Time to Reflect and Recollect—RootsTech 2024 Day 3 Recap

Day 3 RootsTech recap - Kristin Chenoweth RootsTech keynote speaker

Farewell, friends! Today, March 2, was the last day of RootsTech 2024. We will miss meeting together and connecting with you in person and online. We hope that during the conference, you were able to remember your roots and reflect on stories, moments, and interactions you've had throughout the years with the people that matter most. Remember that you can find ways to commemorate and honor the rich stories that make up your family—and that you can add your own story to that legacy.

This year we were blessed and inspired by amazing keynotes, classes, and connections with speakers and attendees alike. We laughed, we shared, and we learned how each person's story is worth remembering. RootsTech 2024 doesn't have to be over today, though! You can continue to enjoy it with your friends and family all year long through our library of online content.

Participants at a class during day 3 of RootsTech 2024

Come back and remember this unforgettable weekend as often as you can! And, if you weren't able to join us for the conference today in-person or online, here's a recollection of RootsTech day 3.

Kirby Heyborne kicked off the last general session by interviewing some of the amazing RootsTech global emcees. Rebecca Miskin, CEO of platinum sponsor Findmypast, came onstage afterwards to share special updates. "History is all about stories," she said, as she talked about the tiny details that make up our ancestors' pasts.

Kendall Hulet, CEO of RootsTech platinum sponsor Storied, presented next, sharing the twists and turns that our family stories can take. He described his mom as his main "angel investor," and showed the audience how he memorialized and preserved his mother's life using Storied.

Rebecca Miskin on the Main Stage, Day 3 of RootsTech 2024

RootsTech attendees were delighted when Emmy® and Tony® Award winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth joined for the closing session of the conference. Known for iconic roles in Pushing Daisies, Wicked, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Glee, and more, Kristin Chenoweth is a beloved and venerated performer who came to share her experiences and talent with the RootsTech family.

Kristin shared her voice on the stage, first talking about her personal journey of how she made it to the bright lights of stardom and how her strong family roots helped her succeed. Her story was filled with meaningful and insightful reflections and musings on creativity, love, and generosity. She then dazzled the audience with her renowned soprano voice as she performed a selection of songs, including Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Changed for Good.

The last day of RootsTech 2024 also featured more of our sponsor highlights, with classes from Ancestry, Storied, and others, as well as classes designed specifically for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Download a Copy of the RootsTech Global Family Recipes Cookbook

You can also join in the RootsTech fun from the comfort of your own kitchen! The 2024 RootsTech Family Recipes eCookbook is now available so you can explore new cultures, stories, and cuisines with your family. You can even submit your own family's recipes

Picture of a potential cover for the future RootsTech Global Family Recipes Cookbook, showing a dish of delicious spaghetti.

Don't Miss These Videos from Day 3 of RootsTech!

Now that RootsTech is over, it's the perfect time to reflect on the best moments of the conference. Here is a collection of the top videos from the last day of RootsTech!

Kristin Chenoweth will have you cheering, smiling, and even singing during her keynote closing out the last day of RootsTech 2024. Watch her awe-inspiring performance now available as an on-demand video.
Watch the closing session of RootsTech 2024 and hear from Emmy® and Tony® Award winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth as well as our platinum sponsors Storied and Findmypast.
Hear from FamilySearch global leadership, including Ann Harrison, Stephen Valentine, Tom Gill, and Michael Colemere as they discuss efforts to make family history accessible world-wide.
Gather your family to watch a session full of inspiration and celebration featuring a message from Gerrit W. Gong, a documentary featuring the late President M. Russell Ballard, and a performance of the RootsTech 2024 theme song.

Family Discovery Day

Day 3 of RootsTech was made even more fun with the offerings of Family Discovery Day! Families of all sizes and people of all ages took part in exciting activities celebrating family memories and encouraging connection. The expo hall became even more animated with a shoot-out featuring basketball legend Jimmer Fredette, and a friendly exhibition pickleball game with pro players.

Jimmer Fredette gives a kid a high-five during the RootsTech Expo Hall Basketball Game

Participants also came together in person and online to watch a special never-before-seen film featuring the late President M. Russell Ballard and his visit to his ancestral homelands of Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois, and Kirtland, Ohio. The film was touching and drove home the message of remembering those that have passed on and the legacy they leave behind. If you missed the premiere, don't worry! It's available to re-watch on the RootsTech website.

Our Top Picks

There are so many online classes, workshops, and activities available for you to re-watch now that RootsTech 2024 has wrapped up! The fun and learning of RootsTech doesn't have to end, and you can keep sharing all your memories and takeaways with family and friends.

Use the hashtag #RootsTech to check out other participants' favorite moments from the conference and keep sharing your own! As always, you can follow RootsTech social media @RootsTech for announcements and information about next year's conference. Mark your calendars for RootsTech 2025, March 6-8!

If you want to know where to start with your reflection of RootsTech 2024, here's a list of our top recommendations of what to watch!

Find the "secret sauce" that can help you find your groove and enjoy your family history calling! This class covers ten fun and engaging ways to learn more about FamilySearch and how you can help others with family history research. Easy habit-stacks will increase your confidence and enjoyment of the work.
Join Jimmer and Whitney Fredette at this workshop as they show you how to add your own cherished memories to the Memories feature on FamilySearch. Expect lots of basketball anecdotes and stories about family fun!
This class will dive deep into the integration of family tree hints, personal stories, newspaper matches, and additional features that elevate your genealogical exploration. Leave with the tools to create a comprehensive and engaging family history narrative.
In this lecture, learn how you can create fun, engaging, and testimony-building family history opportunities for youth. You will be given a repeatable, customizable and exciting curriculum that engages youth and adults alike in family history experiences for any activity, class, group, family or club.
What can genetic genealogy really DO for your family history? Come and see real life examples where people have found clues about longtime family mysteries, the identities of missing ancestors, and more. You’ll walk away with fresh vision and excitement for using genetic genealogy–both the genetics AND the genealogy!
Each surname has its own story to tell. In this talk you will get hints and tips on using techniques such as surname mapping to pinpoint the possible geographical origin of your surname and learn how DNA testing can help your surname research. If you have a good understanding of basic genealogical research, this session is for you!


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.

About the Author
Elisha is a writer and editor passionate about her family history and roots in the Dominican Republic. She loves connecting with others about their family traditions—particularly food-related ones. Elisha loves learning about other cultures and firmly believes that we can all find ways to connect to each other through heritage.