RootsTech 2021 Is Next Week with New Format -- All Virtual and Free!

Hey genealogists, it is RootsTech time again! 

BUT, yes because of the pandemic there have been some changes. For the year 2021 the name is RootsTech Connect and it is completely virtual this year and free -- YES, FREE for all!

RootsTech Connect runs from Thursday, Feb. 25 to Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. While the RootsTech website currently looks like the image in this post, on Wednesday at some point, there will be a change that will make the RootsTech homepage the "main stage" for the live streaming events of this now completely virtual event. In addition, the revised homepage will be the access point for the other features of the event.

There are two ways to register for the event.

• The first is to just use your name, email address and location. This gets you access to the classes/sessions and Main Stage Live Streaming Events.
  
• The second is to use your FamilySearch free account -- the one you use to log into the familysearch.org website to access records on the site. Using your FamilySearch account allows you to create a "playlist" of the classes/sessions you want to see; allows you to participate in the chat sessions with industry experts and other attendees; and allows you to see your relatives who are attending RootsTech Connect based on the information you have in your FamilySearch FamilyTree.

On the current RootsTech homepage, there are links to two PDF files that cover most of the event's schedule.

• The first PDF is of the Main Stage Live Stream Events Schedule. It is in Eastern Standard Time but when the new homepage goes live the site will reflect to your global time zone. As you will see the main stage events run around the clock reflecting a global audience of attendees. Most of the classes/sessions will be available for viewing for at least 11 months following the live event. So, technically for us in the Eastern Time Zone, RootsTech Connect actually begins at 11 p.m., Wednesday, February 24, because it is February 25 somewhere else in the world.
  
• The second PDF is a list of all the Classes/Sessions in English. There are a total of 1,026 sessions. Broken down that is 746 classes with most of those running at 20 minutes in length though some can run up to 60 minutes in length. There are 280 Tips & Tricks running from 5 to 10 minutes in length. Besides the change in the length of time for each class/session, there is also no set schedule. You essentially pick and choose what you want to watch and when you want to watch it. The vast majority of these classes/sessions are recorded not live presentations. Some sessions will have a Live Chat schedule. If you registered with your FamilySearch account, on Wednesday whenever the new homepage becomes active you can than create a "play list" of the classes/sessions you want to attend/watch and participate in the Live Chats.

Also on the revised home page that goes live sometime on Wednesday, Feb. 24, in addition to the Main Stage are links/tabs to:

Expo Hall
This is where you access the vendors where many will have a virtual "booth." In a vendor's booth each will have a main stage sessions, live sessions and on-demand sessions associated with their booth. Along with Additional Experiences, Promotions and Downloadable Resources. There will be options to Chat with Experts at the booth. Some will hold mini-clases just as you've experienced live if you have ever gone to prior RootsTech show. There is a Demo Theater to see products demonstrated by vendors and an Innovator Portal to check out what is new in the genealogy world. Each virtual booth will vary in content. The Expo Hall will only be available during the live conference.

Sessions
This is where you access the classes/sessions. Each class session that has a syllabus will have a link to the syllabus there on the website. There is no RootsTech app this year. Explore Sessions is an index of sort to the sessions -- by topic, by speaker, by region, by language. My Play List is where you can create and access a list of what you want to see if you registered using a FamilySearch Account. There are a handful of classes/sessions that will be presented live.

Guide Me
The Guide Me provides help navigating the sessions. It will also have a series of class suggestions based on topic like Getting Started.

Connect
Connect is where some of the Live Chats will take place. To participate you have to have registered using a FamilySearch account.

Relatives at RootsTech will only working during the live conference time. It requires you to have registered using your FamilySearch account. It is based on your FamilySearch FamilyTree and the entries you have made there. You can direct message your friends and relatives.

And, of course, a RootsTech store to get your souvenirs.

There is also a Coaching Center to sign up for individual chat appointments to receive individual research help.

There is lots to explore and to learn from. To get a sneak peak at the revised website coming on Wednesday check out this video on the RootsTech YouTube page.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! (someday again)
LE