My granddaughter, Olivia, and I attended RootsTech 2024, the world's largest family history conference, which was remarkable. Over 16,000 attendees participated in the Salt Lake City, Utah in-person event. At the same time, nearly four million people from over 230 countries and territories participated online, fostering connections. This impressive turnout underscores the growing interest in and importance of family history and genealogy worldwide.
RootsTech offered various sessions, keynotes, and experiences, allowing participants to delve into their family stories and connect with relatives worldwide at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. This modern facility, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, provided an ideal backdrop for the event.
The conference featured inspiring keynotes from notable personalities such as Kristin Chenoweth, who shared her musical journey intertwined with memories and Henry Cho had us chuckling, proving that a good laugh is a thread that binds us all. If you get a chance to see him, Go!
Let us dive into the heart of RootsTech 2024, a gathering that felt more like a family reunion than a conference. This year, we embraced our shared stories, laughed, and marveled over our ancestors' journeys, and found kinship in the most unexpected places.
RootsTech is known for its wide range of seminars and workshops that cater to all skill levels of genealogy, from beginners to advanced researchers. Topics included:
- Introduction to Genealogy Research
- Using DNA in Genealogy Research
- Tracing Your Ancestors Through Immigration Records
- Preserving Family Memories and Stories
- Advanced Research Techniques for Genealogists
Genealogy companies are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their services and provide more accurate and efficient user results. Some ways in which AI is being used in genealogy include:
- Record Matching: AI algorithms can help to accurately match historical records with individuals in a family tree, making it easier for users to discover added information about their ancestors.
- Handwriting Recognition: AI can transcribe handwritten documents, such as census records or wills, making it easier to search and analyze historical records.
- Facial Recognition: AI-powered facial recognition technology can help to identify individuals in old photographs, making it easier to organize and label family photos.
- Natural Language Processing: AI can be used to analyze and extract information from unstructured data, such as newspaper articles or obituaries, making it easier for users to find relevant information about their ancestors.
Among the highlights of the convention center was the expo hall, described as RootsTech's heartbeat. Ninety sponsors and other exhibitors highlighted new genealogy products and software and offered demos and expert advice. These organizations bring unique expertise and services to enrich the genealogy community's experience.
My granddaughter and I enjoyed being together and learning innovative ideas and procedures.