RootsTech Connect 2021

Normally at this time of year, I would be in Salt Lake City, Utah, ready for the start of my favorite conference, RootsTech. In 2020 RootsTech was literally the last big event I went to before the entire world shut down. I arrived back in Connecticut after RootsTech on March 1st in 2020 and by March 17th, my work building closed and I began working remotely.

One year later, everything is different in the world now, including RootsTech. Tonight at 7 pm EST, the first-ever, all-global virtual RootsTech Connect will launch, and the excitement on social media is through the roof about it.

What’s Different

One thing people are having a hard time wrapping their heads around this year is that in this format, there is no schedule for classes. Everything is available on-demand and you build a playlist based on the classes you want to see. Think Netflix. There WILL be live keynote speakers on the Main Stage at various times throughout the three days. If a keynote you want to see is scheduled at a time that is the middle of the night where you are, that session will be available later for you to watch on-demand. And incredibly, there are classes available in eleven different languages.

There is so much to explore on the RootsTech Connect page, I can’t possibly go over it all with you. You really need to see it for yourself.

And don’t worry that you won’t have that personal experience of mingling with other attendees. There is also a “Connect” aspect where attendees can chat in real-time with people, speakers, and vendors. Also, remember those bright blue shirts volunteers wore last year that said, “Ask Me Anything?” There aren’t any blue shirts this time, but there is a blue “Ask us Anything” chat button.

Trust me, they really thought of everything.

One fun feature we’ve all had a chance to play with is the Relatives at RootsTech experience. I kid you not, I have an estimated 31,621 cousins attending. My mother’s line is prolific. Relatives at Roots Tech is based on your uploaded tree at Family Search, and because it is one big global tree, we know it contains errors. But still!  The closest match I have seems to be a 5th cousin.

One tip…you don’t need a Family Search account to watch classes, but you do need one to create a playlist and chat. A Family Search account is free and it is so easy to set up. Definitely do it so that you can have the true experience of RootsTech Connect.

So get exploring and start creating your playlists! RootsTech Connect 2021 is going to be one for the record books.