RootsTech 2025

To register for Thursday's sessions click here:  RootsTech 2025 Thursday Sessions

9 am – Beyond the Brick Wall:  Strategies for Pre-1850 U.S. Research

Researching in the United States prior to 1850 presents unique challenges. Records contain less information, are seldom indexed, and can be difficult to find. In this class, we will introduce strategies for identifying relationships prior to 1850 and demonstrate advanced research skills, record analysis, and evidence correlation. 

Julia A. Anderson is a research specialist at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and teaches research and accreditation classes for Salt Lake Community College's online genealogy certificate program. Julia is the owner and managing member of Anderson Genealogical Research LLC and serves as the conference chair for the Utah Genealogical Association. 

10:30 am – Getting Started in Scottish Family History Research

Learn about how to get started in researching your Scottish Ancestors. This lecture will cover Civil and Parish records; Scottish Census and Census Substitutes; various other valuable Scottish records. We will use various strategies and case studies to better understand how to make use of local, national and online Scottish records. 

David Allen Lambert has been on the staff of American Ancestors/NEHGS since 1993 and is the organization’s Chief Genealogist. David is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. 
 

12 pm – RootsTech Keynote Address with Steven T. Rockwood

Join the opening session of RootsTech 2025 for inspiring messages from our keynote speaker, FamilySearch International CEO Steve Rockwood, and platinum sponsor Ancestry. 

Stephen T. Rockwood is the president and CEO of FamilySearch International, a global nonprofit sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

2:30 pm – Same Name, Different Person:  Effective Record Sorting

Genealogical research often presents the challenge of dealing with records for individuals with the same or similar names. Without a thorough examination and correlation of the relevant details, it is easy to erroneously attach records to the wrong individual. This mistake can perpetuate further errors, much like the game of telephone. As genealogists, it is crucial to accurately identify records for each individual and ascertain their life events with precision. 
 

This lecture will outline the primary challenges in genealogical research and offer tools for overcoming them. We will examine a case study of two sisters whose identities were conflated after being taken captive in colonial America and review the common problems genealogists face in correctly sorting records for individuals with identical or similar names. 
 

Accredited in Pacific States and Canada: Western Provinces the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, Susan Skilton works as a Research Manager for AncestryProGenealogists. 

4 pm – Endgame Genealogy

Is it the journey or the destination? Many enjoy the process and camaraderie that comes along with the act of doing genealogy research. Others have goals to answer a specific question, find a living relative, build a family tree, or publish a book. But, what happens when you move onto other pursuits or suddenly depart midstream before completion? End of life planning typically does not include instructions for hard-earned and meaningful genealogy research. How would loved ones or fellow researchers find and navigate your online passwords, final version of a family tree, photos, acquired documents, translations, instructions on next steps, or manuscript in process? Let's explore big picture questions about setting expectations, create a planning checklist to ensure your intentions are honored, and start organizing today for tomorrow. 

Ellen Kowitt is the founder and principal genealogist at Sole Searching Genealogy & Historical Research. Specializing in American records and Jewish ancestry, she lectures at national conferences and has published articles in Family Tree Magazine and Avotaynu: The International Journal on Jewish Genealogy.