First it was RootsTech-FGS
in Salt Lake City in February and before I knew it the triennial Australasian Congress of Genealogy and
Heraldry (the equivalent of the USA’s FGS conference) had arrived.
At RootsTech-FGS I was just there to learn, hit
the family history library, maybe do a blog post or two, have fun, and meet up
with genimates. Congress 2015 was a little more pressured with responsibilities
as one of the three official bloggers (Jill Ball aka GeniAus, and Shauna Hicks) and also because I was
presenting two papers. You can meet the speakers and learn about their topics
by looking at this summary
by TravelGenee, Fran.
We’ve had post-Congress blog reports from many genimates
(you can see
a list here – thanks GeniAus) as well as a Congress review hangout
by GeniAus this week with its “kiss, kick, kiss” approach.
More recently others have been hanging out at WHYTYA Live! in Birmingham.
PROs and CONs
All of which has made me think in general about the pros and
cons of attending genealogy conferences and how we make the choice.
This
decision differs in some ways from work-related conferences where we have to
convince managers and purse-holders that our attendance will benefit us, but
also the organisation, and that we will add value in some way by either
presenting or reporting back to colleagues. Even if we pay for it ourselves, it
becomes a tax deduction (usually).
So here’s my “five
bob’s worth” (Aussie-speak for opinion) on decision-making considerations
for a family history conference, whether a local, national or international
one.
FINANCIAL
The funds may be available, but what are the competing
priorities or possibilities for the individual or the family? What other travel
opportunities are in the mix? (See the later section, touring).
What will the person gain from attendance? How will it
improve their family history research, their skills and knowledge? Will the genea-obsessive be joined by other family members?
KNOWLEDGE: SHARING & LEARNING
No matter how long we’ve been researching, whether we’re
internet-driven or like to do on-site visits to libraries, archives and
cemeteries etc, we will always have something we can learn from others.
Each of us develops special skills and interests, largely
driven by the need-to-know basis of figuring out information relating to our
ancestors. Depending on how wily they are at hiding from us, we will utilise,
but also develop, brick wall strategies.
Others have suggested that it’s good to attend sessions
which aren’t applicable to your own family. This doesn’t work for me simply
because I don’t get many chances to attend such events as I live a long way
from the hub of such activity. When I am spending significant amounts of family
money on a conference I want to get maximum bang for my buck, and focus on
presentations which will increase my knowledge and understanding of topics.
This is why DNA talks were high on my list at RootsTech.
I also look for depth of content from speakers with a wide
knowledge of their topic as well as a passion for it. Yes I’ll learn from every
talk I attend, but I also want to be stretched.
Probably my key criterion to assess a presentation is
whether the speaker has inspired me as well as imparting knowledge. For these
speakers I will have notes which include “think about….”and maybe some
mind-maps on how it might come together.
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| The Find My Past exhibit at RootsTech was very popular. |
In the 21st mind-set of entertainment we expect
the speakers to be skilled presenters but the reality is that they may not be
professional speakers, just fellow family history obsessives who want to share
their passion for a topic. We also need
to cut them a little slack.
Of course all this is difficult to assess in advance, so when
making your decision you can only analyse what’s been submitted in the
abstracts. If there’s more than one talk per session that really interests you
(as there so often is) then you should be able to get knowledge value and the
option to be flexible.
There's other opportunities for learning in the many displays by sponsors and exhibitors. What a great way to learn about new products, check them out on-site and get the advice of other researchers.
SOCIALISING or NETWORKING
While this sounds a little frivolous it can play a huge role
in your take-home vibe from a conference.
This is your opportunity to talk about family history for
days on end without putting people to sleep or sending them running for the
hills.
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| Geneabloggers at Congress 2015, Canberra. Thanks to GeniAus and Mr GeniAus for the photo. |
Do you know lots of other genimates from blogging or social
media? This is your chance to meet them face-to-face over coffee/lunch or an
informal dinner outing. One of the benefits of blogger beads (initiated by
Geneablogger guru, Thomas
MacEntee and shared at Congress by GeniAus)
is that you can readily identify fellow bloggers and have an immediate bond.
Are you a newbie who feels they “know no one”? Conferences
can be a great way to meet new people with a common interest, perhaps even new
cousins. Where there’s an opportunity for research interests to be listed do
take advantage of them.
TOURING
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| Sydney Opera House and Bridge and a large cruise ship - our immigrant ancestors would be astonished. |
Perhaps not the most critical aspect of the decision-making,
or is it? The venue of the conference may be a temptation in itself. I’m sure
it formed a part of my decision to attend RootsTech/FGS as it meant I could
visit the genealogy holy grail, the Family History
Library.
Congress 2015 was held in the Australian capital, Canberra, which was certainly a
temptation with the National Library, Archives, Australia
War Memorial, old and new Parliament house and other wonderful research and
touring opportunities. Congress 2015 social
events were held at the AWM and Parliament House – what a
privilege!
And for those who’ve always wanted to visit Australia,
perhaps Congress 2018 is something to
put on the bucket list? It’s being held in Sydney, perhaps our most well-known
city with its spectacular harbour, Opera House and Bridge. Appropriately the
Congress theme is “Bridging the Past and
the Future”.
Informal Survey –
HAVE YOUR SAY
During a final-day Congress panel session led by GeniAus, Josh Taylor mentioned that perhaps
the term “society” is out of date for younger potential genealogists. Do you
agree? Are you a member of a family history/genealogy/local history society?
Also I wonder if the word “genealogy” continues to fully
reflect how we refer to what we do. What is your preferred term when you tell
people about your hobby obsession? Is it genealogy or family history?
What other things do you consider when you make a choice
about attending a family history conference?
Have you been to conferences locally or nationally? Were
they of benefit?
It would be great to
hear your views and comments!
