There is still time to register for RootsTech 2020, as discounted registration will be available until 28 January.
If however, like me, you will not be able to be in Salt Lake City for RootsTech 2020, but want to feel like you are, mark off 26-29 February on your calendar and be a virtual participant by watching these FREE live streamed sessions:
Wednesday, 26 February 2020
8:00 a.m. Photos Capture the Story—Jens Nielsen
Whether it’s the moment, the face, the time, or some other small item, it’s true that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This session will teach you how to take your photography skills to the next level and will help you understand how to use photography as you document and share your family story.
9:30 a.m. What’s New at Ancestry—Crista Cowan
Get the latest updates, news, and happenings from Ancestry.
11:00 a.m. The Story of You on FamilySearch
FamilySearch is an incredible tool that allows us to capture our personal and family stories online at no cost. However, it can be common for people to be confused about what to capture and save on FamilySearch. In this session, we’ll talk about what to put on the site and how to get started in capturing and preserving your personal stories!
1:30 p.m. Adding Branches to Your Family Tree Using DNA—Angie Bush
Learn the secrets of expanding your family tree through DNA testing and research.
3:00 p.m. Finding Your Elusive Female Ancestors—Julie Stoddard
In the early history of many countries, women came under the legal status of their husbands, so they are not always listed in the records. Finding the wife of your ancestor or identifying a maiden name can be challenging. Learn how to find U.S. records that may contain clues for your female ancestors and which methods are best for discovering the women in your family lines.
4:30 p.m. General Session—10-Year Celebration
When RootsTech began 10 years ago, this conference was simply a test. To see how it’s grown and expanded over the past decade is truly incredible and a testament to each of you. We’ll take a look back at the past decade and celebrate the great strides made within the industry. Then we’ll look forward to the exciting future of family connection and discovery.
Thursday, 27 February 2020
8:00 a.m. Unlocking the Power of the FamilySearch Wiki—Danielle Batson, Jenny Hansen, Jeff Svare
This introduction to the basic setup and tools within the FamilySearch Wiki will allow you to better utilize this great resource. Many researchers don’t realize that the Research Wiki can provide all the background information you need.
9:30 a.m.
German Research for the Everyday American—Karynne Moses
The prospect of hopping from American to German records can be pretty intimidating, especially if you don’t speak the language. Where should you start? Don’t worry! With the proper tools and some training, you can delve into a whole new world of research. This class will discuss the key resources and techniques necessary for bridging the continental gap and finding your people.
11:00 a.m. General Session featuring Leigh Anne Tuohy – Keynote
Inspirational subject of the hit movie The Blind Side Leigh Anne Tuohy will be the keynote speaker at the Thursday general session. Leigh Anne’s story is proof that when we give a bit of ourselves to other people, we make the world a better place. Leigh Anne is an advocate for adoption and continues to actively improve the standards of living for children throughout the country who are fighting to survive in the invisible cracks of society.
1:30 p.m. DNA, Genealogy, and Law Enforcement: All the Facts—Blaine Bettinger
DNA and genetic genealogy are increasingly being called on to solve cold cases. Blaine Bettinger presents the facts: what we know, what we don’t know, and what the future might hold for genealogy and law enforcement.
3:00 p.m. Tackling Difficult Chapters of our Family History—Cheri Daniels
As DNA results continue to reveal hidden lineages and deeper record groups become more available, we are increasingly faced with ancestral details previously hidden behind familial cloaks of silence. But what is our responsibility as family historians when we encounter these uncomfortable details? The universal truth that must be understood about difficult chapters of history is that previously suppressed details hold the key to research paths that break through many brick walls. This session will explore the sensitive nature of these details, how to use them constructively in your research, and how to document them while continuing to treat the ancestors’ history with respect.
Friday, 28 February 2020
8:00 a.m. Discover Your Family with Interviews and Sources—Mat and Rachel Trotter
Come and learn the basics of how to discover, gather and connect with loved ones and ancestors by using several different and new techniques. We will teach you how to find and tell your family history for yourself, living and dead relatives. You will discover how to bring your family history to life with how to’s on oral history interviews, learning how to use sources with our favorite apps (including how the apps work), and how to make it all come together. Plus, learn some tips to get your children and grandchildren involved to make the whole process a family affair. You will leave with a basic knowledge of how to tell a story using dates, facts, figures and personal storytelling.
9:30 a.m. 2019: Year of the Copyright—Judy Russell
2019 was a year of changes in US copyright law. Learn more about this updated set of rules and about how to avoid copywrongs in writing our family histories.
11:00 a.m. General Session featuring David Kennerly—Sponsored by Canon – Keynote
Kennerly has photographed more than 50 covers for major magazines and covered assignments in over 100 countries. Kennerly, who is brought to you by Canon, has photographed every US president since Richard Nixon and has been on the frontlines for many of the biggest moments in world history.
1:30 p.m. City Directories and Other New Collections on MyHeritage—Mike Mansfield
Learn about an incredible new collection of U.S. City Directories at MyHeritage and how these materials can help you advance your research. City directories, as a source of local history, provide rich and detailed residential, relationship, and occupational information on heads of households and their spouses and can lead us to other sources such as local churches, schools, and cemeteries. Additionally, new collections such as vital records from Germany and France and censuses and other primary records from Norway and Sweden will be highlighted.
3:00 p.m. Preserving the Fabric of our Families—Jennifer Hadley
From your wedding dress to Great Grandpa’s Military uniform, this presentation will tell you how to care for and preserve every type of textile. Clothing, quilts, doilies, and embroidery; new and old all share common characteristics and weaknesses. Learn how to preserve, protect and even display these wonderful heirlooms. Whether they’ve been passed down for generations or you would like to start passing them down, learn the best practices to make textiles last.
Saturday, 29 February 2020
8:00 a.m. Ancestry On the Go: Ancestry App Suite—Peter Drinkwater, Kenric Russell, Victoria Smith
In this three-part presentation we will cover topics such as: – Why Ancestry has multiple apps – How to install the apps and get up and running – New app features that were recently released – We may even reveal a few new features coming soon!
9:30 a.m. FamilySearch App for Intermediate/Advanced Users—Todd Powell
Are you the person that wants to take your Mobile app talents and apply them to gather your family with advanced Family History tasks? Come to this class to learn how to use the advanced features on our FamilySearch Tree App.
11:00 a.m. General Session featuring Emmitt Smith – Keynote
Emmitt Smith, the National Football League’s all-time leading rusher and Super Bowl champion, is coming to RootsTech! During his long career, Emmitt Smith broke Walter Payton’s league rushing record and played for three Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys teams. He’s the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, the NFL MVP award, the NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award in the same season. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the world’s premier athletes!
1:30 p.m. Healing & Family History: The Emotional Side—Robin Wirthlin
Echoes of the past come alive through Family History and DNA research. Connecting with living relatives and learning the stories can help heal broken families and connect estranged and unknown family members. The journey of discovery has hills and valleys, especially when working with living relatives. Learn ways to navigate the challenges and overcome them.
3:00 p.m. Introduction to What Are the Odds? (WATO)—Leah Larkin
Determining how someone with unknown parentage fits into a tree of their atDNA matches is a common challenge. “What Are the Odds?” (WATO) at DNApainter.com is a revolutionary new tool that allows you to test different hypotheses for where the “target person” fits into a documented tree. Hypotheses are ranked, allowing you to better focus your research efforts and testing dollars. It can use match data from any testing company. This talk will provide a general overview of the tool, how to use it, and how to interpret the results.