Family history across the seas

It’s just a month today until we’ll be enjoying the excitement of the Welcome Reception for Congress 2015. Isn’t it funny how we wait and wait for something special to come along then all of a sudden it’s upon us?

The Welcome Reception is being held at the Australian War Memorial so it will be very special to meet up with our genimates, and make new friends in the impressive and sobering shadow of the huge Lancaster bomber, G for George. Many of us will try to visit the War Memorial during our stay in Canberra and they have lots on offer for us this year, with the centenary of Gallipoli and the opening of the new World War I gallery.

As we emerge from the welcome reception we’ll be able to look up and see the Roll of Honour names illuminated against the entrance to the memorial. I wonder if any of us will have a family name projected during Congress? You can search the roll of honour by name and see when that person’s name will be illuminated. Did you know you can sign up to receive the Coo-ee newsletter to learn more about what’s happening during the Centenary?

Then bright and early on the morning of Friday 27^th March we will launch into the excitement of learning even more about this passion of ours, family history. There’s so much available for researchers with all levels of experience that I’m sure we’ll all learn so much, and be able to share our experiences with our family research during the breaks.

In recent months, the three official bloggers, Jill Ball, Shauna Hicks and myself, have been posting interviews with the various speakers at Congress. You can read more about each of them here by clicking the links: GeniAus, Shauna Hicks History Enterprises, Family History Across the Seas. I really think we’re in for a treat! You can also see the official Congress list of speakers here.

So here’s my checklist for your research preparation:

Have you completed your Research Interest list? I wrote about this a little while ago.

Have you got your tentative schedule planned for the sessions?

Have you worked out what research you want to tackle while visiting the National Library of Australia, the National Archives of Australia and the Australian War Memorial?

Perhaps you want to visit the National Film and Sound Archive which holds a range of audio-visual recordings?

Are you going to visit the family history society or other archives?

Have you printed off the opening hours for each of the repositories you hope to visit, so you can maximise your efforts?

Have you got your local family history membership card? And your National Library card?

Are you a geneablogger? If so please get in touch with GeniAus as she’s preparing a list for blogger beads…you don’t want to miss out on the bling which gives easy recognition of fellow bloggers.

Are you a member of Kiva Genealogists for Families and coming to Congress? If so perhaps you could leave a message on my blog and I’ll pass it on to Judy Webster.

I think I’d best get my skates on and sort out some of these myself. Meanwhile it’s back to finalising my speaker presentations.

What other preparations have you made for your attendance at Congress 2015? Why not share them with us as a useful reminder to us all.