RootsTech 2018 Wrap Up

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RootsTech this year was a little different for me.  I was very, incredibly pregnant.  So pregnant, in fact, that I was doing my best to NOT go into labor because I didn’t want to miss out on all the RootsTech fun!  I knew from the line up that this year was going to be amazing.  Each year, the RootsTech team puts together a fantastic event and we get to benefit from the expertise of so many great speakers and presenters.  This picture pretty much represents how we felt the whole weekend!
This year, the theme was: Connect.Belong.  That theme was carried throughout the whole conference.  One of my favorite things was an app that you could connect to and see all the people at the event that you are related to!  It was really fun to see all the cousins we had at the conference.  Some of the exhibitors even got involved and would give out prizes for people who connected with a new relative.  There was definitely a feeling of belonging throughout the entire conference.  Many of the speakers and presenters kept the Connect.Belong. theme as part of their presentations.Each year, I learn something new about genealogy and family history.  Being at RootsTech always renews my desire to continue to work on my own family history.  It also is a great reminder for me to document my family history now, so that my children and grandchildren will have the information they need to be able to be connect to the family members that came before them.
One of the best benefits as an ambassador is being able to interview some of the keynote speakers and presenters.  It’s always so exciting to get to sit down and speak with people who are experts in the family history field.  There were so many incredible speakers and presenters, but one of my favorites was Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  I’ll admit that I didn’t know a ton about him before the conference, but listening to his message about the importance of heritage and the need for unity in our world was just amazing.  He was truly inspiring and my heart was so full after listening to him.  You should also check out his show on PBS, Finding Your Roots.  It will bring you to tears every time!

Another speaker I enjoyed so much was Scott Hamilton.  When I heard that he would be keynoting, I knew it was going to be awesome.  The stories about his family and his life are so touching and I’m so grateful that he shared them with us.  Speaking of his parents, Scott Hamilton said “They wanted to forge a bond that would change everything, and they did.”  What he shared about his own family history really spoke to me about how much those who came before us help shape our lives.
As I said, those two are just the tip of the iceberg of inspiration you receive at RootsTech.  We had the opportunity to learn from and meet so many wonderful people.  We have videos, interviews, and so many pictures that we will be sharing in upcoming posts.  But until we have those ready for you, we have a giveaway!  We have a DNA kit for a lucky winner!  You’ll be able to connect with your heritage and learn more about your family history by being able to pinpoint your specific DNA percentages.  It really is a fun and eye opening experience!
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The best news is, I made it through the whole weekend and three days after RootsTech 2018, we welcomed a perfect little Pippa Marie to our family!
If you would like to check out our other RootsTech experiences, click here!