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Ready or Not, It’s Time for RootsTech 2020

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RootsTech 2020 is underway at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s an amazing conference whether you are onsite or participating remotely. This year’s theme is “The Story of You” and last night Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International, encouraged those of us in attendance at the media dinner to tell not only ancestor stories but our own.

This is my tenth year at RootsTech and Henry the Sleuth joins me for the first time. He has already met a friend, #MiniTGS. It is just one example of RootsTech’s tagline, “Connect. Belong.” There are a lot of people to meet in the next four days. Participants are coming from 49 of the United States and 55 countries!

RootsTech is a fast-paced conference so I will be communicating mostly in photos on this blog. I post to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @thesingleleaf, so follow me for the latest updates. Follow the hashtags #RootsTech and #RootsTech10Years on social media to hear from all of the RootsTech ambassadors.

Today’s live-streaming schedule is as follows. Just log on to RootsTech.org and you’ll be virtually onsite. It’s a great opportunity to expand your genealogical education. Don’t forget to download the RootsTech app for access to all of the handouts.

There is always someone who can offer assistance at the Help Desk. In addition, there are people in RootsTech “Ask Me Anything” turquoise t-shirts and the RootsTech Crew ruby t-shirts who can provide just about anything you need.

Don’t miss Steve Rockwood’s keynote address as he highlights #RootsTech10Years and delivers an important announcement.

The Expo Hall opens at 5:30 p.m. tonight right after the keynote address.

RootsTech knows how to make the best of a situation. With the south end of the Salt Palace under construction, they’ve had to make accommodations since the former restrooms are out of order. I took the “toilet quiz.” It says I’m a “Modern Toilet.” Ha! Ha! An essential piece of information to include in “The Story of Me.”

It’s on to day one of RootsTech 2020! If you can’t view the live-streaming today, RootsTech will be posting the sessions on the website for later viewing. Enjoy your day!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am designated as an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and, as such, I am provided complimentary admission and other services to accomplish my duties. Nevertheless, I have been with RootsTech since its inception and with its predecessor for many years as a paid participant. As always, my coverage and opinions are my own and are not affected by my current status. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

© 2020 Lynn Broderick, a.k.a., the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to Keynote the Saturday General Session at RootsTech

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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. will keynote the final General Session at RootsTech today at 8:30 a.m. Gates is the host of the popular PBS series, Finding Your Roots, which highlights the genealogy of 3 guests each themed episode chosen from diverse, but noted, fields and provides with a “Book of Life” of each guest’s family history.

Natalia Lafourcade will also perform “Remember Me” from the movie, Coco, which has been nominated for an Academy Award. In fact, Lafourcade will leave RootsTech to fly to California to perform this song on the stage of the Academy Awards the next day, Sunday, March 4.

Here are the live-streamed sessions for today available at RootsTech.org:

Also today is Family Discovery Day at the Salt Palace Convention Center. This general session, featuring President Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Kristen Oaks, will begin at 1pm MST. Earlier at 11 a.m. popular LDS speaker Hank Smith and entertainer Jason Hewlett will take the stage. Evie Clair, Kenya Clark, and Alex Melecio will perform.

This event is sold out, but it will be live-streamed at lds.org. If you would still like to attend Family Discovery Day, contact me. I am aware of some individuals who will be unable to use their entry bands and I would be happy to leave them at the check-in desk with your name on them.

 

 

 

Here are some highlights from Friday:

There are quite a few conference participants that commute. Roger Flick and his wife met Phyllis and David Walch early in the morning on the platform waiting for FrontRunner.

Dan J. Debenham provided the audience with a sneak peak of Season 3 of Relative Race!

I heard many comments throughout the day that Scott Hamilton’s keynote address is one of the best ever! If you missed it, here it is!

I found these conference participants waiting for the Relative Race session held at 1:30 p.m. Do you know what time it was? 11:45 a.m. The woman in the middle and the woman to the right were waiting since 10:30 a.m. to obtain their chosen seat for this session. Now that’s dedication!

Later in the day I had the opportunity to interview, Dan J. Debenham, host of Relative Race, and Season 3’s Team Green, Jamie Harper and her older sister, Morgan Harper Nichols. More to come, but don’t forget to watch the 90 minute premiere of Relative Race Sunday, March 4th at 7 p.m. MST on BYUtv.

We gathered for an impromptu session of #GenChat, this time LIVE at RootsTech! Seated here are @GenealogyJen, @thesingleleaf, @caitieamanda, @CarolinaGirlGen, @SeekingSurnames, @BGWylie who were thinking of all of you #NotAtRootsTech!

There is so much to see in the Expo Hall and there is still time to come to the Salt Palace Convention Center to participate in this year’s conference. One-day passes are available at check-in. More information can be found here. Expo Hall only classes are not listed, but are available at check-in for $10.

Whatever you’ll be doing today, make it fabulous!

About RootsTech
RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. This annual event has become the largest of its kind in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I am designated as an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and, as such, I am provided complimentary admission and other services to accomplish my duties. Nevertheless, I have been with RootsTech since its inception and with its predecessor for many years as a paid participant. As always, my coverage and opinions are my own and are not affected by my current status. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Copyright © 2018. Lynn Broderick, a.k.a., the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.

It’s A New Day For RootsTech!

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RootsTech now begins on Wednesday! As the conference evolves, RootsTech continues to expand its offerings to the #NotAtRootsTech audience, including 5 live-streamed sessions today (up from 3 sessions last year) and an opportunity to participate via Twitter with the hashtag #NotAtRootsTech with a chance to win #RootsTech prizes! After looking over the sessions to be live-streamed, it was so tempting to stay home rather than make the trip to Salt Lake City … lol :-) Here’s Wednesday’s live-streaming schedule found at RootsTech.org:Is anyone with me on staying home this year? It looks like a great lineup!

Okay, Okay, I have no excuse for *not* being there. Besides the plethora of sessions offered, the Expo Hall has expanded and the highlight of any conference is seeing old friends and meeting new ones! This year is especially fun as I connect with the Twitter crowd. If you haven’t joined us for #genchat, #genchatDNA or #AncestryHour check out these hashtags on Twitter and join the fun!

The Media Banquet was held last night and Jen Allen shared some statistics about this year’s conference:

  • all 50 of the United States will be represented
  • 42 countries will be represented
  • as of Tuesday, 14, 200 passes have been sold
  • 197 exhibitors will be on display in the Expo Hall with 60 new companies & 65 companies that have exhibited at RootsTech four or more years

Even if you have been to RootsTech before, there is plenty new to see! Those at the banquet got a sneak peak of the conference theme, “Connect.Belong.” Dan J. Debenham shared a preview of Relative Race. As I mentioned in my last post, “I know of no better team to connect with or belong to on television than Relative Race!” Nevertheless, the best part of the evening was seeing old friends, connecting with social media friends, and meeting new people destined to become friends. Relationships are what family history and genealogy are all about!

As far as those who will be at #RootsTech, one session that I’d like to point out is a 3-hour session titled, Access & Preservation (RT7953). It will be held in Ballroom I of the Salt Palace Convention Center beginning at 9:30 a.m. Who will be speaking?

Welcome & Introduction—David Rencher, CGO, Family Search International

Keynote—Brewster Kahle, Internet Archives

Digital Preservation Presenters—

Laura Stone, Arizona State Library

Ken Williams, Utah State Archives

Wendy Hanamura, Internet Archives

Internet Archives Record Access Presenters—

Hollis Gentry, Smithsonian

Curt Witcher, Allen County Public Library

Stephen Valentine, FamilySearch International

It’s a mini-conference within the conference! Also, there is no accompanying handout for this session so if you are onsite it will be worth your attendance.

Not quite interested in access and preservation at this time? Do you have other genealogy goals? There are many other sessions from which to choose so download the app via the App Store or Google Play Store and take a look. If you are #NotAtRootsTech you still have the handouts available for many sessions that can provide an overview and allow you to glean some new information that will benefit your family history pursuits. Don’t forget to provide feedback for any session you attend onsite or virtually. This information is important to the RootsTech team in planning next year’s conference!

For those at RootsTech, the Expo Hall will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Interested in DNA testing? I learned this evening that 23and Me is offering their ancestry service for $69 and their ancestry + health test for $99 for conference participants. AncestryDNA is offering their autosomal test for $59. I have not received word yet from the other 3 DNA companies. I just thought I’d let you know if you have decided to use one or more of these services.

Near Salt Lake City and would like to join us? RootsTech passes are still available. Check them out! There is an Expo Hall only pass for $10 at the registration desk after the keynote concludes.

Once again I invited you to follow me on Twitter @thesingleleaf. You may also follow me on Instagram @thesingleleaf.

Have a wonderful day!

About RootsTech
RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. This annual event has become the largest of its kind in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I am designated as an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and, as such, I am provided complimentary admission and other services to accomplish my duties. Nevertheless, I have been with RootsTech since its inception and with its predecessor for many years as a paid participant. As always, my coverage and opinions are my own and are not affected by my current status. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Copyright © 2018. Lynn Broderick, a.k.a., the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.

Celebrating an American Thanksgiving: Food, Football, & Family History

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Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday in America with an estimated 50.9 million Americans expected to migrate, at least for the day, 50 miles or more this year!

Thanksgiving is known as the day of America’s greatest food consumption! Think turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie as the traditional game plan of the Thanksgiving banquet. Many families have other traditional favorites as well.

Football has also been a traditional favorite at this time of year. Whether it is a friendly game at a local field or watching one or more of the three NFL games offered throughout the day, it has become part of the holiday for many Americans. In addition, Thanksgiving has become one of the biggest running days of the year with morning Turkey Trots offered throughout the nation!

So, what about family history? Tradition speak volumes and it is never too late to adopt or create a new tradition. As individuals, we determine what we carry forward and what we create. Once again, for those who may have missed it, I found a set of questions produced by the team at Real Simple that I have carried forward to interview family members at important times of gathering. Although not of my own creation, I find these questions to be a gift from the author that I would like to extend to you, my readers. Choose the questions most relevant and cultivate them into conversations. Later, jot down those stories and memories. You’ll be making family history as you record it.

And while you are writing down stories and memories, consider the upcoming RootsTech 4-Day Pass Giveaway that I will launch Monday night 8:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. MT and that will close Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. MT. It’s a $279 value and, if you’ve already registered, you will be reimbursed by RootsTech for the price you paid for registration, excluding additional items like luncheons and computer labs, etc.

This year the RootsTech theme is “Connect. Belong.” and there is no better way to connect with others about family history than to share a brief replay of a genealogy touchdown—that glorious moment when research came together, you entered your genealogy end zone, and you felt like spiking the ball in celebration (a.k.a., doing the genealogy happy dance as it has been described for generations). Although this contest is open to all interested in family history and genealogy, including those who do not like football, it is void where prohibited. Football terminology is not required and entries may be of any length. Submit entries via the Single Leaf contact page or share on Twitter by tagging me @thesingleleaf. Each entry is one chance to win. Participants may submit more than one entry if the entries are submitted separately.

As a bonus for reading this post, submit your entries by Monday at 4 p.m. ET/2 p.m. MT and receive an additional chance to win for each entry submitted. I ask your permission to include quotes from your entry in future posts but you retain the copyright of your entry. If your submission is used, proper attribution will be given. If you’d rather not be quoted in a future post or you would rather remain anonymous, please include this specific request with your submission. The more you enter, the greater your chance to win!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

About RootsTech
RootsTech, held February 28 through March 3, 2018, and hosted by FamilySearch, is the largest global family history event in the world! The eighth annual conference—celebrating families across generations—is the perfect place to discover and share your family’s stories and connections through technology. Connect. Belong. :-)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am designated as an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and, as such, I am provided complimentary admission and other services, opportunities, and meals to accomplish my duties. Nevertheless, I have been with RootsTech since its inception and with its predecessor for many years as a paid participant. As always, my coverage and opinions are my own and are not affected by my current status. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

© 2017 Lynn Broderick, a.k.a., the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.

RootsTech 2018 — 3 Reasons to Attend the Largest Genealogy Coaching Conference in the Game

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If you have been following me on Twitter @thesingleleaf, you already know that Early Bird registration begins NOW at RootsTech.org. As an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and to guarantee the lowest registration price, I provide 3 reasons that RootsTech just might be the perfect family history and genealogy conference for you to attend in 2018:

  1. Keynote addresses from individuals whose life experiences and successes are varied. RootsTech has brought in speakers from the tech industry, the science community, the writer’s circle, the political realm, the entertainment industry, the sports arena, the bloggers’ sphere and of course, the field of family history and genealogy. I have never been disappointed and I can’t wait to find out who our guests will be this coming year!
  2. RootsTech offers 4 days of customized learning with over 200 sessions from which choose. I’ve heard in the past individuals lamenting because there were too many choices and the participants were given the difficult task of choosing one favored session over another. The good news is that if a session fills quickly, there is always another quality session to attend.
  3. The Expo Hall provides the greatest gathering of organizations, societies, and vendors to explore the latest in the field of family history and genealogy. 23andMe is sponsoring the Demo Theater and there will be a Discovery Zone where interactive displays provide opportunities to come to know your heritage in a fun way. Innovation Alley was introduced two years ago, highlighting new tech tools and products. From March 1-3, there will be an encore performance of the Heirloom Show and Tell where you can bring a small item or a photo of a larger item and have an expert tell you more about it. In addition, Coaches’ Corner will return to provide one-to-one mentoring to help you overcome your brick walls.

In addition to these 3 reasons, one cannot forget that the RootsTech venue, the Salt Palace Convention Center, is within walking distance of the Family History Library. Prepare now to access some of the greatest collections on earth to help you find your ancestors!

RootsTech offers great keynote speakers, sensational sessions, and excellent exhibits that provide players of all levels with excellent coaching in their family history and genealogy pursuits. Onsite attendance also provides opportunities for individualized coaching as participants engage with industry leaders. Register early to get into the game and don’t forget to make your hotel reservations if needed.

P.S. There will be a number of ambassador full registration give-aways later in the season. If you purchase your registration at this time and you win a free registration, RootsTech will refund the full price of your registration. So, what do you have to lose? Register early, subscribe to this blog and tell your friends to do the same for the latest about this great conference!

 

About RootsTech
RootsTech, held February 28 through March 3, 2018, and hosted by FamilySearch, is the largest global family history event in the world! The eighth annual conference—celebrating families across generations—is the perfect place to discover and share your family’s stories and connections through technology. Connect. Belong. :-)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am designated as an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and, as such, I am provided complimentary admission and other services to accomplish my duties. Nevertheless, I have been with RootsTech since its inception and with its predecessor for many years as a paid participant. As always, my coverage and opinions are my own and are not affected by my current status. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

©2017 Lynn Broderick, a.k.a. the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.

RootsTech Begins Today with the Innovator Summit

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liz-wisemanEven if you’re #NotAtRootsTech, #RootsTech kicks off today with the Innovator Summit. Why the two hashtags? Even if you are not here in-person, RootsTech wants you to know you can access a smidgen of the sessions and beginning tomorrow you may enter in some RootsTech giveaways. Live-streaming begins this morning with a keynote address by Liz Wiseman, considered one of the top 10 thinkers on leadership in the world today. She is the author of 3 books: The Multiplier Effect, The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius in Our Schools, and Rookie Smarts.  Two more sessions will follow online at RootsTech.org:

rt-2017-wednesdayKey to the Innovator Summit is the Innovator Showdown. This afternoon 10 semi-finalists will compete before a capacity crowd of 14,000 to become one of the top 5 finalist to present to the RootsTech crowd on Friday for $100,000 in prizes. This event will NOT be live-streamed. Winners will be announced tonight at the RootsTech Welcome Party: “We Don’t Need Roads.” If you will not be present, follow me on Twitter @thesingleleaf to be one of the first to hear the news!

Each link below provides a short video of each of the Innovator Summit semi-finalists:

Champollion 2.0

CSI: Crowd Sourced Indexing

Cuzins

Double Match Triangulator (DMT)

Emberall

JoyFLIPS

Kindex

OldNews USA

Qroma Tag

RootsFinder

Which one is your favorite? You may be able to vote on Friday for the People’s Choice Award!

It was announced at the Media Dinner last night that this years theme is all about food, family, and fulfillment. Family Discovery Day has reached its capacity, but there are still some RootsTech passes available for purchase. The next few days are packed with activities that will nourish your knowledge in everything family history. If your schedule permits, come join us!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am designated as an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and, as such, I am provided complimentary admission and other services, opportunities, and meals to accomplish my duties. Nevertheless, I have been with RootsTech since its inception and with its predecessor for many years as a paid participant. As always, my coverage and opinions are my own and are not affected by my current status. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Copyright ©2017 Lynn Broderick and the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

The @RelativeRace is On … @BYUtv

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In case you missed it, Relative Race is a new show that premiered last Sunday, February 28th at 6pm MT on BYUtv. With 9 more episodes to go, the good news is that there is time to catch up by watching the first episode on BYUtv.org. If you like Amazing Race and family history, you’ll love Relative Race!

What is Relative Race? Those who attended RootsTech were the first to see the premier episode and the response was one of enthusiasm and anticipation!

I had the opportunity to visit with the Relative Race production team at RootsTech who explained the details. It began last year with an audition call for couples to submit an approximate 2-minute video introducing themselves and explaining why they would want to be on the show. Not all audition videos are available, but here is one example:

Four couples were finally chosen:

  • Anthony and Brooke Brown from Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Doug and Margo Engberg from Seattle, Washington
  • Bradley and Heather Randall from Phoenix, Arizona
  • Patrick and Janice Wright from Anchorage, Alaska

Each couple took AncestryDNA tests that discovered DNA matches throughout the United States and then the matches were verified by a researched paper trail. These findings defined the Relative Race route for each couple that spans from San Francisco to New York.

In Relative Race, each couple is given a team-colored rental car, a paper map, a $25 per diem, and a flip phone. No GPS here. No advantage to the technological native born; a possible advantage to the technological immigrants of today. Each couple must stay at the home of the newly acquainted relatives along the way!

Dan Debenham is passionate about Relative Race!

Dan Debenham is passionate about Relative Race!

Each team’s route is unique. Relative Race ensures fairness by estimating how long each team may need to complete a challenge and arrive at their destination each day. At the end of each leg, teams are ranked by subtracting their estimated completion time from the actual completion time or vice versa. It’s the difference that matters. The couple in last place for each leg receives a strike. If a team receives three strikes, they’re eliminated from the race. The couple ranked first at the end of the race wins $25,000.

At RootsTech the Relative Race production team discussed the adventure, the challenges, and the long hours spent making this show a reality. Some tough decisions were required in editing to allow the audience to actually feel like they are a part of Relative Race. It’s exciting. It’s emotional. It’s heart-warming. It’s funny. It can bring out a bit of road rage at times, but in the end these couples are introduced to family they have never met. At the end of the season, Relative Race will culminate with a “Where Are They Now” episode. I’m looking forward to it. I know from experience that these types of road trips are game-changing. If you haven’t seen it, I hope you’ll catch the first episode before Sunday 6pm MT. I have it on good word that this show gets better and better. For all of us watching, let’s enjoy Relative Race!

Follow @RelativeRace, @BYUtv, and @thesingleleaf on Twitter.

©2016 Lynn Broderick and the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.