It’s that time of year again for RootsTech! Rootstech is a genealogy conference for people of all skill levels and is sponsored by FamilySearch and other acclaimed genealogical organizations. The conference went virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now returning as both a virtual and in-person conference this year.
Rootstech will take place March 2nd – 4th at its usual location at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tickets are $98 to attend in person (if you buy them now online) and the virtual conference is free.
As someone who has attended RootsTech since it began in 2011, I think that one of the benefits of going in person is exploring the Expo Hall, which has a variety of family history vendors with all kinds of products to meet your family history needs. These vendors include websites, apps and other services which may help you with documenting your family history, preserving your records, creating platforms to share your family history (charts, social media sites, etc.) and so much more.
Many of these vendors offer demos at their booths, which are fun to explore, and discounts on their products. While you’re there, be sure to check out “The Family History Guide” booth, which is a great tool for developing family history skills and is managed by Bob Ives and Bob Taylor from our Granite FamilySearch Center.
Some larger vendors, like FamilySearch and Ancestry, offer small class sessions at their booths throughout the day. I love these sessions because they cover the latest information and the experts are right there to answer your questions.
Now this isn’t to say that the virtual conference isn’t worth attending. Obviously, it is a more convenient way to participate in the conference and you can watch it from the comfort of your own home. You have access to live streams of all the keynote sessions, which are always top-notch and entertaining (this year we have Sean Astin from The Goonies!) and can also choose from a good variety of break-out sessions. There is even a virtual Expo Hall where you can see what the vendors have to offer.
One more thing I want to mention is a fun feature that you can access, however you choose to attend the conference, called Relatives at RootsTech. It offers a way of connecting with others at the conference who you are related to via FamilySearch Family Tree. Once you are registered for RootsTech, click on “Relatives at RootsTech” on the “RootsTech 2023” tab and opt to share your name and how you are related to others. You will now be able to see all your relatives!
Currently, I have 314 relatives who have registered for the conference. I can see how they are related to me and where they’re from on an interactive map. If I want to connect with them, I can just click on their name and send them a message. Pretty cool!
Whether you attend RootTech 2023 in person or virtually, for one day or all three, I can guarantee you will find something that will help you in your family history endeavors or inspire you to do something more.
-Christy Pugh, Communications, Granite FamilySearch Center