I’m back home after attending the full two days of ‘Researching Abroad’ in Melbourne – ONE major complaint!  I didn’t want it to end!

Friday was predominantly Chris PATON on Scottish, Irish, and English research.

Saturday was predominantly Dirk Weissleder on German and European research.

Which was best?  I just feel sorry for the people who had / have to choose between one or the other – I was lucky as Melbourne was a two-day experience and I absolutely loved both and learnt so much from them.

In addition to Chris and Dirk I really enjoyed the MyHeritage presentations, Part 1 and Part 2 with Rosemary and Eric Kopittke – definitely worthwhile.

I caught up with a number of friends and former colleagues and was delighted to meet up with my fellow ‘Official Ambassadors’ – Anne Young (left) and Jennifer Jones (middle).

Apart from my own German ancestry (New South Wales) there were a lot of German immigrants to my ‘local’ region – Geelong and District.  I’m definitely keen to follow up more with the German-Australian Genealogy and History Alliance and the International German Genealogy Partnership.

It was a great two days – you still have a chance to attend the Adelaide and Perth sessions so jump up and do it!

From famine to feast!  I’m making the most of my newfound mobility minus the moon-boot and with wheels!

It all kicks off today with the first Family History talk I’m giving for some months – at the Wyndham Plaza Library in Werribee – TWO talks this afternoon – they’re free and you can still book.  I’m really hoping I’ll catch up with some old friends there.

Mind you I WILL have trouble seeing people there because my hair is SO LONG as I haven’t been able to get to the hairdressers for SO LONG.  I have to keep pushing the hair out of my eyes!

Things will improve by Wednesday as that is when I will get my hair cut – Yippee!

Then I am SO looking forward to listening and learning instead of talking on Friday and Saturday at the Unlock the Past Researching Abroad event at Bulleen in Melbourne.  It is just so great to be out and about but even more-so to get to this event.  Yes – I’m an ‘Official Ambassador’ and more than happy to promote the event because the two days are SO relevant to my own family history research:

• I have German ancestors
• I have French, Swiss and Italian ancestors
• I have Irish and English ancestors
• I’ll be catching up with Chris Paton who I haven’t seen for a number of years!
• I’m a great fan of My Heritage
• My brother and I have both done DNA tests
• AND I’m sure I’ll be catching up with a number of friends.

Hope to see you at Werribee or Bulleen or both!