How to Connect to Your Family History Using the Relatives at RootsTech App

A simple 3-step guide to finding cousins and family history treasures at this year's online RootsTech Conference, March 6-8

Over 4 million people attended the RootsTech conference last year, , chances are, some of your extended family was there too—just waiting to be discovered.

RootsTech isn’t just about genealogy workshops—it’s about making connections.

One of the most exciting features of the conference is Relatives at RootsTech, a tool that helps you discover cousins attending the event—whether in person or online.

This post is also a 5-minute video:

This isn’t just a fun feature—it’s an opportunity to find missing pieces of your family history.

Think about it: distant cousins might have photographs, family letters, or even heirlooms passed down through their branches of the family. By connecting, you can collaborate on research and exchange priceless family history.

But there’s a catch—this tool is only available for 8 weeks, and it disappears after April 12th. So if you want to make the most of this opportunity, you need to start now.

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How to Use Relatives at RootsTech in Three Simple Steps

Step 1: Register for RootsTech

Before you can use Relatives at RootsTech, you need to register for the conference. The good news? It’s free to attend virtually! You do not need to be in Salt Lake City to take advantage of this tool.

Visit RootsTech.org and register.

Step 2: Add Relatives to Your Family Tree

Relatives at RootsTech works by finding your deceased ancestors in FamilySearch’s Family Tree and using them to match you with living cousins who share the same ancestors.

If you haven’t already, add your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents to FamilySearch family tree. Only you can see living relatives you enter—they remain private. The further back your family tree goes, the more likely you’ll connect with living relatives.

Step 3: Connect Through the RootsTech App or Website

Once your tree is set up, it’s time to see who you’re related to! Log into RootsTech.org or use the RootsTech mobile app to view your connections.

Send messages within the app—no need to exchange personal contact details.

Start a conversation and see what stories, photos, or documents you can share with each other!

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FAQs About Relatives at RootsTech

Q: What if I don’t have a FamilySearch account?

A: You can sign up for free at FamilySearch.org and start adding your family history today.

Q: How does RootsTech find my relatives?

A: The tool compares your deceased ancestors with those of other attendees. If you have a common ancestor, it will show how you’re related!

Q: Will I see my living relatives listed?

A: No. Living relatives are always private. You’ll only see your deceased ancestors and connections based on them.

Q: What kinds of family treasures could I find?

A: You never know! Old photographs, letters, military records, even family Bibles could be out there, waiting to be shared by a distant cousin.

Q: Is my personal information– phone number, email address, etc.– kept private?

A: Yes! All communication is through the Relatives at RootsTech app. Of course, if you want to stay in touch post-conference, you can swap contact information with your new-found family.

Q: How long do I have to use Relatives at RootsTech?

A: The deadline is April 12th—after that, the feature disappears until next year.

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Get Started Now Making Connections

RootsTech is the largest genealogy gathering in the world, with millions expected online and 25,000 in person. If there was ever a time to discover family connections, this is it.

And if you find out we are related, please say hi! I’d love to share my research with you and snap a photo together at the conference!