Geneatrippin’ in 2017
2016 has been a quiet travel year for me, and that’s partly because of a busy work year, but also partly as I’m already planning two big trips in 2017.
UNITED STATES
First up in February I’ll be packing my cases with all my winter woollies and heading to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA for RootsTech again. I went to RootsTech in 2013 and 2015 and totally LOVED it each time. For those who are unfamiliar with what RootsTech is, it is the world’s largest genealogy conference, with about 25,000 people attending. Held over 4 days, it really is non-stop genealogy the entire time. With so many talks to go to, an exhibition hall the size of several football fields – with hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of exhibitors, and then there’s the after-hours socialising – catching up with geniemates for dinner or drinks etc. (or even breakfast if you’re at the same hotel). It’s exhausting, but totally exhilarating, and I can’t wait! Any family historian will know that Salt Lake City is the Mecca of genealogy as it’s where the Family History Library is, so I’ve timed my visit to arrive a few days early, to get some research time in as well. I mean why would you travel nearly 15,000 kilometers (9000 miles) and NOT go there, right?
the Family History Library in Salt Lake City
one of the many, many aisles filled with drawers of microfilms
(taken February 2015)
FINLAND
My second big trip in 2017 is one that I’ve been wanting to do for so many years I still can’t believe that I’ve actually booked. For this one I’ll pack my bags, spend about 40 hours flying (that’s the not-fun bit), and end up at Helsinki, Finland for two weeks in their Summer time. Regular readers of my blog will know that I have Finnish connections as one of my great grandfather’s was a seaman from Finland who jumped ship in Australia, and I’ll be visiting my reli’s over there.
Back in 2015 I was fortunate enough to meet some of Finnish my reli’s for the first time in person when I was on a cruise that docked at Helsinki for the day. You can see details of my day visit here. My reli’s were so incredibly wonderful, the cemetery was gorgeous (is it wrong to say that?), and what I saw of Helsinki was truly beautiful … the only thing I’m not so sure about is Finland is their love of seafood (not really my thing) … still, I’ve been saving my pennies since then and am actually going!! I’ll be staying with relatives, and have no idea what I’ll be doing, but no doubt will see so of the Finnish countryside, and no doubt see some more relatives, and I think I should go to the National Archives of Finland in Helsinki, as they were kind enough to send me not only my great grandpa’s school records, a sketch of his house with the address and map, shipping lists (as he was a seaman), as well as an entry from a ships log saying that he deserted the ship! Research gold!
National Archives of Finland, Helsinki
reading room at the National Archives of Finland in Helsinki
While it’s not as much travelling as I know many do, even for genealogy, still it’s two big trips to the other side of the world, and I’m really looking forward to them. I’ve even got them on my countdown timer app (3 months, 1 week till RootsTech, and just over 8 months till Finland) … yes I’m counting!
Anyway we all know that Christmas is coming (for most people way too quick am I right?), but I say bring on 2017! It’ll be a whole lot of fun.
4 Responses to “Geneatrippin’ in 2017”
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Alona, Rootstech is like a magnet. I to am looking forward to catch up with Fellow bloggers and visiting my cousin in Florida. The Finland trip sound perfect with reli’s and archives.
Both trips sound amazing; I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.
Alona, I can recommend flying Finnair to Helskinki. Their prices are competitive.
BTW I’ll see you at Rotstech.
Alona, I can recommend flying Finnair to Helskinki. Their prices are competitive.
BTW I’ll see you at Rootstech.