The theme for next year’s RootsTech conference is “Remember”.
I think that is a very appropriate theme, as remembering our ancestors is such
an important part of our family history.
 |
| Nanny (Dorothy Spiller, nee Highett) and me |
My interest in family history started with the stories my
maternal grandmother used to tell me. Nanny, as we called her, was raised by
her grandparents, so the stories she told me went back to my g-g-grandparents.
She’d tell me about how she used to get into trouble for singing at the dinner
table, and how her favourite part of going to church was singing the hymns.
Other stories about her were told to me by my mother. These included the fact
that Nanny’s grandfather was a very strict Baptist and wouldn’t let her go out
to dances or things like that, but when he joined the bowling club and spoke to
other men with daughters Nanny’s age, he found that they DID let their
daughters go to these things, and so Nanny was subsequently allowed to do so
herself. She therefore thought the bowling club was a very good thing.
 |
| Nanny's grandfather (Adolphus Alway) on left with his bowling friends |
 |
| Grandma (Pearl Gibbons) |
I had fewer stories from my father’s mother, Grandma as
we called her, because she died when I was just nine, but had suffered a stroke
about 18 months previously and been hospitalised and in care after that. I had
only seen her once during that period. However, before she had that stroke, she
had told me stories. She had told me that her father, who was a foreman in the
steel works at Port Kembla, was involved in making rivets for the Sydney
Harbour Bridge. She also told me about her daughter, June, who had died before
my father was born.
As my mother worked full time when I was young, I spent
lots of time staying with both of my grandmothers.
 |
| Grandma and me |
As I said, the theme for RootsTech 2024 is
“Remember”. That’s such
an appropriate theme, as it is the memories that got me interested in my family
history, and more importantly, it is the memories that keep my grandmothers
alive for me.
RootsTech 2024 is on 29 February - 2 March. You can
attend in person in Salt Lake City, or online from anywhere in the world. The online event is free and the in-person event has early birth pricing until 19th
November of US$99 for the full 3 days, or US$69 for one day. There will be over
200 talks in Salt Lake City, and another 200+ online.
RootsTech conferences are always a wonderful experience, weather you attend in person or online.
DISCLOSURE: I am a RootsTech 2023 conference Media Rep and in return for my promotion of the conference I receive a free entry pass and some additional non-monetary perks. My transportation and accommodation are not compensated.
