Family Tree Live - round-up of an amazing family history show!

The Family Tree team are just back from Family Tree Live, our first ever genealogy show - and what an experience it was! Thousands of people came along to London’s Alexandra Palace to enjoy a packed programme of workshops, lectures, talks and exhibits. Here are just some of the highlights…

The FT Live vibe

With hundreds of family history enthusiasts enjoying the show at any given time, the atmosphere was electric. Our village green, complete with a large indoor tree and pretty bunting, was the place to meet friends old and new and was also the location for ‘tweet-ups’ amongst genealogy pals, including the #AncestryHour community.

The Home Front double decker bus was a great place to explore 1940s living history – a theme that continued throughout the hall, with Queen Victoria strolling regally around the hall to greet visitors and members of Swords and Spindles demonstrating the clothes and etiquette of the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Sharing stories

Family historians travelled from around the world, both to exhibit and to visit the many stalls, including a large range of stands from members of the newly relaunched Family History Federation. From using DNA in family history, to the latest genealogy books and products, there were plenty of chances for visitors to immerse themselves in the world of family history.

Learning opportunities

The lectures and workshop programme proved a huge hit with visitors, with internationally renowned experts providing learning opportunities in the lectures theatres and on a more intimate scale at the one-to-one events and small-group workshops. Family history is all about lifelong learning and it was great to chat to visitors who had enjoyed expanding their knowledge – and came away with lots of new ideas to try.

What visitors said...

Just a quick thank you for an excellent show and the hard work that must have gone into the organising of it all. For us, it stood out as a friendly helpful show with lots to learn. We learned a lot of useful tips and were privileged to hear so many experts in the lecture theatres. Hope you do it again soon!

Teresa and Martin

I came to Family Tree Live on Saturday and had a great day. Not possible of course to fit in all the lectures and workshops of interest but those I went to (Michelle Leonard; Dave Annal;  Susie Douglas) were FIRST-RATE: enjoyable & informative and I learnt a lot. There was a really relaxed atmosphere, everyone was friendly and helpful; and I don’t think the venue could have been bettered as regards space and facilities.

I came as part of a group, and all to whom I spoke to on the coach back or since have said what super day it was.

Thanks again for a WONDERFUL show.

Ann

Just a quick thank you - the event was superb. Can't wait for next year's, and please continue to use Alexandra Palace as it was a perfect venue with lots of room to be able to move around and also to see the stalls properly. Great lectures, friendliest atmosphere I've encountered with no 'them and us' between professionals and amateurs. Thanks to everyone who made it happen, from the cleaning staff to the office staff, to the stewards, to the caterers, to the volunteers, you guys slogging away behind the scenes, the front of house speakers - everyone. A great couple of days!

Bridget

It was a great show! Thanks to you all for all your efforts.

Pam

I would like congratulate you on Family Tree Live. The mix of stands was very good.

Peter

I have to congratulate you for the excellent show at Alexandra Palace, it was really well planned and set up. There must have been a huge amount of hard work and effort involved but it definitely paid off. Everything I was looking for or interested in was there and even more importantly there was the space to speak to people on the relevant stands. I have attended the shows going back to the early days, but this was far and away the best on all counts.

Geoff

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