How do you prepare before attending a workshop or conference? I haven’t always done this as well as I could have so this time I would like to be more prepared. The two principal speakers are Chris Paton and Dirk Weissleder. Chris will be speaking on the UK and Ireland and Dirk on Germany. I have ancestors from all of these areas so their presentations will have significance for me.
It’s easy to look at a conference program and be overwhelmed by all the talks on offer. I’ve done here what I’ve previously done with the OzComicCon program. I pull out the main speakers and topics I am interested in. Below are the presentations from Chris and Dirk the key speakers. This is taken from the Adelaide roadshow program.
Chris Paton
- British and Irish Newspapers
- Scottish Research Resources Before 1800
- British Censuses and Substitutes
- Irish Family History Resources Online
Dirk Weissleder
- Primary and Secondary Sources on Genealogy in
Germany - Introduction to European Research
- The International German Genealogical Partnership
- Archives, Libraries and Institutions for Genealogical
Researchers in Germany
I will also review the information I have on my Scottish, Irish and German ancestors and make notes to take with me of surnames, era of dates of birth, and birth places/counties or parishes. Eg. Buring/Biering, Berlin, Prussia early 1800s. Willison, Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland. Reid, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 1800s.
What I will do next is prepare any questions, I might have, for the speakers. It’s best to ask generic questions at a presentation and keep specific questions for one on one time. Eg. What might have happened to an ancestor if they disappear from records in 1840s in Germany?
Lots of other bloggers have mentioned the things to take to a conference so here are just a few: pencil, notebook, drink bottle, fully charged electronic gadgets, comfortable clothes and business or geniecards.
I’m looking forward to two great days of learning, catching up with friends and meeting new people.
Really useful advice Kylie. I am never as prepared as this. The conference sounds awesome. All m family are from overseas and I’ve struggled to know how I can do research on them from Australia. Thank you!!
Jane from the Cafty Coven
Hi Jane I’m glad this was helpful for you. The program is over two days 23rd and 24th August at the German Club. http://www.unlockthepast.com.au/events/researching-abroad-finding-british-isles-and-european-ancestors
If you would like help with research I’m happy to give it a go although my work has mainly been UK, Ireland and little bit in Germany thus far.
Kylie
A good point about asking fairly general questions and not long discourses about particular families. I need to get my questions sorted since I’ve only got a few more days to prepare.
Thanks Pauleen, it will be interesting to hear other people’s reviews prior to the roadshow reaching Adelaide.
Kylie