RootsTech is the largest genealogy conference in the
world. This conference is held annually in
February in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 2019 conference was held February 27 - March 2. RootsTech offers over 300 sessions on topics such as methodology,
DNA, writing, and technology - just to name a few. The conference also has an expo hall full of
vendors with everything from DNA kits to t-shirts and pedigree charts to books
and everything in between for sale. Also, in the expo hall, genealogy societies are there to be a resource
for family historians of all levels of expertise. We're excited that AAHGS
was able to be a RootsTech sponsor for 2019!
AAHGS started the conference off with a welcome luncheon on that Wednesday. The mayor of Salt Lake City,
state representatives, and the local Utah chapter of AAHGS were present. The general session was held on
Wednesday, and one of the presenters was Michael B. Moore, CEO of the
International African American Museum. There he told his story of learning about his family history and his
trip to Africa. Also, during the general
session, the Church of Latter-Day Saints presented a donation for 2 million
dollars to Michael B. Moore and the International African American Museum, with
the AAHGS national leadership on stage with him as he accepted the donation.
Every time I walked by the booth in the expo hall there were
always people around and at the booth looking for information on how to
research their family history, asking questions about 1619, and just generally
curious about the organization. The Utah
chapter members along with some of the national officers were always present to
help answer questions. AAHGS' Vice
President of History, Ric Murphy, also taught a session on the 400th
commemoration of the First Africans in British North America.
As RootsTech continues to grow, so will AAHGS’ presence
there. The next conference will be held February 26-29, 2020. So, mark your calendars and while there don’t forget to
stop by the AAHGS booth and say hello! Be sure to let us know that you read about the conference on our blog!
Written by AAHGS member and blogger
Trisha Mays-Cummings
