RootsTech is hosting both Virtual and In-Person events this year. I will be presenting at both events, and I would love to have you join me! When prepping for a conference like this, it can feel overwhelming to try to decide what sessions to attend. I will share some tips about the virtual conference today, and focus on the in-person event in my next post.
Register for RootsTech Virtual
The first thing you will need to do is get registered. Even though the event if free, registering will allow you to create your playlist for the event. Visit the RootsTech home page and click the Register for Virtual Event button. You can register with your FamilySearch credentials. It’s quick, easy, and free! As a heads up, I found that even though I was registered for the in-person event, I couldn’t access this year’s virtual calendar until I had also registered for the virtual event. Once you are registered, log in. Next, click on the RootsTech2023 tab at the top of the page. Here is where you will be able to access the live sessions for this conference. Select Schedule.
At the top of the next page, you will see a section where you can choose what schedule you want to view. There are three days and two places. First, select the day you would like to view. Then, you can view all the events on the Main Stage. Main Stage events include the keynote speakers for each day and some content from RootsTech sponsors, as well as a few class sessions. These events are being held both in-person at the Salt Palace and being live-streamed for the virtual event. Clicking the Sessions button will allow you to view other sessions that are live webinars that you can watch.
Once you have selected the day and location of interest, scroll down the page to view sessions for that date and place. Click the + sign next to any session to add it to your playlist. View your playlist at any time by clicking the little triangle next to the question mark at the top of the page.
Deciding Which Sessions to Watch
The first thing I would recommend is to watch the general session at 11 am every day! There is nothing else going on at that time, and they are always so good. I get motivated listening to people talk about the meaning they have found in their family and their heritage. I always come away feeling inspired! Next, look at the schedule and choose classes that fit with your areas of interest. What are you hoping to learn? Choosing becomes easier if you have a goal in mind. If there aren’t classes on that topic during a particular time, you can fill in with some content from the On-Demand library, accessible on the same calendar page. Filter by year to see only the content that is new for the 2023 conference.
Once you have your playlist set up, you are ready for the conference to begin. Log in on March 2, click straight to your playlist, and begin watching! I hope you will enjoy your experience.
My Suggested Playlists
I put together some possible playlists based on a variety of interests for you. However, I couldn’t include everything! There are many more fantastic sessions available, especially if you are interested in learning about how to research in specific areas like Scandinavia, Poland, Germany, etc. or in African American research. I didn’t include any of these more specific sessions. Browse the offerings and add what you are interested in to your playlist!
DNA Track
Thursday, March 2
- 9:30 Session: Using DNA to Determine Relationships in 2023 – Beth Taylor
- 1:30 Session: Should I take a DNA test elsewhere? Or at all? – Diahan Southard
- 4:30 Session: DNA Misconceptions – Kelli Jo Bergheimer
Friday, March 3
- 9:30 Session: Y-DNA: An Overview of Your Results
- 1:30 Session: My Messy Complicated Birth Roots Story – Diahan Southard
- 3:00 Main Stage: How Third-Party DNA Tools can help with your family history – Jonny Perl
- 4:30 Session: Endogamy in DNA Research – Tanner Blair Tolman
Saturday, March 4
- 8:00 Session: Navigating Racial Challenges in DNA Connections – Cheri Daniels
- 3:00 Main Stage: Shared DNA Matches – the only DNA Tool You will Ever Need – Diahan Southard
On Demand
- 3 Benefits of YDNA Family Projects – Diahan Southard
- Help! My Ancestors Were Related to Each Other – Diahan Southard
Research and Methodology Track
Thursday, March 2
- 8:00 Session: A Pro’s Tips: Use the Research Wiki – Danielle Batson
- 9:30 Session: Research 101: Tools and Techniques for Beginning Genealogists – Alice Childs
- 1:30 Session: 1950 Census Secrets – Lisa Louise Cook
- 3:00 Session: Are you Your Own Brick Wall? CommonGenealogical Mistakes and How to Overcome Them – Beth Taylor
Friday, March 3
- 8:00 Main Stage: DO GENEALOGY Step-By-Step – Diahan Southard, Janet Hovorka, Crista Cowan
- 9:30 Session: Reconstruct your Ancestor’s Lives with Google – L isa Louise Cooke
- 1:30 Session: Getting Organized Using Technology and a Research Report – Kelli Jo Bergheimer
- 3:00 Session: There is More than Census Records and Vital Records – Shaunese Luthy
- 4:30 Session: How to Milk a Source for All It’s Worth – Amy Johnson Crow
On Demand
- Utilize Descendancy Research to Discover Unknown Family Members – Julie Merrill
- A Researcher’s Golden Ticket: Using the Research Wiki
- What Else You Can Try: Guided Research When Online Searches Fail
- Beginning Genealogy: Effective Strategies and Tools – Judy Nimemr Muhn
- Reviewing and Attaching Record Hints – Molly Collings
- The Basic Steps to Methodology – Shaunese Luthy
Discovery Track
Thursday, March 2
- 1:30 Session: What’s New at FamilySearch in 2023 – Ron Tanner
- 3:00 Session: Have that Talk Now! Thoughts on Conducting an Effective Oral History Interview – Erika Manternach
Friday, March 3
- 9:30 Session: Digging into Death Certification Data to Uncover Family History and Family Health Information Treasures: A Physician’s Perspective – Gregory C. Gardner
- 3:00 Session: Unbreakable Ties: The Power of Family Stories with How I Got Here & Relative Race
- 4:30 Session: Walk Where They Walked! Reunions Aren’t Just for the Living! Troy Dunn
Saturday, March 4
- 1:30 Session: Reminiscing, Reunions, and Recipes – Remember your Family History one bite and story at a time – Megan Heyl
- 3:00 Session: 30 Fun & Meaningful Activities for Kids and Grandkids to Celebrate Their Ancestors – Sharlene Habermeyer
On Demand
- Tackling Photo Albums: Identify, Preserve, and Share Their Story – Maureen Taylor
- Arts, Crafts & Creations: Hands-on Family History Activities for Kids – Jana K. Greenhalgh
- Family History is Time Travel: Ancestors are More than Just nmaes and Dates – Justin G. Thomas
- First Steps: Planning for Digitization and What Comes Next (2 parts) – Maureen Taylor, Nancy Lora Desmond
Family Discovery Day – Saturday, March 4 – Curated for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- 8:00 Session – Opening the Heavens – A Live Panel Discussions with Young Adults from Around the World – Angelle Anderson
- 9:30 Session – No Empty Chairs: Finding Missing Family Members When Your Fan Chart is Full – Alice Childs
- 1:30 Main Stage – Family Discovery Day with Elder and Sister Gong
On Demand
- How to Prepare Family Names for the Temple Using Ordinances Ready – Courtney Connoly and Todd Powell
- Family History for Life: Guilt-Free Approaches to Gathering Israel – Jana Greenhalgh
- Why we Need our Family Story Now more than Ever – Scott and Angelle Anderson
For Temple and Family History Leaders and Consultants
2023 Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction – David A. Bednar and Gerrit W. Gong – View in the Gospel Library beginning on Thursday, March 2.
On Demand at RootsTech.org
- Using FamilySearch Centers to meet Ward and Stake Goals
- FamilySearch Center – A New Name – Gregg Gibson
- Youth Consultants and a future consultant (in Primary) talk about why they love Family History – Bonnie Dimond
- Helper Resources on FamilySearch 2023 – Tamra Stansfield
