RootsTech 2026 Deals In Expo Hall -- Check Them Out Before They are Gone!

It's RootsTech 2026 time! Besides catching the latest learning sessions do not forget to check out the Virtual Expo Hall. That is where the sponsors (vendors) have their own pages and most of them are offering sales and discounts on their products.

But be aware, many of them end when RootsTech ends Saturday. Though some sales may extend longer. Make sure you know when the sales in which you are interested end so you don't lose out. We've tried to note sale end dates when we could find them.

Or click on the "Browse All Deals" below the Top Deals section to see even more deals all on one page. 

Memberships

There are a lot of societies in the Society Sponsor area. Some are giving discounts on memberships to their organizations. The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) aka American Ancestors has a $25 off discount on a membership with promo code RT26. Or just click the link on its expo page to be taken to its own website with the discount code entered. The discount price will show as you go through the purchase process.

New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYGBS) has a $10 off membership with code ROOTS10.

Family Tree DNA

As you would guess there are DNA sales going on during RootsTech 2026. Check out Family Tree DNA's variety of tests and test bundles on sale by clicking the link that takes you to a special page of the FTDNA website. You can view a chart of the sale prices for tests, test bundles and upgrades in a PDF file. And then use the specialized code for the test, bundle or upgrade you want. The FamilyFinder autosomal DNA test is on sale for $29. Remember if you are upgrading or plan to add a test type to an existing test, you need to be signed into that particular test kit before placing the order. By the way there is a code to unlock a DNA uploaded test for free. These Family Tree DNA Promo Codes are good March 4-31, 2026.

Ancestry and AncestryDNA

There are a variety of things on sale from Ancestry. An autosomal DNA test is on sale for $29, regular price $99. Shipping is extra. You can get one month of ProTools for $5 instead of $10. There are 50% discounts on semi- and annual World Explorer and All-Access Memberships. There are discounts on its other websites (Fold3.com and Newspapers.com) as well as its new AncestryPreserve kits. Ancestry's sales end March 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MT.

23andMe

There is a 71% off sale at 23andMe. The Advanced Ancestry + Health: 23andMe+ Premium test which is regularly $199.00, has a RootsTech Discount bringing the price to $80. 

Family Tree Maker

Save up to 50% off at Software MacKiev. Family Tree Maker 2024 is regularly $80. It is $39.95 -- 50% off for the download. We have not spotted the sale end date for this sale so if you need it get it sooner rather than later. If you want a DVD or USB drive with that download, the discount is a bit less. The DVD+download is 45% off the regular price of $90 ($49.95 + $5.95 shipping and handling.) The USB drive+download is 40% off the regular price of $100 ($59.95 + $5.95 shipping and handling.)

The Companion Guide printed book is regularly $40, on sale for just $29.95 which is 25% off.

For the plug-ins at the MacKiev store, Family Book Creator 2024 is one sale for $39.95, which is 30% off the $60 regular price. Charting Companion 8 is regularly $50 and for this sale it is 20% off for new users so $39.95 and it is 40% off for existing users to upgrade so $29.95.

Family Book Creator 2024

On its own website, Family Book Creator is advertised 33% off with Promo Code RootsTech2026. This sale goes to mid-March 2026. A private license for Windows or Mac is $59.95 which would make the sale price about $40.17 for the download. 

RootsMagic 11

Though not as good a deal if you are in-person at RootsTech, the rest of us can save a little too. Save from Home: Save $5 on RootsMagic 11—just $34.95 for new users or $24.95 for existing users. Visit rootsmagic.com to claim your discount. This offer runs through Friday, March 13, 2026. See the claim your discount banner at the top of the RootsMagic website homepage.

Vivid-Pix

Vivid-Pix sales for RootsTech 2026 are on its sale page for the event. The coupon code is RT2026. This sale is good until March 30, 2026.

ArkivDigital

There is a 3 month special subscription pricing to ArkivDigital for those with Swedish ancestry.

Finland's Family History Association

Finland's Family History Association is giving free access during RootsTech. See that link in the Expo Hall for details.

So take a look there is a lot there. 

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

MCGG's Friday Meeting is This Week; Get Genealogy Help on Mar. 6, from 1-3 pm

MCGG meets in-person this Friday, March 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. 
in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Help! 

Got genealogical/local history questions? Bring'em to this Help Session, we will try to help. This meeting is for everyone no matter your genealogy experience -- from seedling to robust branch -- Join Us!

Feel free to bring a laptop/device so you can do some research or a USB drive to save your finds. Try out a database while in the library, or get some help with your genealogy program. Or get help with any other genealogy questions/problems. Or get help learning to use or some tips for using the Digitization Lab equipment. We have several MCGG members with a variety of genealogy backgrounds/experiences so we will likely have someone to provide some help.

March 6 is one of the days of RootsTech 2026 so we will likely have something playing on the large display. Join us for this time to advance your knowledge and/or research.

We will close/end the meeting about 3 p.m. but you can stay until the room/library closes at 5 p.m. The LH&G room opens at 10 a.m. on Fridays.

This meeting will be in-person only rather than hybrid.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option when possible. The format of this particular meeting did not support Zoom easily so we decided to do in-person only. 

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

RootsTech 2026 Starts Tomorrow! and Runs March 5 to March 7

RootsTech 2026 Starts Tomorrow!

RootsTech 2026 -- the genealogy and technology conference takes place March 5 to March 7, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah, but it also has an online component as well for those unable to attend in-person.

And technically there are a few sessions this evening because you know somewhere in the world the sun rises and a new day begins well before our day does.

 

Participation in RootsTech 2026 Online requires registration and the cost is ... FREE! Participating online gives you access to 200+ online sessions in over 26 languages; the ability to join keynote sessions live from where ever you are that day with internet connection; the ability to chat with other online participants; and access to syllabi and class handouts.

Use your free user account for FamilySearch.org to sign-in at the RootsTech website before you register. Or if you are already logged into FamilySearch.org and bring up a tab/window with RootsTech.org in the same browser it recognizes that you are already logged in.

Once you are registered, you can create a schedule for yourself for each day of the conference. And, even if you can't attend every session each day, most sessions are recorded and can be viewed after the conference ends. Note that some sessions will be only available after the conference for a few months before they are removed. But the vast majority will stay up for later viewing.

And DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE VIRTUAL EXPO HALL. This is where the vendors have their RootsTech specials/sales noted. Some even have live or pre-recorded mini-sessions detailing their products.

Have fun!

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCPL Local History & Genealogy Programming of Interest -- Join Them!

Our favorite library has a variety of programs of its own each month. Be sure to check its Library Events Calendar to see what might interest you. Here are some coming highlights.

 

Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11 am to 1 pm, Meeting Room BC
Telling Your Stories, Finding Your Roots

Please join us as Omer Jean Winborn and Cheryl Garnett, president and vice president of the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society, share their journeys with family history, offer guidance, and provide resources to support African American genealogy.

Winborn and Garnett are dedicated to making it easier for African Americans in their community to uncover their family roots through a blend of genetic genealogy and traditional, boots-on-the-ground research. They are also the co-founders of the Washtenaw County African American Genealogy Society.

Come prepared with questions—or your brick walls—and Winborn and Garnett will be ready to offer assistance.

This two-hour program will begin with a one-hour presentation, followed by an hour dedicated to research questions.

 

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1 pm - 2 pm, Meeting Room A
And There I Take My Stand: Women's Suffrage in Michigan with Katherine R. Willson

This 60-minute presentation traces the long fight for women’s voting rights, setting the stage with the major civil rights barriers women faced and the national timeline that shaped the movement. From there, we turn our focus to Michigan, highlighting the state’s pivotal events, local advocates, and hard-won milestones.

Along the way, we explore online and offline sources that help us dig deeper into this history on our own. A four-page handout is provided, and we’ll wrap up with time for general Q&A.

This will be a hybrid event, with the speaker presenting remotely.

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

 

March MCGG Meetings -- Join Us!

A reminder about our Macomb County Genealogy Group March 2026 meetings. Please Join Us!

MCGG meets in-person on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. 
in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Help! 

Got genealogical/local history questions? Bring'em to this Help Session, we will try to help.

Feel free to bring a laptop/device so you can do some research, try out a database while in the library, or get some help with your genealogy program. Or help with any other genealogy questions/problems. We have several MCGG members with a variety of genealogy backgrounds/experiences so we will likely have someone to provide some help.

March 6 is one of the days of RootsTech 2026 so we will likely have something playing on the large display.

This meeting will be in-person only rather than hybrid.

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... What Did We Learn from RootsTech 2026?

Let's share and talk about the online sessions you watched or have marked to watch from the RootsTech 2026 conference held March 5 to 7th. We'll also talk about the new things announced and if any conference sales are still taking place. Keep an eye on this blog during the conference in case we pass on any news.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

New Hours for the Local History and Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library Start March 1, 2026

ATTENTION:  All the Genealogists and Historians who use the Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Room. The room's hours will be changing as of March 1, 2026. But note that the library's hours will not change.

Starting March 1, 2026:

Monday 10 am - 6 pm

Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm

Wednesday 12 pm - 6 pm

Thursday 10 am - 6 pm

Friday 10 am - 5 pm

Saturday is by appointment only

Note that for Saturday appointments you need to arrange these by end of day Wednesday of that week. To book an appointment, email localhistory@mtclib.org or call 586-469-6200 ext. 6.

The change in the Local History & Genealogy Room hours will not negatively impact the timing of our 2nd Wednesday of the month Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meetings which run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. because the library's hours are not changing.

The reduction in LH&G Room hours was based on several things including room usage trends. 

Also, if you simply want to use the various database offerings available (like Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, or the FamilySearch Affiliate access) while in the library, you can access these with your own devices from anywhere in the library -- upstairs or downstairs.

 

 

Lastly, if you really need to access the FamilySearch Affiliate resources, MCGG has learned that many of the Suburban Library Cooperative libraries are now also FamilySearch Affiliate locations. Some of these libraries have longer hours and even hours on Sundays. So you have some alternative ways to solve those desperate research urges when you encounter locked digitized microfilm.

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

Annual George Washington Birthday Event at Washington Historical Museum Feb. 22

The Washington Historical Museum, located at 58230 Van Dyke (north of 26 Mile Road), will be open on Sunday, February 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. The historical society will host its annual George Washington Birthday Event.

Visitors can tour the museum exhibits and view the 27 finalist entries for the 2026 Ron Gordon Memorial George Washington Art Contest. Refreshments and cherry desserts will be served. 

This event is free and all are welcome. 

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, 294 years ago. Recently, Presidents Day has been celebrated as a combination of Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's (February 12, 1809) birthdays. 

For more information, call 586-786-5304 (answering machine at the museum), check the Greater Washington Area Historical Society Facebook Page, or go to their website: www.washhistsoc.org. 

See you at our favorite library!
LE