Gearing up for RootsTech 2024: Ancestry x FamilySearch

Krista Cowen, the corporate genealogist at Ancestry, introduces herself and the purpose of the video, which is to discuss Roots Tech, the largest genealogical conference held annually in Salt Lake City. She explains that Roots Tech is not just an event but a season for Ancestry, with various activities leading up to the conference. Krista also highlights the virtual aspect of the conference, allowing for global participation. She expresses excitement about meeting attendees in person or virtually and encourages viewers to follow Ancestry's Facebook page for updates and live sessions.

Krista shares her personal journey with family history, emphasizing the solitary nature of her early experiences. She describes how her family's involvement evolved over time, transitioning from individual tasks to collective efforts like reunion planning and story documenting. Krista's narrative shifts to her father's reintroduction to family history during his retirement, leading to a weekly collaborative tradition that transformed their relationship and engaged other family members. She highlights the importance of making family history a shared activity rather than an isolated pursuit.

Krista provides practical advice on preparing for Roots Tech, suggesting viewers set clear intentions and goals for their family history research. She encourages attendees to consider their specific interests and needs when selecting classes or activities at the conference. Additionally, Krista mentions her own presentations, including topics like new Ancestry features, family story sharing, and DNA match analysis. She also addresses the importance of post-conference reflection to solidify learning and suggests daily wrap-up sessions to review and discuss the day's insights.

The paragraph discusses the accessibility of Roots Tech for both in-person and virtual attendees. Krista explains the registration process, highlighting that virtual registration is free and provides access to a variety of resources on the Roots Tech homepage. She also touches on the logistics of attending in person, such as accommodation options and transportation within Salt Lake City. Krista emphasizes the value of the conference for local attendees and provides tips on selecting which days to attend based on the offerings and the family-friendly atmosphere on certain days.

Krista talks about strategies for engaging family members in family history research, including the use of the Ancestry mobile app and sharing features. She mentions her upcoming classes at Roots Tech that will cover topics like using the Ancestry Memories Gallery Center and the new Ancestry Pro Tools. Krista collaborates with other genealogists and product managers to provide a comprehensive learning experience for attendees, both virtually and in person. She encourages viewers to download the Ancestry and Family Search mobile apps to facilitate connections with relatives attending Roots Tech.

In the final paragraph, Krista emphasizes the collaborative nature of learning at Roots Tech, particularly through the 'relatives at Roots Tech' feature in the Family Search mobile app. She discusses the benefits of connecting with relatives and collaborating on family history research during the conference. Krista also reiterates the importance of post-conference reflection and her commitment to hosting daily wrap-up sessions on the Ancestry Facebook page. She invites viewers to continue engaging with her content and to reach out with any questions or comments as they prepare for Roots Tech.