Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is RootsTech?
RootsTech welcomes millions of people worldwide to celebrate family at the world’s largest family history conference and year-long learning platform. With thousands of classes, inspiring speakers, meaningful activities, and joyful connections, RootsTech brings the human family together like no other event.
Will RootsTech 2026 be held in person or online?
RootsTech 2026 will be an online event and an in-person event. In 2026, you will still be able to join virtually from anywhere in the world or you can attend with us live at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City March 5-7, 2026
What is the cost of attending RootsTech 2026?
RootsTech online will be free in 2026. For those who want to come in person and attend in Salt Lake City, pass pricing will be available when we launch registration in the fall.
When was RootsTech 2025?
RootsTech was March 6-8, 2025.
When Is RootsTech 2026?
RootsTech will be March 5-7, 2026
What is the cancellation or transfer policy?
We hope you will never have the need to cancel your registration, but if you do, please contact us at info@rootstech.org. RootsTech registrations are nontransferable, but anyone who may want to watch can register for free online.
Are streaming sessions available for download?
Sorry, no, but most will stay up on our site for three years, so you can come back and watch again and again.
How is FamilySearch affiliated with RootsTech?
FamilySearch International is the hosting organization of RootsTech.
How long will RootsTech sessions be available on the website after the conference?
We will keep most of the classes and keynotes from RootsTech up for approximately three years. Most classes from 2022 will be available until the 2025 conference and 2023 classes until 2026. Your current conversations will still be reachable, throughout the year as well. You will not be able to start new chats, but you can join class session chats and groups.
Will each day be different, or will it be the same (on the main stage)?
Each day we will share a different set of keynote speakers, sponsor and content from our sponsors. Immediately after their debut, you will be able to watch those videos on demand. You will not have to miss a thing.
What is Family Discovery Day?
Family Discovery Day is a treasured part of each RootsTech, designed specifically for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but open for anyone to enjoy.
Do I need to pre-register for Family Discovery Day?
You do not need to pre-register for Family Discovery Day, for those watching online please join us on Saturday to see the session. For those coming in person to Salt Lake City, please stop by any of our help desks on site to pick up a wristband that will give you access to the experience.
What is a Mini Event on RootsTech.org?
Throughout the year, RootsTech hosts small one-day events with multiple sessions about a specific topic. Afterwards, the content is available on RootsTech.org under the Mini Events navigation, and the sessions can be found using the Search page.
Are there hotels offering discounts to RootsTech attendees?
You can see hotel offers and contact them through our hotels page.
Where can I park if I am coming to the Salt Palace?
For those coming to the Salt Palace, there is paid parking onsite, paid parking across the street at City Creek Shopping Center, and more parking options you can see here.
There are also public transportation options that will bring you within a short walk to the conference.
How can I rent a scooter or mobility aid for use on-site during the conference?
You can rent a mobility scooter for use at the Salt Palace here. If they are sold out there are a number of additional companies that rent these devices in Salt Lake City and will deliver them to the conference.
Where can I get research help?
Please visit our help icon and select Research Help to make a free virtual appointment with our experts at the world-famous FamilySearch Library.
Class Session Questions
For the online experience, will classes be mostly pre-recorded or presented live?
Many of our new online classes are presented live. These sessions will be recorded at that time and made available for on-demand viewing shortly after the presentation. Not all class sessions taught at the Salt Palace are recorded.
How long will syllabus materials be available?
speakers@Syllabi are available for all recorded sessions until those classes are retired from the site. Syllabi from classes taught live in Salt Lake City in 2024 and not recorded, are still available.
How do I create a schedule?
On each class session page, and on the Schedule page, you can click the plus button on sessions you want to add to your schedule. You do need to be signed in, but from the schedule page you can switch to the My Schedule tab to see which classes you have selected.
What is the Playlist on RootsTech?
The playlist feature allows you organize your videos using one or more playlists, which you can name. For example, you could create a "British Research" playlist, and a "DNA" playlist.The system will also allow you to place the content in your desired order.
How can I access syllabus materials from the conference?
On each class session page, underneath the video player and the class description, you will see a link to the speaker bio and download links for any handouts that speakers have created for the class.
How do I find a class or video for a specific presenter?
You have several options for finding a class or presenter. First, you can search for the title or name in the On-Demand Library or you can visit their speaker page on our site and see all sessions they are sharing.
For the live sessions, listed on the online RootsTech calendar, which time zone am I seeing?
All calendar items are showing in your local time zone, drawn from the settings on your device or computer.
Do I have to notify you about which classes I want to attend beforehand?
No, the great thing about the on-demand library of classes is that you can watch what you want, whenever you want to watch it. No pre-registration is required. For those attending in person in Salt Lake City, classes will be first come first seated, there will be no pre-registration for most sessions.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can watch a specific class at one time?
On-demand sessions have no limits on the number of people who can watch the session. For those attending in person in Salt Lake City, classes will be first come first seated.
How do I find classes available in a specific language?
When you click the Search icon at the top of our page and then Search for a Video, you will see a list of filters. If you select the Language it will bring up a list of languages, and you can select the one you are looking for to see a list of all classes we have in that language, including languages like Mongolian, Tagalog, ASL, and many more.
How can I access class sessions for a particular country or region of the world?
When you click on the search icon at the top of our web page, you can search for the country or region in the search bar.
What class sessions are available for the deaf or hard of hearing?
For the online audience, there are class sessions that have been directly recorded in American Sign Language. You can find them using the Language tile in the sessions section. Additionally, many classes can be captioned by clicking the CC icon at the bottom of the YouTube player to turn on automated captioning.
For those attending in person in Salt Lake City, please contact info@rootstech.org to let us know of your needs. Additional instructions for interpretation will be provided. All requests for ASL interpretation and a full list of the classes you would like to attend need to be submitted before February 20, 2026.
Will the online classes still be available after RootsTech is over?
We will keep most of the classes and keynotes from RootsTech for approximately three years.
There are so many classes to choose from. Will the items on my online playlist still be there to watch later?
Yes, most classes will remain available for approximately three years. You can continue to use your current playlist.
Where can I go to ask a question about a class session I have been watching online?
Each class session has a chatroom attached. The speaker and our moderators will be checking in periodically to help answer as well as other attendees. This will be an opportunity to make connections with other attendees with similar interests too.
When is the call for content going to happen for RootsTech? I would like to propose a class.
RootsTech issued a call for presentations earlier this year and is no longer accepting submissions. You may submit a class idea for the next year by emailing speakers@rootstech.org.
Language Questions
Will you make streaming sessions available in other languages?
In 2025, General Sessions and Family Discovery day were live streamed in 18 languages. Additional live class sessions are localized by language. Content available in each language will vary.
What languages are available at RootsTech?
We have translated our site into 23 languages. You can see the list of options under the menu at the top of each page and see the options using the globe icon. Additionally, you can watch any English language session with auto-translated captions in many more languages.
How will language streams work?
The conference web page will appear in your browser language and streamed content. The Virtual Expo Hall is only available in English. You can change the language of on-demand class sessions to another language by turning on the language captioning in the settings on the video player.
How can I see the spoken language of a class session?
As you select a class session, you will see the spoken language of the session on the bottom left of the image for the class.
How can I translate a class I want to watch into another language?
Any of the English language sessions can be automatically translated into another language through the settings on the video player. And sessions in any other language can be translated into English. To turn on the automatic translation, click the CC icon at the bottom of the player, and then click the settings gear. Select Subtitles and select the language of your choice to begin the translated captions at the bottom of the video.
Are there closed captions for the deaf or hard of hearing?
Yes, there are some sessions that have been directly recorded in American Sign Language. You can find them using the Language filter in the on-demand section of our website. Additionally, each class can be auto-captioned by clicking on the CC icon at the bottom of the player.
Virtual Expo Hall Questions
Will you have an Expo Hall at RootsTech?
Yes, we are so glad to bring the heartbeat of RootsTech to the online and in-person aspects of the conference. In that section, you will find booths and content about the exciting products from many of our exhibitors, some of the best of the family history industry, including our sponsors, and many more. At the in-person event in Salt Lake City, the Expo Hall will be open daily during the event. The Expo Hall will be free to the public and will not require a pass for admission.
Who are the sponsors for RootsTech?
We are grateful for our generous sponsors including:
- Platinum
- FamilySearch
- Ancestry
- MyHeritage
- Storied.com
Where can I find a list of the exhibitors?
You can see the list of exhibitors on the Virtual Expo Hall page, when the conference begins, for the online experience. In-person exhibitors can be found on the RootsTech app.
Can I to talk to someone from the companies showing products in the Expo Hall?
Yes, you will be able to connect with them by clicking the Chat button at the top of their page or visiting their booth.
Will the virtual Expo Hall still be available after RootsTech is over?
Yes, you will not have the ability to chat with them, after the conference ends, but you can still watch videos, download their handouts and visit their web pages.
Making Connections
I am struggling to find things on your website. Can someone help me?
We are delighted to help with anything you need. During the conference, click on the chat icon on the bottom right side of your screen and select "Ask Us Anything"Before and after the conference, you can reach us for help at info@rootstech.org
Can I connect with the speaker of a class session I watched?
You can connect with speakers using their social media links, or by posting a question in the chatroom related to your class.
Will the Ask Us Anything feature still be there after RootsTech is over?
After the conference ends on Saturday night this feature will not be available on the site, but we will leave your conversations held during the conference in place for about 7 days to allow you to copy down any information you might need for future use.
How do I submit content to RootsTech?
Questions about speaking at RootsTech should be directed to speakers@rootstech.org. Questions about becoming a sponsor or exhibitor should be directed to exhibitor@rootstech.org.
Relatives at RootsTech
What is Relatives at RootsTech?
Relatives at RootsTech is an online experience that shows if (and how) you are related to other RootsTech attendees.Will you have Relatives at RootsTech available for 2026?
Yes, Relatives at RootsTech will be back in 2026. Relatives at RootsTech 2025 ended on April 11, 2025.
Where can I learn more about Relatives at RootsTech and how it works?
You can learn more about Relatives at RootsTech here.
How secure is my data?
When you register for RootsTech, we ask for your name and home country. You can optionally provide a state (where applicable) and a profile photo. This information is visible to other RootsTech attendees in order to improve communication and, with your permission, to show family relationships. Your information will be protected and won’t be sold to a third party.
Please refer to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for additional details.
Can I opt out of RootsTech? Can I update my profile?
Any RootsTech attendees can opt out of the conference or update their profile or add a photo. You can opt out and update links at the bottom of the Relatives at RootsTech main page (https://www.familysearch.org/en/connect/) or in the FamilySearch Family Tree mobile app during the window that Relatives at RootsTech is live.
Registration Questions
How do I register?
Registration will be available in the fall of 2025 for the 2026 conference.
What is the cancellation or transfer policy?
We hope you will not need to cancel your registration, but if you do, please contact us at info@rootstech.org. RootsTech registrations are nontransferable, but anyone who wants to register for the online experience can do so for free.
Can my spouse or family watch with my registration?
Online you can all watch from the same device, but to see your Relatives at RootsTech, you will need to sign in with your own FamilySearch account. Individuals attending in person in Salt Lake City will each need a unique registration.
I am trying to register for the in-person conference and it is telling me that I have not filled out all of the fields, I cannot see one that is empty, what is wrong?
The form does not recognize auto-filler information. If you put your cursor in each field, it will accept the information and allow you to move forward.
FamilySearch Questions
How is FamilySearch affiliated with RootsTech?
FamilySearch International is the hosting organization of RootsTech.
What is FamilySearch?
We help people discover their family’s history through our website, mobile apps, and in-person help at over 5,000 local family history centers.
Find a local center
Get help online
How do I create a free FamilySearch account?
Please check out this article that can help you set up an account, or go to the sign-in section of our site, and follow the prompts.
Is FamilySearch really free?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides FamilySearch free of charge to everyone, regardless of tradition, culture, or religious affiliation. Originally intended for Church members, FamilySearch resources help millions of people around the world discover their heritage and connect with family members.
How do I reset my FamilySearch Name and Password?
Please see this article to help you recover your name and password.
What is the relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and FamilySearch?
To learn more about this relationship, please visit https://www.familysearch.org/en/home/sponsorship.
Health and Safety
What health protocols are required to attend RootsTech?
We are hoping for the safest event possible for those attending in Salt Lake City, and your well-being is a top priority. We will be in compliance with any local or federal health mandates relative to public gatherings. We will update those registered to attend in person.
We invite you to take any personal measures that make you more comfortable during the event, including wearing a mask, using the more than 120 hand sanitizing stations available throughout the Salt Palace Convention Center, or understanding the venue cleaning protocols.
If you are feeling unwell, test positive for COVID-19, or are uncomfortable in an environment with varying vaccine statuses, we invite you to join us virtually to ensure a positive and safe environment for all attendees.
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
We want you to be able to make the best decision for yourself and for all of your fellow RootsTech attendees. We will refund the purchase price of your pass up to 24 hours before the conference begins, for those suffering from illness.
Information Security and Communications
How can I stay safe while messaging other patrons?
- Do not open unexpected attachments in emails.
- Do not click on links sent in emails or in text messages.
- Do not send money or gift cards.
- Do not give out personal or sensitive information, such as home addresses, phone numbers, or information that could be used to verify identity at financial institutions.
What “red flags” should I watch for?
If you receive messages asking for money, gift cards, or other requests that are not appropriate, report the message as phishing or spam to your email provider.
For instructions on how to do this, please check with your email provider. Links to the instructions for common email providers are:
Will RootsTech contact me?
RootsTech may contact you by email. The email addresses you can watch for are info@rootstech.org, exhibitor@rootstech.org, speakers@rootstech.org, or reply@familysearch.org.
Does FamilySearch International or RootsTech sell attendee lists or contact information?
Neither FamilySearch International nor the RootsTech conference will sell or distribute information about its attendees. You may opt-in at registration to receive communications from our sponsors, if you have opted into those communications, RootsTech will share your email address with those companies.
Exhibitors: If you receive any communication to purchase the list, please discard it or mark it as spam.