A REPORT ON

ROOTSTECH 2017

(ROOTSTECH.ORG)

Salt Lake City Salt Palace Convention Center

February 8 – 11

Bill Hannah August 3, 2017

TOPICS

Conference overview

Schedule & Tracks

Planning to go

Scheduling

Classes attended

Demos

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Hosted by FamilySearch, seventh annual conference

In partnership with Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

“Largest global family history event in the world”

Over 200 classes!

Expo Hall – 250+ exhibitors

35 countries represented

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

SPONSORS

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW TRACKS

RootsTech

Computer Lab

Innovator Summit*

Getting Started

Family Discovery Day

Seasoned Genealogy Topics

LDS

* Winner, OldNews USA mobile app

Presenter

Presentation Notes

AM vs PM Sessions – 50 min ea Total of 15 available 4/4/4/3 Over 200 classes -> on average 10-12 choices for EACH session

SCHEDULING

Example from 2015

PLANNING TO GO

• NEXT YEAR – Feb 28 – March 3, 2018 • Wed – Sat; main events start Thurs 1st

• Register early! Oct/Nov • Sign up for labs - Nov/Dec • Planning your sessions

• On line • Free app • Catalog

• Get there early and register on Tues evening (if available) or early Wed AM

REGISTRATION AVOID THIS!

Early Wed afternoon

ROOTSTECH WEBSITE

SITE TOUR www.rootstech.org

Innovator Summit Winner

https://devpost.com/software/oldnews-usa

CLASSES ATTENDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

Underused databases for Scottish Genealogy – RT0550

Christine Woodcock, Genealogy Educator/Lecturer, organizer of research tours of Scotland

The Digital Revolution in Irish Genealogy – RT0607

Brian Donovan, CEO & Head of Irish Data & Business Development, Findmypast

Co-Founder Eneclann (1998); currently CEO and Director – enneclann.ie

(Innovator Summit Keynote and General Sessions in AM & PM Rootstech Track sessions in in PM)

CLASSES ATTENDED THURSDAY

Wolfram Alpha for Genealogists – RT1340

Thomas MacEntee - Professional genealogist specializing in technology applications for genealogy research

The Scottish Poor Law: A Source for Genealogists – RT9893

Dr. Patricia Whatley - professional archivist. University of Dundee: Senior Lecturer in History & Archival Studies, Director for the Centre for Archive & Information Studies

Blessings and Curses of Tracing Welsh Ancestry – RT2077

Darris Williams - Findmypast, Family Search. Accredited for Welsh research by ISAPGen. See https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/User:WilliamsDa

Scottish Genealogy – Yes, the Records Do Exist! – RT8872

Dr. Bruce Durie – Top genealogist in Scotland. Founded Postgraduate Program in Genealogical Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; BBC Radio Scotland genealogy series, authored over 30 books

KEYNOTE Family Traditions Day: Steve Rockwood, CEO, FamilySearch Int’l; Scott Brothers, Hosts of HGTV’s Property Brothers

CLASSES ATTENDED FRIDAY

Finding Your Roots in Your Danish Tree – RT1335

Jason Oler, MyHeritage.com Senior Program Manager. Published major Danish collections

The General Land Office Website - RT2400

Richard Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. Specialties in federal and state land, National Archives, military, maps, urban research, and government documents.

What to Know Starting Scandinavian Genealogy – RT9437

Finn Karlsen, Regional State Archive of Trondheim (retired). Past Chairman of National Board of Genealogical Society of Norway, researcher/presenter for Norwegian “Who Do You Think You Are”

Military Pension Law – RT2463

Richard Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. Specialties in federal and state land, National Archives, military, maps, urban research, and government documents.

KEYNOTE African Heritrage Day: Levar Burton, Actor/Producer/Director/Author; Kenyatta Berry, Sherry Camp, and Melvin

Collier

CLASSES ATTENDED SATURDAY

What is Your Revolutionary War Ancestor’s Story? – RT1045

Ken Nelson, Family Search Accredited Genealogist. Specialties in U.S. military research and National Archives.

Beyond Ethnicity – How DNA Connects Us to Our Path – RT9834

Ross Curtis, Ancestry DNA Team. Computational biologist specializing in genetics and visual analytics.

Irish Research – Using Online Sources RT2502

Richard Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. Specialties in federal and state land, National Archives, military, maps, urban research, and government documents.

Exhibit Hall

KEYNOTE Personal Heritage Day: Cece Moore, Genetic Genealogist; Buddy Valastro TLC’s Cake Boss

DEMO

WOLFRAM ALPHA

ROOTSTECH QUESTIONS?