We realized we had a draft buried about the “world’s largest family celebration” (for genealogists, family history hobbyist, and anyone interested in learning more about connecting more to your roots). It’s called RootsTech and it’s going on free right now.

Learning about our roots can help us as humans.

“We can find peace and understanding by learning from our ancestors. The resilience our forbears developed can inspire us to overcome challenges and avoid mistakes that others have made. Everyone has scoundrels and heroes in their family tree. Discovering information about ancestors can bring understanding and compassion for them and ourselves.” (Robin Olsen Worthlin)

I really don’t like COVID-19, but I do appreciate the way it’s inviting people to think about how to make amazing resources more freely available.

You can register for RootsTech here.

Here’s the RootsTech Mainstage schedule. And a schedule of sessions.

Many RootsTech sessions exist in a wide variety of languages. Instructions also exist within the content about how to translate content.

Find RootsTech session archives here.

You can also see highlights from the conference using the hashtag #RootsTechConnect or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

The post RootsTech is FREE and happening right now! appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

We may joke and roll our eyes but at some point in everyone’s life it is really worth taking a peek into your family’s past. I tried it, and guess what? It was fun! It’s family reunion and private investigation all rolled into one. But you provide your own watermelon and take it at your own pace.

It’s easy to start. Print out a simple family tree, also called a pedigree chart. Start with yourself and see how much you can fill in without asking anyone else. Then ask a relative for help – Mother, Grandmother, Aunt or Uncle. Or look at a family Bible or other such book. The first time I tried this it amazed me what I didn’t know. How could I not know my own grandmother’s maiden name? And dates, well I didn’t know any of those!

Most likely by the time you fill out a pedigree chart you will be curious about some aspect of your family. Where did they come from? Why is their name different? That person was adopted? Hm…that birth date is awfully close to the parents’ wedding date…. You just never know what you’re going to find!

As you may have heard, the Mormon Church is very excited about genealogy, sometimes called family history. We just love families! Many LDS meetinghouses include a family history center. They have computers, microfilm readers, books, and most important of all – knowledgeable staff to help guide your research. Check out this link for the family history center near you. The centers are a service to the community, free of charge. No proselytizing goes on in family history centers so there is no need to feel uncomfortable going there. (You can also find much information online at Family Search — a free database of millions of digitally indexed records. You can even help index records here.)

There is a bit of urgency to family history work. My husband’s energetic Grandma now has dementia. Somehow the fibers of her mind have let those stories she held so dear slip away. But because of her previous family history efforts the records of her family are secure for generations to come.

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