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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: ankerdine on Sunday 05 February 17 09:18 GMT (UK)
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I have been asked to accompany a friend to this event. Does anyone have a full list of exhibitors as I searched and found no mention of Scotland, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland and Birmingham History Societies. I imagine the stand rental must be very expensive.
Judy
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Depends on what sort of stand it is - the "table" stands used by the local FHS groups are not that expensive, but there are extra costs of travel and accommodation to think abut. Many societies don't have the funds these days.
I'd be very surprised if there isn't a Birmingham stand.
But still worth visiting - even if your county of interest isn't represented.
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Found this on their website:
http://www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com/about-show/our-exhibitors
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Thank you for your replies. It seems to me that the exhibitors like FindMyPast and Ancestry obviously want to recruit new members; who can blame them? I just wanted to know first hand whether it's worth attending. What is the entrance fee? It's usually around £12 for other events here. Luckily I shall have no problem with transport or accommodation costs. ;)
Anyone else thinking of going?
Judy
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Prices vary; on the day or in advance etc.
Details here:
http://www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com/ticket-information
I have been twice when it was held in London; once organised by my local FHS and once treated to a special ticket by my son (special workshops/talks booked with reserved seat, free guide etc.). I found it worth going but hard on the feet. if I lived near to Birmingham or could afford to stay I would probably book a 3 day ticket and pace myself!
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I went last year for the first time since I think 2003 (when they last held one at the NEC) as I got a discounted ticket for £10 plus booking fee booked the previous October or November. Not going this year as didn't find it that useful, really depends on what you want to do and see. As I live the other side of Birmingham I went by train as its a bit expensive to park on top of the petrol costs. The last time I went to anything at the NEC the parking had just gone up to £7 which I thought then was extortionate, now I gather its £12. :o
They do often have offers of 2 for 1 tickets (people rather than days) but they appear to have all finished at the moment, can't find any. Its possible there may be a few late offers but otherwise its a bit expensive especially if you pay on the day.
I'm surprised Leicestershire & Rutland FHS aren't attending (not on the exhibitor's list) but can't remember if they were there last year or not. Staffordshire will come under Birmingham & Midland FHS and they are definitely on the list.
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No mention of Notts FHS going. Nothing on their website.
I have not been to the show show it moved to the NEC. Much closer to home for me being only 40 mins away. But we always used to book a weekend away in London when it was held at Olympia to make it more of an occasion.
I may go this year though.
Cheers, Ade.
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Thanks for all the additional feedback. I hadn't picked up that Staffordshire would come under Birmingham & Midland FHS. My OH has lots of family connections from Aston, Birmingham, and Dudley who've always been too close to home and not interesting/romantic enough! Not true really! ;D
I have some Irish "dead-ends" which could be worth researching as I did notice there are several Irish exhibitors. The problem is do these groups want you to join their society and expect payment for help etc?
I notice there is a Black Country Society too which I presume would include Dudley.
Maybe there will be further exhibitors registering late.
I usually use my Tesco points/vouchers to buy tickets for the craft and art shows at the NEC so, hopefully, similar offers will be available for this exhibition. This is a really good way of using Tesco vouchers if you have never done it before.
Please continue to submit your comments especially if you could explain what goes on with workshops and talks etc.
Judy
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Watch out for the car parking fee! The NEC charge anything up to £12 for a day's parking. I go to the NEC often, and quite often drive to one of the stations between Coventry and the NEC as the parking is often free and the train fair is only a few quid.
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Actually I've just looked and if you park at Canley Station, it's free and a return off peak ticket to B'ham international is £2.20. There's also a free car park at Tile Hill station.
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A number of the local Birmingham stations also have free parking but depends what day you are attending as they are generally full by about 8am on weekdays. Weekends are usually OK. I think I paid about £5.50 or something similar last year for a return ticket from Northfield to the NEC, having to change at New Street. Took about 50 minutes but depended on when the connecting train was due. Northfield being on the cross city line and south west of the centre. It would have cost me far more to have driven to the NEC and parked, and would not have been that much quicker.
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Yes, parking is £12 at the NEC.
The local history society's really cannot offer a huge amount of help on the day. Naturally they are there to hopefully gain new members. It is worthwhile to join one's covering the localities you are interested in.
Cheers, Ade.
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My info is probably out of date as my last visit was about 6 years ago but the talks were about 45 minutes and included examples from archives, websites etc. but no opportunity for personal research apart from a Q&A session at the end. My son booked a couple for me so I had a guaranteed seat and also booked a short time (10 minutes?) with a researcher but I can't recall which organisation was offering that.
I also took a couple of old photos and got a lot of help and advice from our very own Scrimnet!
Time spent researching all the available talks is advised, as is booking them if possible.
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Taking all this information on board I have come to a conclusion. Isn't it better just to post personal queries on Rootschat; as I have done now for many years? The friendly help and detailed information I have received has been so accurate and plentiful.
I have some time though before I need to make a decision.
Thanks so much for your free advice.
Judy
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Going to WDYTYA Live is very unlikely to break down a brick wall or solve a research problem for you, that isn't what is is for really. It is about finding out what is happening in the genealogy world, meeting people and getting pointers to what new resources might be available to help you in your searches.
There is the "Ask the Experts" section, run by the Society of Genealogists where you can book a 20min slot to talk through your problem with someone. But the chance of that solving something you may have been working on for 20+ years is slim ! What the "experts" aim for is so send you away with something new to think about, or maybe to recommend an approach you may not have considered. But occasionally people do achieve a sudden breakthrough in those 20 mins - I've seen it happen a few times, so you never know.
It doesn't change that much from year to year so a visit every 2 or 3 years is probably enough for most people !
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Having read through the list of exhibitors, there is even a transcription error there;
"Nuneaton and North Warminster (should be Warwickshire) F. H. S.
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Well spotted Guyana! I had looked through the list and thought that I might stop at this exhibitor's stand and never noticed the error.
Judy
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It's useful to see some of the available software and also things like certificate holders etc if you find you actually need to see them first. I'm hoping for a discounted livingdna kit! I'm not the only one. You can take ancestrydna kits away with you at a discounted price usually. Ftdna you can do a test there and then. Do be aware that if you want a drink or something eat in that exhibition hall you probably need to seize the chance when you ca. Also your feet get very tired as you find yourself keep walking around and to get a seat later in the day, I sat in on one of the free talks. I usually buy a couple of CDs or something else save waiting for them to come through the post.
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Thanks Weste for an insight into an average visit.
Judy
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Bmsgh was there. The national archives were there but we're not taking orders, some military stands,There was loads of county areas represented. There was a replica spitfire that you could sit in and have your photo done for a fiver, provided you had your camera. That was different. The talks I did n't really think that much of before I went. I did n't pre book any just accessed the ones I could just join in.
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Just had a notification through Facebook that the above Show is offering 2 tickets + free show guides for £26 using Code MD26. The tickets are normally quoted at £18. This offer is valid until 26 March 2017. The link is http://bit.ly/2mXO3uo
Hope I've done this correctly.
Judy
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Don't forget to add on the £12 parking fee :o
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Yes, the carparking is very expensive but I'm lucky as I can use my bus pass.
Judy
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There will also be the booking transaction fee of, from memory, £2.25 to pay.on top. :-\
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Yes, though that's quite common. Part of that fee will cover postage.
Is anyone else going to the show on Thursday? We could have a mini-meet!
Judy
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Yes, though that's quite common. Part of that fee will cover postage.
Not much, they usually get sent out 2nd class letter if memory serves me correctly from last year. :-X
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I had an enjoyable time at the show on Thursday (5 hours!).
Everyone on the stands was helpful and it was organised extremely well. The Family History Societies offered a few interesting tips which I had never considered before. I did join the Birmingham & Midland Family History Society which I had been considering for some time. There were a lot of books and CDs for sale and I came home with some Freebies too.
I'd recommend next year's show to anyone who'd not attended before.
Judy