RootsTech Day 2
The Fun Continues
After very much enjoying Day 1, and attending informative sessions yesterday, I couldn’t wait to start diving into day two. From yesterdays sessions, I have a full A4 size page of ‘things to follow up after RootsTech’. I shudder to think how many pages there will be by the end of RootsTech. I do love a list, so really it’s great to have a list that will help to forward my research.
The following are highlights. I attended many more sessions during the day. It was very difficult to choose highlights.
Sessions
12.30am Mining The Census, Are You Finding Every Clue? Parts 1 & 2 presented by Robyn N. Smith
These two sessions covered the information that can be found in censuses, other than the usual names, ages and birthplaces. There are also population schedules, information about the area of the census and much more. I thought I knew all there was to know about searching for our family in the censuses. Surprisingly, there was much more to learn.
Newspapers: Family in the News presented by Byron Holdiman
We learned about the history of newsapers and how they are an essential tool and valuable in researching your family.
Family Search Global and Tech Forum 2025
FamilySearch leaders showcase new features and highlights from around the globe.
RootsTech 2025 General Session 1 Keynote 1 - Rachel Platten and Steve Rockwood
The opening session with FamilySearch CEO, Steve Rockwood is always enjoyable and inspirational. This session was no different. As usual there were a few tears and lots of laughs. Each year the opening keynote with Steve Rockwood is not to be missed and today’s session was no different. This session was a huge highlight.
What’s New at Ancestry presented by Crista Cowan
Ancestry Corporate Genealogist, Crista Cowan, shares her annual look at what new tools and records have been made available over the past year and what to expect in 2025.
Virtual Keynote Ndaba Mandela presented by Ndaba Thembekile Mandela
Ndaba Mandela, author, speaker, and grandson of Nelson Mandela, shares his experience of living with one of history’s greatest leaders, and how he feels his purpose is to honour his family’s legacy.
Citing Family Sources: Photos, Letters, Journals, Heirlooms, and More presented by Lisa Stokes
This was a revision course on the importance of citing sources
FamilySearch Global and Tech Forum 2025
Leaders from Family Search show new features and highlights from around the world.
FamilySearch Full Text Search is Even Better presented by Robert Raymond
All about the latest FamilySearch innovation, full text search. I’m looking forward to trying it out.
Where do You think You Are? presented by Dave Annal
An introductory guide to English/Welsh administrative units. The session explained the various units and how they can impact our ancestors lives and how having a better understand of them can help us to track down the records we need.
From Sea to Shining Sea: How to Research in Every U.S. State presented by Andrew Koch, Editor, Family Tree Magazine
Hints and tips to find records in the U.S. states. This session gave information on the social history and record policies of the different states. Lots of information on how to begin your state focused research.
AI Genealogy - Year Two: The 2025 Outlook: where We’ve Been, Where We’re at, Where We’re Headed presented by Steve Little
The presenter described this session as an overview of sessions to come. I’m looking forward to attending them, as there appear to be many advances in AI happening now and to come very soon.
Examining the Irish Census presented by Daniel Loftus
This session explores the history of the census in Ireland, the info that can be extracted from the returns that are available. There was also a discussion about the 1926 census, which is to be released in just a few weeks.
Getting Started Part 1: Research Goals, logs, research plans, organisation, being effective by Dr. Cacey Farnsworth and James Rasmussen
This session was for beginners, but I find it is always a good idea to re-visit certain topics, especially beginner topics, as a refresher.
Women and Children Second: The Laws and Records of Citizenship presented by Alec Ferretti
The citizenship status of immigrant women and children was complicated and ever-changing. This talk will go through the different laws and records governing their status.
More Than a Tree: a Simple Universal Guide in Getting to Know Our Ancestors presented by Christine Francis and Samantha Lee Olsen
This is a beginner class, giving information on how to get started, and tools to help research your family history. I have been researching my family history for over 40 decades, so wouldn’t class myself as a beginner. However, my attitude to any class, is that there is always something to learn or to revise.
From Questionable to Credible. Analyzing and Verifying Genealogical Sources presented by Shannon Green
Practical strategies given to assess and verify dubious sources, transforming questionable data into credible evidence for your research.
RootsTech Ride Along
Projectkin and Mission Genealogy are providing a space for those attending RootsTech virtually, to join in the fun and connection. RootsTech Ride Along is a series of Live Videos, occurring each day during RootsTech week, with guests who will discuss their experiences and the fun they are having, both attending in Salt Lake City, and at home, virtually.
Thanks for listing these. I’ve watched some but can’t pull the late nights so going back over them each day.
FamilySearch Full Text Search is Even Better presented by Robert Raymond -- Great presentation. The full text search has been invaluable this past year in my research, but it still misses stuff. For example, it will find a lot of deeds but miss a couple. I go the full text search first and then follow up by looking at the possible sources if I haven't found what I expected.