Thursday, February 24, 2011

FamilySearch News: FamilySearch Helping Preserve and Provide Access to African Records and Family Histories

The following is from FamilySearch.


24 February 2011

SALT LAKE CITY—This month, millions of individuals of African descent are celebrating Black History Month by exploring their family history roots. In the U.S., FamilySearch volunteers have been busy helping digitize historic documents and create free, searchable indexes to them online. Throughout Africa, from Accra to Zimbabwe, where irreplaceable family information and traditions are at risk of being lost due to neglect, war, and deterioration, FamilySearch volunteers are also helping preserve this valuable history so Africans can connect with their roots. Researchers can search the millions of African-related records as they are published online at FamilySearch.org.

FamilySearch, a non-profit, volunteer-driven subsidiary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been involved in genealogy since 1894, but the African culture presents a unique set of challenges to family history research. Because most family information is passed down orally, FamilySearch is focused on preserving both African oral traditions and related records that can help people learn about their ancestors.
“In Africa, there is a proverb that states, ‘When an old man dies, it is as if a library has burnt down,’ ” said Ghanaian Osei-Agyemang Bonsu, a FamilySearch manager in Africa. “Unfortunately, due to economic difficulties, many young people are moving from their villages, where they have the chance of obtaining information from the older people. The purpose of the oral genealogy project is to go to these old people and record what they know before they die.”

Most African tribes have a designated “storyteller” who is responsible to memorize the tribe’s oral traditions, including names of ancestors going back six to thirty generations. FamilySearch works with chiefs and local volunteers to visit these storytellers and record the information they have been charged to remember in their heads. Sometimes the interview is audio or video recorded, like the Ghana Oral Genealogy Project. If technology is not available, the information is written down on paper. Once it is recorded, the lineage-linked data is put into a spreadsheet and uploaded into a computer format developed by FamilySearch called GEDCOM. Currently, this GEDCOM file is put into FamilySearch’s Community Trees project, but it will eventually be integrated with the FamilySearch.org website.

FamilySearch is also working with children in South Africa to encourage them to write down their family traditions. FamilySearch volunteer Isebelle Krauss conducts training to help young people know how to interview the elderly people in their village.

“We encourage them [South African youth] to find their roots, to record it and to be proud of who they are,” Krauss said.
Krauss works with the South African Department of Education and Heritage and the Department of Arts and Culture to hold oral tradition storytelling competitions in public schools.

“The children are encouraged to collect as many names as possible and come back to either sing, recite, or give a hard copy of their research,” Krauss said. “The pilot project was in Kwa Zulu Natal, and I was privileged to be one of the judges at the final round between 30 schools. What an experience! The little ones danced and sang their history and an eight-year-old won the competition with 15 generations.”

Although the majority of African heritage is oral, written records such as censuses and birth, marriage, and death certificates can help people verify the names, dates, and places in their family history. FamilySearch has worked with governments, archives, and churches in Ghana, South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia, Swaziland, Nigeria, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to digitize records of genealogical importance. FamilySearch employee Stephen Nickle says some of the irreplaceable records in these countries are in danger of being lost.

“There are various records throughout Africa that are at risk. Some are destroyed through war or deterioration or because there is a lack of room and other records are more important,” Nickle said. “When those records are destroyed, a part of Africa goes away. Preserving those records helps future generations know where they came from, which is an important part of maintaining a culture.”

Many of the records collected by FamilySearch are now available for free on FamilySearch.org. More African records will be posted on the site in the coming months. Following are a few samples of some types of records at FamilySearch.org that may be of interest to those doing African or African-American research. 
Many of them are works in progress.
·         Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Letters, 1865-1872
·         U.S. Arkansas Confederate Pensions, 1901 to 1929
·         Ghana 1982-1984 Census
·         South Africa, Orange Free State, Estate Files, 1951-1973
·         U.S. Southern States Births, Marriages, and Deaths
·         U.S. Naturalization Petitions

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

"The Journey Takers" by Leslie Albrecht Huber

Last year Leslie Albrecht Huber was kind enough to send me a review copy of her book "The Journey Takers".  This was the first time I had heard of Leslie and her book.  I was fascinated while I read about her experience in researching her immigration ancestors.  I found the book different in that it told both Leslie's story and the story of her ancestors as she discovered their lives.  There were moments of her envisioning  what they must of said and done that swept you away into their tale.  Sometimes I wished the book didn't bring me back to the here and now, other times I wished Leslie kept telling more of her research discoveries. It was a meshing of two different books.  Then I realized the book was written with the genealogist in mind.  Those of us that keep our feet on two sides of the veil.  It was an interesting read and I encourage you to pick up a copy of her book to discover what the pages hold within.

Leslie will be in Utah (and Nevada) for a genealogy lecture tour for the next couple of weeks.  Most lectures are free and open to the public, except for two conferences.  If you have the opportunity of listen to Leslie you won't be disappointed.


Lecture Description:
Did you ever wonder what it was like for your Western European ancestors to leave their homesbehind to start new lives here in Utah? Leslie Albrecht Huber will explore their experiences in her lecture, The Journey Takers: An Inside Look at the LDS Immigration Experience. Come explore these immigrants' stories, the historical context of their lives, and learn some sources and research methods that can help you uncover the stories of your own immigrant ancestors. The lecture is based on Huber's newly released book, The Journey Takers.
 
24 Feb             Book Presentation, Paseo Verde Public Library, Thurs 6:30 p.m., 280 South Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV, lecture free and open to the public, lecture and book signing: The Journey Takers
 
25-26 Feb        St. George Family History Expo, St. George Convention Center, 1835, Convention Center Drive, St. George, UT, Conference registration required for attendance, lectures: 
11:30 a.m., Fri: Beyond Names and Dates: Uncovering Your Ancestors’ Stories
8 a.m., Sat: Crossing the Ocean with the Internet,
2:30 p.m., Sat: The Journey Takers: An Inside Look at Immigration Research
Book signing: 3:40 p.m. at the Family Roots Publishing booth
 
26 Feb             Seagull Bookstore, Sat, 5-7 p.m., 967 West Red Cliff Drive, St. George, UT, book signing: The Journey Takers
 
1 Mar               Seagull Bookstore, Tues 4-6 p.m., Provo, UT, 2250 North University Pkwy #C56, book signing: The Journey Takers
 
1 Mar               Book Presentation, Provo City Library at Academy Square, in the Bullock Room on the 3rdfloor of the Academy Building, Tues, 7 p.m., 550 North University Parkway, Provo, UT, The lecture free and open to the public, lecture and book signing: The Journey Takers: An Inside Look at the LDS Immigration Experience
 
2 Mar               Monthly Meeting, Cache County Historical Society, Wed, 7 p.m., Historic County Courthouse, 199 North Main Street, Logan, UT, The lecture is free and open to the public. Lecture and book signing: The Journey Takers: An Inside Look at the LDS Immigration Experience
 
3 Mar               Seagull Bookstore, Thurs, 11 a.m.-1  p.m., 1114 North Main Street, Logan, UT, book signing: The Journey Takers
 
3 Mar               Seagull Bookstore, Thurs, 4-6 p.m., 514 N 325 East, Harrisville, UT, book signing: The Journey Takers
 
3 Mar               Ogden Family History Center, Thurs 7 p.m., 539 24th Street, Ogden, UT The lecture is free and open to the public. Lecture: The Journey Takers: An Inside Look at the LDS Immigration Experience

4 Mar               Seagull Bookstore, Fri, 2-4 p.m., 1625 West 9000 South, West Jordan, UT, book signing:The Journey Takers

4 Mar               Utah Genealogical Association, Fri, 7 p.m., Bountiful Arts Center, 745 South Main, Bountiful, UtahThe lecture is free and open to the public. Lecture and book signing: The Journey Takers: An Inside Look at the Immigration Experience

5 Mar               South Davis Regional Family History Fair, Sat, Bountiful High School, Bountiful, UT, The conference and lectures are free and open to public (onsite registration required). Lectures and book signing:
9:20: The Journey Takers
10:40: Eight Ways to Cross the Ocean
12:00: Writing a Page-Turning (But True) Family History
Book signing: 1:10 p.m. at the Family Roots Publishing booth

5 Mar               Seagull Bookstore, Sat, 5-7 p.m., 316 North Marketplace Dr. Suite C-100, Centerville, UT,book signing: The Journey Takers       

 
Author Bio:
Leslie Albrecht Huber is a freelance writer and speaker. Her first book, The Journey Takers, was published in the summer of 2010. Leslie has spoken about her book and about tracing immigrant ancestors on Good Morning America, National Public Radio, and at libraries, museums, and conferences across the country. She has published over 100 articles in a variety of publications including The History Channel Magazine, The Journal of Mormon History, Family Chronicle, History Magazine, Ancestry Magazine, Family Tree Magazine, and others. For more information, visit www.thejourneytakers.com.

Back Cover Text

“Leslie Albrecht Huber has the ability to pull us back in history, allowing us to view it through her eyes. She is able to capture the essence of life as it may have been. The reader will find it impossible to lay the book aside as Huber shares her experience in a way that envelops, inspires, and motivates.”
            -Holly Hansen, Family History Expos President


Leslie Albrecht Huber’s ancestors were journey takers, leaving their homes in Germany, Sweden, and England behind to sail to the US and start new lives here. Huber sets out to trace these journeys and to understand her family – who they were and what mattered to them. But as she follows in their footsteps, walking the paths they walked and looking over the land they farmed, she finds herself on a journey she hadn’t expected. Based on thousands of hours of research, Huber recreates the immigration experience in a way that captures both its sweeping historical breadth and its intimately personal consequences.


“…an important contribution to the field of family history…”
-Dr. Raymond Wright, former director of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and retired professor of history from Brigham Young University

“The Journey Takers shows Huber’s ability to use sources to discover who these people of the past were, most especially to make them come alive. Her style of meshing her journey of discovery with their individual life stories makes a compelling narrative.”
            -Dr. Kathryn Daynes, professor of history at Brigham Young University and past president of the Mormon History Association

“The Journey Takers shows an impressive level of research, polished writing, and engaging and frequently moving interpretations. The theme that emerges about the importance and lasting influence of choices is a powerful one.”
            -Dr. Lavina Fielding Anderson, author of Lucy’s Book: Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir


“With The Journey Takers, Leslie Albrecht Huber brings her ancestors to life. She adds flesh to the bones of a genealogical study by weaving historical context, family stories, and her personal feelings into the fabric of the story. The hardships and heartaches of those who came before her are tightly bound to the journey that took them from the old world and into a new life."
-Cyndi Ingle Howells, creator and owner of Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet

-- 
Leslie Albrecht Huber
Freelance writer and speaker, and author of The Journey Takers - www.thejourneytakers.com

Legacy Family Tree is coming to Utah - St. George and Bountiful

The following is from the Legacy News.


We're coming to Utah the next two weekends. We'll be giving away computers and software, teaching classes on Legacy 7.5, and offering seminar-special pricing on Legacy software and products.

St. George Family History Expo, February 25-26, 2011
The 7th annual St. George Family History Expo will be held at the Dixie Center. With 103 classes to attend (including our 4) and 53 vendors (we're in booths 601 and 701) there will be something for everyone. We'll also be giving away an Acer netbook computer so be sure to pick up your entry form. The exhibit hall is free and open to the public. Registration is available on-site or at www.fhexpos.com. Meet with Legacy's vice-president, Ken McGinnis, and myself, Geoff Rasmussen. We'll also be teaching the following classes:
  • Friday, 10am - Improving Your Use of New FamilySearch: Data Cleanup Strategies
  • Friday, 3pm - Organizing, Planning, Mapping, Sourcing, and Sharing with Legacy Family Tree 7.5
  • Saturday, 11am - New FamilySearch and Legacy 7.5
  • Saturday, 2:30pm - Legacy 7.5 - Tips & Tricks
South Davis Family History Fair, Saturday, March 5, 2011
I've been attending this fair since the time I was a student pursuing my degree in Family History and Genealogy. It's now grown to about 1,800 attendees for this one-day event. With over 20 classes per hour to choose from, we certainly hope you'll choose to come to ours! We'll be giving away great prizes here too....
Held at Bountiful High School, registration opens Saturday morning at 7am and closes at about 4:30pm. Registration and the exhibit hall are free and open to the public. Visit www.familyhistoryfair.com for more information.
We hope to see you in Utah!

St. George Family History Expo - Final Chance to Register and Save

If you have not already registered for the St. George Family History Expo do it now!



Early online registration will end Wednesday morning. You will still be able to register at the door but the price goes up so save some bucks and register today.
Online: http://www.familyhistoryexpos.com/viewevent.aspx?eid=25
By phone: 801-829-3295

If you have not already registered for the Friday evening event with Family History Expos do it now! Sign up today for a veritable feast! Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner, a motivational speech, and receive your signed copy of M. Bridget Cooks National best selling book!

Details are on the Family History Expo blog at http://www.familyhistoryexpos.com/wordpress
Register for dinner by Tuesday evening online at http://www.familyhistoryexpos.com/productsdetails.aspx?pid=721&catid=68

If you have questions email info@fhexpos.com or call 801-829-3295.

See you in St. George!

Genealogy Jamboree Webinar Series

The following is from the Southern California Genealogical Society.


February 22, 2011

The Southern California Genealogical Society is proud to announce a new program, the Jamboree Extension Series,  that provides family history and genealogy educational webinar (web-based seminar) sessions for genealogists around the world.

The program will offer Jamboree-style seminars at no charge for up to 1000 attendees per session. The Jamboree Extension Series is offered as a service to the genealogical community as part of the Society's mission "to foster interest in family history and genealogy, preserve genealogical materials, and provide instruction in accepted and effective research techniques."

The original webcasts are available to all genealogists at no charge.  As a benefit to SCGS members, the webinars will be archived on the SCGS members-only section of the website and can be viewed at any time. Archived sessions will be available approximately three days following the webinar.  SCGS memberships
may be purchased online at the SCGS website.

Jamboree Extension Series presentations will be scheduled on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month. Saturday sessions will be held at 10am Pacific time / 1pm Eastern time; Wednesday sessions will be scheduled 6pm Pacific time / 9pm Eastern time.

The complete webinar schedule is posted on the SCGS website.  Updates will be posted to the SCGS blog as new sessions are added.


RootsTech 2011 Review

It's been over a week now and I have finally recovered enough from attending RootsTech to review it.  What a wonderful experience it was. This was one of the times in my life that I could say history happened and we will never be the same.

The experience started at 2pm Wednesday, Feb 9th for me.  That's when I had a tour of the Family History Library.  It had been probably 20 years since I had taken an official tour of the library. I've been using the library during that time frame but just doing my own thing.  I was very pleased to see how many digital microfilm/microfiche scanners they have available. There used to be only one scanner per floor, I think there are at least 20 per floor now.  You used to have to schedule a time frame to use the scanner, but that's not necessary now - you should be able to find one available anytime you need it.

After the FHL tour I jumped on the bus with my fellow bloggers and reporters for a media tour of the Film Distribution Center.  My how high tech and efficient the system is.  We were given stock photos to use for our blogs since photographs onsite were not allowed.  I'm not going to post them here - you will see them in the blog articles I link to below.  It was during this tour that I realized that not everyone in our media group was familiar with genealogy or why we even use microfilms.  I was very impressed the RootsTech had invited such a diverse group of media to tell their story. The MormonMommyBlog stands out in this area.  It's interesting to see how her heart has changed about genealogy after attending RootsTech.  You will find the link below.

After touring the Film Distribution Center we had an opportunity to go into the Church Distribution Center next door. It was a timely thing for me since I needed to pick something up for my Primary class. As the tour bus was taking us back Paul Nauta, FamilySearch Public Affairs Director gave us all the Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD "Showtime!" and a lovely journal.

We had some time to kill before dinner when we arrived at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. There was a lot of socializing going on. I visited the FamilySearch Center there and had my picture taken on the Ellis Island dock.

Then it was on to dinner at The Roof, you can't go wrong with that choice. What a view of Salt Lake and especially the temple at sunset.  Not everyone was LDS so it was a lovely way to introduce them to Salt Lake and our culture.  Did you know The Roof does not serve coffee?  What interesting things you learn through other people's eyes.  Before leaving we were given our RootsTech bags containing our name tags, syllabus and a gorgeous leather bound journal. FamilySearch really knows how to treat the media.

Before the doors to RootsTech opened the media were given breakfast and a tour of the facilities. Thomas MacEntee handed out red beads to all the bloggers. What a fun little group bloggers can be!  The first thing I noticed on the tour was instead of your typical vendors hall we had a Community Zone Exhibit Hall.  It was totally carpeted to encourage people to stand around and talk and still be comfortable.

There was a Media Hub right in the middle of everything.  You could power up your laptop, be online and write about any break news you heard. I took the opportunity to just visit and gab with fellow bloggers there during down times. The Media Hub was also a great place for vendors to drop off press releases.  Bloggers also got a neat RootsTech mini USB hub and a complimentary membership to Archives.com.  I can't wait to try that!

I had debated about bringing my laptop.  I can only carry so much stuff around. I see many conference users with wheeled bags which would be lovely if I didn't also have to walk with a cane. Genealogy conference goers know how annoying it is getting around these slow wheeled bag people or how dangerous it is to trip over their bags.  I could just picture myself being doubly annoying with a wheeled bag and a cane for people to get around me.  So I opted out of the whole laptop thing.  Instead I twittered off my phone or stopped at the mini Family History Library there to write tweets. My RootsTech bag was just the right size for me to carry.  But, I have to confess to some bag envy by Saturday after seeing all the different styles they handed out.  It was quite fun discovering new styles.

The Community Zone also had a Cyber Cafe that anyone could use, and many did.  I just have a hard time sitting on a stool because my feet don't reach the foot rest.  The Cyber Cafe in my opinion needed some tables and normal size chairs.  Or people could do like I did and go to the mini FHL to use the computer.  The missionaries there didn't care what you where using the computers for, which was very nice of them.  I never had any problem getting onto a computer while in the Community Zone.

One place I didn't visit was the Microsoft Playground.  I saw lots of people relaxing and playing games. I forgot all about the massages they offered there.  If I had remembered I would of made use of that. This is one piece of information I have stored in my brain for next year.

I did attend a couple of demos in the Community Zone.  They had soft couches you could sit on or nice chairs. The mini FHL was right next to the Demo Area so I could sit at an end computer tweet and listen to a demo at the same time. The demos usually had prize drawings after their presentation too. The only suggestion I have for the Community Zone it would be to have more vendors there. Other than that don't change a thing.

Since we were touring the Community Zone as people gathered in the main hall for the keynote address, RootsTech was kind enough to have reserved seating upfront for the media.  You couldn't ask for better seats in the house.  As we walked in you could tell this was going to be a genealogy conference like no other.  There was lively music playing and colored lights moving around. There were two large screens on either side of the stage.  Everyone had a perfect view.  This was a major class act.

As a recorded voice introduced each speaker with music and lights I began to feel like I was attending a TED Convention for Genealogist!. I'm not going to go over each keynote address. Other bloggers have done a wonderful job here.  I just want to say the momentum of coming from a keynote every day just got you more and more siked about being there. There was synergy in the masses coming together, hearing motivating speakers on the use of technology and how things are just getting bigger and better all the time.  It's a wonderful age we live in and genealogy is just blossoming from it.

I am just going to mention a couple of classes I attended.

Software Forecast: What Genealogists Need for the Future - D. Josh Taylor
He gave a call to action to software programmers for what genealogists really need.  "The community needs software that bridges elements of cloud computing, social networking, and the next generation of web-based technologies with established principles of genealogical research and methodologies in order to harness emerging technologies for genealogy and family history users."  I was impressed with his depth of vision.

Create Your Own Family Reference Library and Catalogue - always at your fingertips - Jan Grow
I had been waiting for this class ever since I saw it as an option on the website.  The time was changed so it was confusing when this class was offered.  Since it was a workshop you needed to sign up in advance.  I made sure a couple of days before the conference that I was signed up for one of the new time slots.  It was a good thing I did.  There was a huge crowd of people wanting to get into this workshop. It became standing room only in the back.  I got a nice lovely seat up front because my name was on the list.

Jan went over how she used TreePad for her reference library.  I was already a TreePad user and fan so I was thrilled to see how she recorded her genealogy research using it. She didn't show how in the class to download her template, but I found it and saved it to my flash drive.  I can't wait to play with it.

Jan used TreePad to track things I had not thought of, which will save me from having to buy a few programs I thought I needed.  She gave examples of how you can use TreePad to track magazine articles, belongings, along with your research with a Research Plan.

TreePad is: A Personal Information Manager, Organizer, Database, Word Processor, Fully portable - install and use on a USB drive.  Plus has a wonderful search engine.  As I play with this program more I will write up my findings.  Jan's class was tape recorded and I hope when it goes online it includes the slides.

The final day of RootsTech I attended the Genealogical Data Standards - Discussion.  Robert Raymond did an excellent job as moderator. This was a two part class and after the first session many people left and missed out on one of the biggest news of the conference.

During the discussion attendees could come up to the microphone and give their input.  The sessions were recorded. Robert did an excellent job adjusting the agenda as the discussion evolved.  The original agenda was to cover 1. ID Issues, 2. Solutions, 3. Standards, 4. Plan - Governance.

The first session covered ID Issues.  A representative from Google even came to the mic and wanted to help with searchablity. Since we all knew we were going to run out of time it was decided that we wanted to discuss Governance. Along this time Tom Creighton, from FamilySearch, made a very soft announcement that FamilySearch has been looking at these issues and has been developing the SORD project.  He went on to tell about the SORD fights they have had. FamilySearch was not looking to control this all by themselves.  They wanted to be involved with the community in creating the Standard.  He said "Shame on us for not doing this the last 20 years."

In my tweets after the second session I referred to the FamilySearch project as SWORD.  I know that came from picturing the sword fights within FamilySearch.  So the real name of the project we want to hear more on is SORD.

I can tell you I was way over my head in the discussion. I just know it was important and changes were happening.  In fact as I sat there I could feel it as a living thing. I wished I had attended more discussion - they were the place to be in a conference like this.  It took until the last day for me to realize what RootsTech was all about - the people.  Genealogy and technology coming together and Growing!

At the end of the conference there was a closing session.  It was great to come back together as a group. Anne Roach, who did an excellent job putting RootsTech together, took us on a journey on how RootsTech began and what it became.  I loved the slide shows.  Jay Verkler spoke to us and gave us all an opportunity to show our appreciation to the people that put this all together.  We gave them a heartfelt standing ovation, and that didn't even seem enough thanks for what they have done.

Afterward the conference I spoke with Don Snow and his wife and daughter. I learned that at the same time I was feeling something important happening in my class on the Genealogical Data Standards - Discussion, that Elder Richard G. Scott, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was giving an apostolic blessing on those involved in genealogy work.  I think I felt the spirit move through the building at the same time.  I can't wait to watch the recording of Elder Scott's talk when it's online.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the fun RootsTech evening events.  Thursday was the Clark Planetarium hosted by brightsolid. There was casual dinner which you needed to visit every floor to get the full course.  It was fun but there were too many people there to make it really enjoyable.  Probably because there weren't many chairs. I was lucky to get into the first show "Hubble 3D".  I hadn't seen anything in 3D since I was a kid.  It was really cool.  I left early and spent the rest of the night at the FHL.

Friday evening was the "Late Night at the Library" sponsored by Ancestry.com.  They had a  "Who Do You Think You Are" viewing party, along with food and a class. It was enjoyable. I stayed until about 11pm even though the library stayed open until midnight.

To finish the whole RootsTech experience I went to Dick Eastman's EOGN Dinner Saturday night. Something I have wanted to do for ages. Dick had asked me in advance to be a contestant in the Genealogy Jeopardy game they were going to play.  I made sure to eat some almonds before the dinner to wake up my brain.  I thought I was going to make a total fool of myself and was pleasantly surprised that I knew as many answers as I did. If I had only wagered more money on the final question it would have been in my grasp.  It was great fun anyways.  A Dick Eastman dinner is the best way to close a genealogy conference experience.

There were a few things that could be improved for next year.
  • More vendors
  • Better class descriptions online ahead of time
  • Mark the tracks better - especially workshops that need to be signed up in advance. 
  • Escalators!  Seriously the Salt Palace would be perfect if they just installed them in place of the stairs. I know that not within the power of RootsTech but I'm just saying....
What will I do different next year?
  • Attend some unconferencing sessions
  • Attend more discussions than classes
  • Try and take more pictures - I'm really bad at that!
  • Get a free massage

Below you will find links to articles others have written about RootsTech.  It was only after I created my list that I learned about The RootsTech Daily. That has links to these articles.

I understand that the DVDs and recording made during this conference will be sent to all the registered attendees of RootsTech. They will also be posted online at YouTube's FamilySearch Channel -

There is also a FamilySearch Wiki article on RootsTech at: https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/RootsTech_2011

A new website to come out of RootsTech is: http://familytech.familysearch.org/

LDS.org
Elder Richard G. Scott Speaks on Technology’s Role in Genealogy
New Conference Encourages Innovation in Genealogy Technology

Church News

MormonTimes

LDS Living
Elder Richard G. Scott Speaks on Technology’s Role in Genealogy (video)

FamilySearch Blog
Let's keep the momentum going

ReadWriteWeb Blog - by Curt Hopkins


About.com - Kimberly's Genealogy Blog - Kimberly Powell

The Ancestry Insider

Dick Eastman’s Genealogy Newsletter
The FamilySearch Microfilm Distribution Operation
Podcast: An Interview with some of FamilySearch Senior Managers
Video: An Interview with Brewster Kahle
3,000+ Genealogists at the RootsTech Conference (with Pictures)
The EOGN Dinner after RootsTech

MormonMommyBlog - Elisa

Genealogy’s Star - James Tanner

DearMYRTLE’s Genealogy Blog

Find My Ancestor

Genealogy Gems News
RootsTech 2011: A bold fresh face on the genealogy conference scene

GenealogyInsider

Granite Genealogy - Sue Maxwell

Olive Tree Genealogy Blog - Lorine McGinnis Schulze

Relatively Curious About Genealogy - Tami Glatz

Taneya’s Genealogy Blog
Managing RootsTech Knowledge

The Accidental Genealogist

The Family Curator
Virtual Attendance at #RootsTech 2011

Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog - Schelly Talay Darashti

The We Tree Genealogy Blog – Amy Coffin

Grove Creek Family History Blog – Rayanne Melick

Geneabloggers – Thomas MacEntee
Latest News From RootsTech 2011

Genea-Musing – Randy Seaver

GenealogyMedia.com – Jordan Jones

Journeys Past – Cheri Daniels

Luxegen Genealogy and Family History – Joan Miller

The TechnoGenealogist – Anne Roach

See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Family History Expo to Be Held in St. George Next Week

The following is from FamilySearch.

Dear Family History Consultants, Center Directors, and Indexing Directors and Assistants,

This is a final reminder about the upcoming St. George Family History Expo sponsored by Family History Expos (a private company). The event will be held February 25–26, 2011, at the Dixie Center, located at 1835 Convention Center Drive in St. George, Utah.

Over 100 classes will be presented by more than 50 national and local speakers as well as FamilySearch employees and staff from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. With classes ranging from beginning to advanced topics, there is something for everyone. Many classes are dedicated to studying the latest techniques and technologies being used in genealogical research, as well as the most up-to-date information about different cultures being studied. You can review the class schedule at www.fhexpos.com.

There is no cost to attend the keynote address or visit the exhibit hall. Registration for the classes is $75 for both days ($65 if you preregister online) or $40 for a single day. The cost to attend a single class is $12 at the door. The following free classes will also be offered on Saturday for family history consultants, stake extraction directors and assistants, and priesthood leaders:

·         “Family History Work: A Vital Resource in the Work of Salvation.” This class will discuss the newly released Leader’s Guide to Temple and Family History Work: To Turn the Hearts, as well as new approaches to involve the ward council.
·         “Family History Centers and In-Person Assistance.” This class will discuss the evolving role of family history centers and how to integrate them more in family history research.
·         “Research Resources and Branching Out.” This class will review the latest developments in indexing, the research wiki, forums, and online training, and will discuss how these resources can best be used.

The St. George Family History Expo is a great opportunity for the ward members you are working with to learn more about finding their ancestors. You may want to share information about the expo with them.

All general questions about the expo should be directed to:
Family History Expos
PO Box 187
Morgan, UT 84050
E-mail: Expo@FHExpos.com
Phone: 1-801-829-3295
Website: 
www.fhexpos.com

If you have specific questions regarding FamilySearch or consultant training classes offered at the expo, they should be directed to: 
E-mail: support@familysearch.org                                                                                                                                               
Phone—U.S. and Canada (toll free): 1-866-406-1830                                                                                                                  
Phone—International: Go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers.

We hope this information is helpful to you. 

Sincerely, 
FamilySearch Support