As the sun sets on our final day of RootsTech 2025, we hope you'll treasure the discoveries you made this weekend. The last day of the conference featured more of our sponsor highlights, with classes from FamilyTreeDNA, Findmypast, and others, as well as classes designed for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We got to hear from so many amazing speakers today during the Impact Forum, the General Session, and the Family Discovery Day Live Session.
It was a privilege to hear from all of the inspiring keynotes, attend classes, and create new connections. An even greater privilege is that many of these RootsTech sessions will continue to be available in our online video library!
Impact Forum
The purpose of RootsTech’s Impact Forum is to explore how the discoveries we make through family history change us, strengthen us, and create lasting change in our lives, our communities, and our world. This year’s forum was exactly that, filled with inspiring stories and messages about the beauty of connection and the impact of family history. Award-winning photographer Mylo Fowler, chief research officer for American Ancestors Lindsay Fulton, and renowned bassist Victor Wooten shared their powerful perspectives on discovering who they are and how to help others do the same.
Mylo Fowler
Mylo Fowler’s message centered on his dedication to and experiences in seeing nature, culture, and identity through his camera lens. He shared insights into his own Navajo heritage, with lessons and insights from his great-grandmother and other clan members.
Relating his experiences in sleeping in minus 38-degree weather and braving fierce storms, Mylo talked about his passion for capturing moments that inspire and encourage others to think about the world and people around them.
He left us with an invitation to think about how we can use our interconnectedness around the world to become each other’s medicine.
Lindsay Fulton
In her message, Lindsay Fulton gave examples of how family history can impact expansive communities. She shared an update on American Ancestor’s 10 Million Names Project: a collaborative genealogical research effort to identify the 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in the pre- and post-colonial United States. An estimated 44 million United States citizens are descendants of those 10 million people.
One of the newest miraculous findings from this project is that researchers have found a living descendant of Elizabeth Freeman, a Black enslaved woman who successfully sued her owners and won her freedom. Freeman’s case set a precedent for slavery to be abolished in Massachusetts. Lisa Shepperson, the living descendant of Freeman, was in attendance during the forum.
Victor Wooten
Victor Wooten, widely recognized as one of the greatest bass players of all time, asked a simple question: “Who are you?” He shared how, while most of us may answer that question with our careers, titles, or lifestyles, who we are is more than what we do.
In his message, accompanied by smooth music from him and his bass, Victor talked about how he’s been playing music his entire life. The first memory he has is of playing bass in a band with his brother at age 2. With much success in the music industry, he has made it a goal to make sure that he’s using his influence for good. “We are here because of the good people before us,” he said. “So let’s do things with it.”
For Victor, knowing who we are is about how we connect to our ancestors, what lessons we learn from them, and the decisions we make to honor them.
Day 3 General Session
What a great way to kick off the last day of RootsTech! Today's Main Stage general session featured Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall, gold medalists from the recent Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. We also got to hear from Storied, another RootsTech platinum sponsor. The session ended with a musical performance by Ysabelle Cuevas, one of our virtual keynote speakers.
The Woodhalls
Along with the rest of us, emcee Kirby Heyborne was thrilled by the chance to meet Olympian Tara Davis-Woodhall and Paralympian Hunter Woodhall.
Kirby began by asking the couple, "Who runs alongside you?" They each shared how their families have been the bedrock of their support systems in their individual athletic journeys. Tara's father was her coach up until she started college. She said, "My dad never doubted me. His unwavering support set me up for the gold medal." Hunter ran at the Paris Olympics in memory of his late uncle Wyatt. From the time he was born with a birth defect and had both legs amputated, Hunter said his family "has had an unwavering belief" in him, allowing him to succeed when the rest of the world told him it was impossible.
A representative from FamilySearch joined the stage to present the Woodhalls with genealogy research on their ancestors. Tara was blown away by a story of her great-grandfather revealed through the United States census. He went from a humble shoe-shiner to a professional boxer in just a decade. Tara remarked: "It feels really good to keep that legacy alive of never giving up."
In honor of International Women's Day, FamilySearch shared stories of brave women in Hunter's family line. These ancestors included a great-great-grandmother who took in and raised her grandson when she was already in her 50s. Hunter said, "We are here because of the sacrifices of strong women in our lives."
The Woodhalls reflected on the legacy they have inherited from their ancestors. Hunter concluded with this thought-provoking statement: "The most valuable thing we own is our name."
Platinum Sponsor: Storied
Storied is one of RootsTech's platinum sponsors this year. Their CEO, Kendall Hulet, shared with us the importance of stories that are at the heart of family history. With Storied, you can create a customized book full of your family history stories and accented with photos. With a QR code for each story, you can easily attach PDFs, audio files, and, soon, video to reference in your physical book.
Hulet reminded us that "we can shape future generations with the stories that we pass down."
Family Discovery Day
Family Discovery Day is always an eagerly anticipated event at RootsTech! The Expo Hall had several special activities, including RootsTech sponsors hosting green-light specials throughout the day. Family Discovery Day's live session included a performance by the Piano Guys, as well as a special presentation by Elder Neil L. Andersen and Sister Kathy Andersen, joined by President Jeffrey R. Holland.
Family Discovery Day Live Session
The last Main Stage session of RootsTech 2025 began with an outstanding performance by Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson, of The Piano Guys. The pianist and cellist played several of the group's songs, some original compositions and some covers of well-known pop songs mixed with classical music. They also shared stories of their ancestors and how family has affected their lives.
We were then privileged to hear from Elder Neil L. Andersen, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, and President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The three discussed the importance of family and shared personal stories of family members who have influenced them for the better. Elder Andersen emphasized that "we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us." He also reiterated Steve Rockwood's invitation from the beginning of RootsTech to add what we know to our family's stories.
Until We Meet Again
Now that you've learned so many new things about genealogy at RootsTech, don't be afraid to put your new knowledge to the test! If you run into problems with your research, you're not alone. You can schedule a free virtual consultation with an expert genealogist at the FamilySearch Library to get some help.
We hope you're already planning for next year's conference! Mark your calendar for RootsTech 2026, and make sure to follow the RootsTech Facebook, Instagram, or X account for future announcements.
Until then, continue to share your memories of RootsTech 2025. You can use the hashtag #RootsTech2025 on social media—others will be able to share your favorite experiences from the conference!
RootsTech 2025 Day 3 Highlights
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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, RootsTech has 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.
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