RootsTech 2025 Recap: Highlights, Takeaways, and Resources
Download my session slides, and get tips on processing all your session notes this year.
RootsTech 2025 finished yesterday, and I am still high from all the positive vibes.
An estimated 15,000 attended in-person—up from 12,000 last year, and several million viewed sessions online. There was (as is—see more below) something for everyone.
Steve Rockwood, FamilySearch CEO, speaking on the theme of discovery at the opening keynote, said "our moments of discoveries turn into ongoing journeys." I really felt that. For me, family history for me is an ongoing journey, and one I’ll continue, and share what I learn with templates and frameworks in this newsletter.
Conference Highlights
While I honestly didn't deeply know many of the keynote speakers before the event, I left completely inspired by their stories. When they spoke about how their families shaped their lives and careers, I got tears in my eyes every time. (Did you know there is a social media hashtag #tearsatRootsTech for people to share each time this happens to them? Glad I'm not the only one!)
As part of the Media Team, I interviewed these keynote speakers, leaders inside FamilySearch, and vendors specializing in family history book publishing. I’ll be releasing those video interviews over the next month—you can subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified as each is released.
My Session on ChatGPT as Your Personal Writing Coach
On Saturday morning, I gave a talk on how ChatGPT can be a helpful writing coach for family historians, and several attendees told me it was their favorite session of the conference. So thrilled it was received so positively!
While the session wasn’t recorded, I’m making my slides and handout available exclusively for newsletter subscribers.
To access the session slides, I have a one question survey asking what some of your obstacles are when it comes to writing family history. Your answers will help me create content for family historian overcome those obstacles and write a family history they can be proud of.
Here is the link to the one question survey and downloadable session slides.
Know someone who would love to subscribe and get the RootsTech sessions, slides too? Here is the link to share:
Take Advantage of Relatives at RootsTech and Session Recordings
There are hundreds of sessions from RootsTech 2025 available to watch online. If you missed a talk or want to revisit something, check out the official recordings.
Additionally, I have directions on how to make custom transcripts of these conference sessions, so you can progress in your genealogy research faster.
Use AI to Get the Most Out of RootsTech
Ever take piles of notes at a conference, only to never look at them again?
Relatives at RootsTech—our one chance a year to connect with living descendants—ends on April 11th. My post below details how to use it, if you are new to it. I’ve received baptismal certificates from Germany and photos from 5th and 6th cousins. You may exchange similar items and collaborate on research with your cousins.
How to Connect to Your Family History Using the Relatives at RootsTech App
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.
My Honest Review of RootsTech 2025
Right before I left the hotel for my trip home, I recorded this video on my recap of RootsTech. Hear my perspective of the classes, keynotes, vendor hall, and overall vibe of the conference. At the end I make a recommendation of whether to attend RootsTech in 2026 or not
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I hope you had a fantastic RootsTech experience! I’d love to hear about your favorite moments from the conference in the comments.