To Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch, Legos are more than a fun toy for his children to play with—or a piece of plastic to accidentally step on. They are a personal reminder to him of his family, his family history, and even FamilySearch’s goals to help others find their “missing Lego bricks”—pieces of their own family stories.
At the beginning of the RootsTech 2024 conference, Steve presented this year’s conference theme, "Remember,” emphasizing “our great need to remember…and to be remembered.” He used Legos, a touching video, and several family stories to emphasize a few key points, including that those in the genealogy field have been blessing people’s lives using technology for many decades.
Learn more by watching Steve Rockwood’s full keynote on RootsTech.org for free or read on for more highlights.
2024 RootsTech Theme, “Remember”
“Our theme this year is Remember,” Steve said. “Some might say it could be considered the most important theme we’ve ever had because of our great need to remember…and to be remembered.” He also referenced a saying from Spencer W. Kimball, about the word ‘remember’ potentially being the most important word in the dictionary because of our great need to do it.
Steve asked the RootsTech audience, “When you were young, whenever you left the house, did you use to hear what I always heard from my parents? ‘Remember who you are!’ and ‘Remember what you stand for!’” When he remembered his parents and heeded their words, Steve said he would act differently. He would act better.
Legos and Family History
During his address, Steve explained how Legos are an ongoing part of his family’s history. “My sons grew up with a grandpa who actually worked for Lego,” he said. And now, Steve and his family still carry on the tradition of Legos. As a young parent with 4 boys, Steve would put a small Lego brick in his pocket when heading out on a business trip, to remind him of home and of his family—and also to remind himself of who he was and what he stood for.
Through his stories, Steve showed just how meaningful family history and remembering can be. “Family history, like Legos, is where families young and old build their family story together one brick at a time,” Steve said.
A Story Worth Remembering
A part of Steve’s address was dedicated to an inspiring video with a beautiful message. The video features individuals who were asked to reflect on what makes an extraordinary person. Many said that they did not think they led an extraordinary life or that anyone would want to hear their own story.
Each person was then shown a video with recordings from their past, that also featured words from their children, grandchildren, and other loved ones about the impact they had had on their lives. After this experience, several of the individuals changed their minds about their own stories, realizing they were worth remembering.
At the conclusion of this video, Steve, touched by its message and knowing many in the audience would be as well, invited everyone to scan a QR code with their phones that would give them the video link. “Who needs the reminder that their story is worth remembering?” he asked. He then added an invitation to “share this video with that person who just came to your mind.” Just like Steve’s Lego brick that he keeps in his pocket, the video has potential to help people remember who they are.
Help From Technology and From Industry Resources
Technology was a significant topic in Steve’s address, especially pertaining to the genealogy field taking technology and using it for good. Steve talked about the potential of Generative AI: “Here at RootsTech,” he said, “we’re going to show the world amazing examples of how to use AI responsibly. Once again, we will use the latest technology to create goodness, light and connection.”
Steve also emphasized the passion FamilySearch has to be a helper to anyone building their family story. “Our job at FamilySearch is to simply ask, ‘How can we help?’” FamilySearch may have what the patron needs—or it may not. Regardless, Steve says, “We don’t care where the missing pieces are, we just want to help you find them.” Steve indicated that FamilySearch would love to introduce patrons to industry resources—including archives, libraries, societies, and commercial providers— so “they can become your Lego heroes.”
At the end of Steve’s address, his final message to all RootsTech participants was to “have fun...and play well!”
Inspiring and Educational Content on RootsTech.org for Free
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.
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