This year’s RootsTech was no ordinary RootsTech. After being an entirely online event in 2021 and 2022, the largest family history conference in the world was back with in-person events. Much of the conference was still streamed online, so that it didn’t matter where you were on planet Earth. As long as you had an internet connection, you could still participate in RootsTech! But for the first time in what felt like a long time, RootsTech offered family history enthusiasts the chance to rub shoulders and shake hands in person, as they attended classes together and gathered for keynote addresses by special guests.
If you’ve been to RootsTech before but missed out on this one, you’re probably wondering how it went. Ditto for people who have never been but are thinking about maybe attending next year. Of course, the best way to find out how RootsTech went is to talk to the people who attended. Let’s take a look at what a few of them had to say.
A great place to find inspiration
Jen, who attended the conference with her sister Paula, says that being at RootsTech in person reminded her that she needed to bring more tissues. “There is something about being here that just brings the tears,” she says, “in a good way. You feel touched the entire time.”
For a young man named Collin, RootsTech 2023 was his second time attending in person. He said the first time he didn’t know what to expect and so was “blown away by how much fun it was.” He met a neighbor he didn’t know he lived by and connected with several of his cousins.
This year, Collin continued the tradition of unexpected discoveries by running into another neighbor. This time, however, it was a neighbor from another city—where Collin used to live. The two friends hadn’t seen each other in years, but at RootsTech, things like that just seem to happen. “Such a great place to be,” says Collin. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
A great place to learn new family history skills
RootsTech 2023 was Cassandra’s first time at the conference. She says she was amazed by how knowledgeable all the class instructors were. Meeting actor and narrator Kirby Heyborne, the conference emcee, was definitely a highlight. She also loved touring the Expo Hall and browsing all the family history booths. The discounts being offered were nice, but “the freebies” were even better.
Marcia called RootsTech 2023 “a wonderful experience.” She met cousins and attended classes on family history topics that interested her. “Everything I’ve learned I’m going to use immediately,” she says.
For Rachel, another first-time attendee, the highlight of RootsTech 2023 was undoubtedly an unexpected conversation with watercolor artist Kate Lee. Rachel met Kate while walking through Central Park—a large, spacious area inside the Expo Hall, with benches and trees just like at a real park. Rachel says Kate was in the middle of a painting, and she got to talk to her about her artwork. It was an experience Rachel will always remember. “Thank you, RootsTech,” she says. “This is my first year here, and I am loving it!”
A great place to meet new people
Over the years, culinary genealogist Meli Alexander has attracted a large following on social media. She’s gotten to know some of her fans online, just never in person. RootsTech 2023 was the chance to do just that. She says the entire conference was “an absolute blast” and something she’ll never forget.
“2023 is my fifth year in person at RootsTech, and I absolutely love it,” says a woman named Natalie. “Every year I learn something new, something that helps build my skills as a genealogist.”
For Natalie, there’s something special about actually being there in the Salt Palace and mingling with the other attendees. “It helps me meet new people,” she says. And meeting new people can lead to big breakthroughs in her research. “This year I met a cousin from England, and I’m super excited to work on a family line with her.”
A great place to learn about DNA—and anything else that interests you!
Danny had never been to RootsTech before, but the t-shirt he wore—emblazoned with the words “I’m with my cousins” and an arrow pointing in both directions—is a pretty good clue as to the topics that most interest him. DNA, for one—and discovering new relatives! RootsTech didn’t let him down. “It’s so great—so many cool things to see,” he says. “DNA kits, all kinds of fun stuff that I’ve gotten to explore. It’s been an amazing first-time experience.”
Catch up on RootsTech whenever you want
RootsTech 2023 was a spectacular success. If you missed it—don’t worry, you can watch any of the keynote addresses and many of the 2023 classes any time you want from the RootsTech website. Just go to the RootsTech site, and click On Demand. You’ll see what to do after that.
What do you want to learn? With so much material at your fingertips, you can train yourself in almost any topic at the RootsTech video library. And remember: time flies, so keep an eye out for RootsTech 2024. It will be here before you know it!
Listen to some of the testimonials from our Attendees
What Is RootsTech?
RootsTech is a place to learn, be inspired, and make connections through family history. Hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by other leading genealogy organizations, we have hundreds of expert classes, tips and tricks videos, and inspiring stories that can help you experience family history like never before. Visit our on-demand learning library, or make plans to join us for our next virtual or in-person conference event.
