In case you missed the big RootsTech news this week, here’s the scoop! In October 2019, RootsTech will be hosting a second conference location in London!
I confess, I am SUPER excited about this! I am a bit of an Anglophile as any of my friends can attest. If I am watching television, it’s usually something where the cast has a British accent. Royal weddings make me giddy! I made my daughter wake up extra early to watch the marriage of Prince Henry to Meghan Markle. I myself have been to this vibrant and historical city three times, and sincerely hope that I am able to return for RootsTech London!
When previously visiting London, I did not know of my own connection to both the city, and also the greater United Kingdom, until later when I began researching my family tree. I have now identified connections through many of my family lines, and my DNA results with the big five testing companies confirm my high percentage of English ancestry.
One of the several lines I have been researching are my Goodwin ancestors. My paternal grandmother was a Goodwin, and she’s who instilled in me the love of family history. Research uncovered my Goodwin forbears living in London during the Visitation of 1633-1635.
Additionally, I was able to locate the church that my 9th great grandparents, Peter Goodwin and Sarah Hillard (Hellard) were married on 20 Feb 1609. St. Olave’s Hart Street is still standing, and is like walking back in time. This church is rumored to have been built on the site of the Battle of London Bridge in 1014, when Ethelred the Unready attempted to reclaim the English crown with the assistance of King Olaf II of Norway, from whom the church derives its name. The area flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries as it was in the center of London trade. Many merchants, like my 9th great grandfather who was a salter, attended here. Several of Queen Elizabeth’s spies under her Secretary, Sir Francis Walsingham, attended and are buried here as his home was next door and a central meeting place for her agents. It is one of the few churches in the city that survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is remarkable to me that my family is part of this ancient church’s legendary story. It is my sincere hope that I may be able to visit it one day, and see where Peter and Sarah took their marriage vows.
I have uncovered so many other family stories in Cornwall, East Anglia, and several other places throughout England, Wales and Scotland. Attending RootsTech London would not only be a highlight for the amazing experience RootsTech offers, but also in the opportunity to visit several places my ancestors walked over centuries of incredible history.
If you are as excited as I am about RootsTech London, don’t hesitate to visit the website and sign up to receive updates as details unfold. Additionally, here’s the Facebook video with more details from Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International, and Jen Allen, director of RootsTech events.
Happy researching and traveling!
Copyright © 2015-2018 Beth Wylie and Life in the Past Lane. All rights reserved. The opinions included are my own. References to other parties do not imply endorsements by those parties.
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