 RootsTech 2025: World’s Largest Family History Event Wrap-up If you don’t know what RootsTech is, it’s the largest family history and genealogy event, around the world, of the year, celebrating family! RootsTech has certainly done it again! That was a fantastic, fun-filled 3 days! They seem to top themselves each year! The RootsTech 2025 event, hosted by FamilySearch, has finally come to an end, but the learning has not. Did you know that you can still access RootsTech? Not only can you access almost everything in your playlist for 3 years, the sessions/classes, keynotes, and Expo Hall (just not the deals), but they are keeping your chats available (to copy down your info) for the year, and you can still access RootsTech Relatives for the rest of the month! So, if you want to view any of the more than 1,500+ RootsTech Sessions (most of the 412+ in-person and online sessions for 2025 and most of the other sessions from the past 3 years), Keynote Speakers or the Expo Hall, they are all still available, and will continue to be available! RootsTech: The Event of the Year, Once Again RootsTech began in 2011, in-person, in Salt Lake City, and for their 10th anniversary, had to get creative, due to Covid. RootsTech 2021 was such a hit going virtual and FREE three years ago, due to Covid, that they went from about 30,000 attendees the year before to over 1,000,000! It was so amazing that they decided to do it again for 2022, and once again broke their record to 3,000,000! Then, they really outdid themselves by going hybrid two years ago, keeping the virtual platform, they designed just to use with the 2021 pandemic event that reached the entire world, and combining it smoothly with an in-person event for those missing the in-person experience, in which they had over 4,000,000 attendees worldwide from 240 countries and territories! This year, hybrid as well, was no exception and was once again the most fantastic global, family discovery event of the year, genealogy or otherwise! My RootsTech 2025 Faves Although I joined virtually and missed out on just a few in-person only sessions and aspects like MyHeritage's featured session and joining up with groups that I'm a part of, I had a great time! I absolutely loved everything about RootsTech, from ALL of the keynote speakers, the sessions, the new RootsTech theme song, “Who I Am” and featured video, the Relatives at RootsTech, the Expo Hall, to the chat and more, all of it was fantastic! All the keynote speakers were amazing, but my absolute faves this year were designer and artist, Dana Tanamachi’s inspiring and emotional personal family history story and journey; activist, author, and missionary to youngsters to preserve their family history and stories, Ndaba Mandela’s powerful and meaningful message; and singer, song writer and YouTube content creator Ysabelle Cuevas’ inspiring personal family history story, that hit home, and her version of the theme song! My other absolute faves at RootsTech were the Innovation and Tech Forum and FamilySearch Global and Tech Forum, as always; the Impact Forum, especially photographer Mylo Fowler’s powerful and inspiring story and message; the beautiful rendition of the theme song that was song by both Tanner Towsend (who did the original) and Ysabelle Cuevas! I joined many classes and have to say my faves this year were the very well organized, clear, concise, thorough, and excellent speakers and their topics, Mindy Taylor and her topic “ Analyzing Evidence: A Research Game Changer”; David Allen Lambert and his topic “ Getting Started in Scottish Research” that covered information fill for ALL levels and Alice Childs and her topic “ Extracting Evidence: Strategies for Analyzing Genealogical Sources! RootsTech 2025 at a Glance Attendees:
Relatives at RootsTech 2025:  Out of over 460, 000 participants of Relatives at RootsTech...  I had over 30,000 relatives at RootsTech this year! New 2025 Innovations and Tech I Got to Learn About
I saw as much of the main stage as possible and joined quite a few classes, and I’m so glad that I can save the rest to my playlist for later; of course, there was no way to get in everything in just 3 short days! 😉
It was such a big hit once again that they’ll being going hybrid again next year! See you on March 5th of 2025! Don't forget to discover your past and those that came before, by including family, friends, strangers, communities, and the world! Discover those that have made the biggest impact on you, your stories, memories, traditions, and more, and preserve those memories for future generations so they can learn from our experiences! Discover how you can share your family history discoveries, knowledge, and resources to help others discover those that came before and who had the greatest impact on their lives! Discover you, discover connection, discover something new about your story and connect with it in a deeper way! If you missed the RootsTech 2025 event, you can still sign up for FREE online and view all the classes for FREE, at RootsTech! Don’t have an account? You can create your FREE FamilySearch account at FamilySearch!
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 Top 5 Reasons to DNA Test for Genealogy In recent years, DNA testing has revolutionized the field of genealogy. What was once limited to dusty archives and oral histories has now expanded into the realm of genetic analysis, offering a deeper, more scientific understanding of our roots. But why should you consider taking a DNA test? Below are the top five reasons, complete with detailed explanations and examples, to help you decide if DNA testing is right for you. 1. Discovering Your Ethnic Origins One of the most popular reasons people turn to DNA testing is to discover their ethnic origins. Companies like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage, and Living DNA analyze your DNA to provide estimates of your ethnic makeup. This can reveal surprising details about your heritage, connecting you to regions and cultures you might not have known were part of your family history. Example: Imagine growing up with the understanding that your family was predominantly of Irish descent, only to find through DNA testing that you have significant Scandinavian roots. This newfound knowledge could inspire you to explore Scandinavian customs, learn the language, or even travel to the region to connect with your ancestral homeland. 2. Connecting with Genetic Relatives DNA testing can connect you with relatives you never knew existed. Whether you're looking to expand your family tree, find distant cousins, or even discover biological family members, DNA matches can lead to meaningful connections and enrich your understanding of your family's history. Example: A woman adopted at birth used DNA testing to find her biological parents and siblings. Through the DNA matches provided by the testing service, she was able to connect with a half-sister who had been searching for her as well. This discovery not only filled in missing pieces of her personal history but also introduced her to a whole new family. 3. Breaking Down Brick Walls in Genealogical Research Genealogists often encounter "brick walls"—points in their research where records become scarce or nonexistent. DNA testing can help break down these barriers by providing clues that guide researchers toward new records or previously unknown family connections. Example: A genealogist struggling to find records for an ancestor who immigrated to the United States in the 1800s discovered a distant cousin through DNA testing. This cousin had access to family letters that mentioned the ancestor's original name and birthplace in Europe, providing the breakthrough needed to continue the research. 4. Understanding Genetic Health Risks While genealogy-focused DNA tests primarily provide information about ancestry and relatives, some services also offer insights into genetic health risks, such as 23andMe. By understanding your genetic predispositions, you can make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle, potentially catching issues before they become serious. Example: A man with a family history of heart disease took a DNA test that included health risk analysis. The test revealed that he carried a genetic variant associated with an increased risk of heart conditions. Armed with this knowledge, he consulted his doctor and adopted a healthier lifestyle to mitigate his risks, possibly preventing future health problems. 5. Preserving Your Family's Legacy for Future Generations DNA testing is not just about uncovering the past; it's also about preserving your family’s legacy for future generations. By testing your DNA, you contribute to a genetic record that your descendants can use to understand their heritage, make connections, and continue building the family tree long after you're gone. Example: A grandfather decided to take a DNA test to leave a genetic record for his grandchildren. Along with the results, he wrote a letter explaining what he knew about the family's history and how DNA testing might reveal even more. His grandchildren now have a valuable resource for exploring their heritage and adding to the family's legacy. ConclusionDNA testing offers a fascinating window into our past, present, and future. Whether you're curious about your ethnic roots, looking to connect with relatives, or aiming to break down brick walls in your genealogical research, DNA testing can provide the answers you seek. Additionally, understanding your genetic health risks and preserving your family's legacy for future generations makes DNA testing a powerful tool that extends beyond simple curiosity. With each test, you’re not just uncovering your story—you’re also adding to the ever-growing tapestry of human history. More Genetic Genealogy/DNA ResourcesFind more DNA genealogy resources, tips, and other info under the Genetic Genealogy and DNA category. More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. More Top Genealogy |
Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family: Family History and Genealogy BlogI hope my family history and genealogy blog on genealogy research tips, resources, events, and more, along with my own genealogy journeys, will help you in your research and in building your family tree to learn more about your ancestors and family history to preserve for future generations to come! Categories
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