Connecting Cousins: RootsTech Discovery Makes Genealogy a Year-Round Adventure
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.
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
- Piano Guys YouTube Channel
- Family Discovery Day 2025
- FamilySearch Global and Tech Forum 2025
- RootsTech 2025 Virtual: Discover, Connect, and Grow-Virtually
- How Relatives at RootsTech works (Relatives at RootsTech ends April 11, 2025)
- 2025 Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction online: The pre-recorded video, focuses on how local leaders can help members access God’s power through temple ordinances and covenants.
- Family History Consultants – Changing the Paradigm and Syllabus The Temple and Family History Consultant calling has evolved over the years. We will focus on what are the current responsibilities, and what someone needs know to be successful. We will also teach you how to develop the skills that are necessary, and the many resources and tools that are available to help you. My Calling: Temple and Family History Consultant – What Is My Focus?
- What’s New at FamilySearch for Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Syllabus: Youth Discovery Day Lab – Learn how to use FamilySearch as a Youth Consultant – For any youth ages 8-18 attending RootsTech. Come to this beginning lab and learn how to do family history using 2 FamilySearch.org apps. Learn to index using the “Get Involved” app, attach records using “FamilyTree” app, and discover what a 4th cousin 2 times removed means. Come learn some basic genealogy skills and practice them with other youth at RootsTech! Needed: A device (tablet or phone) with the FamilySearch apps “Get Involved” and “FamilyTree” already downloaded onto it. Know how to log into your FamilySearch account without help.
- Quotes and Messages from Latter-day Leaders about Family History
- Tracing the Saints: Introducing Latter-day Saint Church Record – Since its founding in 1830 in upstate New York, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to millions of members worldwide. Starting in 1846, the Church moved westward and tens of thousands of Mormon pioneers trekked to Utah and other western states. In this class, we will discuss the history of the Church and its record keeping practices, the types of records created by the Church, and introduce how and where to find these records.
- Getting to Know Your Latter-day Saint Pioneer Ancestor: Seven Steps to Success – Syllabus – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began emphasizing family history about 1890, so you may think that those branches of your family tree are complete and accurate. In reality, your pioneer lines may be reasonably accurate up to a point, but the dates, places, and relationships are often based on family knowledge and not fully documented. Learn seven steps to guide you in your journey of discovering the real story of your Latter-day Pioneer.
- Pioneer Day – Are you interested in learning more about your pioneer heritage? Watch captivating classes that will teach and help you along in your genealogy journey.
- Missionary Journals: An Underutilized Source for Latter-day Saint Genealogy – Syllabus – But one source often goes unnoticed… the journals of missionaries who served in the converts’ hometowns. Missionary journals are often filled with names of the people they interacted with and may provide addresses, relationships, stories, and other details about your convert ancestors. The stories are truly fascinating! Learn something new about your early Latter-day Saint family history by digging into missionary journals. This session will describe the process of identifying relevant missionaries and accessing their journals.
- Getting Started – Not sure where to start? We’ve created collections of popular sessions on various topics so you don’t have to search for everything yourself.
- Syllabus: Organize Your Genealogy in a Day – Keeping your genealogy research organized is a marathon, not a sprint. But—even if you have just one Saturday to devote to organizing your research—you can make significant progress in sorting through papers, photos, digital files and other materials. This lecture, designed for beginner-to-intermediate genealogists, walks attendees through how to have an efficient one-day organization project. Participants of this session will want to have some research materials already, either from their own work or inherited from someone else.
- Family History Volunteer Opportunities
- BYU Record Linking Lab – Volunteer Opportunities – Videos/YouTube Videos
- Power Linker by BYU – (How to video: 4:28 min)
Explore Upcoming RootsTech Classes and Build Your Schedule
To read more from Larry, visit LDS365.
RootsTech, by FamilySearch, is the family discovery event of the year, with many classes to help you uncover your family story. Check out what’s available starting March 6 in these curated class lists.
- Beginner-friendly classes to motivate and help you get started
- Advanced classes to help you with your research
- Latter-day Saint classes for fortifying your faith and family through family history
- View all classes
Don’t miss RootsTech 2025, March 6–8, live in Salt Lake City and online.
FamilySearch Improvements Coming in 2025
To read more from Larry, visit LDS365.
In 2025, FamilySearch is planning to provide more free genealogy records and more fun family experiences. There will also be improvements in FamilySearch records, the FamilySearch website, and FamilySearch apps.
The following is a quick summary of what to expect in 2025. For more details, read the article “What to Expect from FamilySearch in 2025.”
More Genealogy Records
In 2025, FamilySearch will make significant strides in expanding record collections for the countries of France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Palau, and the Philippines. They will also publish millions of oral genealogies—all searchable.
FamilySearch Artificial Intelligence
FamilySearch will use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to read old handwriting in more languages and improve its ability to suggest lineage-linked data from records.
Full-Text Search
FamilySearch will use AI to convert images of historical handwriting into searchable text
“Get Involved” and Computer-Assisted Indexing
FamilySearch will expand computer-assisted algorithms to index more historical genealogical records than ever before. The Get Involved tab will make it easier and more fun for volunteers to refine the work of the handwriting recognition AI.
More Digital Books
FamilySearch will continue to work with societies and libraries to digitize historical genealogical books accessible for free online in its Digital Library.
New Features in Family Tree
The FamilySearch Family Tree will become more collaborative with the Family Groups feature. You will be able to create private groups of living family members and collect photos, stories, sources, and memories. Your life’s work and family legacy will then be preserved for future generations.
Together
Together, the new mobile and web app, helps you capture important moments in life, such as family events, traditions, hobbies, interests, friends, holidays, and vacations, You can even create your life story as you experience it or later when you reminisce. Built-in prompts help you record your story as you progress through different stages of life.
RootsTech 2025
RootsTech will be held on 6–8 March 2025. Millions will gather virtually and in-person.
FamilySearch Labs
In FamilySearch Labs, you can see and test new features coming in 2025.
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