Planning for RootsTech 2019

I am busy this week.

And, I'll just bet that you are, too!  In less than two weeks, Christmas will be here.  Then, we take a breath and the New Year with all of its festivities will be right here, too.

January will give us a chance to regroup, and think about how we're going to plan out our genealogy research and travels.  There are so many opportunities we have to become better genealogists, so that our hard work will have credibility.

RootsTech is always a treat for me.  

I've been to Utah more times than I can count in my lifetime.  I went when I was a young girl with my parents.

Mr. Kerry's family lives in Utah, and even before our marriage we were making trips so that I could get to know his large family.

Now, as empty-nesters, we continue to go so that I can do research at the Family History Library.  

RootsTech 2019 will be exciting again this year, with some extraordinary keynote speakers.  You can learn all about it here:  https://www.rootstech.org/

Some of you may be attending RootsTech for the first time, or may even be visiting Salt Lake City for the first time.  Perhaps you may be arriving a few days early, or staying a few days later.  There is much to do in the downtown area.  And, here is a wonderful guide to help you navigate your time:  https://www.templesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Temple-Square-Planning-Guide.pdf

It is a wonderful pdf booklet put together to help you take advantage of all of the wonderful things that are available for you to do if you have the chance to explore.

I hope to see you there!

It Takes Some Planning

It was just announced this week that RootsTech 2018 registration has opened.

And, I can't wait!

I have attended every RootsTech Conference except for the very first one.  Even though it was only a few short years ago that the first one was held, I thought it was only for those who are technically savvy.

And, I didn't think I was anywhere near good enough in my technical skills to attend a conference.

I was wrong.

I convinced myself to go after winning a registration for the entire conference, so off I went.  I was nervous, for I felt there would be no one as out of place as I felt.

I was wrong.

I took full advantage of the technical classes and labs, as well as the traditional classes.  I talked with other professionals that admittedly had felt the same as I had.  I made the most of every moment I had there.

And, I came away recharged, and ready to be a better genealogist.

Early-bird registration begins today, 20 Sep 2018, and runs through 13 Oct 2018.  You will save a big chunk of money by registering early.

You may register here:  https://www.rootstech.org/why-attend?et_cid=52928805&et_rid=762452783&linkid=RootsTech&cid=em-rt-8002 

As in previous years, I will be both a Speaker and an Ambassador for RootsTech 2018.  If they have enough confidence in me to invite me to be either one, then I feel I have a responsibility to promote the conference.

I began to squirrel away money for my trip awhile back.  It's expensive to stay in hotels that are close to the venue.  And, I want to be close to the venue.  It's where the action is.  

There are other hotels that are in walking distance that are quite a bit cheaper than the ones directly across from the Salt Palace.  But, I don't want to walk far.  The Salt Lake City streets are wider than most American city streets.  Brigham Young supposed made the following statement:

"The story goes that Brigham Young, who led Mormon settlers to the West in 1847, directed that the streets of Salt Lake City be made sufficiently wide so that a wagon team could turn around without “resorting to profanity” (Deseret News, July 13, 2009)."
http://widestreetsofsaltlake.blogspot.com/

For this 62 year-old grandmother, I come close to resorting to profanity when attempting to walk very far in Salt Lake City.  

Mr. Kerry, who often travels with me, is coming with me this year.  He hasn't been able to attend for a couple of years, and is excited to be returning.

As a speaker, I will have things up and ready to go well before I arrive.

As an Ambassador, my job has now begun to promote and report on this great conference.  One thing I will focus on will be reports from actual classes that I take.

There are bound to be wonderful keynote speakers, celebrities, and singing groups galore.  I will attend all of those, as will thousands of others.

But, I want to focus more on the actual meat that people can use as a takeaway from the classes.  People often ask me what I do when I'm not actually speaking.

I'm attending classes!  My learning is far from over.  

So, Mr. Kerry and I...and, perhaps you, will be preparing for our trip to Salt Lake City at the end of February.  I want to be ready for all that will happen, and to spend plenty of time in the Vendor Hall.

RootsTech for First-timers; A Caution About Those Streets

Updated post!

I have been reading about many Facebook friends
who will be attending RootsTech for the first time this year.

As someone who is Ohio born and bred, 
I am reposting this blogpost from a couple of years ago
so you can prepare yourself.

Salt Lake City is beautiful!

This was taken last year when we stepped out the front door of my sister-in-law's home.

There wasn't much snow during RootsTech2015.

We had lunch at the Garden Restaurant, located at the top of the Joseph Smith Building.

The Salt Lake Temple is easily the most recognized of the nearly 150 operating temples

of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

However, if you're not used to high elevation, you might want to read up on altitude sickness.

Altitude Sickness 

I experienced it several years ago, and couldn't figure out what was wrong with me.

People twice my age were hopping of tour buses and hiking.

I felt like I was dead.

I was advised to take Dramamine, which I had never done before.

I woke up a day and a half later in one of Mr. Kerry's relatives homes.

I have no idea how I got there.

The altitude ranges from 4,210 feet above sea level to 9,410.

Drink water - lots and lots of water.

But, on to something that you may not expect in downtown Salt Lake City.

They are everywhere. 

And, sometimes I run into the same ones year after year.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is extremely benevolent in its charity.

And, it's also a believer in giving people the tools to get on their feet.

There are many programs and opportunities to help those that may be less fortunate,

so just be careful.

A final thing to note:  those Salt Lake City streets!

They are wide.  Very, very wide.

According to many LDS history books, and the book, 

 Utah Journey, Click here 

I quote the following:

Brigham Young assigned Orson Pratt and H.G. Sherwood to lay out a grid for a new city...

There were 135 blocks, each having 10 acres divided into 8 lots...

The streets were wide enough for a wagon and team to turn around, if needed."

Okay, did I make that bold enough for you?

Mr. Kerry grew up in Utah, and has often cautioned me when I'm there alone, that 

things are farther away than they seem.

We've been married 38 years and I'm still learning that.

So, for those that are not used to altitudes, 

or that may not be used to cities laid out the way Salt Lake City is,

take care of yourself by reading up 

on the above link for altitude sickness.

And, take care of your feet.  

They may get a workout like they haven't had in awhile.

It's not a time for prissy or dress-up shoes.

It's about comfort.

Just trust me.

A Perfect Combination

Right in the middle of winter, when we all have the dreary doldrums, a dazzling marriage of two conferences is taking place.

We can't help but win!

The Federation of Genealogical Societies and RootsTech have combined forces to hold the largest conference yet.  And, I will be there!

I am already prepared to both attend this conference, and be one of the speakers.  The FGS conferences have always been worthwhile to attend, and this one will be no different.  My attendance at a previous RootsTech conference left me longing to increase my technology skills even more.

I can't wait!  Though there will be thousands of attendees, I expect no problem in finding fellow bloggers, Facebook friends, and genealogy colleagues.  We just always seem to be in the right place at the right time.

Having been to the Salt Palace for a previous RootsTech conference, I know:

•  This is a large venue that will require the most comfortable shoes I own.  We are staying just a stone's throw away at the Marriot, and it doesn't sound far.  BUT, this is Salt Lake City, and the streets are wide and the blocks are long.  Brigham Young said the streets must be designed to be able to turn a wagon pulled by four horses around.  I only have two legs, so I must accomodate.
•  I must bring the right glasses.  All of them.  I will need my trifocals, my readers, and sunglasses. Bright sun on snow reflects into my eyes, rendering me useless.
• I must learn to condense.  A cross-body bag forces me to weed out what I don't need to lug around.  My hands are free to look over products in the Exhibit Hall.  My arms will be free for plenty of hugging.
• I look forward to all of the address labels that will be arriving for the holidays.  They are great for filling in entry slips in the Exhibit Hall.
• Business cards are a must!  It's even better when you remember to bring them.
• I get hot.  I get cold.  Therefore, I love clothing that doesn't wrinkle.  I have a light jacket I just bought that can easily be wadded up and put into that cross-body bag.
• I take pictures.  I use a camera, a real one.  I just don't like to fill up my phone.
• My Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 goes with me, too.  I love being able to take notes on Evernote.  That is just one of the most wonderful techy-things ever!  
• The Family History Library is across the street!!!!!!

I love attending conferences.  And, I love the networking and the camaraderie that happens when meeting friends that I have only known "virtually".  But, even more important to me, I am there to learn.

Yes, I am there to speak.  But, I am also there to learn.  I have been involved in family history all of my life.  I have spoken to thousands of people in hundreds of venues.

But, I need to learn.

Prepare to attend this combined conference, either in person or through live-streaming.  You will learn things that you didn't know that you didn't know.

That, I know.

https://www.fgsconference.org/assets/files/TwoConferencesOneLocation.pdf 

Combing Research Trips With the Living and the Dead!

One of the toughest things about genealogy research is combing the living and the dead.

Let me clarify!

First of all, I love my living family.  They have helped me become who I am today, both through tears and frustration!!  They are near to me.  They are dear to me.

Second, I love my ancestors, and those that have passed on that are really not that far back in my genealogy.  I love the detective work that goes along with piecing their lives together.

I do not like combining the two. 

While raising a young family, I found it difficult to spread out my research on my dining room table when I knew I might be called away to pick up a child, bring something out of the oven, answer a phone call, etc.  I was never quite sure what I would find when I returned, for the dining room is the hub of our home.  I didn't have a genealogy room that I could simply close the door on.

When we would take a trip, my husband would try to find some time for me to dash into a library while he held the kids at bay in the children's section, or entertain them while I labored in a cemetery.

He never once complained, for we are both library people.  But, we didn't have the chance to spend hours, like we would both love!

Then comes Salt Lake City.

 Mr. Kerry's family was centered in Utah, so we would go there quite often.  Many of my genealogy friends would give me envious glances when they heard I was off to Utah again.  But, most of these trips involved activities with the living - weddings, reunions, funerals, etc.  I cherish those times, but there was never, ever a time for research in the genealogy mecca known as the Family History Library.

Once, when in Utah for a wedding, we stayed in the hotel adjacent to the FHL.  For two days, I longlingly looked out our window as we dressed to go to dinners, rehearsals and then, the wedding.  When the events were over, we arrived back at the hotel when the library only had twenty minutes before closing.  I dashed through the doors, found what I needed, printed it off and had five minutes to spare.

My dream is to go to Salt Lake and learn and research and come away filled with knowledge, sources, and lots of avenues I have not yet pursued.  The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy beckons me, and I want to come!  http://www.slig.ugagenealogy.org/

I can dream, can't I?