Now that I have a Family History calling, I decided it was time to get back in the game, so I signed up for this year's RootsTech Genealogy Conference. Sponsored by FamilySearch, the Conference was meant to showcase what's new in the world of Family History, the many ways technology is changing how we search for our ancestors and tell our Family stories, and get you fired up in general. And for me, it did all of the above and then some. People come from all over the country and from around the world to attend the 3-day event. There were anywhere between 5-10,000 people in attendance. Here are a few of my personal highlights:
Day 1
Woke up that morning and as I was running around and getting ready, I remembered several times that I wanted to get something I had to give to a sister from my hometown, who I knew would be attending the conference. Years ago, I had found an old issue of the Improvement Era in an old church library, and in that issue there was a picture of her husband as a young man, talking about some accomplishment he'd had. For some reason I had kept it all these years. So knowing that he'd passed away last year, and that she was planning to come to Roots Tech, I felt prompted to get it out and put it in my bag, just in case I ran into her. With 10,000 people there, it seemed like a long shot, but I put it in my bag anyway. And what do you think happened, but I ran into her first thing, when I was coming out of the bathroom, of all places. So, I got it out and gave it to her, and she cried, but I think was very happy to have it.
Second, I made a new friend. I happened to sit down on a bench right after I got there, just to kind of get my bearings. A gal sat down next to me, and we started chatting. She had come all the way from Vancouver, BC, just to come to Roots Tech. She wasn't LDS, but is a Professional Genealogist, who loves digital scrapbooking and family stories, so she decided to come. We ended up having quite a bit in common, and she invited me to meet her for lunch. At lunch time we met up and walked over to a local cafe. She mentioned that she had interacted with LDS members quite a bit growing up in Canada, and later living in Scotland, but didn't really know anything about our beliefs. I said "Well, I can tell you if you want me to." And ended up telling her the whole story, starting with Joseph Smith, and Moroni, and the Book of Mormon. She asked about why Mormons are so in to Family History, and I explained about temple work and eternal families. She thought it was all beautiful, and we ended up eating lunch together the next few days.
Third, I ran into several friends from my old and new ward, some of whom work for FamilySearch. It was a great opportunity to visit and catch up.
Later that evening, there was a Social, and we were treated to a concert by Vocal Point, a local a capella group who has been on a TV Reality competition show. Fantastic.
Day 2
After a long day of classes, I met up with my new friend Morgan, and we went to a pizza party at the Family History Library. We mingled with other conference-goers, ate pizza, and spent some time doing research on our family lines.
Day 3
Rather than stay on the track I had signed up for, I attended the LDS track instead. This meant I got to hear from several general authorities throughout the day, and be trained in my calling by people who work for FamilySearch. I also got to hear from Elder Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve.
There were a lot more people there on Day 3, as it was a free day for LDS members. There were a LOT of young people there, which I thought was very cool.
After 3 very long days, I left the Conference, exhausted, but inspired and fired up. What a great event. I'm definitely planning on attending next year, and making this an annual tradition.
(Photo of me with my new friend Morgan, taken on the last day of the Conference)
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