Home from Rootstech London

After eight weeks on the road (well mainly on the sea) I arrived home from Rootstech London last week. From London we travelled to Miami and then took a ship through the Panama Canal, down the west coast of South America and up the east coast to Buenos Aires where we changed ships for a cruise to Antarctica. Rootstech London seems like a distant memory. During this time not only GeniAus but also her Family History Research has been on the ice.

GeniAus on Ice

Having  Christmas out of the way my thoughts are turning to family history. This morning I have been unpacking my Rootstech Stuff and thumbing through the notes I took at the conference.

Rootstech London Notebook

As always at a Rootstech event I had a wonderful time as an Ambassador at the London show. I was delighted that such a large contingent of  Downunder genies travelled to the event. We started off the week with a dinner for Downunder Genies at a local pub on the night prior to the conference then it was a crazy ride of lectures, interviews, networking, shopping and socialising until the final evening when Mr GeniAus and I had a quiet dinner at our hotel with genimate and Rootstech Ambassador Sharn White and her husband David.

Most of the Downunder Genies at Rootstech (a few missed the photocall)

I loved the vibe of Rootstech London and the program of lectures that were relevant to an Australian with British and Irish Roots. I just hope that the people at Rootstech plan another Rootstech in London. Mr GeniAus and I will definitely be there. Rootstech invigorates and inspires me to continue with my geneajourney.

For now I must read through that notebook more thoroughly and apply my learning from Rootstech London to my research.

Positive Overload

A while ago I wrote that I would be suffering from Blaine overload at DNA Downunder.

My day started off well when I entered the lecture room to be greeted with a hug from Blaine Bettinger.

Blaine and GeniAus

And then there was the meetup with my Rootstech buddies, Fran, Pauleen and Sharn. I let out many squeals of delight as I kept finding more genimaates.

With Rootstech buddies Fran, Pauleen and Sharn

Today on the the first day of DNA Downunder in Sydney I attended five DNA talks given by Blaine. My brain is certainly overloaded but this is a most positive outcome. I have had much of my DNA knowledge reinforced, been given many tips and ideas to further my genetic sleuthing and have been energised and inspired by Blaine'a enthusiasm.  The 300+ genies who were in attendance today had a real treat.

One of five talks from Blaine today

The other presentation I attended was from the researchers from Genioz who told us about their research study and shared findings from their work on personal genomics in Australia. As someone who has a blinkered view and hasn't thought much beyond the use of DNA in family history research this presentation was a real eye opener. It was good to be exposed to the whole picture as opposed to my narrow little focus.

Jacqueline from Genioz

Alan Phillips from Unlock the Past has excelled himself with venue choice, the program and the whole organisation of the event which so far has been top notch.Thanks also to Alona and Anthe - the women who keep Alan under control. Well done Phillips family.

Alan Phillips

Being able to meet old genimates and online friends in the flesh is one aspect of a geneaconference that I enjoy. I can't wait until tomorrow when I hope to chat and take a happy snap with those I missed today.

A hall overflowing with genimates

My day ended at a dinner with some of the many Downunder Genies who are travelling to London in October to attend the Rootstech Conference there.

We certainly experienced DNA to the Max at Castle Hill today.