SHARING KNOWLEDGE
David Gynes
At Dorset Family History Society (DFHS) we have run several successful biennial Family History Days (FHD) in the same venue. In March 2018 we are celebrating our society’s 30th anniversary with our next FHD. As we have learned much from others we felt that, with the number of fairs/open days/family history days apparently diminishing, we could offer our formula up for discussion and comment in the hope that it might encourage others to offer tips and/or have a go themselves.
Names & dates
Firstly, the name of your event is important: we don’t call it an open day or fair, because we feel that both of these names offer confusing connotations to our potential visitors. We think ‘Family History Day’ says what’s in the tin.
Secondly, the timing: The FHD is held on alternate years because to try to mount one annually is too much to ask of a relatively small society; also it risks losing local appeal.
Objectives behind our event
1 Provide something of interest and value for both the expert researcher and the newcomer to the hobby.
2 Reach as many people new to the hobby as possible and give them information about, and an invitation to visit, our research centre.
3 Reignite the interest of those who have begun some research and then given up.
4 Demonstrate, through the volunteers helping on the day, that we are a friendly and welcoming society dedicated to having fun with the great hobby that is family history.
5 Provide a warm welcome and assistance to our exhibitors and help them to enjoy a fruitful day in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
HOLDING AN EVENT?
Upload details to the FT website for free at www.family-tree.co.uk/Events and http://geneva.weald.org.uk
The venue