NEWS RELEASE | 20 January 2020 | Family Tree Live 17-18 April 2020, Alexandra Palace, London
www.familytreelive.co.uk
Trace your WW2 family to mark the VE Day 75th anniversary
In May 2020 people across the globe will mark the 75th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. And at the Family Tree Live family history show – coming to London’s stunning Alexandra Palace this spring – you’ll be able to learn how to research and remember your WW2 kin and heroes.
VE Day took place on 8 May 1945 and saw the end of World War II in Europe after the Nazis surrendered to the Allies. For millions, there was dancing, street parties and revelry but also, of course, memories of those who had paid the ultimate price, were imprisoned or displaced.
This historic day marked the end of six years of war, separation, hardship, death and destruction although, in fact, the conflict was to continue until August 1945, when Japan finally surrendered. This is known as VJ Day.
Research & remember
With these 75th anniversaries on the horizon, now is the perfect time to research and remember our WW2 family, whose lives would have been changed forever by the war.
And there’s no better place to start learning about wartime kin than at Family Tree Live 2020, where visitors will find a host of exhibitors, lectures and workshops to help them piece together their families’ past. All the family are welcome at the show, which will be marking VE Day to kick off this year’s commemorative events and help visitors find out about their WW2 families.
Organised by UK family history magazine Family Tree in partnership with genealogy experts from the Family History Federation, Family Tree Live takes place at London’s Alexandra Palace on 17 and 18 April 2020.
Family Tree Editor Helen Tovey said: ‘There can hardly be a family on the globe whose lives weren’t impacted by the Second World War in some way. Now, 75 years on from the end of the conflict, the war is on the edge of living memory – many of those who lived, fought and endured those years are no longer with us. So it’s more important than ever that we take the time to trace and remember the sacrifices they made, and cherish the peace they worked so hard for.’
Learning & entertainment
This unique show boasts family and military history lectures, workshops, one-to-one advice sessions, exhibition stands, living history and family fun, all included in the price of your ticket.
Lectures ideal for those tracing relatives during the 1940s include Keith Gregson’s Family records for Second World War service in which the stalwart genealogist and archivist will be looking at the kinds of records that might have been kept by both males and females who served in WW2.
Military historian Graham Bandy will be presenting Identifying your ancestors’ Second World War military photos, giving a fascinating look at the clues to spot to help you trace your World War II service personnel, while fellow military researcher Simon Fowler will talk on Sources for World War 2 Army ancestors, looking at the essential paper trail resources to help you trace your family heroes.
Tragically, many with Jewish ancestry will have family members affected by the Holocaust. If you have Jewish ancestors, then Michael Tobias’s Researching your Jewish ancestry on the internet lecture will be a perfect place to start tracing your family.
The workshop programme will also appeal to those tracing the stories of WW2 relatives. The varied topics include Why is the 1939 Register invaluable? with Dr Penny Walters, Jewish ancestors with Jeanette Rosenberg and How to use newspapers for family history with Keith Gregson. The workshops are small groups led by a tutor and places go quickly, so organisers advise booking them as early as possible.
These lectures and workshops are just a few of those taking place over the two days. Show-goers can browse them all and book when they buy their tickets online.
Military experts, living historians & more!
Graham Bandy will also be hosting a Second World War-themed stand, where visitors will be able to ask him expert questions about the period and get old family military photos dated.
In addition, a team from the Ministry of Defence, which holds WW2 service records and medals, will be exhibiting and answering specific queries. And living historians from Basingstoke’s Milestones Museum will also be there with treasures and handling boxes from its collections to explore.
Exhibitors also include the British Library and National Library of Wales, Royal British Legion, Jersey Heritage, the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain, Families in British India Society and a wonderful array of other family history organisations to help visitors trace their roots.
The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) will be running bookable advice sessions while show sponsors FamilySearch and FamilyTreeDNA (look out for the special DNA lectures and workshops if this is your interest area) will have plenty to offer family history enthusiasts of all levels of experience.
Tickets to the event that celebrates all things family history cost only £13 a day (children free), including all lectures, workshops, one-to-one advice sessions, exhibitions and living history entertainment. It is ideal for everyone interested in their heritage, so head to Family Tree Live this April to learn and treasure your family’s story.
Find out more and book tickets at www.familytreelive.co.uk
• Everyone has a story... discover yours at Family Tree Live. Watch the video at https://familytr.ee/ftlivestory
(With thanks to Karen Clare)
Chris
Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.
