FAMILYSEARCH MAKES MAJOR DONATION TO IAAM

Yesterday afternoon was the official kick-off for #RootsTech 2019 with the Opening Session. While the theme of this year's conference continues to be "Connect-Belong" there is a specific emphasis on healing. 

During the session, we were witness to a wonderful presentation by Michael Moore about the opening of the International African American Museum. This museum is going to be on the site of what was once Gadsden's Wharf where nearly half of all enslaved Africans entered America. 

The museum will provide a place for descendants of African slaves to gather, remember, learn more of their history and culture and celebrate the role that these enslaved men and women played in the history of America. 

Following Michael's moving presentation, David Elder Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, announced that the church was donating $2,000,000 to the museum for their Centre for Family History. Elder Bednar said, "We want to support the museum and the Centre for Family History because we both value the strength that comes from learning about our families. The museum will not only educate its patrons on the important contributions of Africans who came through Gadsden's Wharf and Charleston, it will also all who visit to discover and connect with ancestors whose stories previously may not have been known." What a powerful message of healing!

Breaking News from MyHeritage

Another big announcement from RootsTech, this one from MyHeritage who have just launched "The Theory of Family Relativity™" 

From their announcement: 

This technology fulfills a promise made by our CEO, Gilad Japhet, last year in RootsTech, and is the first of its kind. The Theory of Family Relativity™ traverses the worlds of family trees, historical records, and DNA testing by connecting billions of data points to craft a theory of how two DNA Matches on MyHeritage are related.

This theory is a game-changer in the world of genetic genealogy, and scans billions of family trees, historical records, and other databases to illuminate the relationships between DNA Matches. The Theory of Family Relativity™ is a prime example of MyHeritage’s passion for innovation, fusing the worlds of genealogy and DNA testing to help people break through genealogical brick walls.

Enjoy connecting in relative terms

BREAKING NEWS!!! 1921 CENSUS IS COMING TO FINDMYPAST

One of the standards at any conference is the 'swag bag' 

Here are some of the specials inside:

LivingDNA and FamilyTreeDNA are selling kits for just $49

Apparently AncestryDNA didn't get the memo and are selling their kits for $59

RootsTech London is offering a 'Pre-Earlybird Sale price of £89 for the London Conference registration IF you register before RootsTech SLC is finished

But the BIG news comes from Findmypast! The 1921 English and Welsh census returns are COMING SOON!! The returns are being digitized as we speak, so look forward to that release

Media Dinner

Last night was the long awaited Media Dinner. This is a dinner where Ambassadors get to learn about the week ahead. And when we get to socialize with other Ambassadors. It is always a treat. 

Presentation is everything. But not everything on the plate is edible. Like the orchid, for instance. My tablemate, Dan Earl found that out the hard way. Oh my!

Some statistics for the week: 

13,000 paid registrations
All 50 states are represented by attendees
37 countries are represented by attendees

The goal is customer satisfaction. There are ASK staff in blue shirts throughout the venue to offer help, guidance and directions. There are RootsTech Crew members in bright pink shirts throughout the venue too to assist with anything you might need help with. There is wifi, there are 415 computers and there are lots of places to sit and chat or sit and research. 

Let's DO this!

It's Registration Day at #RootsTech

Today was the first day of RootsTech registration. Remembering what past years have been like, I decided to jump on the bandwagon as early as I could. I needn't have worried. RootsTech had this down to a science and it was not only incredibly seamless but also nicely lacking chaos of loooong lines. 

The whole process was so quick that I was able to sit and chat with other Ambassadors afterwards. A really relaxing experience. 

The Convention Centre is looking wonderful and ready for the onslaught of attendees. 

The new ASK team was everywhere and very helpful. As were the RootsTech Crew members. It was fun to see the hall before the masses arrive and the hall really can't be seen for the throngs of people. The promotions for RootsTech London are in place and ready for the BIG promo happening during #RootsTech. Stay tuned for that announcement tomorrow. 

It's also fun to see how involved the community is too:

Commonwealth Gathering

Many thanks once again to Jill Ball (Geniaus) and Sharn White for hosting the commonwealth gathering. This has become a signature pre-#RootsTech event with genealogists from the commonwealth countries gathering to chat and network in the excitement leading up to RootsTech. 

This year there were 29 delegates representing Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Canada, Wales and South Africa. With the sprinkling of a few guests thrown in. 

And I noticed on the way to the Blue Lemon that the RootsTech banner on the tower at the Convention Centre is now finished. All in a day's work. 

The Din is Growing!

This morning I headed to the Family History Library. On my way past the Convention Centre, I noticed that preparations are underway:

I hit the microfiche machines. Boy, the good old days...

It was amazing to see so many genea-friends in the library. 

I was alerted to the fact that Dear Myrt was underway with her Mondays with Myrt and they were "recruiting" for guests. I made my way to the third floor, but never did get to the sign up list, being easily sidetracked chatting with others who were waiting and watching. 

Then it was over to the cafeteria for a bite to eat. On my way out, I ran into the Dear Myrt table so stopped to chat. I took a stroll through Temple Square and then noticed that the RootsTech preparations had come a long way in just a morning. 

Tonight is the Commonwealth dinner at Blue Lemon. Another great chance to gather with genealogists. 

It's RootsTech Week in Salt Lake City

I've been waiting for a year. A full year. I have had my hotel booked since last year's RootsTech. Toward the end of last week, pre-travel preparations were underway. 

Conference nails done: 

List for the FHL made, dinner and lunch dates for this week booked, laundry done and just the packing left to do when Mother Nature decided to rear her ugly winter head once again. She was threatening sustained hurricane force winds and blowing snow. On the day I was supposed to be traveling to the airport. Determined not to have the weather interfere, it was time for a Plan B to be put into place. 

So, a day ahead of time, I made my way to a hotel near the airport. If the weather was manageable, I would only have a few blocks to travel. If the weather caused delays or cancellations, I was safely ensconced nearby. 

Yesterday morning it was raining but the mess that was predicted hadn't arrived. I checked the airport website and saw that most flights heading east or to the immediate west were cancelled. I watched and waited. No wind. No snow. And no change to my flight. 

Oh! An alert from the airline! Rather anticlimactic. A 10 minute delay. The winds had kicked up at home so I definitely made the right decision getting to the airport ahead of the storm. I made my way over to the airport. Still no further delay. And because of the cancellations, no line ups either! Not for the check in kiosk. Not for bag check. Not for security and not for customs. 

The incoming flight was delayed by about 10 minutes. In the end, we boarded about 20 minutes later than scheduled but all in all, we were doing well. Then came take off...

Oh those winds! Up. Down. Sideways. Up. Down. Up. I kept waiting for the announcement that we were going to abort the take off. But it didn't come. The first few minutes were tense and then finally we were above it all. 

And now, here I am safely in SLC and READY FOR ROOTSTECH! 

Scottish Borders Genealogy Research Tour Itinerary

The itinerary for Scottish Borders Tour in September 2020 is now set:

SUNDAY SEPT 20 – Day of arrival. We will meet in the small meeting room of the hotel at 6:30 pm

MONDAY SEPT 21 – Today the full group will be going to the Borders Archives at the Heritage Hub in Hawick where we will receive an overview of the collections held at the archives as well as a talk about Family History. In addition, there will be the opportunity for five researchers to take advantage of the ScotlandsPeople computers available in the building. There will be a fee of £15 to use the ScotlandsPeople computers. The Centre closes at 3:15 pm

TUESDAY SEPT 22 – Today we will return to the Heritage Hub in Hawick for another full day of research. Again, there will be the opportunity for five researchers to take advantage of the ScotlandsPeople computers available onsite. The Centre is open until 7:15 pm. There is a café onsite.

WEDNESDAY SEPT 23 – Today we will travel to Galashiels for research at the Borders Family History Society. Half of the group will research in the morning and the other half in the afternoon since space is limited. Those not researching can spend time in Galashiels.

THURSDAY SEPT 24 – Today we will return to the Heritage Hub in Hawick for our final full day of research.  Anyone wishing to return to the Borders Family History Society instead may do so.

FRIDAY SEPT 25 – Today the group will be split in half. Half will remain in Melrose and can visit some historic sites (Abbotsford House, Melrose and Dryburgh Abbeys, Trimontium Museum. The other half of the group will be travelling to Moffat via Selkirk for a day of touring. We will stop in both towns.

SATURDAY SEPT 26 – Today the two groups will switch places with yesterday’s Melrose group going to Selkirk and Moffat and the other group remaining in Melrose.

SUNDAY SEPT 27 – The tour ends today when we check out of the hotel.

If you have roots in the Scottish Borders and wish to join us: 

https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/scottish-borders-2020.html

Orkney Research Tour Itinerary

Here's the Itinerary the Genealogy Research Tour in Orkney 2020:

Sunday May 24 – day of arrival. We will meet in the hotel bar at 6:30 pm

Monday May 25 – Bank Holiday – the archives will be closed today, so this day will be given over to sightseeing. Half of the group will remain in Kirkwall while the other half travels to the eastern part of the mainland to see the Churchill Barrier, the Italian Chapel and the Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre where there are archival documents for the island of Burray. The two groups will switch places in the afternoon.

Italian Chapel

Tuesday May 26 – Full group will attend the archives in the morning for an overview of the records and a behind the scenes tour. Full day of research for the group. Please note that volunteers from the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm. Half of the group will be going to Maeshowe chambered cairn for the last tour of the day at 4 pm. We will leave Kirkwall at 3:20

Maeshowe

Wednesday May 27 – Half of the group will be going to the Archives today for a full day of research. Please note that the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm

The other half of the group will take a trip to the Western mainland to see the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae and Skaill House. Lunch will be at Orkney Brewery. Those who wish can take a tour. It lasts about 45 minutes and includes a flight of craft beers after the tour is over. Those not wishing to take the tour can hang out in the café. The tour is £7

Skara Brae

Thursday May 28 – Yesterday’s two groups will switch places today with half of the group going to the Archives today for a full day of research. Please note that the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm. The other half of the group will take a trip to the Western mainland to see the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae and Skaill House. Lunch will be at Orkney Brewery. Those who wish can take a tour. It lasts about 45 minutes and includes a flight of craft beers after the tour is over. Those not wishing to take the tour can hang out in the café. The tour is £7

Orkney Brewery 

Friday May 29 - Full group will attend the archives in the morning for an overview of the records and a behind the scenes tour. Full day of research for the group. Please note that volunteers from the Orkney Family History Society will be in the library from 2pm – 4:30 pm. Half of the group will be going to Maeshowe chambered cairn for the last tour of the day at 4 pm. We will leave Kirkwall at 3:20

Saturday May 30 – Today will be a day to take in the sights and history of Orkney. I will be taking people into Stromness while others remain in Kirkwall. Please note that the Orkney Family History Society is open ALL day today for anyone wishing to research. Their hours are 11 am – 4:30 pm

Stromness

To join the Orkney Genealogy Research Tour: 

https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/orkney-2020.html

Can't Get to RootsTech? Enjoy from Home

Can't get to RootsTech this year? No worries, you can still take part in the conference from home. 

Some of the classes as well as the general sessions will be live streamed so that you can enjoy the learning. Click here for the schedule.

In addition, other classes will be recorded and made available within a day or two of the live talk. Watch the RootsTech website for those recordings coming online. 

And NEW THIS YEAR is the Virtual Pass. For just $129 you can enjoy a further 18 classes. These will be available for 12 months so you can revisit them anytime.  

Download the APP and take advantage of the handouts that have been made available. 

Sit back, relax and enjoy the learning that RootsTech has to offer - all from the comfort of HOME. 

RootsTech is Almost HERE!

In just three weeks, I will be flying to Salt Lake City to take part in the largest genealogy conference in North America. This is a great time to connect, re-connect and deepen my sense of my presence and place in the larger genealogy community. 

There will be learning, shopping, networking and interviewing. It will go by in a flash and the exhaustion will set in once I get on the plane to come
4 home. But that exhaustion will come with a wonderful sense of belonging, with a deeper understanding of what it means to be connected and a head full of new resources for genealogy research. 

Are YOU going to RootsTech? Here are some things you might find helpful: 

The RootsTech Survival Guide

Roads to RootsTech Video Series

RootsTech Mobile App