Experience the ultimate family history conference virtually
RootsTech is the premier family history conference in the world, drawing more than 30,000 people to Salt Lake City, Utah, annually.
This year marks the genealogy conference’s tenth anniversary, and it continues to draw photo organizers, storytellers, and family historians. The shared goal: To help us discover and celebrate our stories.
“Discover the story of you” virtually
If, like me, you can’t make it to Salt Lake City February 26-29, there are a few ways to benefit from RootsTech from the comfort of your home.
This year’s Virtual Pass includes 30 sessions, up from 18 last year, and many of them will appeal to personal historians and aspiring life story writers.
The virtual pass costs $129 and gives you access to the 30 sessions on demand, so you can watch them on your computer, tablet, or smart phone any time (and more than once, should you wish). Expect them to be available 15–20 days following the end of the conference.
A few highlights for storytellers and family history writers:
Oral History for Beginners: Interviewing Is Key
Presenters: Rachel Trotter, Rhonda Lauritzen
The gist: Asking the right questions is the best way to get started telling your own story or that of someone you love, but sometimes it can be the biggest stumbling block. This class will go over the basics of interviewing. Easy and practical tips will also be shared on the best recording and transcription methods. Presenters will role-play practical application of the interview process and what to do if things don’t go as planned.
Report for Duty: Find Stories of Veteran Ancestors
Presenters: Lindsay Fulton, David Lambert, Melanie McComb
The gist: Finding the stories of the veterans in your family is a way to connect with and honor their memory and military service. In this session NEHGS experts will provide you with the tools, tips, and strategies for learning about your ancestors who served in the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
Gathering the Life Stories of Living Generations
Presenters: Deborah Abbott, Sunny Morton, Jay Newton-Small
The gist: Capturing the memories of living loved ones is a unique opportunity. It’s not genealogy research and it’s not your personal history; it’s what lies between. There’s a delicate balance between truth-discovering and managing family relationships. This session will offer different perspectives on how to capture these life histories and also different ways you can share them.
Engaging the Family in Telling Your Family Story
Presenters: Nicole Dyer, Jana Greenhalgh, Olivia Jewell
The gist: Presenters (three busy moms with a passion for genealogy) explore modern tools that will make it fun to engage family members of all ages in the process of gathering and telling your family story in creative ways.
Other classes included in the Virtual Pass subscription focus on:
DNA testing;
genealogical records challenges;
family history best practices, tips, and tools;
and specific heritage research, including for families descended from Germany, France, Scandinavia, Africa, England, and Ireland.
Browse the full list of Virtual Pass class offerings here on the RootsTech website.
Dip into the video archives
Many past sessions are available to watch free of charge, as well, including some keynotes and educational sessions. Bookmark the RootsTech video archive page so you can listen in at your convenience, or explore a few sessions I recommended last year if you are interested in family history storytelling.
You can also explore videos by topic, such as family heirlooms, technology, and genealogy.
I am not affiliated with RootsTech in any way. This roundup is intended as a recommendation based on my own insights and experiences for likeminded family history storytellers.