Family Tree Live returns in 2020!

UPDATE: This event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020. Check the website linked below for further information and updates.

This is definitely the week of exciting announcements (and this may not be the last – hint hint), for today the organisers of Family Tree Live 2020 have finally released their programme of lectures and workshops for next year! Oh, and yes, you’ve guessed it: I will be there!

Family Tree Live is a relatively new event – the first edition only took place earlier this year, after Who Do You Think You Are? Live was discontinued in 2017. In fact, 2019 saw the celebration of three brand new events: THE Genealogy Show in Birmingham, RootsTech London at the ExCel, and Family Tree Live in Alexandra Palace. For the moment only THE Genealogy Show and Family Tree Live have confirmed their dates for 2020, while RootsTech is yet to confirm whether it will hold its European event every year or every other year – I’m told that the location is also subject to much speculation.

Workshops were a very popular feature at Family Tree Live 2019. Photo credit: Family Tree Magazine.

The 2020 edition of Family Tree Live will take place on 17 and 18 April 2020, and will once again be hosted at Alexandra Palace. I was unable to attend the first edition last April, so I confess I’m quite excited to visit this new event in what for me is a new venue – I’m only familiar with Alexandra Palace through the WDYTYA episode when Julian Clary visits to learn more about his grandfather’s military experience during the First World War.

One of the characteristics of Family Tree Live is their workshops – groups of up to ten participants around a table to learn about a specific topic. I will be leading a workshop, set to take place on 18 April at 1.30PM, on Spanish genealogical research, with a special focus on online resources which anyone with an interest in this particular country should consult. There are a number of other workshops, sorted by category, which you can consult here. Remember that all lectures and workshops are included with admission, but booking is required.