2022 RootsTech #ChooseConnection - Viewing From Home, But Feeling Like I'm There

This year's buildup to #RootsTech2022 was phenomenal! 

First thing that I must mention is THE SONG! "Choose Connnection" is one of the catchiest songs I've heard in a long time. Even as I think of it I can hear it running through my head. 

It is an original song that was written by Jonathan H. Wing, a RootsTech manager who oversees creative aspects of the event. https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022-03-03/rootstech-2022-choose-connection-the-story-behind-original-song-music-video-and-social-media-campaign-244684

With the invitation from FamilySearch CEO Steve Rockwood to “Reach out to that person and send him or her a text or give them a call or contact them on social media and bless their day today with simply a kind word or a simple ‘How are you?’”

Before it even began there were opportunities to see just how many people you were connected to using the FamilySearchFamilyTree (FSFT) to enhance those relationships. Were they all correct? Likely not. Was it fun? Absolutely!

Within a couple of days of it going live, this was the screenshot that showed my connection to others registered for RootsTech.

By the time this activity concluded, I had over 100,000 more than what you see here. There were even opportunities to see if you were related to famous people. The excitement was beginning to build, and I couldn't wait for it to begin.

But what to choose? There were over 1500 classes to choose from. I made a playlist that included the keynote speakers, plus many more classes that I wanted to be part of. The great thing is that many of these classes are available for the entire year before the next RootsTech.

Here were some of my favorites, with many many more that will eventually be added to this list:

Sarah Cochran - From a Box in the Closet to a Treasured Family Heirloom: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/series/from-a-box-in-the-closet-to-a-treasured-family-heirloom

Elizabeth Swanay O'Neil - Resources for Researching Your War of 1812 Ancestor Online: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/series/resources-for-researching-your-war-of-1812-ancestor-online

James Beidler - Pennsylvania Predicament! Finding Keystone State Ancestry: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/series/pennsylvania-predicament-finding-keystone-state-ancestry

Diana Elder - Problem Solve with the Pre-1850 Census: Investigate the Tick Marks: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/series/problem-solve-with-the-pre-1850-census-investigate-the-tick-marks

Shannon Combs-Bennett - Research Strategies for Early Colonial Ancestors: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/series/research-strategies-for-early-colonial-ancestors

It may be odd to hear that as one who has been an Accredited Genealogist for the past twenty-five years, and a researcher long before that, that you would would find me listening to "Beginner Classes" during an event of this size. But, I do. I feel that any time we discover a new grandmother's surname, or we have researched our way into a new-to-us locality, we begin again. 

Many of those "Getting Started" classes may be found here: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/search?f.topic=0000017c-ee68-dc5c-a57c-eeecf1790000&f.text=Family%20history%20centers&p.index=0&p.pageCount=10

Probably the one topic I will spend the most time during this next year will be those focused to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kerry and I are Family History Center Directors and need to stay current. Non-LDS may also find some great ideas, such as family reunions, working with youth, and emotional difficulties within family. You can find it here: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/search?f.topic=0000017c-ee69-dc5c-a57c-eeedb3970000&f.text=Family%20history%20centers&p.index=0&p.pageCount=10

But the keynote speaker on Family Discovery Day really resonated with my soul. Elder Ulisses Soares and his wife Rosana are from Brazil. He is an Apostle in the leadership of the Church. His address took he and his wife back to their native country as they visited places dear to their hearts. They walked where they met and dated, eventually entering into the temple they were married. Beautiful interior scenes show just how much this visit filled their heart with memories. I would recommend his address to absolutely everyone: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/special-session/elder-and-sister-soares-keynote-family-discovery-day

Though it's been about a month since RootsTech 2022 live has concluded, it will continue through the year to help us with our efforts to become better researcher, and to connect with our families.