What would you like to see at a Family History Fair?

[Sue Mackay]

Following on from the discussion elsewhere on this forum about Family History Fairs, we thought that we would try to find out what you would like to see.

1. You may vote for more than one option in the "What Would You Like to See?" options at the start.

2. Next vote for your preferred venue from the five place options given.

3. Similarly vote for the time of year you prefer from the four options given.

4. Tick either Saturday, Sunday or both from the options given to indicate which day you would attend

5. Finally indicate what you consider to be a reasonable admission charge from the options given.

As well as voting in the poll above, please also answer the following 3 questions by posting your replies on this thread:
> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?


The poll will close at 08:00pm on Wednesday 4 June (BST)

Remember, this is your chance to have your say.

Thank you.

[Jan1954]

Don't forget to answer the 3 extra questions by posting your replies on this thread. |idea|

Thanks.

[Lindad]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?

1. Finding out what resources are available from various societies.
2. Memory foam mattresses and olives.
3. Some of it, but not the stuff thrust in my hand as I walk round.

[sandiep]

I) to see if there are any new resources and to pick brains of FHS members.

2) I dont want to se anything that doesnt relate to family history

3) I usually go throught it, most does get binned


one other thing I think is important a Tea bar!! somewhere to sit

sandie

[Squaredancer]

1) To see what's there - I've never been to one.
2) I wouldn't want to see anything unconnected with Family History.
3) I'm sure I'd read the blurb - I love leaflets - you never know what you might miss if you chuck them away unread! :)

[Frank Drake]

1) To promote Parish Chest and British-Genealogy.com
2) I want to see as many Family History Societies as can make it, together with a good range of other suppliers of quality material/services which are relevant to family history and historical research. I do not want to see traders who offer little or nothing of relevance to genealogy or social history.
3) I don't pick up much 'blurb' and only keep anything that might be of future use.

[Sue Mackay]

1) To visit FHS stands and browse through new publications and indexes.
2) Large commercial outfits
3) I tend only to collect blurb I'm interested in!

I think good fairs also have lots of help desks for advice and tips on how to break down brick walls.

The best 'freebies' are carrier bags for purchases!

[Guy Etchells]

1) To promote Anguline Research Archives by networking
2) Ancestry
3) Keep only what may be useful bin the rest
Cheers
Guy

[Ladkyis]

1.To see Pam and Frank and all the other regulars. (including Sexy John)
2. those people who sell the "Get your family name explained here" books and plaques.
3. I read everything on all the leaflets - just incase there is something I might desperately need

[Jan1954]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?

Please note that the a) and b) replies are in no particular order...

1. a) To seek help and advice from people who are more familiar with my ancestral areas that I am.
1. b) To promote Brit-Gen and Parish Chest

2. a) Anything that is unconnected to family history
2. b) Anyone who is more interested commercially and who loses interest when you ask for advice.

3. Yes, I read it all and then throw away that which I know I will not need.

[chrismouse1]

1. To spread the word about Parish Chest and Brit-Gen.
2. Ancestry (as if you couldn't guess!)
3. Bin it.
1. To have FHS stands available with items of what you need.
2. Not to have other stands there that don't relate to why we go.
3. I keep the leaflets and bin the rest.

[Guest]

1. We attend the York Racecourse & Gateshead fairs as exhibitors for commercial reasons.
2. I don't think there is anything I "would not like to see". Anything one doesn't want to look at can be easily ignored and I can understand how organisers might need to fill space not taken up by FH societies/companies. However, I shouldn't like to see non-FH related exhibitors being given preference over more relevant suppliers/societies.
3. I tend to read blurb which I choose to pick up but not necessarily that which is just handed to me.

I find some of the poll questions interesting:
1. Nowhere north of Leeds suggested as a venue (maybe because York & Gateshead serve the area so well already?) and nowhere in Scotland or Wales.
2. No "less than £5" admission charge. Isn't WDYTYA Live the only fair which charges more than £4 at the moment?

Graham

[AnnB]

1. To see what is new in the world of family history software/books/CD's whatever, rather than trawling around the internet.
2. Anything unconnected with family history
3. Glance at everything and bin anything not of interest.

Best wishes
Ann

[margarita]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?


[

- to see what a Family History Fair is like as I have never been to one & to see what's available for the genealogist

- anything not connected to Family History - I am too much of a sucker and would buy all sorts of unnecessary 'stuff'

- I would probably collect a lot of leaflets and keep what I wanted when I had read them

On the poll I ticked 'other' - my 'other' would be software demonstrations - anything which could be used for Family History

maggie

PS I suppose it's too much to expect a Family History Fair here in Crete - there are lots of us Brits living here!!

[Ladkyis]

When I suggested to TNA that they should attend our annual Open Day I was told that it was too small. I suspect that they were wary of treading on the toes of the National Library who have promised to come to Gwent but I can't remember if they actually arrived.

Nothing comes to Wales. The border crossing is soooo strict you see, and if you come over the catchily named Second Severn Crossing it will cost you a minimum of £5.30 to get in!

[John Nicholas]

1. Meeting a number of county FHSs at one event.
2. Unrelated rubbish. As long as they don't try to dominate or hard sell, it would be useful to have the large commercials there, as a lot of us don't know that well what they offer.
3. Read, sift, retain/bin as appropriate.

John

[BeeE586]

I too have never managed to visit a large Family History Fair. I was a keen supporter of the Four Counties Meetings - Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire - whose Societies took turns to host the event, but they ceased several years ago. I have attended the Scarsdale event - local to the Scarsdale Hundred of Derbyshire - both highly enjoyable and relevant especially as the Four Counties also provided an optional lunch. Also, they were accessible, parking wasn't a problem and the venues were disability friendly. I would love to attend any big event so what would be my priorities ?

1) I would want to see anything and everything to do with Family History - Societies, Software, Advice Corners, Computer Demonstrations, Local History Societies, etc., ............... yes, and a tea bar with space to sit and eat a sandwich. Also, and perhaps most important to me and others like me, parking near the venue and a lack of steps.
2) I would not want any commercial undertaking NOT connected with Family History, unless such stalls were altogether in a far corner and could be ignored.
3) I would collect leaflets, read them, keep the ones of interest, note a few addresses, websites, and so on that may be useful and bin the rest.

As an aside - why not Sheffield as a possible venue rather than Leeds ?

Eileen

[Davran]

WDYTYA was my first fair, so I can only go by what was there.

1. To have a chance to chat to family history societies as my family was scattered all over the country and to see what resources they have. Expert opinions on old photos could be useful.

2. I don't particularly want to see beds and massage chairs (ie things totally unrelated to family history)- these are an unnecessary distraction. A dedicated 'picnic' area would be nice.

3. I don't mind handouts as it is something to read on the train home, but most get binned as soon as I get home! Probably could save a few trees by not printing them.

Good freebies are copies of magazines.

[Jon Whiting]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?

a) To obtain information and sources for family history research.
b) Non-family history resouces. The stalls that say that they can give you all the information about your name. Censuses; there is not enough time to look at them properly.
c) Yes. Anything worth keeping I then scan into my computer and then bin it. This enables me to index the information so that I can find it when I need it.

I would also like to see more information available in advance. When I go to fairs, I would like to plan my visit so that I know how much time I may spend on various stalls witout having to rush around at the end.

[arthurk]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?

1. To see FHS stalls, secondhand local history booksellers, software suppliers etc.
2. Personally I have little interest in craft supplies etc (though I recognise that some people do use them in presentation of their FH)
3. Yes - read it and keep it (who knows what books etc I may be looking for in a few months' time?)

Extra comments:
Since moving from Sussex to Lincolnshire I've been disappointed by the lack of fairs round here. We used to be able to get to Crawley, Woking, Worthing, Maidstone and the SoG fair (pre-WDYTYA) without much difficulty, but round here there's very little. Leeds has its attractions for a Yorkie like me, though there's already York, plus others around Yorkshire, so I voted for Birmingham in the hope that someone one day might organise a major national event there again (we went to one at the NEC some years ago), or preferably somewhere in the East Midlands (again, we managed to get to a large fair in Leicester some years back).

Arthur

[Jan1954]

How about bookmarks?:D

I use mine all the time - very useful. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee187/Jan_07/ReadingBook-1-1.gif

[Jan1954]

I would also like to see more information available in advance. When I go to fairs, I would like to plan my visit so that I know how much time I may spend on various stalls witout having to rush around at the end.

This is a very good point. When I have been to fairs, I have only been given a comprehensive list of organisations attending, on the day. The lists seem to be out there prior to the event, but it's knowing where to find them. ;)

[Guy Etchells]

Here is a short list of fairs

Family History Fairs (various locations)

http://members.aol.com/aquarterma/familyhistoryfairs.html

National Family History Fair (Gateshead)
http://www.nationalfamilyhistoryfair.com/

Yorkshire Family History Fair (York racecourse)
http://www.yorkshirefamilyhistoryfair.com/

I believe Pam and Frank usually attend York & Gateshead with "Cornish Ancestors" and "Parish Chest".

Cheers
Guy

[suedent]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?


1. To see FHS stands to see what they have to offer before I decide whether or not to join. It's also great to see what they have on offer "in the flesh" and discuss my needs with the stallholders. I was truly spoilt at Gateshead last year, not only were Cornish Forefathers & Cornwall FHS there but Devon FHS made their first appearance.

2. People selling copper bangles, herbal remedies & spurious heraldry.

3. I generally collect the leaflets to read on my way home, anything with useful info I keep the rest gets recycled.

The exception to this are leaflets forced on me by pushy professional reasearchers, they go straight in the bin. Anyone who was at Gateshead in September may remember one particularly pushy gentleman.


As far as venues are concerned, I selected the nearest to me, Leeds, but that's still a 2 hour coach journey. At the moment I'm restricted to visiting the one fair a year at Gateshead because I rely on public transport. There was a fair in Hexham in December but that was purely for those researching Northumbrian ancestors - great for my husband's paternal line but not for my tree or his maternal line.

As Graham said more events up here in the NE would be appreciated.

[Pam Downes]

I would also like to see more information available in advance. When I go to fairs, I would like to plan my visit so that I know how much time I may spend on various stalls witout having to rush around at the end.
There was a list of exhibitors on the WDYTYA website with links to them, but with such a big fair I would have appreciated a floor plan online.
I've now found out that Lincolnshire FHS attend some of the smaller Fairs so have suggested that this information should be published in the Society magazine and/or put on the website. Sussex Family History Group already have various Fairs listed under 'events' so I presume that they attend those Fairs.
The more local Fairs listed as the first link in Guy's post have a list of their more usual exhibitors under 'links'. And the Yorkshire and Gateshead Fairs also have a list of exhibitors.

And slightly off-topic, ....... I can see blood being spilt.
By looking for one thing and following links (as you do!) I've found out that Oxfordshire and Bucks Family History Fair is scheduled to take place on March 1st 2009. Ooops!
Pam

[Geoffers]

What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?

Curiosity and an interest in history


What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?

Ancestry - and other things not connected with historical research.


Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?

My recycling bin overfloweth

[bjelkier]

1. To discover what new resources / products are available.
2. Anything which is unrelated to family/ local history or genealogy.
3. Only take home the ones I want to read.

I agree that a place to sit and have a cuppa would be really good, as would a venue in Wales!

[djd1999]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?
I've not attended a fair yet, so my main reason would be to pick up tips and ideas, and to find out what sort of resource is available.

As for the stuff I wouldn't be interested in, anything that has nothing to do with family history and research.

My answer to the first question would also apply to the last question. Having said that, a lot of the suff I've picked up over the years at travel shows are stuffed in a plastic bag behind the settee - I really must fill my recycling bin!

Although I've voted for Manchester as my preferred location, I would also be willing to travel to Birmingham or Leeds. London is an option, but I get fed up of everything happening in London!

[Copper]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?

To see what resources are available. To speak to members of the family history societies. (They are the people with the local knowledge).


> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?

Anything that has no connection to family/local history.


> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?

I try to only collect blurb that might be useful to me. I read it and then file it when I get home :-)

[Scottie]

I would like to see a family history fair closer to the west country say Exeter or Plymouth.

[Barbara Wilkinson]

Haven't visited one in several years, but intend to visit York. (My birthday weekend - so hopefully I will have lots of birthday money to spend!!)
My main reason for going - to see what new resources may be out there, to visit stands of suppliers who may deal with parishes I am interested in - and maybe flex my credit card!! Most of all to talk to people with local knowledge of areas I am interested in, or simply others interested in family history!
I am not interested in buying vases for flower arranging, chopping utensils and brushes for sweeping up a variety of rubbish - and all the other paraphernalia that seems to be peddled at any gathering of this type - although I accept that selling space to such peddlers may keep the prices down for others who have a more legitimate reason for being there ...!

[Jan1954]

Haven't visited one in several years, but intend to visit York.

All being well, I shall see you there! Don't forget to introduce yourself to us on Parish Chest and Brit-Gen :)

[SBSFamilyhistory]

I think that the cost should be more affordable for family history societies so that more would attend.. most of those counties I would have liked to obtain information did not attend Olympia I guess cost was the main issue.

[Guest]

I think that the cost should be more affordable for family history societies so that more would attend.. most of those counties I would have liked to obtain information did not attend Olympia I guess cost was the main issue.

Cost is an issue for both FH Societies and traders. If we had attended the WDYTYA fair it would have cost us over £1,800 before we took a penny. That's a lot of blank charts at £2/£3 a go :D

Another "cost" for FH societies is in finding volunteers to spend a weekend away which might well include taking a day or two off work out of their annual leave.

Graham

[Guest]

Don't forget parking charges of £18.00 per day and the cost of London hotels!

Electricity and wireless internet charges are extra costs as well.

Not to mention Congestion charges and food :D

Graham

[Jan1954]

Please don't forget to vote, if you have not already done so.

The poll closes at 08:00pm tomorrow (Wednesday) BST.

Thank you.

[Copper]

The cost of travelling to London has prevented me from visiting a fair there. If I needed to visit the fair on two days I would have to stay somewhere overnight. I could not afford to do that on my limited budget.

I have visited fairs in the local area and had a great time. The last one I visited was in Poole, Dorset earlier this year. I was pleased to see some of the London and Surrey FHS there. They were very helpful and I bought some goodies.

[Copper]

If I saved hard for the train fare then yes I probably would. I get travel sick so it would have to be a train rather than a coach.

My eldest daughter has used the train a lot at weekends and there are always problems. She has spent hours trying to get from Poole to Oxford. My youngest daughter experienced similar problems trying to get to Reading on the train. It has put me off train travel never mind the cost.

It would be worth a visit just once if most of the FHS were there. I could make a shopping list :)

[Mutley]

> What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
The opportunity to look at booklets etc, to talk to someone who knows the area about CDs or actually see other helpful items before you buy. (though this year it was to see what a sheep and a bat actually looked like :))

> What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
Anything not related, other than food and drink :)

> Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?
Keep what's useful and bin the rest.

[Jan1954]

Less than 24 hours to go to get your vote in!

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee187/Jan_07/run.gif

[Geoffers]

But would you be prepared to travel to London

Wild horses couldn't drag me.

[Mutley]

You have changed your avatar,
It's fab. :D

[Pam Downes]

1. "What Would I Like to See?"
FH bookstalls, FH software sellers, document storage, photograph restoration, help desk, seating area so I can rest my legs/ gather my thoughts/re-assess what I need to visit and what I'd still like to visit.

4. Tick either Saturday, Sunday or both from the options given to indicate which day you would attend
Ticked both, but would prefer Saturday as train services better than Sunday (engineering works permitting :) ). I also acknowledge that a Saturday fair would perhaps entail problems with FHS especially travelling on the Friday in order to set up.

What would be your main reason for visiting a Family History Fair?
To personally see the latest products from the FHS for 'my' counties, and to be able to ask questions about them if necessary.

What would you not be interested in seeing at a Family History Fair?
Non FH stuff

Do you ever read the blurb you collect at Fairs or does it go straight in the bin?
Yes, but I am particular about what I collect.
Pam

[Jan1954]

Less than 3 hours remaining in which to cast your votes. |idea|