Lmst

#RootsTech2026 is at an end.

Lots of observations...

* "Cloud" Tennis Shoes are not worth it (my 20 year old Mary Jane Birkies for the win!)

* While every presentation I attended had a great speaker who were knowledgeable, even the "intermediate" level ones felt like beginner. So, if you are an experienced #genealogist (professional or amateur or arm chair), you might think so too. But....

* The in booth presentations are seriously AWESOME. You can pick and choose which company/product interests you and see if they are having a booth talk.

The big guys all have professional booth talks. I even attended one that Christa Cowen had with "Ask me anything".

* If you were #NotAtRootsTech don't worry. The downloadable presentations really are great and informative.

* Most companies had deals for those that were #NotAtRootsTech that were the same if you were there. Granted, the software & book companies had plenty to buy and take home vs ship.

* Don't be afraid to stay a few blocks away from the Salt Palace but stay in the "free city zone" to take advantage of the free trax) tram /train. I stayed at a fantastic hotel three train stops away and was thankful to have the peace away from the convention.

#genealogy #familyhistory #Rootstech

A photo shows a computer workstation set up at a large conference hall. In the foreground is a Dell desktop monitor and keyboard sitting on a light-colored wooden table. The screen displays a bright, colorful message that reads “Thanks for coming to RootsTech 2026!” with a reminder underneath to save the date for RootsTech 2027, March 4–6.

The graphic background is a pink-to-blue gradient with smiling conference attendees pictured on the right side.

Behind the workstation, the large indoor venue is visible with rows of computer stations and several Dell monitors facing different directions. Overhead lights illuminate the open convention space, and a few people can be seen standing and talking in the distance. The overall scene feels like the end of a busy technology and genealogy conference session, with the computer screen serving as a closing message to attendees.

@chasfhudson

I've always thought of it as a way to be sure I'm doing original research - because people mostly start with the governors (my cousin) and senators (different line) and judges (different persons on those lines).

Not to mention forgetting the bachelor uncles and maiden aunts, whose wills and probate tie together far-flung branches of the family.

The 1880 census had a maiden aunt whose retirement home was making the rounds of the nieces and nephews. One side of town was enumerated to start the census and the other side to finish; she moved house during it and was enumerated twice - once on her father's side and once on her mother's.

#RootsTech2026 #RootsTech
#NotAtRootsTech #Genealogy

@genchat I've certainly seen some "warts and all" coverage that didn't make it into the stories told by the elders.

But the FAN Club coverage is surely helped by the Social news - who's hosting the holiday and birthday family meals, who are the bridesmaids or pallbearers.

#RootsTech #RootsTech2026
#NotAtRootsTech #Genealogy
@genealogy

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Wasatch Range, an Appalachian heart can find home anywhere.

This morning in Salt Lake City started with a plate that felt like pure Appalachia: fluffy biscuits covered in peppered gravy and a side of crispy hash browns. One bite and suddenly the mountains felt familiar again. Different peaks, same comfort. YUM!

Being Appalachian isn’t just a place on a map. It’s biscuits and gravy at sunrise, stories passed down through generations, and the feeling that no matter where you travel, you carry those mountain roots with you.

Today those roots just happened to be enjoying breakfast with a view of the Wasatch instead of the Blue Ridge. 🌄

Rambling Roads restaurant in SLC.

#AppalachianRoots #MountainToMountain #BiscuitsAndGravy #Appalachian #SaltLakeCity #RootsTech #RootsTech2026 #NotAtRootsTech #Genealogy #Food #Biscuits

A white plate on a wooden table holds a Southern-style breakfast. Two fluffy biscuits are covered in thick white sausage gravy speckled with black pepper. Beside them is a pile of crispy golden hash browns. A glass of water sits blurred in the background, suggesting a cozy diner setting.

Day Two of #RootsTech2026:

What do you want to see? #NotAtRootsTech

I am going to try to sneak around and get some #swag & videos, maybe go live on my YT Channel to answer questions.

If you are at #RootsTech, come say hi at the #WikiTree booth. Join me at the Expo Stage, 2:30pm MT, as I present for WikiTree.

A large indoor convention hall is shown, with high industrial ceilings full of metal beams, air ducts, and bright overhead lights. Suspended above the center of the space is a glowing blue neon sign that reads **“together.”**

Below the sign is a large rectangular area filled with hundreds of small white plastic balls, with scattered blue and green ones mixed in. The ball pit is bordered by low panels decorated with the words **“RootsTech by FamilySearch”** and colorful graphics. The area around it is covered with bright green artificial turf, giving it the look of a small park inside the convention center.

In the foreground, two simple wooden benches sit on the turf facing the ball pit, as if inviting visitors to sit and watch or rest. A small dark-green post or stand is near the benches.

Beyond the ball pit are multiple exhibit booths and displays related to genealogy and family history. Large signs read **“FamilySearch,” “Storied,”** and **“Find your past.”** A few people are scattered around the space—some sitting on benches, others walking or talking at booths.

The overall feeling is open and collaborative, like a family-history expo or technology conference designed to bring people together to explore ancestry and storytelling.

#FTDNA #RootsTech2026 pricing. Read the Alt text for details. Pricing through March 31st, 2026.

A great time to buy a Big Y DNA test. They were activating tests on the spot! 😮

#GeneticGenealogy #DNA #genealogy

(I am not affiliated or receive any payment - just posting the deals 😉)

A large widescreen monitor mounted on a pink wall displays a pricing board for genealogy DNA tests and merchandise. The slide is titled **“Single Tests & Merchandise Pricing.”** The layout is divided into sections with colored accents and large, easy-to-read text.

On the **left side**, under **“Paternal Ancestry,”** three Y-DNA tests are listed with prices:

* **Y-37 — $79**
* **Y-111 — $199**
* **Big Y-700 — $379**

A circular orange badge beside this section reads **“Up to $70 Off.”**

Below that, a section labeled **“Maternal Ancestry”** lists:

* **mtFull Sequence — $119**

Next to it is another orange circle that says **“Save $40.”**

Further down is a **“Family Ancestry”** test:

* **Family Finder — $29**

An orange badge beside it reads **“Save $50.”**

On the **right side** of the screen is a **Merchandise** section listing:

* **T-shirt — $24.99**

Below that is another **Family Ancestry** offer:

* **Autosomal Unlock — FREE**

A note beneath it reads: *“No checkout needed. Visit bit.ly/autosomal-unlock to get started.”*

A small circular badge near this section reads **“Save $19.”**

The screen is framed in black and mounted against a bright pink wall, likely inside a vendor booth or presentation area at a genealogy conference or event.

contact customer support at [events@ftdna.com].

**“Promo codes valid March 3–31, 2026.”**

**New Kits & Add-On Tests:**

* Y-37: standard $119, event price $79, promo code RT26Y37
* Y-111: standard $249, event price $199, promo code RT26Y111
* **Big Y-700:** standard $449, event price $379, promo code RT26BY
* mtFull Sequence: standard $159, event price $119, promo code RT26MT
* **Family Finder (autosomal DNA test): standard $79, event price $29, promo code RT26FF
* Autosomal Unlock (upload is free):** standard $19, event price $0, promo code ROOTSTECHUNLOCK

**Autosomal, Y-DNA & mtDNA Test Bundles:**

* Family Finder + Y-37 + mtFull Sequence — event price $209
* Family Finder + Y-111 + mtFull Sequence — event price $329
* Family Finder + Big Y-700 + mtFull Sequence — event price $499

**Autosomal & Y-DNA Test Bundles:**

* Family Finder + Y-37 — event price $99
* Family Finder + Y-111 — event price $219
* Family Finder + Big Y-700 — event price $399

**Autosomal & mtDNA Test Bundle:**

* Family Finder + mtFull Sequence — event price $139

**mtDNA & Y-DNA Test Bundles:**

* mtFull Sequence + Y-37 — event price $179
* mtFull Sequence + Y-111 — event price $299
* mtFull Sequence + Big Y-700 — event price $479

**credit cards are charged in U.S. dollars**.

#Ancestry has a table with really cool high quality #stickers. Germany, England, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, were grabbed up extremely quick. Possibly an indication of attendees that have ancestors from those areas.

#RootsTech2026 #Genealogy #ethnicity #RootsTech

A wooden table is covered with dozens of colorful travel-style stickers arranged in small stacks and scattered piles. Each sticker features the name of a country, region, or island along with a small illustrated scene representing that place.

An adult’s hands—wearing a blue striped dress shirt—are in the upper center of the image, sorting through the stacks and picking up one sticker. The stickers are thick, glossy, and shaped like luggage labels or postcards.

Visible sticker labels include places such as **Korea, China, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Colombia & Venezuela, Yucatán, Central America, Samoa, Tonga, Guam, Japan, Haiti, Azores, Madeira, and Acadia**, along with others like **Easter Island and South America**. Each sticker has vibrant artwork—palm trees, mountains, people in traditional clothing, tropical birds, temples, and coastal scenes.

The stickers are grouped loosely by region, forming clusters across the table. The overall scene looks like someone organizing or preparing travel-themed stickers, possibly for souvenirs, crafts, or a display.

The table surface is warm brown wood, and the bright colors of the stickers—reds, blues, greens, and oranges—stand out strongly against it.

A large round wooden table is covered with dozens of colorful travel-style stickers arranged in small stacks and scattered piles. Each sticker features the name of a country, region, or island along with small illustrated scenes such as mountains, temples, tropical birds, palm trees, or cultural figures.

Several people stand around the table, visible from the chest down, wearing conference badges on lanyards. The badges suggest the setting is a conference or event—likely a genealogy or travel-related gathering. One person on the left holds a piece of paper, while others look down at the table.

The stickers are organized into clusters across the tabletop. Some of the readable labels include **Korea, China, Vietnam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Colombia & Venezuela, Yucatán, Central America, Samoa, Tonga, Guam, Japan, Azores, Madeira, Bolivia & Peru, and South America**, among many others. Each sticker uses bright colors and vintage travel-poster style artwork.

In the center of the table lies a small sheet of paper with a **green pen**, suggesting someone may be tracking or organizing the stickers.

The scene feels interactive and playful, as attendees gather around the table browsing and sorting the stacks of location-themed stickers, possibly choosing ones that represent places connected to their ancestry or travels.

#RootsTech2026

🤔 ***My observations***

This year, the majority of questions from attendees (while I was working at the #WikiTree booth) and, in general chatter before presentations:

AI presentations were PACKED! Standing room only.

* AI - can I use it (lots of ethics questions)
* AI - is it farming my work
* Photos (huge topic this year in presentations). Can I upload to WikiTree ... And how much does it cost (spoiler alert... It's free!)
* People are so incredibly happy! Sometimes, conventions bring cranky travelers but not at #RootsTech so far.
* I only saw 2 people out of thousands wearing a mask.

The most requested information on projects at WikiTree (asked to me): Nordic Countries & Poland

Did you know that you can access any ONLINE #RootsTech2026 session for free? Their on demand library is open.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/library?cid=SO-00058708

#RootsTech #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #FamilySearch

#FTDNA has a #RootsTech2026 unlock special. Very limited time offer.

Upload Your Autosomal DNA (from other companies) to FamilyTreeDNA for free.

You will need to use a code at checkout: ROOTSTECHUNLOCK

https://www.familytreedna.com/products/autosomal-dna-upload

#DNA #RootsTech #Genealogy #GeneticGenealogy #FamilyHistory

New shoes, but standing on an old floor.

These tiles are not new. They have seen many footprints and paw prints. The daily lives my family passing through & sharing stories over coffee, quiet mornings and long evenings. And today, they’re seeing mine… headed toward #RootsTech.

There’s something poetic about it.
New shoes for the journey, old floors that remind me why I’m going.

#Genealogy is a lot like this moment:
one foot in the present, one foot standing firmly on the past.

Next stop: Salt Lake City and a few thousand people who are just as excited about ancestors, records, and stories as I am. 🌳📜

Let the family history adventure begin. Stop by the #WikiTree booth and say hi! I would love to meet you.

#FamilyHistory #AncestryRoads #RootsTech #Rootstech2026

A person wearing dark blue and white lace-up shoes and dark jeans stands on a vintage patterned tile floor. The tiles feature symmetrical gray ornamental designs arranged in a repeating pattern, giving the space a historic or classic feel. The photo is taken from above, looking down at the shoes centered on the decorative floor.

@researchbuzz
Which would be fine if this weekend wasn't #Rootstech #RootsTech2026

And I'm #NotAtRootsTech so online is my friend (and many friends and relatives ... to the far reaches of our family trees).

RootsTech 2026

Die RootsTech 2026, die weltweit größte Konferenz für Familiengeschichte, findet vom 5. bis 7. März 2026 als Hybrid-Event in Salt Lake City (Salt Palace Convention Center) und online statt. Sie bietet hunderte Kurse, Keynote-Speaker und eine virtuelle Expo Halle. Die Online-Teilnahme ist kostenlos. Eine Anmeldung ist erforderlich. Über die RootsTech-Veranstaltungen in den vergangenen Jahren haben wir im CompGen-Blog informiert. Für die RootsTech 2026 anmelden Zwei Optionen für die […]

https://www.compgen.de/2026/02/rootstech-2026/

First result from #RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (4/4)

#Descentorium Thomas #Pudens (#Pudenz), * ca. 1633, from #Eichsfeld in #Thuringia to Dave and me.

Thomas Pudens was a master miller at the semolina mill near Wilbich.

#Genealogie #Genealogy #Familienforschung #Ahnenforschung #Familyhistory

First result from RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (4/4)

First result from #RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (3/4)

#Descentorium Hanns #Rode, * ca. 1490, from #Eichsfeld in #Thuringia to Dave and me.

All graphics were created using the genealogy software “#AhnenImplex”.

#Genealogie #Genealogy #Familienforschung #Ahnenforschung #Familyhistory

First result from RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (3/4)

First result from #RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (2/4)

#Descentorium Conrad #Pudens (1709 – 1795) from #Eichsfeld in #Thuringia to Dave and me.

Conrad Pudens is our Last Common Ancestor (#LCA).

#Genealogie #Genealogy #Familienforschung #Ahnenforschung #Familyhistory

First result from RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (2/4)

First result from #RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (1/4)

#Descentorium Conrad #Döring, * ca. 1480, from #Eichsfeld in #Thuringia to Dave and me.

A descent tree is an extract from a family tree that shows all (but only these) lines of descent from a top ancestor to a subject.

#Genealogie #Genealogy #Familienforschung #Ahnenforschung #Familyhistory

First result from RootsTech2026:
Seventh cousin found in Wisconsin (1/4)

Die ersten "Verwandtentreffer" trudeln bei der #RootsTech 2026 ein! 👍

#Genealogie #Familienforschung #Ahnenforschung #Rootstech2026

Genealogy’s Star: RootsTech 2026 Bonus and Benefits. “RootsTech 2026, the largest genealogy and family history conference in the world, is scheduled for Marth 5-7, 2026 online and in person at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. Meanwhile, by visiting the website, you can enjoy and learn from the following activities and learning opportunities.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/12/13/genealogys-star-rootstech-2026-bonus-and-benefits/

Genealogy’s Star: RootsTech 2026 Registration now open!. “Registration for RootsTech 2026 is now open! The world’s largest family history conference returns March 5-7, 2026, with options for both in-person and online attendance.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/09/27/genealogys-star-rootstech-2026-registration-now-open/

#RootsTech2026

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