The Society of Genealogists will hold the tenth anniversary of
their popular Family History Fair on 4-5 May 2002. The fair will be held at
the Royal Horticultural Society’s New Hall and Conference Centre on Greycoat
Street, Westminster, London. This is a very popular event that is aimed at beginners
as well as at experienced genealogy researchers. Past fairs have seen four thousand
or more attendees, and this year’s event will probably attract at least that
many again.
The Society of Genealogists’ Family History Fair always includes
a wide range of lectures from genealogy experts on both introductory and specialized
subjects, helping those who want to know how to start as well as those who need
more in-depth guidance. The fair will also include computer and Internet lectures
in addition to demonstrations using the latest software packages. One thing
unique to the Family History Fair is the "Advice Centre," staffed
by specialists supplying information and help that will save you time and money
as well as offering new leads to direct your research.
Nearly fifty exhibitor stalls have already been booked, including
local Family History Societies, records offices, professional researchers, publishers,
and software houses. A complete list of exhibitors is available on the Society’s
Web site. A list of lecturers and the titles of their presentations is expected
to appear there a few weeks before the Fair.
I attended the Family History Fair a few years ago and was delighted
to find a very busy and crowded conference. The attendees were quite enthusiastic
about their research efforts. The average "noise level" in the conference
center at the Royal Horticultural Society’s hall seemed to be much higher than
that at any genealogy conference I have attended in the U.S. or Canada. It was
a grand time, and everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy it. I am sure the 2002
conference will be at least as good.
The admission fee for the Family History Fair is a very modest
£4 (roughly $5.65 in U.S. funds) if the tickets are purchased before April 26.
Otherwise, you may purchase tickets at the door for £6 (about $8.50 in U.S.
funds). No wonder the Society of Genealogists can attract so many people to
their conferences! Their ticket prices encourage newcomers to drop in. I wish
the U.S. genealogy conferences offered tickets at similar prices. If so, their
attendance would skyrocket!
For more information about the 2002 edition of the Society of
Genealogists' Family History Fair, look at: www.sog.org.uk/events/fair.html.
Dick Eastman Online
