Thursday, February 28, 2019

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Donates 2 Million Dollars to the International African American Museum Center for Family History

The following is from FamilySearch.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Donates 2 Million Dollars to the International African American Museum Center for Family History

Gift will enable greater family history discoveries for African Americans at the site where nearly half of all enslaved Africans arrived in the United States

Artist rending of the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.At the 9th annual RootsTech family history and technology conference held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Elder David A. Bednar of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented Michael Boulware Moore, president and CEO of the International African American Museum (IAAM), with a donation of 2 million dollars to support the creation of the IAAM Center for Family History.
Elder David A. Bednar said, “We want to support the museum and the Center for Family History because we both value the strength that comes from learning about our families. The museum will not only educate its patrons on the important contributions of Africans who came through Gadsden’s Wharf and Charleston, it also will help all who visit to discover and connect with ancestors whose stories previously may not have been known.”
In thanking the Church, Joseph P. Riley, lifetime board member of IAAM and the former mayor of Charleston for 40 years, remarked, “One of the crown jewels of the experience at the museum will be the Center for Family History. Because of this generous donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the center will catapult into a level of excellence that simply would not be achievable.” Also speaking at the presentation in Salt Lake City was Martin Luther King III, son of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King spoke about the tremendous impact the museum will have on the African American community and individual families. He noted this partnership between the Church and the IAAM is a reflection of the “beloved community” his father envisioned.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through FamilySearch International, has long been a supporter of working with various partners to facilitate more records for those with African Heritage in the United states, such as the Freedmen’s Bureau Project in 2016. In addition to these efforts related to family history, the Church’s growing relationships in the African American community have included a warm relationship with the leadership of the NAACP with whom we are working on community efforts to further education and employment opportunities.
Once built, the IAAM will be a world-class museum, memorial and site of conscience presenting the history, sacrifices and contributions of Americans of African descent. It will be built on the former Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina. Nearly half of all enslaved Africans forced to North America arrived through Charleston, and the majority disembarked at Gadsden’s Wharf, taking their first steps into this country at the future site of the IAAM. The museum will contribute to a more complete and honest articulation of American history that will resonate with both national and international visitors.
The IAAM Center for Family History will be one of the world’s preeminent centers for African American genealogy. The Center for Family History will help guests reconnect with their personal family histories, both in the United States and beyond. The transformational experience will restore family connections and a sense of place for African Americans throughout the world. IAAM plans to begin construction in mid-2019 and to open its doors in 2021.
For more information about the International African American Museum and the Center for Family History, visit https://iaamuseum.org.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Findmypast Acquires RootsFinder Inc.

The following is from Findmypast and RootsFinder.

FINDMYPAST ACQUIRES ROOTSFINDER INC.

  • RootsFinder accelerates Findmypast’s development of the Findmypast Tree.
  • Acquisition marks the latest step in Findmypast’s drive to innovate and enhance user discoveries.
  • RootsFinder founder, Dallan Quass, joins the Findmypast team to assist with future integration work and tree development
Leading family history website, Findmypast, has acquired RootsFinder Inc. and their critically acclaimed RootsFinder family tree product, including new features to help customers analyze their DNA results.
The acquisition reflects Findmypast’s drive to innovate and enhance their customer experience by providing users with new ways to curate, share and explore their family history discoveries.
The acquisition will serve to help Findmypast and it’s partners accelerate development towards the new “Findmypast Tree” – a continuing effort that seeks to connect users anywhere in the world and offer them the opportunity to discover their family history by working together.
Founded in 2014 by Dallan Quass, RootsFinder is a free online family tree builder that provides users with the ability to collect and store data from a variety of online sources, engaging ways to capture and visualize media, family connections as well as powerful tools to analyze DNA results. RootsFinder has established itself as popular resource for genealogists across the world and was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2017 RootsTech Innovator Showdown.
Findmypast will look to make use of a number of RootsFinder features in the development of the new tree including data storage, enhanced gedcom uploads, community collaboration, DNA visualizations, error checking and 3rd party hints. These features will enable family historians to improve accuracy and uncover new leads through collaboration with fellow researchers.
There are no plans to change the features and services RootsFinder users currently enjoy and RootsFinder will continue to operate as a standalone product for the foreseeable future.
RootsFinder founder, Dallan Quass, will be joining the Findmypast team as SVP of Family History Technology and will assist with future integration work and development of the new tree. Dallan brings with him a wealth of experience in building family history platforms, machine learning, and search technologies.
Dallan Quass, founder of RootsFinder said: “Findmypast’s commitment to novice and experienced genealogists alike is inspiring. We are thrilled to be part of their drive to make family history discoveries fun and rewarding for everyone regardless of skill level. Using extensive record collections and leading-edge technology, Findmypast and RootsFinder will help more people than ever before to discover who they are.”
Tamsin Todd, CEO of Findmypast said: “With RootsFinder, Dallan Quass has once again demonstrated his passion for innovating in family history. We are excited to add a product that is so well regarded by genealogists to the Findmypast family, and it will form a key part of our product roadmap as we work to make family history accessible and easy for users at all stages of their discovery journeys.”

Saturday, February 16, 2019

RootsTech 2019 Announces Lineup of Keynote Speakers and Entertainers

RootsTech 2019 Announces Lineup of Keynote Speakers and Entertainers

RootsTech_2019_Keynote_Speaker_Collage.pngSalt Lake City, Utah (13 February 2019), RootsTech 2019, the world’s largest family history conference, announced its full lineup of keynote speakers and entertainers, including Saroo BrierleyPatricia HeatonDerek HoughJake Shimabukuro, and Steve Rockwood. Fueled by the popularity of DNA genealogy, social networking platforms, and related mobile apps, RootsTech 2018 had over 50,000 in-person and online attendees. Hosted by FamilySearch International, the conference will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 27 through March 2, and select content is broadcast live online.

Keynote Speakers

RootsTech 2019 kicks off on Wednesday, February 27, with classes on topics such as DNA research, photo preservation, and using social media to preserve family legacies. Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International, will be the featured keynote speaker on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. mountain standard time.

Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton takes the stage on Thursday to share stories of faith and family. Heaton is most recognized for her role as Deborah Barone on the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005) and more recently as Frankie Heck in The Middle (2009–2018). Heaton is also the author of two books. Her most recent, a recipe book, is Patricia Heaton’s Food for Family and Friends: 100 Favorite Recipes for a Busy, Happy Life, and her humorous collection of essays about life and family, published in 2003, is Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine.

Saroo Brierley, whose story is recounted in the international bestselling autobiography A Long Way Home, will be the featured keynote speaker on Friday, March 1. Brierley’s remarkable family reunification story was depicted in the 2016 film Lion.

On Saturday, March 2, world-renowned ukulele musician and composer Jake Shimabukuro will take the stage. Shimabukuro’s records have repeatedly topped Billboard world music charts. Shimabukuro will speak about his efforts to honor his heritage through music and will perform live for the RootsTech audience.

Derek Hough, professional ballroom dancer and choreographer, will perform during the Friday evening event, Connecting through Music and Dance. Hough is widely recognized for his work on the ABC dance-competition series Dancing with the Stars, where he has won a record six seasons.

Classes

RootsTech 2019 offers more than 300 classes and activities for families and individuals with varying interests and skills. Select classes will be broadcast live. RootsTech also offers a Virtual Pass, which provides access to additional online recorded sessions from the conference. Learn more or register for the event at RootsTech.org.

About RootsTech
RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. This annual event has become the largest of its kind in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide.

How to Remotely Watch RootsTech 2019 Salt Lake City

How to Remotely Watch RootsTech 2019 Salt Lake City

If you are unable to attend RootsTech 2019 in Salt Lake City, you have two remote viewing options. Some of the show’s sessions will be streamed live for free at RootsTech.org (see the broadcast schedule below)! If you want more, you can purchase a Virtual Pass to view additional sessions from the conference. RootsTech 2019 in Salt Lake City runs February 27 to March 3, 2019. Go to RootsTech.org to view the entire schedule of events.
The RootsTech daily general sessions will be broadcast live and for free. They include keynote addresses by Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International, Patricia Heaton, popular actress from Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle, Saroo Brierley, whose incredible family reunification story which inspired the movie, Lion, and Jake Shimabukuro, world renowned ukulele master.
In addition to the select free classes broadcasted, RootsTech is offering a Virtual Pass, which provides access to 18 online recorded sessions from the conference. You can watch playbacks from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone device whenever and however you’d like—for just $129. Go to Virtual Pass for more information.
If you’re social media savvy, you can follow or join real-time conversations happening on social media using #NotAtRootsTech.

Day
Time (MST)
Class Title
Class Description
Speaker or Speakers
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
9:30 a.m.
What’s New at FamilySearch?
Explore the latest features and capabilities released on FamilySearch. See the future of FamilySearch.
Ron Tanner of FamilySearch
11:00 a.m.
Hear Them Sing! Social History and Family Narrative
Discover how addition of social history enhances family narratives and clarifies the songs of our ancestors. She will discuss how to contextualize ancestors’ lives with social history research.
Rebecca Whitman
1:30 p.m.
Uncovering Family Stories with British and Irish Historic Newspapers (Sponsored by Findmypast)
Search the numerous digitized collections of millions of pages of local and national historic newspapers, covering 300 years of history from every county in Britain and Ireland.
Myko Clelland
3:00 p.m.
Connecting Your DNA Matches
Find out to go through your DNA match list and how to use the Shared Matches tool. Learn how to create and employ a number of tools to boost your confidence in your genetic genealogy skills.
Diahan Southard
4:30 p.m.
Wednesday General Session and Opening Event
Explore the connections that come through genealogy. Entertainment will be provided by the world-renowned a cappella group The Edge Effect.
Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International





Thursday, Feb 28, 2019
8:30 a.m.
Making the Leap—Becoming a Professional Genealogist (Power Hour)
Explore how to make a successful transition from hobbyist to a career as a professional. Learn about the importance of diversifying your talents, and discover the ways to earn income as a genealogist.
Luana Darby, Valerie Elkins, and Anne Teerlink
9:30 a.m.
Finally! German Church Records and How to Use Them on FamilySearch
Explore the German Church records that are now being published on FamilySearch. These are records rich in centuries of history and contain baptisms, marriages, burials, and even confirmations.
Trish Melander
11:00 a.m.
Thursday General Session
Nobody knows family quite like Emmy award-winning actress Patricia Heaton. Known for her humorous roles as a typical American housewife in big hit television series like Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle.
Patricia Heaton
1:30 p.m.
What You Don’t Know about Ancestry (Sponsored by Ancestry)
Preview Ancestry’s cool new tools that are geared to improve and accelerate your family history research.
Crista Cowan
3:00 p.m.
“Jumping the Broom,” Oil, Inheritance, and African American Marriage in the South
Explore the tradition of jumping the broom, the informal marriage ceremony for the enslaved.
Kenyatta Berry
4:30 p.m.
Perilous Assumptions: Revisiting Those First Finds
Despite the best of intentions, many family history researchers make incorrect assumptions about records that don’t quite fit. Explore false assumptions, revisiting those mistakes, and the family history discoveries that may await.
Kris Rzepczynski





Friday, March 1, 2019
8:00 a.m.
Why and How to Put Yourself into Your Family History (Power Hour)
Explore why putting yourself into your family history is so important . Learn how you can include yourself without getting overwhelmed.
Curt Witcher, Amy Johnson Crow, Scott Fisher,
9:30 a.m.
Essential Considerations for DNA Evidence
Learn how to use DNA evidence correctly and correlated with documentary evidence and examine some of the considerations, limitations, and pitfalls we should consider when using DNA evidence.
Blaine Bettinger
11:00 a.m.
Friday General Session
Perhaps no one knows the joy that comes from connecting with family better than Saroo Brierley. Saroo will share his remarkable story of how he used technology to reconnect with the land of his childhood and rediscover his family.
Saroo Brierley
1:30 p.m.
Getting the Most Out of Billions of Records on MyHeritage SuperSearch (Sponsored by MyHeritage)
One of the best ways to maximize MyHeritage is to host your tree at MyHeritage, where the systems will automatically help you find new records, fill gaps in your existing tree, and provide matches.
Mike Mansfield
3:00 p.m.
Discover Your Japanese Ancestors
Learn how to find your Japanese ancestors in Japan. Discover how to obtain your family’s vital records from Japan and climb your family tree.
Valerie Elkins
4:30 p.m.
he Research Road Map: Your Path to Success
Why having a research plan is more than making a to-do list. See how having a good plan is essential to making progress in your research and making it less frustrating.
Amy Johnson Crow





Saturday, March 2, 2019
8:00 a.m.
Trace the Story of Immigrant Ancestors in 3 Steps (Power Hour)
Explore 3 key steps to unlocking the story of your immigrant ancestors with the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.
Susan Miller, D. Joshua Taylor, and Frederick Wertz 
9:30 a.m.
Examining Your DNA Matches with DNA Painter
DNA Painter is a website that can help interpret and demystify your autosomal DNA results. Using practical examples, Learn how DNA Painter can be used for a variety of activities including chromosome mapping.
Jonny Perl
11:00 a.m.
Saturday General Session
World renowned ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro will be the keynote speaker. Get ready to hear Jake’s inspiring story, and listen to the one-of-a-kind ukulele musician play the instrument like you’ve never heard it before.
Jake Shimabukuro
1:30 p.m.
Leading with Science at 23andMe (Sponsored by 23andMe)
Walk through how research works at 23andMe and how you can contribute to scientific discoveries.
Sarah Lashkey
3:00 p.m.
The Silent Language of the Stones: Reading Gravestones through Symbols and Carvings
Symbols and icons have been used on tombstones for centuries, but it was not until the mid-1800s that this secret language on the stones became popular. Explore these symbols and statues that tell stories.
Joy Neighbors