RootsTech, the world’s largest family history conference, is more than just a once-a-year event—it’s a gateway to year-round genealogy exploration. With cutting-edge tools, inspiring stories, and over 1500 learning sessions, RootsTech empowers all people to begin or continue their family history discoveries beyond the conference halls.

Not Alone in My Journey of Discovery

Scandinavia is an ocean away from North Carolina, yet RootsTech was able to bring it to my door in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Connecting with Cousins brought me together with a distant Swedish relative – an 8th cousin – who generously offered to research and translate records from her area. Another cousin shared her experience searching for the resting place of a common ancestor in a cemetery in Denmark. These incredible connections reignited my hope that I am not alone in my journey of discovery and that one day I will visit my ancestral homelands.

1979 Adventures Connecting with Cousins

Though my travels have taken me to Europe; stepping onto Sweden’s soil or sailing to the port of Svaneke, Bornholm, Denmark, is still a dream. Yet, memories of exploring “the old country” surfaced and lingered during RootsTech, bringing thoughts of my 1979 adventures traveling with my close Anderson cousins.

After our adventures in South America, South Africa, and Israel, my cousins and I arrived in Greece, then boarded a ship packed with fellow travelers to Brindisi, Italy. Pompeii, Rome, Venice and other famous Italian sites followed. Traveling by train we immersed ourselves in the beauty and history of each place continuing our journey to the French Riviera, Paris, Marseille, Zermatt, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zagreb, along with other magnificent cities and sites. With so much to see in just a few weeks, we often found ourselves sleeping on the train.

Embracing our heritage would have topped our list had RootsTech existed. Even as a teen, reunions, family trips, and listening to stories from my grandparents captivated my attention. It was only many years later, the yearning to visit my heritage homeland would become more accentuated.

A cozy, traditional Scandinavian home with wooden beams and vintage decor, where a group gathers to learn about Sámi heritage, genealogy, and ancestral roots.

Stepping into the past—Tanya Neider and family visit a traditional Scandinavian home, uncovering their Sámi heritage and ancestral ties.

A Family Line Discovery – Sámi Ancestral Line back to 800 A.D.

Years later, two different trips were planned to Scandinavia with siblings; both were cancelled. One was cancelled due to tight finances; the other to Covid. My sister Cheri and her husband Scott, did eventually make it to the land of the North. They visited our Sámi cousins in Sweden, Sven-oke and Doris Risfjell, who own a shop in Vilhelmina. The shop includes their hand-made crafts, and a museum containing exhibits of Lappish, Sámi history, folklore, and antique utensils from the Lappish, Sámi culture.

Recently, I asked Cheri how she found Sven-oke. Cheri explained how she stumble upon his website while searching for information about the Swedish Sámi people.

“When I saw Sven-oke’s surname, Risfjell, I knew we were related,” Cheri explained. Through her genealogical research on our Swedish family lines which she has preserved on RootsTech creator, FamilySearch.org, Cheri recognized this unique surname. Once she contacted them her theory grew into fact.

Through Sven-oke, Cheri made a game-changing discovery. A neighbor of his is a keeper of Sámi genealogy dating back to about 800 A.D. The catch is, this neighbor will not let anyone see it. We are praying for a change of heart that perhaps this wonderful keeper of records will let a family member, friend, or FamilySearch come and take images of the record, so it will be preserved for generations to come.

Preservation, Innovation and Exploration – All Year Long!

FamilySearch has been instrumental in preserving the history of millions of families through over a billion records and counting. Oral histories captured create deep family connections through the knowledge and traditions of their forebears.

Through FamilySearch’s African Oral History Project, one Elder noted, “I must admit that the work that has been done by the FamilySearch team has renewed my knowledge about our forefathers.”  (see African Oral History Project Introduction – Get Started)

FamilySearch’s accumulated resources, including RootTech, help seekers of their ancestors get started, continue their journey, and expand the ability of people to find and capture their family’s history.

From the Piano Guys to the inspiring moments during Family Discovery Day 2025, RootsTech is the celebration of Learning, unveiling of new incredible AI features, sharing of Stories dreams are made of, and a place of creating Connecting with Cousins worldwide sparking the hope of new discoveries. And the best part? RootsTech isn’t over – it is here for you all year long!

Resources

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Tanya Neider
Some of Tanya’s earliest memories were traipsing through cemeteries, knocking on doors of potential relatives, and looking at giant books in courthouses. Many of the family “vacations” were devoted to reunions and visiting extended family. It seems as if doing family history is a tradition in Tanya’s family. Not only both sets of grandparents and some of their progenitors did research, wrote their histories, and were keepers of the family genealogy, but also aunts, uncles, cousins, and Tanya’s mother, Olivia. Tanya has continued the family tradition and is one of the keepers of her family’s genealogy. She also serves as the Family History Chair for one of her extended family organizations, and was their reunion president for 4 years. Tanya has served as a Temple and Family History Consultant for many years. She also worked at the Washington D.C. Family History Center for a dozen years before moving to North Carolina where she is once again involved in family history. In 2015, Tanya began serving a Family History Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the FamilySearch Research Team. She is currently serving on the Community & Social Media Mission Team moderating FamilySearch’s Genealogy Research Communities on Facebook.
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