Pages

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Combine Two Genealogy Events Together in 2015

WDYTYA and Genealogy Tours of Scotland run back to back in 2015

I just wanted to let you know that Who Do You Think You Are Live, the largest family history expo has just made an announcement about changing both the venue and the timing of their show for 2015. Normally held in London in February, the organizers have decided to move the Expo to Birmingham, making it more accessible to the entire country. AND they have changed the dates, so that it actually happens right before our tour begins. The dates for WDYTYA Live are April 16, 17 & 18. Our research tour begins on the 19th.
For those of you who would like to take advantage of both, please note that I am able to include WDYTYA in the 2015 tour as it will require transportation to Birmingham as well as accommodation while there. But you can certainly manage both back to back events and make the most of your time in the UK.
The Expo, which is put on by the Society of Genealogists (England) is a three day event with vendors and genealogists from around the world. Of note, FindMyPast, Ancestry, FamilySearch will all be onsite. There are talks throughout the weekend. The vendors area can be accessed for free. To hear the speakers, a ticket for the full three days runs about £30.
Birmingham is in central England, or what is known as the Midlands. It is about an hour from Manchester if you were to fly there instead of Edinburgh or Glasgow. Flights are available directly to Birmingham from Glasgow, Edinburgh or London via Flybe. WDYTYA has partnered with Virgin trains and is offering a 25% discount to anyone registered for the expo who will be traveling by train to get to it. This is available by advanced purchase only.
Birmingham is an industrial city with a rich history. There is a wonderful living museum there called the Black Country Museum. Birmingham and surrounds were part of what is known as Black Country for the colour of the men were when they came home from their factory jobs, covered in soot or grease from their work. Also in Birmingham is the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. A must see for any chocolate lover - free samples are given out! An hour north of Birmingham is the Royal Doulton Factory and other "pottery" outlets (actually fine china). An hour south is Stratford Upon Avon and the home of William Shakespeare. Twenty minutes to the west is Coventry, which was decimated in the bombings of WWII and which has an incredibly beautiful story in its Cathedral. Coventry is also the home of Lady Godiva, and the Daimler museum. And for the more adventurous, London is two hours south (by train). I have been to all of these places and can attest to how wonderful they are to visit.
Here is the link for WDYTYA 2015. They are currently busy orchestrating a show set for Glasgow in August, so details for 2105 have not yet been sorted out or posted. But you can sign up for a newsletter to stay abreast of the developments.
And to book with Genealogy Tours of Scotland, the link is:

No comments:

Post a Comment