Granite Genealogy

Behind the Scenes of Image Capturing

2013-05-17T15:29:00.002-06:00

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of indexing and image capturing? There are more than 1. 5 million images are captured each week. Who makes this possible? Records preservation missionaries, contractors, FamilySearch employees, archive employees, and many volunteers are responsible for capturing millions of images each year. These historical records are captured so that they may be indexed, preserved, and published on FamilySearch.org.

There are about 222 cameras located all over the world; 92 cameras in the Western Hemisphere, and 130 in the Eastern Hemisphere. These industrial cameras can each take millions of images ranging from 16 to 50 megapixels. Computer software is used to calibrate the camera, capture the image, manage the project, and capture metadata or information about the records. Clamps and foam wedges are used to keep the book level and the image in focus. All images are saved on an external hard drive at the end of each week, placed in a protective case, and sent to Salt Lake City, Utah. Once the hard drive arrives in Salt Lake, it is sent through an auditing process where rejected images are sent back for rework and approved images are processed and published. View the video, “FamilySearch Records Preservation Missionaries,” to see the record preservation missionaries in action.

Once these images are captured, they need to be indexed to be searchable on FamilySearch.org. Volunteer to index these images today.

Current and Completed Projects

To view a list of currently available indexing projects, along with their record language and completion percentage, visit the FamilySearch indexing updates page. To learn more about individual projects, view the FamilySearch projects page.

New Projects Added

· België, Oost Vlaanderen, Sint-Lievens-Houtem—Burgerlijke Stand, 1901-1910 [Deel 2]

· Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Cartões de Imigração, 1900–1965 [Parte 3II]

· Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Cartões de Imigração, 1900–1965 [Parte 3JJ]

· Canada—1911 Census

· Colombia, Antioquia—Diócesis de Sonsón y Rionegro, 1814-2008 [Part 3]

· Deutschland, Hessen, Landkreis Marburg-Biedenkopf—Sterberegister, 1946–1980

· Italia (Antenati Italiani), Bergamo—Nati, 1875-1894 [Part 2B]

· Italia (Antenati Italiani), Modena—Nati, 1875–1902 [Parte 2]

· Magyarország, Szabolcs—polgári anyakönyvi adatok, 1895–1978 [5. Rész]

· South Africa, Orange Free State—Estate Files, 1951–1980 [Part 2A]

· Suisse, Fribourg—1834 Recensement

· U.S. (Community Project), New York—New York Passenger Lists, 1942–1957 [Part J]

· U.S., Indiana, Wayne—County Marriages, 1811–1959

· U.S., Iowa—1905 State Census [Part A]

· U.S., Iowa—County Marriages, 1838–1992 [Part D]

· U.S., Massachusetts—State Vital Records, 1841–1920 [Part A]

· UK, Kent—Register of Electors, 1825–1900

· UK—WWI Service Records, 1914–1920 [Part 3]

· UK—WWI Service Records, 1914–1920 [Part 4]

· Zimbabwe—Death Notices, 1904–1976 [Part 1]

· Россия, Тверь—Метрические книги церкви, 1722–1918 [часть 1]

View the FamilySearch projects page to see the full list of available projects and to learn more about how to participate in various projects.

Recently Completed Projects

Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process. They will be published at FamilySearch.org in the near future.

· Italia (Antenati Italiani), Pesaro e Urbino—Nati, 1885–1902 [Parte 2]

· Italy, Trento - Baptisms 1784-1924 [Part 2A]

· Nicaragua, Masaya - Registros Civiles 1879-1984

· Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker till 1860 [Del 6]

· Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker till 1860 [Del 6]

· U.S. (Community Project), Florida, Key West—Passenger Lists, 1898–1945

· U.S. (Community Project), New York, Northern—Arrival Manifests, 1902–1956

· U.S., Maine—Delayed Returns for Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1670–1891

· U.S., Mississippi—Military Grave Registrations, 1936–1951

· U.S., Ohio—County Births, 1856–1956 [Part C]

· U.S., Oklahoma—Land Allotment Records of the Five Civilized Tribes, 1899–1907 [Part 1E]

About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thanking a hero after 57 years!

2013-05-15T05:30:00.000-06:00

It's the unexpected joys that make me love being a genealogist. Family is the most important thing we have. I had a favorite grandmother growing up and we lived about 700 miles apart most of my life. She and I would cry with joy whenever we got to see each other and cry from heartbreak whenever we parted. She just simply loved me. Life was simple and the little things made me happy.

Today I often wonder who was her favorite relative - a grand parent, and uncle, a cousin? I so wish I had asked her that simple question while she was still alive. That's why I get so exciting when I have the chance to help someone else discover someone in their life or the life of someone in theirs.

About two weeks ago one of my friends, Kathy Peavey Gritton, contacted me and asked if I could help her find someone from her late father's life. Her father had a serious accident in 1955 and she so wanted to locate the man who saved his life, if he was still alive. Kathy had a worn out newspaper article that didn't have a date nor did it identify the newspaper. The man's name was Richard Falkner. So we spend the next several hours piecing together her father's life including the accident that cost him both of his legs. And, we discovered that the hero in all of this was still alive and living just about 30 miles away. His name had been misspelled in the original article which made it a little more difficult to locate him.

Kathy decided she would contact Mr. Falkner the next day, however, she also wanted to publicly acknowledge his heroism so I suggested a local newspaper columnist, Lee Benson, who loves to share human interest stories. Kathy contacted them both the next day. They all met together a couple of days later... AND...here's the rest of the story...
*Hero thanked 55 years after Logan sawmill tragedy
*After 57 years, a family thanks its hero

Like I said...it's the unexpected joys in life! Thanks Kathy, for letting me play a part in your joy!

UVTAGG Saturday Seminar-Come Join Me!

2013-05-09T12:38:00.004-06:00

UTAH VALLEY TECHNOLOGY AND GENEALOGY GROUP MEETING (UVTAGG)

The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group - UVTAGG (Formerly the Utah Valley PAF Users Group - UVPAFUG) will be on Saturday, 11 May 2013, from 9 am to noon in the LDS "Red Chapel", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo. Information about the Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on their website http://uvtagg.org and the press releases are at http://blog.uvtagg.org .

The main presentation this month will be by Don E. Norton on WRITING YOUR PERSONAL AND FAMILY HISTORY. This presentation will help all of us write and preserve our own and our ancestors' life stories. Don Norton is a retired professor of BYU's Department of Linguistics and English Language. For thirty years he taught the Personal History class at BYU, as well as senior seminars in oral history. A special interest is oral histories of military veterans, notably veterans of WW II, but of other "wars" as well. He has interviewed literally hundreds of military veterans and compiled their stories. He has written books and articles and headed the Faculty Editing Service at BYU for more than 20 years. As a professional editor for 45 years, he edited several volumes in the Collected Works of Hugh Nibley series at BYU. More information about him is online here.

After the main presentation the following classes are presently scheduled. Check the meetings page athttp://uvtagg.org/ for last minute changes or additions to the class offerings.

Effective Use of Websites and Their Search Engines or Why Didn't I Find Them the First Time?, by Laurie Castillo
Organizing Your Computer Files, by Robert Lasson
Using Dropbox, Keynote, and Skype for Genealogy, by Ron Snowden
Q&A: Writing A Personal or Family History, by Don Norton
Ask An Expert (Personal Help), by Don Engstrom, Bud Wood, and Jim Kendall
Video of last month's main presentation: Are Your Ready Now That FamilySearch Family Tree is Live?, by James L. Tanner
Ancestral Quest, by Merlin Kitchen
Legacy, by Dean Bennett.
RootsMagic, by Sue Maxwell

All meetings of UVTAGG are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually about 100 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays.

FamilySearch Indexing: How It Works

2013-05-06T13:02:00.002-06:00

Help Index the US Immigration & Naturalization Community Project

2013-05-06T12:59:00.002-06:00

New Online Tools Help Preserve and Share Precious Family Photos and Memories

2013-04-27T13:45:00.001-06:00

Features create connections and bring family stories to life

SALT LAKE CITY - FamilySearch International, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven genealogy organization, announced the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance-all for free. Find out more at FamilySearch.org.

"Every person who has ever lived has a right to be remembered and is a story waiting to be told," said Dennis C. Brimhall, CEO for FamilySearch. "Every family is a story in progress." Brimhall explained that the new FamilySearch.org features help move family history beyond research to appeal to a larger audience of people who are very interested in their family's stories, but who don't consider themselves genealogists or researchers. "We all treasure memorable family photos and ancestral stories that inspire, amuse, or connect us. Families can now share and preserve for posterity those social heirlooms that help vitalize their family history," Brimhall added.

The enhancements include Family Tree, an online application where users begin by adding information about themselves and then start to add information about their ancestors to collaboratively build, manage, and share their family history. The tree is already populated with over 900 million records contributed by patrons. And there are billions of historic records that can be searched for free to help further expand your family tree.

The Photos and Stories feature lets you preserve favorite family photos of ancestors and share them through social media. You can tag people in a photo to identify who they are and connect them to respective ancestor profiles in the Family Tree. The photos can then be easily shared with the online community. You can also upload your favorite stories about an ancestor to preserve them for future generations.

Julie Lowe from Missouri is the proverbial photo archivist of her family. She has albums of ancestral photos. Between her and her siblings, they are also walking libraries of countless stories and memories of their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, some great-grandparents, and other ancestors. They will be using the Photos and Stories feature to begin preserving their favorite photos and stories for future generations. Each person can save and share up to 5,000 ancestral photos in Family Tree.

"When a parent or grandparent takes the time to tell you a story, there's a bonding that occurs there," Brimhall said. "Likewise, a family photo and story preserved and shared in the context of one's family tree, in an instant, can personally touch us and teach us time-honored principles by those who have gone on before us, like the value of hard work, dealing with life's ups and downs, and the impact of choices."

Other features added include the interactive Fan Chart, a tool used by millions to create a colorful fan chart of their ancestry; the Family Tree Wizard, a tool that asks questions to help you begin to build your personal family tree and get you started; and Live Help, a global online community that provides free product help and personal research assistance by phone and web chat 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The help website and services are available in 10 languages.

About FamilySearch International
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free atFamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Free Research Series at the Family History Library in May

2013-04-27T12:40:00.000-06:00

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Genealogists and family history enthusiasts looking for help with research in the following areas will be interested in classes held at the Family History Library in May.

A free Mid-Atlantic States Research Series will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the Family History Library. The classes will include:
9:15 a.m. “New Jersey”
10:30 a.m. “New York”
11:45 a.m. “Pennsylvania”

A free Norwegian Research Series will be held on Saturday, May 4 at the Family History Library. The classes will include:

9:15 a.m. “Basic Elements of Norwegian Research”

10:30 a.m. “Vital Records in Norway”

11:45 a.m. “Emigration and Printed Sources”

A free workshop on “Older English Handwriting” will be held on Saturday, May 18 at the Family History Library. The workshop will run from 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and the topics are:
9:15 a.m. “Introduction & Examples”
11:45 a.m. ‘Hands-on Practice”

A free Hispanic workshop (taught in Spanish) on Searching for Ancestors in FamilySearch will be held on Saturday, May 18 at the Family History Library. The workshop will run from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the topic is:
1:00 p.m. “La búsqueda de antepasados en FamilySearch”
El sábado 18 de mayo de 2013 la Biblioteca de Historia Familiar en Lago Salado habrá un taller hablada en español. El tema del taller es: “La búsqueda de antepasados en FamilySearch.” El taller empieza a la 1 de la tarde y durará una hora y media. Estará en la sala de computadores en el piso principal de la Biblioteca de Historia Familiar.

To view the class schedule online, go to https://familysearch.org/locations/library_class_schedule. Classes will be held in the Main floor classroom of the Family History Library. The library is located to the west of Temple Square on West Temple between North Temple and South Temple Streets in downtown Salt Lake City. On Saturdays, parking is free to library patrons and is located behind the Church History Museum. To register for these free classes, send an email to FHLClassReg@familysearch.org or call 801-240-4950.

RootsTech 2013 - Personal Reflections on a Pendulum Ride

2013-04-02T04:00:00.000-06:00

After catching up on some much needed sleep, I have been reflecting on my overall RootsTech 2013 experience. I was on a pendulum swinging back and forth from highs to lows but never quite reaching the floor. I found myself sitting on both sides of a fence wondering where to land but never failing to see both sides as green.

Let me explain.

I was anxiously preparing for RootsTech in the weeks prior when my 102 year-old mother-in-law's health went quickly downhill. Mom was a very strong woman with healthy long genes which she didn't fully appreciate! She had for years felt it was "her time" to go feeling she wasn't able to be productive. Mind you, she lived alone in her own home until she was 98 when her vision and steadiness started to wane, and she had been alone since her husband died in 1971. She was terribly mistaken about her value - she served others her entire life. She made a great difference in other people's lives and not just with her tiny family of descendants. She made friends wherever she went right up until the end.

Mom grew up mostly living a very poor life on a rural farm in northern Utah with eight siblings. She managed to put herself through nursing school, became a registered nurse and served thousands of patients, family and friends for about 50 years before she finally let her license expire.

She sang to her friends at mealtimes. Sang when someone made her smile. Sang to cheer herself up. Sang to bring joy to others. She appreciated every moment and every smile or act of service from others.

She loved family history and worked on it for many years until her eyesight failed her. She was thrilled knowing I was so interested in family history and had been much of my life. I would carry it forward.

Mom passed to the other side two days before my activities at RootsTech began - early Monday morning. It was finally "her time" to leave. Wednesday morning we buried her in a simple service so indicative of how she led her life. Wednesday afternoon I began my RootsTech journey -just the way she would have wanted it.

Part 2 - As one day closes to the living, another day opens to the past.

A few years ago I received an email from "Jackie" who had spotted my name listed as a submitter of data on the FamilySearch tree. Jackie said she and her husband had been going through some boxes of family memorabilia and found a very old leather-bound bible in a cardboard box labeled as her mother-in-law's family bible. She soon realized that the bible did not belong to her husband's family. She told me the names found in the bible and asked me if I would be interested in having it? The name she shared with me came from the marriage page and was the brother of my great grandmother.

I was so giddy with excitement I could hardly breathe! I immediately wrote back and said I would very much be interested in obtaining the bible. We talked of making arrangements to meet. Understand, it's not the bible, per se, but a link to my family I never knew! My biological grandfather died when my mother was seven-years-old and she never got over it. I felt her pain. I yearned to know more about him and, his line is my biggest brick wall.

Then some weeks later my heart fell when I received another email from "Jackie". She didn't know what to do as she had received another response from her email saying that he was a direct-line descendant and wanted the bible. I cried.

It took me a while but I bucked up, prayed, and decided to do the Christ-like thing. I told her I totally understood and if I was the most direct descendant I would want it too. We left it at that and have continued to correspond the past three years. Jackie and I became online friends. I still wanted to meet this unfamiliar cousin, see the bible, and share stories.

Well, time went by and as a RootsTech blogger was given the opportunity to give away a registration to RootsTech via a contest on my blog. I received many entries for the contest. When the time came to select a winner I made up folded slips of paper with names of each entrant. (Not exactly scientific!) I always put the burden on my husband to select the winner. I threw the papers in the air and he grabbed one as they fluttered to the ground. To my surprise, "Jackie" had entered and won the registration!

Jackie and I had to email a number of times over the course of several weeks because of a communication issue at FamilySearch in getting the registration info for her. She shared with me that she had never heard back from the "other person" concerning the bible that we had talked about a few years earlier and would still like to give me the bible!

I had such an overwhelming feeling of love for my family, for Jackie's kindness, and for the power of prayer. My heart was full.

THE bible

I met Jackie and her wonderful husband standing in the registration line at RootsTech and holding this cardboard box containing the bible. I just couldn't believe that this was happening. It was like she was handing me a piece of my family that I could touch and feel. It put a face on family history and provided a physical link to the past! I had nothing of my family passed down to me. I only had one photo of my grandfather. I had sad memories of my mother’s loss of her father at such an early age. Somehow this simple act gave me hope that I will eventually find a way to break through that brick wall.

I told Jackie that I would love to get together with her during RootTech but I never saw her again over the next several days. I jokingly wonder if she was real! I will continue to pray for Jackie and her family and be ever grateful for her kind deed.

I returned to my hotel room that evening and was so touched by the experience of opening this incredible piece of my history. As I flipped to the handwritten pages in the middle of the book I was a bit shocked at the contents. Yes, the marriage page was that of my great granduncle and aunt. However, the pages containing the births and deaths were of my grandfather's siblings - all those who were born and died prior to his birth. This was my family's bible!

Grandpa on the right

My grandmother who married into this line had told us about a family bible but after she died in 1971 no bible was ever found. We spent years looking and asking questions to no avail. Now I ask, is it possible this was the missing bible Grandma talked about? I may never know the answer to that, but I question not this beautiful gift that Jackie shared with me! I am so grateful for her selfless act.

Part 3 - The pendulum keeps swaying

Blogger Dinner

Since official RootTech bloggers are provided some early communication over a pre-conference dinner, we all get the opportunity to visit, get reacquainted or meet new friends. Friendships are developed, growing in an amazingly few minutes over food! With such common interests, we become a family of potential cousins. Stories are shared, brick walls are dented and we band together in support of one another.

One year ago Dennis Brimhall, President and CEO FamilySearch International, came on board for RootsTech. Speaking to the bloggers, and again often in his keynote speech and interviews, he admittedly was outside his element with all the technology. In a short 12 months he has strengthened FamilySearch, added millions of new records, augmented and shaped support for customers/patrons, and defined a new focus for RootTech; that of discovering ones ancestors through their stories.

That childhood feeling we have of self-discovery often leads us to search for ancestor's names and dates. As we gather documents and build a timeline we can discover who they really were. Not a name and date, but your favorite relative's favorite relative! The one you never had a chance to meet here on earth but began to love and appreciate through this discovery process.

Dennis Brimhall

Dennis Brimhall suggests that maybe the easier way is to start with the stories you already know and love - and the facts come later. Children learn through stories - maybe it's time we remember how simple life can be.

Here is where the pendulum swings again. Which direction, is up to the reader. Yes, professional genealogists pride themselves in 100% accuracy of sourcing to the comma and italics, while others grab at names and numbers and are committed in their belief that Great Aunt Letty spoke or wrote with total accuracy and never stretched the truth. One grows as one discovers that spelling of names doesn't mean much, or that ages on census records are not always accurate. With experience you find people that altered their name to avoid persecution. Or, there really were three children given the name of Thomas in the same family, the first two having died at birth or infancy. We learn from each other. Family history requires an open mind and a heart in tune with the spirit.

Both sides of this fence are helpful but the true story lies elsewhere and simply. Dennis Brimhall said "we are turning hearts. We are all about helping families fall in love with their ancestors. It's a love story." Is there anyone who doesn't believe in a love story?

Part 4 - Take the pendulum ride once more. Which side of the fence are you on?

During RootsTech, busily tweeting, I found very little time to attend classes, not that I didn't want to or need to, rather because I was so busy collaborating with others, answering questions and enjoying the moments. I have the luxury of living in Utah and have 100's of people I've met, taught, learned from, and become friends with over the years. We can take the opportunity to visit one of the libraries in town, have access to a Family history center usually within a mile or so of home, and attend classes almost daily. We have the best of the best. Yet, there are so many locally who do not partake of these advantages. I ache for them as they are missing out on the joy one can find by truly knowing how they became who they are.

I have taken the step to know my fellow genealogy bloggers online and in person. I respect and appreciate who they are and what niche they play in the family history and genealogy world. They love what they do and are so willing to help everyone.

I loved the buzz at RootsTech -- people from all over the world, those speaking different languages, different roots, different beliefs, and differing views. I found those that loved RootsTech and those who didn't find what they wanted out of it. I understand the differing views and can support each side.

The RootsTech focus appears to be narrowing in scope - or should I say, has chosen to do so. The focus is more on true beginners and intermediate family historians and genealogists. The feeling is that professional genealogists have other avenues for growth, such as FGS, NGS, SLIG (UGA), and Samford (IGHR). This is probably why I heard some genealogists say that RootsTech had no classes that were geared to them. Others found classes labeled as intermediate that were really for beginners and vice versa. It's a tough job trying to figure out what level everyone considers themselves to be. It comes down to what you have learned and what you want to learn. My view of where I am is probably far from where you think I am. To me, that's the fun of discovering new and different views in whatever class I choose to attend. I believe we can each benefit from whatever class we take, what activity we choose to attend, or even how we choose to interact with other attendees. I personally like the mix of beginners and experts. They feed off each other. We get out of it what we choose to put into it.

I do agree that the class listings need to be more descriptive so that a beginner or an expert can determine what they might benefit from. I would like to more easily access the syllabus and earlier, so I have time to go through it and make a better informed decision on my personal plan of attack at the conference. I dare bet that many people never did figure out how to get the syllabus material downloaded to their own technology tools. We needed a class on how to do it! If RootsTech really wants to focus on beginners and intermediates then every step in the process needs to meet that focus.

I want it all!

I'm one of those people who wants it all! I know that's not really feasible, but that's me. Where do you find yourself on this pendulum? I want to encourage and help beginners get started, enjoy and collaborate with the intermediates, and learn from the experts! And, believe it or not, the experts want to keep getting better! That creates a win-win for everyone. And most of us want to do it all in a one-stop shopping arena! The economy makes it very difficult to attend more than one large conference in a year. And there is no bigger selling point for RootsTech than the immediate access to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake.

One of the greatest changes to come is the focus by FamilySearch to youth involvement in family history. Many may find this unusual, I mean “what would they know”, but I am a strong supporter of the youth. I have taught many youth in the basics of family history and they take it and run with it. They see no barriers or brick walls. It may start as a game to them, but once their ancestors touch their hearts they scramble to move forward.

Part 5 - The Ups and Downs

So bottom line, I found some things about RootsTech that can still be improved upon:
1. App issues as listed above;
2. More paid lunch classes as they again sold out within a short time of the start of registration;
3. Barring space considerations, more hands-on workshops (heard lots of complaints about this)
4. A better way of helping all attendees determine what they can walk away with from each class before they sit through 5 or 10 minutes of a class only to find it a waste of their time, then finding another class better suited to their needs and finding it full.
5. Classroom sizing was much better this year. However, attendees still spilled into the hallways often. Maybe we need more classes per hour and repeat the ones of major interest. Yes the cost of space is an issue.

I found things that have improved this year or were enhanced:
1. A much larger audience -- 6,700 in pre-registrations; upwards of 10,000 people in attendance from around the world to the live streaming keynotes and classes; about 2,000 youth and youth leaders attended on Saturday special sessions; and another 4-5,000 people attended selected portions of the conference in 16 locations around the world for use at family history fairs, including translations in foreign countries. If all went well for this test, the audience for 2014 could easily top 120,000 attendees to RootsTech worldwide.
2. An exciting focus on the stories within our family history – the stories create the “wow” factor in our lives.
3. New technologies continue to be developed to make family history even easier
4. Hey, did you even realize there was complementary soda drinks and water in the exhibit hall?
5. Did you realize that you could attend other classes all day long inside the exhibit hall?
6. Did you find it much easier to make your way around the conference this year? I found better layout for classrooms, keynotes, and in the exhibit hall.

RootsTech 2013 is now complete and on one end of the pendulum swing. I plan to start preparing for RootsTech 2014 as the pendulum swings back! How about you?

Be prepared for new changes to FamilySearch coming in the next couple of weeks! Enjoy! We don’t grow if we don’t change!

Some of the best reading from RootsTech bloggers and the local media:

Ancestry DNA, Raw Data and RootsTech by CeCe Moore at Your Genetic Genealogist

Ancestry.com Partnering with FamilySearch for Probates by The Ancestry Insider at The Andestry Insider

Assessment of RootsTech 2013 by James Tanner at Genealogy's Star

FamilySearch Indexing Approaching 1 Billion Records by Lynn Broderick at The Single Leaf

General Session at RootsTech by Steve Anderson at FamilySearch blog

Muddy Heroes by Nancy Shively at Gathering Stories

My RootsTech 2013: Day 2 by Michael McCormick at Enduring Legacy

New Hampshire Yankee at RootsTech by Heather Rojo at Nutfield Genealogy

Post RootsTech Musings by Randy Seavers at Genea-Musings

Records Preserve Stories by R. Scott Lloyd at LDS Church News

Report From the Youth Sessions of RootsTech by Janet Hovorka at Zap the Grandma Gap

RootsTech 2013: Family History for youth by Ryan Morgenegg at LDS Church News

RootsTech 2013: I Cried by Renee Zamora at Renee's Genealogy

RootsTech 2013: Wrap-Up by Schelly Dardashi at My Heritage

RootsTech 2013: Day 1 by Banai Feldstein at Ginger Jewish Genealogy

RootsTech 2013: Technological advancements in genealogy by Ryan Morgenegg at LDS Church News

RootsTech 2013 Edition by Diane Haddad at Genealogy Insider

RootsTech 2013: Youth are engaged in family history work by R. Scott Lloyd at LDS Church News

RootsTech Mormon Tabernacle Choir Tour by Amy Coffin at We Tree

RootsTech Report: It's All About Stories by Lisa Louise Cook at Genealogy Gems

RootsTech The Aftermath by Valerie Elkins at Family Cherished

RootsTech Was Just the Right Medicine by Holly Hansen at Family History Expos

RootsTech What's in Your Gadget Bag? by Audrey Collins at The Family Recorder

The Traveling Genealogist and her Gadgets by M. Diane Rogers at Canada Genealogy

Tim Sullivan's Keynote (Ancestry.com) By Dear Myrtle at Dear Myrtle

WOW - Highlights of Day 2 by Rosemary Morgan at London Roots Research

WOW Moments by Lisa at Billion Graves

Youth at RootsTech by Jill Ball at Geniaus

RootsTech in Pictures - More on Thursday

2013-03-26T04:30:00.000-06:00

Thursday Morning Keynote Addresses

Exhibit Hall Opens to Attendees

Compfy chairs stayed full all day!

Questions Abound

Busy researching and learning

Bloggers strategizing

Media Interviews

Special Evening Performance for RootsTech Attendees

by the Mormon Tablernacle Choir in the Tabernacle at Temple Square

The Tabernacle was full

Introductions of Foreign Country Visitors

RootsTech in Pictures - Thursday AM

2013-03-26T02:00:00.000-06:00

Editor's Note: Sorry, I had nothing but technology issues at the Salt Palace so could not get things to upload, so I'll do it now! I don't know about you but I've been sleeping since the end of the conference on Saturday! Enjoyable time, fantastic conversations, classes and very worn out.

More preparation for the bloggers

Paul Nauta prepping the bloggers

Exhibit Hall BEFORE the doors opened

Demo Theater - Definitely a COMPHY spot!

A few vendors BEFORE the crowds

Cyber Cafe and FamilySearch Help

Computer Row

Rest those tired legs and feet

Free soda and water! Refreshing!

Media Center - Home for the Official Bloggers

RootsTech in Pictures - Wednesday Evening Sneak Preview

2013-03-20T23:03:00.000-06:00

Blogger Get-Together to Prepare for Opening Day

Shipley Munson - CMO, VP Marketing at FamilySearch.org

Ben Bennett - Chief of Staff for FS Patron Services
and Product Manager for the FS Wiki

Bloggers

More Bloggers

And More Bloggers

Old FamilySearch Logo

New Logo for FamilySearch

New fan chart in FamilySearch

RootsMagic's RootsTech Contest-Win an iPad!

2013-03-20T04:00:00.000-06:00

RootsMagic, the award-winning genealogy software is having a contest in conjunction with the 2013 RootsTech Conference, March 21-24. They are again partnering with 15 of the best and brightest genealogy bloggers (Ha ha, I'm one of them!) who will be reporting at the RootsTech conference. Each blogger will place one of 15 clue words on their website. (Can you find mine?)

From Thursday, March 21 through Wednesday, March 27, 2013, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com/treasure for a complete list of the blogs where the 15 clue words can be found. Visit each blog, collect all 15 clue words, and you could win software, prizes, or an iPad!

Enter at RootsTech or at Home
Once you've collected the clues there are two ways to enter. The first is at the RootsTech conference itself. Pick up an entry card at the RootsMagic booth (#401) in the Exhibit Hall. Write the clue words on the back of the card and return it to the RootsMagic booth in the Exhibit Hall by Saturday, March 23 at 1:20 pm. At that time, they will hold the prize drawings. You must be present to win.

RootsMagic didn't want those who aren't able to attend RootsTech in person to feel left out so they are holding a second drawing and giving away more prizes including a second iPad. To enter this drawing, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com/treasure anytime between Thursday, March 21 and midnight MST on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. Fill out the online form to be entered into the second drawing. You may enter both drawings but one entry per person, per drawing. Winners will be picked at random and notified via e-mail by Friday, March 29, 2013.

Remember, the treasure hunt doesn't begin until this Thursday. Good luck!

Best of RootsTech LIVE from the Privacy of Your Own Home

2013-03-19T17:50:00.000-06:00

Can't attend RootsTech in person? Well, yes you can! Every keynote speaker and class being held in the main room at the RootsTech Conference will be broadcast live to the world. So be sure to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity by going to RootsTech.org.

List of streaming events: Remember this is Mountain Daylight Time, so on the East Coast the streaming begins at 10:30 a.m.

Prepare Before Attending a FH Conference

2013-03-12T19:31:00.000-06:00

It's time again to resurrect my blog post about being prepared to attend conferences... RootsTech is almost here!

It’s that time of year – genealogy conferences are springing up all over. I remember the very first time I attended a conference and felt like I was the only person in the world who did not know what was going on! I had not done a very good job of preparing myself for the experience. What I have learned over time is that there are some simple steps you can take to make your experience a great one. It doesn’t matter whether this is your first conference or 20^th conference, whether it’s a big conference or a little one, whether it’s about genealogy or any other subject, planning ahead will make a difference in how much value you get and how enjoyable the experience is for you.

First, decide what conference is best suited to your particular needs and skill levels.

There are many different genealogy conferences throughout the year that you can choose to attend, but pick according to you current skills level and interests. In other words, don’t pick a conference or a track that teaches how to become an accredited genealogist before you’ve learned how to get started. Most all conferences have classes that are fairly generic, others geared towards beginners, intermediates or advanced genealogists and family historians. There are very small local half day workshops all the way to week-long national conferences and each of them can be a wise choice.

Review flyers or other media prepared for a conference. Look online for reviews of prior year’s workshops. Check out the presenters and audit reviews from other presentations they have given. Some presenters are easier to learn from than others and, as your experience grows you will identify with certain ones and find yourself a follower of their classes.

Finally, pick your conference and register as early as possible and when you arrive, check in at registration as early as possible to minimize your time in line.

Select which sessions or classes you want to attend.

Once you are registered for your conference of choice, download the schedule and review the workshop requirements. Many classes are geared to all level of skills and a few will require a prerequisite level of knowledge. A few will require a separate registration for the class because it has room only for a limited number of people. Try to stick to classes that fit your level of comfort and skill.

Make notes on the schedule and on the presenters. Determine which classes you most want to attend but, always choose a backup or two for any given time slot. Sometimes classes fill up quickly and there is no room left for you, requiring you to find another class to slip into. Or, maybe you attend a class for the first 3 minutes and determine that this just isn’t the class for you. With a backup class you can quickly slip into the room.

Don’t overlook a subject just because it’s something you know nothing about or it covers a locale that you have no interest in – you will learn new methodologies and tips in every class you attend.

Larger conferences now provide registered attendees access to syllabus material weeks before the conference begins. Take the time to review the presenter’s handouts. You can usually read through them and determine whether you will be overwhelmed with the class or find it too boring. Unless you are paying extra for a paper syllabus, plan on printing out the syllabus pages for the classes you plan to attend. You can then make notes during class using these handouts. You will usually have a CD copy of the syllabus provided to you at registration.

Prepare yourself before attending the conference.

Get yourself ready to go starting with planning your trip. If this is a local conference, determine what you need to take with you each day and how you are going to get there. Are you driving? If so, you need to plan your parking in advance. On-site parking may be much more expensive than a smaller lot a block away. Taking public transportation may be less of a hassle than parking. Plan your strategy. Review the time of day you would need to be on the roads, the part of town where the conference is held and be prepared for the unexpected.

If you are flying to the conference then create a travel list of things to pack. Plan and prepare your flight plan, transportation to and from the airport, and don’t forget your list of meds, insurance cards, cell phones and any other items you may need. Don’t forget that extra carry on bag to get your conference materials home. If you have gathered too many, check with the hotel and have your extra’s shipped home. It may be cheaper than paying for that extra baggage on the plane.

Plan your attire. Workshops are not a formal affair so dress accordingly. Usually these conferences are quite casual and require very comfy clothing and good walking shoes. You will cover a lot of ground during each day. The last thing you want to do is end the day with blisters on both feet and still need to walk to your car or your room. Conference center rooms are often drafty or way too warm. Don’t dress for the outside, dress for a variety of temps inside. Bring a jacket or sweater and dress in layers. If you have a problem with sweaty feet, bring an extra pair of socks to change midday. You want to be very comfortable.

Take a bag with you. If you don’t like to carry things or you get a headache from carrying a bag then get one on rollers. The more things you pick up during the day the heavier that bag becomes. (Larger conferences give you a carry bag at registration with a conference program, papers, and miscellaneous “stuff”. I stuff the whole thing in my roller bag. Besides, roller bags make a great footrest!) Here is a list of items that you may find beneficial to carry with you.

· Address labels or business cards. You can label items you pick up (even your conference booklet) or purchase and, exchange info with other attendees and vendors. You will make friends throughout the conference that you meet in classes or over lunch that you want to contact with later.

· Pens, pencils, highlighters, paper, a clipboard or folder.

· Take a digital camera. You can take pictures of some presentation pages if allowed by the presenter. You might want to remember something specific about a vendor. Or, you might want to take pictures of friends or presenters you meet.

· You may be one of those people who love to take notes on your PC or you want your genealogy files with you. You can take your PC, handheld, or smartphone, but don’t expect to plug it in to an electrical socket from every room. It may not be available. Consider others when you bring these tools. Turn off the sound and beeps.

· Take snacks and a water bottle with you in your bag. There are food vendors at most large conferences but nothing may be available at others. If you are in classes for several hours before a lunch break you will appreciate a snack and you may not be able to find a drinking fountain between each class.

Take tissues and any meds you may need throughout the day.

Remember, you can even roll up the jacket or sweater and stuff it in your bag when you don’t need it.

The workshops finally begin!

Be prompt. Don’t show up one minute before or ten minutes after a class starts and expect to get the best seat in the room. Don’t come in late and walk in front of a projector or stumble over everyone’s feet trying to get to the center of a room. Be early for the class whenever possible. Classes will start on time because they are on a tight schedule.

Take notes. Use your paper syllabus, your printed handouts, or a notepad. At the end of a class or while you are waiting for the next class to begin, summarize your key points and reread them.

Make the most of lectures and workshops. If you take the time before hand to prepare any questions you may have you will get better answers from those questions you ask. There is no such thing as a dumb question, so don’t be afraid to ask. However, classes need to be geared to generalizations, not your specific ancestor. So don’t waste other attendees time by asking the presenter a question geared to a specific circumstance or person. Most presenters will give an email address, or are available in the vendor area to ask specific questions later.

Make connections everywhere you go. Network, talk to people, introduce yourself. Establish research interests. Exchange those address stickers or business cards.

Prepare for the VENDOR experience! Find the vendor map in your conference packet or locate it online before you go. Then plan your attack! Mark on your map the vendors you are most interesting in visiting. Make those your first priority. That way you can spend quality time with those vendors and visit the others as time permits.

Maintain a conference log. List friends, contacts, vendors, speakers to suggest to a group you belong to, and important points from lectures. Chart your progress and new skills you have acquired. Make notes for your future research. At the end of conference make sure your notes are understandable.

Participate in special events whenever you can. These provide extra opportunities to ask questions, network, and learn more.

The conference is over!

If you can spend an extra day before or after a conference make sure to familiarize yourself with local research facilities, local points of interest and good places to eat. Enjoy the opportunity of visiting a new area of the country.

When you get home remember to review your notes, file important materials away and contact those new genealogy friends! Take a rest and then you’ll be ready to start planning your next conference!

Enjoy!

Genealogical research gets more family friendly with Family Tree online resource

2013-03-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article published in the Deseret News concerning FamilySearch Family Tree. Give it a read!

Genealogical Research Gets More Family Friendly with Family Tree Online

Riverton FamilySearch Library to Host Free Seminar

2013-03-05T19:03:00.002-07:00

The Riverton FamilySearch Library will host a free seminar on

March 16th from 9:00 a.m. to noon,

offering help to genealogists of all skill levels.

Riverton, Utah¾ In every genealogist’s life, there are moments and experiences that change our course, give us the inspiration to solve the brick wall, or even cause us to laugh out loud. Popular keynote speaker Barry Ewell will share ten “aha!” moments that will give you cause to say, “I’m a genealogist and lovin' it!”

Barry J. Ewell is the founder of MyGenShare.com, an online knowledgebase website for individuals interested in learning, sharing, contemplating, and discovering family history. Throughout his professional career as executive officer and senior manager of advertising and public relations strategy for technology companies, he has worked for companies like IBM, 3M, and Rational Software. He has a BA in Communications from BYU. Since first being introduced to family history in 1998, he has extensively researched his family roots in the United States, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Germany, and Russia. His focus has been to preserve the record of his family through oral, written, and documented histories, and researching family lines.

Following the keynote presentation from 9:00–10:00 a.m., there will be two blocks of four classes each that will cover topics of interest for beginning, intermediate, and advanced family history enthusiasts.

The classes available from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. are:

· Digging Up Death Records Online"¾Lorraine Bourne

· “Searching Ancestry.com”¾Echo King

· “Utilizing Online Resources of the Midwest”¾Luana Darby

· “Church of England Parish Registers”¾Apryl Cox

The classes available from 11:00 a.m. to noon are:

· “The ‘Shady’ Side of the Family Tree: Prison, Criminal, and Asylum Records and More”¾Bret Petersen

· “Ancestry.com Online Family Trees”¾Echo King

· “Using Danish Military Levying Rolls”¾Linda Baker

· “Census Techniques and Strategies”¾Jason Harrison

Registration is not required for this free seminar. The Riverton FamilySearch Library is located in the LDS Riverton Office Building at 3740 Market Center Drive. The facility is near the intersection of Bangerter Highway and 13400 South, just east of The Home Depot.

Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group Meeting and Classes

2013-03-05T18:31:00.002-07:00

The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group - UVTAGG (Formerly the Utah Valley PAF Users Group - UVPAFUG) will be on Saturday, 09 Mar 2013, from 9 am to noon in the LDS "Red Chapel", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo. Information about the Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on their website http://uvtagg.org and the press releases are at http://blog.uvtagg.org .

The main presentation this month will be by David Ouimette on SOLVING DIFFICULT FAMILY HISTORY PROBLEMS. Proving family relationships, the essence of genealogical research, may seem daunting when the evidence is sparse. This presentation will show how to solve difficult family history problems by applying sound research principles and practices. David Ouimette, CG, is Manager of Content Strategy at FamilySearch. His responsibilities include identifying the most valuable records for genealogical research worldwide and prioritizing records to preserve digitally and make available online. He has conducted onsite family history research and participated in record negotiations in Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and much of the United States. He previously worked in software development and product management at Ancestry.com and has lectured at many national and local genealogy conferences. His research specialties include Ireland, Quebec, and New England. He has contributed articles to Ancestry Magazine, APG Quarterly, Crossroads, The Septs, and BYU Family Historian and is the author of Finding Your Irish Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide (Provo: Ancestry, 2005). He currently serves as Vice President of the Utah Genealogical Association and is responsible for publishing Crossroads magazine.

After the main presentation the following classes are presently scheduled:

(1) Family History in Bulk: More Bang for Your Buck, by Linda Snow Westover;

(2) Marching Forward in a Major Way: U.S. Military Records, by Laurie Castillo;

(3) Q&A: Solving Difficult Family History Problems, by David Ouimette;

(4) Ask an Expert (Personal Help), by Don Engstrom and Finn Hansen;

(5) MAC: Using Reunion 10 and Previous Versions, by Ron Snowden;

(6) Video of last month's main presentation: Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons, by Margaret Young;

(7) Ancestral Quest, by Gaylon Findlay;

(8) Legacy, by Jim Kendall; and

(9) RootsMagic, by Sue Maxwell.

Check the meetings page at UVTAGG for last minute changes or additions to the class offerings.

All meetings of UVTAGG are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually about 100 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays.

FamilySearch Family Tree Released to Public

2013-03-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Today, March 5, 2013, FamilySearch Family Tree has been released to the public. This is a big step. We all know that there are problems with the data and hope that it's use by everyone will help to make it the best best family tree in existence. To read more about it read the following post by FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Family Tree Released to the Public

RootsTech: Classes for Priesthood and Church Leaders

2013-03-05T14:04:00.001-07:00

General Authority and other Church leaders provide Family History Training on March 23, 2013, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City

Priesthood and Church leaders are invited to participate in free family history training on Saturday, March 23, 2013.

Registration is required at rootstech.org/Fhcallings Training includes:

Special Family History Devotional

9:45 AM, Elder Allen F. Packer, First Quorum of the Seventy, Salt Palace Hall 2

For all Church Members

The doctrine of family history and the work of salvation.

The Role of Family History in the Work of Salvation

11:00 AM, Elder Bradley D. Foster, Second Quorum of the Seventy, Salt Palace Hall 2

For Anyone with a Family History Related Calling

Learn successful practices for using family history in wards and stakes to:

Receive the full blessings of the temple
Focus on the work for YOUR dead
Strengthen family connections
Support Priesthood leaders and councils

Priesthood Leaders: Family History as a Resource in the Work of Salvation

12:40 PM, Elder Paul E. Koelliker, First Quorum of the Seventy, Salt Palace Hall 1

For Priesthood Leaders: Learn how Priesthood leaders play a large role in the success of ward or stake family history activities. Learn how to use family history to strengthen families, reactivate members, and as a missionary too.

Youth Leaders: Using Family History to Bless the Lives of Your Youth

12:40 PM, David L. Beck, Young Men General President, Salt Palace 155 C

Using Family History to Bless the Lives of Your Youth

Learn about the blessings promised to youth who engage in family history work. Come away with ideas on how to plan activities like pioneer treks, youth conferences, scouting, and the Duty to God and Personal Progress.

RootsTech: Youth Events and Speakers

2013-03-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Youth Family History Classes and Devotional on March 23, 2013 at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City

In relation to the First Presidency’s recent invitation for youth to engage in family history and temple work, the Family History Department will hold free family history classes for youth on March 23, 2013 at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

These classes are offered in conjunction with RootsTech, a family history and technology conference sponsored by the Church.

In addition, a youth devotional will be held that evening at 6:00 p.m. in the LDS Conference Center Theater with Sister Elaine S. Dalton as the speaker. This devotional will be broadcast live to youth attending stake family history fairs in North and South America.

Parents and youth leaders are asked to register their youth for classes and the devotional www.rootstech.org/youth.

For The Strength of Youth dress standards apply. No shorts please.

Youth Classes:
The Time Is Now: Now Youth Can Embrace the Invitation to Do Family History

3:00 PM, Ryan Sharp (popular EFY Speaker), Salt Palace Room 155 C

Elder David A. Bednar’s talk on how youth should get involved with their family history created a buzz throughout the Church. Bring your smartphone, tablet, or laptop for a hands-on learning experience.

Youth Panel Discussion

4:00 PM, Watch various Youth Panelists from across the nation participate in a Google Hangout, Salt Palace Room 155 C

Family history is more than just pedigree charts and family group sheets. Meet other teens from across the nation (through Google Hangout) that are engaged in family history, and hear how it has blessed their lives. Come prepared with questions to ask your peers about family history and how you can get involved.

Youth Devotional

6:00 PM, Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President, Conference Center Theater

On Saturday evening, in the LDS Conference Center Theater, come hear Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President, speak about the blessings youth can receive as the participate in family history and temple work.

Youth Activities:

Genealogy Merit Badge and Personal Progress Booth, Salt Palace, RootsTech Expo Hall

RootsTech-Story@Home Contest

2013-02-15T17:55:00.000-07:00

Want some help in learning to tell your family stories? Have you been wanting to preserve the oral histories and family memorabilia sitting around your home? Want to know how to publish those stories and traditions?

Here's your chance -- and a great one at that! A new addition to RootsTech this year is Story@Home who will be offering class sessions with award-winning storytellers, performers, and speakers to help us all explore ways to use the power of story to connect with our families.

Our friends at Story@Home are running an Instagram Photo Contest with a chance to win a $79 value registration to attend the Story@Home plus the Getting Started sessions at RootsTech, March 21-23, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah!

The contest will run from February 20th to 24th. To participate, snap a picture you think tells a story. Examples include family, friends, places, events, mementos-anything that has meaning for you. Upload the photo to Instagram and share what the photo tells. Include the hashtags #tellyourstory and #storyathome.

The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on the Story@Home Facebook page Monday, February 25th. "Like" Story@Home on Facebook to find out if you've won at Story@Home on Facebook.

Be sure to spread the word and let your friends and family know! See you at RootsTech!

RootsTech Early Registration Extended One Week

2013-02-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

SALT LAKE CITY—The $149 early bird registration for the RootsTech 2013 Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been extended until Friday, February 22, 2013. RootsTech, a family history and technology conference, is designed to help attendees discover the latest family history tools and techniques, whether they are an avid genealogist, just getting started, or looking for new solutions to better connect with their family. For more information, go to RootsTech.org.

The registration fee includes three full days of conference attendance with over 250 classes, conference materials, and an exciting exhibitor hall with hands-on labs and demonstrations from 100+ product and service providers. Attendees can also register to attend evening events, such as the opening social hosted by FindMyPast, a mini-concert performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and extended hours at the Family History Library.

The 3^rd annual RootsTech conference has something for everyone. New this year is a Getting Started track designed to help those new to family history learn the basics, start their family tree, and get help with family research. A new Story@Home selection of classes helps attendees discover the art of storytelling and provides new ways to preserve and share their family stories. And a new, consolidated Developer Day provides a collaborative environment for family history technology developers to impact future technology innovations in the family history industry.

About RootsTech

RootsTech is a unique conference focused on helping individuals learn and use the latest technology to get started or accelerate their efforts to find, organize, preserve and share their family's connections and history. The first annual conference was held in 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by leading genealogical organizations, the conference includes hands-on demonstrations and forums to provide a highly interactive environment and accelerate learning. Content is geared to young and old, beginner to advanced levels.

And the Rootstech Registration Winner Is...

2013-02-13T13:24:00.002-07:00

Jackie Bogedahl! Congrats! You win a full-three day registration to RootsTech!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the contest to win the registration to the RootsTech Genealogy Conference being held March 21-23 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I had so many more people participate this year which is exciting to see! Interest is growing and hopefully those of you who didn't win this year will still go ahead and register for the conference -- you won't be sorry! There is still a couple of days left to register at the discounted price. Take advantage before the rates go up.

There are so many options to attend this year -- from as little as $19 for a one-day pass to "Getting Started" classes to the full access three-day package. Jackie will have access to over 250 classes and everything else RootsTech has to offer with her 3-day registration. Register and you can join in the fun! To check out the packages and to register, click here.

Entrants to the contest were asked to tell me which "Getting Started" classes they would most be interested in. I got a variety of answers which covered most of the Getting Started classes.. The ones stirring up the most interest are the class from Don Snow about Organizing and Presenting Your Photos: Picassa and other Freeware, and 50 Google Searches Every Genealogist Needs to Know by Barry Ewell.

If you are a genealogy enthusiast of ANY LEVEL you will find something to suit your interests!

Besides the Getting Started classes this year, RootsTech is introducing an exciting new schedule from Story@Home. You can take a Journey of Self Discovery; learn about Photo Editing, Curating and Preserving Your Family History Memorabilia; all the way to creating your story and publishing your family history.

Learn to Evaluate Databases and Overcome Errors or learn Different Paradigms for Overcoming Lost Records Using Technology by attending classes from the Main Schedule.

Come join in the fun this year! We'll see you there!

Riverton FH Library Free Seminar

2013-02-11T15:56:00.001-07:00

The Riverton FamilySearch Library Hosts Free Seminar on

February 16th from 9:00 A.M. to Noon

Focusing on the Baby Steps to Genealogical Maturity

RIVERTON, UTAH¾As a budding genealogist, have you ever wondered what sources are best to use? Where are they found? How do I cite published sources, online sources, and manuscripts? Come learn baby steps to take as you grow and mature in your use of sources and citations and your ability to make your genealogy verifiably correct. Popular speaker Robert Raymond will help you navigate your way in his keynote presentation, “Baby Steps to Genealogical Maturity.”

Robert Raymond is a deputy to FamilySearch Chief Genealogical Officer, David Rencher, and is a director of the National Genealogical Society. Robert works to increase genealogical soundness of FamilySearch products. He also helps set the record collection acquisition and publication strategy. He is a popular speaker and the shadow writer of a top ten genealogical blog. Robert is a genealogy technologist with more than 40 years experience in genealogy and 30 years in technology. He holds over a dozen technology patents and has earned a Master’s degree in Electrical (Computer) Engineering from BYU, where he was honored as a Kimball Scholar.

Following the keynote presentation from 9:00–10:00 a.m., there will be two blocks of four classes each that will cover topics of interest to beginning, intermediate, and advanced family history enthusiasts.

Classes to be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. are:

· “German Life Events and Their Records"¾Tamra Stansfield

· “Assembling Complex Evidence”¾Warren Bittner

· “Researching Your Scottish Ancestors”¾Raymon Naisbitt

· “Your Ancestors in the Newspapers? Read All About It”¾Ron Ray

The classes available from 11:00 a.m. to noon are:

· “Using Online Storage in Family History”¾Tom Stubben

· “Preserving Evidence”¾Warren Bittner

· “Quakers and Their Records”¾Lisa Arnold

· “Research, Collaborate, and Learn On-The-Go Using Mobile Devices”¾Sue Maxwell

Win a RootsTech Registration!

2013-02-07T14:40:00.000-07:00

Here comes RootsTech! And do I have a deal for you!
I want someone to attend RootsTech next month for FREE!

RootsTech is for EVERYONE! Many of you have taken the leap in the past and enjoyed the experience. This year will provide more speakers, more classes, a 40% bigger Expo Hall where you can visit with all the vendors, and a new Getting Started Track! So there really is something for everyone.

I want to give one of you an opportunity to attend the conference for FREE. All you have to do is go to RootsTech.org, find the Getting Started Schedule, and send me (1) the name of the class and (2) the person teaching the class that you are most interested in, (3) as well as your name. Send the info to me and I will randomly draw the name of the winning person.

See that CONTACT ME button over on the right column ---------)- Just click on it and send me your info. I am going to make this a very quick contest so get your entry in quickly. I will draw the winning email on Tuesday, February 12th.

If you have attended RootsTech in the past or you just cannot attend this year, forward this on to your friends and family. Give someone else the opportunity to attend.
Hope to see you all there!! March 21-23!