Back To Our Past & Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2017

Two weeks today, at 11am on Friday 20 October, the doors to the RDS's Shelbourne Hall will open to both the Back to Our Past show and Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2017.

Half price tickets are available for advance purchase

As you may have already seen in the local press, Ancestry is once again the sponsor of Back To Our Past, and also of the 50 Plus Expo which is held in the adjoining hall over the same three days (20-22 October). They'll have a big stand and visitors will be invited to seek out their ancestors in Ancestry's vast database under the guidance of a friendly member of Ancestry's team.

Other exhibitors include Family Tree DNA, Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum; PRONI; the island's four largest genealogical societies – Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS), North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS), Genealogical Society of Ireland (GSI), and the Irish Family History Society (IFHS); Accredited Genealogists Ireland; Irish Roots Magazine, the Irish Manuscript Commission, Clans and Surnames Genealogy School and Irish Genealogy Solutions.

I don't think there is yet a definitive list of exhibitors but I understand that the Irish Whiskey Museum, Titanic Belfast and Epic Ireland will be attending, and there will, as usual, be some costumed military types strutting around ready to give guidance on finding Irish military ancestors.

Making debut appearances at the show will be My Heritage and Living DNA.

I'm told that neither the National Library of Ireland nor FindMyPast Ireland will be appearing at this year's show.

A programme of traditional genealogy and heritage talks will be held throughout the day on each day of Back To Our Past. They are free and they start on the hour from Noon. The final one starts at 4pm.

GGI lectures will be video'd and uploaded to the GGI video
channel on You Tube in the weeks after the conference.
See goo.gl/1VeJJn.

The Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2017 conference (GGI) will once again be taking place as a distinct element of Back To Our Past. Organiser Maurice Gleeson has again put together an exciting programme of free lectures featuring many acclaimed Genetic Genealogists from around the world.

While the conference allows for these experts to share their most recent research, the lecture programme also caters for family historians who are new to dna testing. Whether you're a complete beginner or you have a little experience but want some help understanding your results, you'll find suitable lectures are included in the programme.

Like the traditional genealogy lecture programme mentioned above, most of the GGI lectures start on the hour. However, there is one earlier lecture, which starts at 11:15am each day, and one later lecture, starting at 5pm. 

The GGI is sponsored by Family Tree DNA, who usually offer discounts to those who take a test at the show. There may also be some free tests for those with certain ancestral surnames or other criteria.

See the Genetic Genealogy Ireland 2017 lecture programme.