really put family history…. genealogy …. call it what you will, on the map. And it’s going to Scotland for the first time as part of the Year of Homecoming celebrations. The show is scheduled for Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2014 and will take place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.
Tying in with the Homecoming theme, the show complements the numerous family, ancestral and clan events which have been packed into the Homecoming programme.
Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said, “There is tremendous curiosity to uncover family roots, especially in the USA, a country that boasts an estimated 9.4 million Scottish descendants. The Year of Homecoming 2014 will provide a unique opportunity to encourage more and more visitors, both international and domestic to come and enjoy Scotland and will position Scotland on the international stage as a dynamic and creative nation. This family history event, Who Do You Think You Are? Live, will help tourism business across Scotland tap into the ancestral tourism market gold mine this year.”
Rumour has it that the event might move from its current venue at Olympia next year to a Midlands location. Watch this space….
I hope all my fellow genies had a successful and enjoyable three days at WDYTYA. See you @ ????
