Friday, February 10, 2017

OldNews USA Wins Top Honors at RootsTech 2017 Innovator Showdown

The following is from RootsTech.

OldNews USA Wins Top Honors at RootsTech 2017 Innovator Showdown

https://us.vocuspr.com/Publish/3313993/vcsPRAsset_3313993_86586_b83e3790-3406-4221-a8a5-486f9b63a812_0.jpgOld news, it seems, is actually “new” news. Very innovative news in fact. Today at RootsTech, the world’s largest family history technology conference, OldNews USA took top honors in the 2017 Innovator Showdown, walking away with $95,000 in cash and in-kind prizes. OldNews is an android app designed to help users quickly discover their family in historical US newspapers. The app uses the Library of Congress “Chronicling America” collection of more than 11 million newspaper pages from 1789 to 1922 to deliver its results.

In front of a crowd of close to 14,000 live and online viewers, the six RootsTech Innovator Showdown finalists battled for $199,000 in cash and prizes and bragging rights in the rapidly-growing, multi-billion dollar family history industry. An experienced amateur genealogist, Bill Nelson of Auburn, Massachusetts, designed the program as a solution to tedious, difficult online newspaper searches. The OldNews USA app was designed to simplify and streamline the search process.

Using keywords, users can look for newspaper accounts of a person or topic with the option to look at articles of historical events. In a person search, you type names and dates into your mobile device and choose a location on Google Maps which produces a list of newspapers in the targeted geographic area for a time period. It brings up images of the actual newspapers with the name or event you are seeking highlighted so you can quickly locate it on the page. Images can be enlarged for easier access to detail.

Nelson is a software developer by trade. “I was new to android and needed something to practice on. I had felt the pain points of newspaper research and thought ‘this would be a good project,’” he said. Initially he developed the app for his own use, then realizing it could help other researchers, he expanded it into a mobile app.
OldNews is compatible with Android devices, but Nelson is working to create an app for IOS devices and computers. With his winnings, he can now get business and technological assistance to accelerate development. While OldNews USA is designed to search US newspapers, he hopes to adapted the app for other countries.

The 5 finalists were whittled down from more than 40 applicants from the US and Europe. Each took three minutes to convince the panel of five judges and live audience that their product was deserving of a chunk of the $190,000 in cash and prizes.

The major sponsors of the Innovator Showdown this year included Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kickstarter Seed FundSorenson Legacy Foundation, and others.

After each presentation, there was a four-minute question and answer period between each contestant and the judges. The judges then selected the top three winners, and the viewing audience selected the People’s Choice Award winner.

With $190,000 in cash and in-kind prizes and services from sponsors at stake—an increase of nearly $100,000 from the original projection—the pressure, tension, and energy of the event was tremendous.

2017 RootsTech Showdown Winners
  • First Place Judges’ Choice ($90,000 cash, AWS credits, and an investment from Kickstart Seed Fund), Bill Nelson of OldNews USA.
  • Second Place Judges’ Choice ($44,000 cash and AWS credits), The Qroma tag mobile app for embedding stories into pictures, tagging them by voice commands, and making the data accessible on various platforms.
  • Third Place Judges’ Choice Award ($26,000 cash and AWS credits), Louis Kessler, Double Match Triangulator, an app to help sort DNA matches into groups of relatives.
  • People’s Choice ($25,000 cash and AWS credits), Kindex, an app designed to help users create searchable, shareable archives of family letters and other documents using tags to help users easily locate information.
Emberall was the other finalist. It provides a method to capture and store pictures and videos creating an accessible archive.

The judges for the final round included Alan Doan, CEO of Missouri Star Quilt Company, John Richards, Founder and CEO of Startup Ignition, Kenyatta Berry, host of The Genealogy Road Show, Thomas MacEntee, founder of High-Definition Genealogy, and Dalton J. Wright, partner in Kickstart Seed Fund.
The Innovator Showdown, now in its third year, was designed to foster innovation in the family history industry.

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

What Happened Today at the RootsTech 2017 Innovator Summit

The following is from RootsTech.

What Happened Today at the RootsTech 2017 Innovator Summit

We had a superb opening to our RootsTech Innovator Summit today. Audiences heard fantastic keynotes from FamilySearch International CEO Steve Rockwood and President of the Wiseman Group, Liz Wiseman. We were also treated to numerous presentations on the newest, cutting edge technology and concepts in the genealogical field. Budding businesses and innovative ideas were on display for our judges’ and for the audience’s vote at the RootsTech Innovator Showdown Semifinals.

Click on the video above for highlights from today’s activities.

Coming up tomorrow we look forward to hearing from Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International. He will kick off our General Session with his keynote.

After Steve Rockwood’s keynote, Drew and Jonathan Scott, hosts of HGTV’s Property Brothers, will take the stage and share stories about their family and more.

To learn more about what’s happening tomorrow at RootsTech, click below. 
VIEW SCHEDULE

RootsTech 2017 Day One Activities

I know RootsTech doesn't start until tomorrow but today was the beginning of events for me. I knew this was going to be way bigger this year, than previous years, when I saw the billboards advertising RootsTech on the highway coming in.

First, I had a VIP Tour of the new Family History Library Discovery Center. I was a little disorientated walking in. The main floor of the FHL is totally, amazingly, transformed. It was hard to picture that everything genealogy research was upstairs. You have to visit it to appreciate the experience. Yes, I cried during my visit. I did a day in history tour of my mother and the memories just flooded back seeing events right before her death. I could feel her in the room while I was sitting there. This place is holy and has the power to create eternal connections to your ancestors.



In the evening I attended the Media Dinner. My favorite way to start RootsTech. I found out tonight I am one of six original bloggers (now ambassadors) since RootsTech began in 2010. It has grown into something amazing. Speaking of amazing listen to these registrations stats.

  • Innovator Summit 1,400 attendees (closed registration)
  • RootsTech W-F tracks 12,000 attendees
  • Family Discovery Day 30,000 attendees for Saturday (closed registration)
  • Attendees from 43 countries, including all states in the US, but Nebraska
  • RootsTech Opening Event, "Music, It Runs in the Family at the Conference Center at Temple Square is sold out - 21,000 attendees

This was such a fun dinner.  Not only did we get a taste of what is coming we received cool gifts. Totally getting into the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro keynote on Saturday. There are over 60 competitors entered into the cake decorating competition.  We received a run down of each days themes, and a glimpse of staging. Which is incredible! I can't believe how much RootsTech has transformed over the years.




Then I had my caricature done. Something I have always wanted, but have never had an opportunity to have one. I think it's totally me. It's hard to imagine the fun has just begun. This RootsTech is going to be great!


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

Monday, February 06, 2017

RootsTech Expo Hall Demo Theater Schedule.

Just Released!  The RootsTech Expo Hall Demo Theater Schedule.



Thursday - 9 Feb 2017
Time
Company
Demo Title
Presenter
Giveaway
10:20 AM
Forever
A Solution for Digital Photo Loss and Disorganization
Shelley Murray
Forever Basic Box Package to digitize your memories ($79 Value)
10:40 AM
Ancestry.com
DNA Testing: Getting Started
Anna Swayne
DNA kit
11:00 AM
High 5 Communications
Everyone Has a Story to Tell. What's Yours?
Lynda Fisher
Sheet filled with fun family activities that encourage memory sharing
11:20 AM
JewishGen.org
Intro to JewishGen and Jewish Genealogy
Avraham Groll
Brochures
11:40 AM
Historic Journals
Indexing Your Own Family's Diaries and Other Records for Free on hjournals.com
Doug Kennard
--
12:00 PM
Legacy Republic
How Preserving and Enjoying Memories Benefits Your Family
Genevieve Skory
Memory Box for home video & photo digitization services ($100 value)
12:20 PM
Konica Minolta
Advanced Scanning of Memories and Sources Directly into FamilySearch.org
Andrew Haight
$100 AMEX Gift Card + 1 License of bizhub Marketplace Connect app for FamilySearch.org ($300 value) (compatible Konica Minolta Bizhub required)
12:40 PM
Backblaze
Why Backups Are Important
Yev Pusin
1 year of Backblaze online backup
1:00 PM
Family Tree Maker
What's New with Family Tree Maker!
TBD
One copy of Family Tree Maker
1:20 PM
FamilySearch
FamilySearch: What's New
Brian Edwards
TBA
1:40 PM
HistoryLines
Using HistoryLines to Discover Your Ancestor's Daily Life
Jeff Haddon
1-year HistoryLines membership
2:00 PM
Your DNA Guide
Should I Take a YDNA Test?
Diahan Southard
Your DNA Guide online video tutorial series subscription
2:20 PM
Publish Your Legacy Now
Make Your Family History Album Shake, Rattle & Roll
Nancy Laney
Subscription to online course (Value $197), "Publish Your Legacy Now," including BONUS on How to Add Video to Your Family History Album
2:40 PM
American Ancestors
Historic Catholic Records Online Project
Andrew Hanson-Dvoracek
6-month membership to AmericanAncestors.org
3:00 PM
Story 2 Ink
Yes!! Your Family Has Caricature
Mark Northcott
1 family digital caricature
3:20 PM
Legacy Tree Genealogists
Preparing to Visit Your Ancestor's Homeland
Paul Woodbury
$350-value discovery project
3:40 PM
Intelligent Image Management, Inc.
Large-Scale Historical Data Conversion
Yvette Arts
Gift certificate
4:00 PM
Findmypast
Unlocking Roman Catholic Records - The Great Untapped Resource
Brian Donovan
12-month premium subscription ($240 value)
4:20 PM
WikiTree
What's Up at WikiTree?
Eowyn Langholf
Enjoy Genealogy sweatshirt
4:40 PM
Twile
How to Create Your Family Infographic
Paul Brooks
Twile premium subscription
5:00 PM
Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems
5 Amazing Things Google Earth Can Do for Genealogy
Lisa Louise Cooke
Book (Value: $48.95): The Genealogist's Google Toolbox signed by author plus the Google Earth for Genealogy digital video series





Friday - 10 Feb 2017
Time
Company
Demo Title
Presenter
Giveaway
10:20 AM
FamilySearch
FamilySearch: Mobile Apps
Todd Powell
TBA
10:40 AM
Findmypast
The Power of Societies in Today's Genealogy
Jen Baldwin
12-month premium subscription ($240 value)
11:00 AM
Story 2 Ink
Creating Family With Caricature
Mark Northcott
1 digital caricature
11:20 AM
Your DNA Guide
I have DNA, Now What?!
Diahan Southard
Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy quick sheet
11:40 AM
Konica Minolta
Advanced Scanning of Memories and Sources Directly into FamilySearch.org
Andrew Haight
$100 AMEX Gift Card + 1 License of bizhub Marketplace Connect app for FamilySearch.org ($300 value) (compatible Konica Minolta Bizhub required)
12:00 PM
Ancestry.com
Preview of Ancestry's New Online Memorial Product: We Remember
David Graham
DNA kit
12:20 PM
Findmypast
Parish Records of England & Wales
Myko Clelland
12-month premium subscription ($240 value)
12:40 PM
JRNL
Family History Hacks with JRNL
Nick Jones
JRNL Book Publishing up to 250 Pages, plus free shipping in continental USA
1:00 PM
Backblaze
Backup vs. Sync - What You Need to Know
Yev Pusin
1 year of Backblaze online backup
1:20 PM




1:40 PM
Legacy Tree Genealogists
How to Hire a Genealogist You Can Trust
Jessica Taylor
$350-value discovery project
2:00 PM
HistoryLines
Using HistoryLines with Your FamilySearch Account Is Easy Breezy!
Jeff Haddon
1-year HistoryLines membership
2:20 PM
Ancestral Quest (Incline Software)
Using TreeTips™ of Ancestral Quest to Find Your Ancestors
Gaylon Findlay
1 copy of Ancestral Quest
2:40 PM
Forever
Extraordinary Family History…Preserved Permanently Online with Forever™
Ann Monteith
Forever Basic Box Package to digitize your memories ($79 Value)
3:00 PM
Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems
Google Search Power Strategies
Lisa Louise Cooke
Book (Value: $64.90): The Genealogist's Google Toolbox signed by author and 1 year Genealogy Gems Premium Membership featuring Google Search video classes
3:20 PM
Record the Story of Your Life
Organized Video Histories at the Touch of a Button, All from Your Smartphone
Karen Corbitt
Unlimited video histories on emberall.com and 1 premium Legacy DVD ($79 Value)
3:40 PM
Trees by RIE
Remembering Our Families Our Way
Marie Fisher
$25 gift certificate to Trees by RIE
4:00 PM
Pictureline
The Photograph—Why It Is So Important
Jens Nielsen
$25 Pictureline gift cards and other swag
4:20 PM
FamilySearch
FamilySearch: Search Tips and Tricks
Robert Kehrer
TBA
4:40 PM
RootsFinder
Analyzing and Managing Evidence with RootsFinder
Heather Henderson
1-year of the RootsFinder Pro plan
5:30 PM
Cultural Celebration





Saturday - 11 Feb 2017
Time
Company
Demo Title
Presenter
Giveaway
10:20 AM
RootsMagic
Your Home Base for Your Online Research
Bruce Buzbee
RootsMagic software + companion book
10:40 AM
Findmypast
Exploring the Early Years of Pennsylvania with HSP
Jen Baldwin
12-month premium subscription ($240 value)
11:00 AM
Brigham Young University
Family History Resources at BYU
Amy Harris
Coupons for free T-shirt
11:20 AM
GenealogyDOTcoach
Genealogy Coaching and Mentorship
Janet Hovorka
30-minute gift certificate
11:40 AM
Forever
Preserving Scrapbooks and Family Stories
Madelyn Brownell
Forever Basic Box Package to digitize your memories ($79 Value)
12:00 PM
FamilySearch
FamilySearch: How the New Indexing Program Works
Devin Ashby
TBA
12:20 PM
Ancestry.com
Finding Your Ancestors Through Military Records on Fold3
Todd Brewer
DNA kit
12:40 PM
Twile
Turn Your FamilySearch Tree into a Twile Timeline
Paul Brooks
Twile premium subscription
1:00 PM
Ancestry.com
Connecting Your Ancestry Online Tree with FamilySearch
Tim Crabb
DNA kit
1:20 PM
MooseRoots
Get to Know Your Ancestors Better Than Ever Before
John Dagger
MooseRoots T-shirt
1:40 PM
Church History Department
Early Mormon Missionary Database
Ryan Combs
A church history book
2:00 PM
Heritage of Heroes.com
How to Turn Family History Into Bedtime Stories
Stephanie Fronk
--
2:20 PM
Publish Your Legacy Now
Quickly Scan, Share, Upload Grandma's Old Photo Album
Nancy Laney
Subscription to online course (Value $197), "Publish Your Legacy Now," including BONUS on How to Add Video to Your Family History Album
2:40 PM
ArkivDigital
Discover Your Swedish Roots Using ArkivDigital
Kathy Meade
3-month ArkivDigital subscription
3:00 PM
The Family Food (Family Discovery Day Event)