Once again, this year’s RootsTech event was an unbelievable success. For those of you who were unable to attend, have no fear. We’ve compiled some of the top tweets from attendees to paint you a beautiful picture. For those of you who joined us, relive all the fun below.The Fun BeginsThis epic four-day event drew thousands of family history lovers from around the world.
Family history enthusiasts from around the world are in Utah this week for #RootsTech 2016. @FamilySearchpic.twitter.com/R5pyCd3VYg — Church Newsroom (@ChurchNewsroom) February 3, 2016
Beautiful Salt Lake City served as the backdrop to this wonderful event.
In Salt Lake City for #Rootstech. 'Awesome' view from our room - 7.30am here. Happy campaigning to all at home pic.twitter.com/Ksw2CuYDvl— Jillian van Turnhout (@JillianvT) February 3, 2016
And the excitement of event goers could barely be contained.
@JanaGreenhalgh So are we! #RootsTech — TapGenes (@TapGenes) February 2, 2016
I'm Here in Salt Lake City for RootsTech! #RootsTechhttps://t.co/i7B3qioSqx— Jana Last (@genealogyisfun) February 2, 2016
And at one point, there was life-size Jenga.
Playing Jenga with @SharingThePast@ed4becky & @TrippinORoots#RootsTech@MyHeritage after party pic.twitter.com/EcJVbtiK8I — The Who Hunter (@RoreyCathcart) February 6, 2016
The Heart of it AllRootsTech is all about inspiring people of all ages to discover and share their family trees. In this tweet quoting Joshua Taylor, photographer and entrepreneur Rachel LaCour Niesen reflects just that.
Family history isn't just your grandma's hobby. Who's with me? #RootsTech#genealogypic.twitter.com/4OZmVGeOBc— Rachel LaCour Niesen (@rachellacour) February 2, 2016
Her tweet resonated with dozens of fellow genealogy enthusiasts, including Gerald Martin U.E.
@rachellacour@FamilySearch A Grandpa is with you and researching since 2006 and I am 83 years young — Gerald Martin U.E. (@gmgerrym) February 6, 2016
Her response was perfect.
@gmgerrym@FamilySearch family stories are for both the young and the young at heart! #RootsTech— Rachel LaCour Niesen (@rachellacour) February 6, 2016
We’re with you, too, Rachel!Sensational Speakers & Presenters Rock Learning SessionsOf course, RootsTech wouldn’t be what it is without a seriously talented and inspirational lineup of speakers and presenters. Innovation Summit keynote speaker Ken Krogue, founder of InsideSales.com, gave some sage advice for organizations and businesses.
"I would recommend that you get a blog. Learn to tell your own story."@kenkrogue#RootsTech — RootsTech (@RootsTechConf) February 3, 2016
"When you talk about your passion good things happen." Ken Krogue, Innovator Summit #RootsTechpic.twitter.com/n1EC0LbaN2 — Lynn Broderick (@thesingleleaf) February 3, 2016
RootsTech 2016 attendees packed session rooms to learn, share and be inspired. A class held by Lisa Cooke, an author and host of The Genealogy Gems Podcast, was a crowd favorite.
Over 1000 people in room to hear the impressive and inspiring @LisaCooke at #Rootstech on getting most out of Google pic.twitter.com/T9bVLeRfNu — Jillian van Turnhout (@JillianvT) February 5, 2016
I've heard @LisaCooke talk about Google searches before, BUT I always learn something new! #RootsTech — Deborah Sweeney (@GenealogyLadyCA) February 5, 2016
Add a comma in a name such as Smith, Mary then put in quotes for your search #RootsTech@LisaCooke — Ruth Blair (@PassionateGenea) February 5, 2016
Keynote speaker David Isay, an author, documentarian and founder of StoryCorps, was another much loved presenter.
Every story matters. Go David Isay, and go social history movement! #RootsTech2016#RootsTech — Nicole W. Miller (@nicolewmiller) February 5, 2016
People are basically good and it's so important that we LISTEN to each other! #learnings by David Isay @StoryCorps#RootsTech — stacy julian (@stacyjulian) February 5, 2016
Challenge: Take a week off from TV & watch segments @StoryCorps instead. Then, for the next week, record your family stories. #RootsTech — Laurie (@SharingThePast) February 5, 2016
Stories unite us; they help us recognize ourselves in others. @daveisay#RootsTechpic.twitter.com/93hsqLpQfI — Rachel LaCour Niesen (@rachellacour) February 5, 2016
Most of all, the things speakers said really resonated with people.
"It's not us vs them. It's just us." - @ajjacobs#RootsTech — Amy Johnson Crow (@AmyJohnsonCrow) February 5, 2016
"This is the Super Bowl of storytelling." -@BruceFeiler#RootsTechpic.twitter.com/UYtrSamWS1 — Rachel LaCour Niesen (@rachellacour) February 4, 2016
Family is family, it does not depend on race. - Paula #rootstech — Richard Young (@fhtek) February 4, 2016
Connect your story to the oldest stories ever told. Make your family history part of your everyday. #rootstech@BruceFeiler — Valerie Elkins (@elkinsvalerie) February 4, 2016
Learning, Sharing & InspiringMany RootsTech goers found inspiration, including writer and blogger Genealogy Jen.
Had a light bulb moment about organizing my #genealogy#research#RootsTech — Genealogy Jen (@GenalogyJen) February 5, 2016
Others were touched.
What a touching speech by @govmikeleavitt#rootstech made me tear up! pic.twitter.com/DscchdeZDJ — Jennifer Alford (@JenniferAlford) February 6, 2016
Many were able to take away some great tips for building out their family trees.
#RootsTech#RootsTech2016 Keep a log of what you have looked at and why. pic.twitter.com/JGfqpb9tFI — Mark Singleton (@coachsingleton) February 4, 2016
Remember to use the finding aids created by the original users of the records e.g. a handwritten index #RootsTech — Sue Adams (@sue_familyfolk) February 5, 2016
#RootsTech DIY Marketing: choose just 2-3 social media platforms (out of hundreds) that match your personality - focus on mobile & test — Lydia Jones (@AddAnIndex) February 3, 2016
My favorite tip from my current #rootstech class? Use #ebay to search for pictures, books, collectibles from the areas your family is from! — Taralyn Parker (@KeepMovingTara) February 3, 2016
And one lucky organization was named the first place winner of the 2016 Innovator Showdown.
TapGenes Wins First Place of 2016 Innovator Showdown https://t.co/C70GjZ6HVqpic.twitter.com/PtR0VmEb6S — Dick Eastman (@dickeastman) February 8, 2016
Unfortunately, the event did have to come to an end.
Well, #Rootstech has come to an end for another year. It was better than Disneyland! #RootsTech2016 — Melyssa (@GraveFinder2) February 7, 2016
Now, the countdown for RootsTech 2017 begins!
It's the final day of #RootsTech 2016 and we're already planning for next year! #SaveTheDatepic.twitter.com/Re5EP5Y5Ei — RootsTech (@RootsTechConf) February 6, 2016
What are the moment that you remember the most from RootsTech 2016? What speaker or session inspired you the most? Share your memories in the comments section.Have you started building out your family tree? Make sure to sign up for a free family tree maker account today.
