#NotAtRootsTech Survival Guide

If you're like me this second week of February, you're pouty, irritable, bitter, desolate and periodically inconsolable.

As I sit virtually penniless* in frigid Ontario, genea-peeps across the world are convening at this very moment in Salt Lake City at the epic event that is RootsTech 2017. RootsTech is presently touted as the largest family history event on the planet. With an attendance count rumoured to reach between 30,000 - 40,000 souls this year, you certainly get that impression. 

Held at the exquisite Salt Palace Convention Center, the RootsTech conference is located steps away from every family historian's mecca - the Family History Library, which is a dream worthy of its own entire blog post. Staying on topic, though - I attended this conference for the first (and, sadly, so far only) time in 2015 and can say with confidence that it is a totally mind-blowing experience. The largest genealogy conference I'd attended previously had around 600 registrants, maaaaayyybe 45 vendors in the Marketplace and only 2 - 4 choices per session time slot. To this date, at conventions in this neck of the woods, I am still frequently the youngest** in attendance by at least 15 years. By contrast, at RootsTech learning cannot be avoided in both the myriad lecture streams (upwards of 24 choices per time slot) and ENORMOUS Expo Hall; opportunities for networking, connections and fellowship are almost limitless [I was asked for my business card after a brief chat in the ladies' washroom, for instance!]; and, there were more people my age or younger in the first session I walked into (which was half-full, by the way) than I've seen at all of the other conferences I've attended COMBINED!

RootsTech is an intense and invigorating jungle where genea-celebs wander free and newbies gawk openly. It's the place where probably-unneeded-but-still-irresistible samples, pamphlets and swag magically appear in your grubby little paws [I have, like, 100 pens and pencils] and advice you didn't know you knew spills from your lips at the encouraging faces of strangers. Camaraderie. You were born for this jungle! Cutting-edge technology and top-notch education are king and queen in this captivating wilderness. Industry news and the thrill of discovery dance and swirl at every turn. You can't help but be caught up in the excitement, mesmerized by innovation, inspired to motivation...

.... Have I convinced you yet???

Now, there are pros and cons to this type of huge conference, of course, but at this time of year I am hard-pressed to remember what the cons are [as you may be able to tell]. All I can focus on is the fact that I'm not there and not able to join in the fun!! Which is where the #NotAtRootsTech hashtag comes in.

In attempt to channel my distraught energies, I am compiling a list of ways YOU (like me!) can participate in this epic event without being there in person. You didn't know you could do that, did ya? 

1. Watch the live-streamed sessions.
Last year, apparently over 150,000 people (including moi!) watched the schedule of streamed lectures remotely. Believe it or not, this IS something that people do! It's quite like watching live TV or YouTube, actually.

Broadcast sessions usually include key note speakers, the Innovator Showdown Finals and a variety of lectures on topics that are, probably, of interest to a broader range of people. To watch, simply navigate to the www.RootsTech.org homepage. You will be prompted to enter your name and email address in order to gain access to the live stream.

This year's Streaming Schedule can be found here: https://www.rootstech.org/live-stream-schedule

2. Follow the hashtags on Twitter in real time.

These days, most events (not just genealogy-related) will have an official hashtag. You can and should follow them even if you are attending the event but they provide a direct way of participating, learning and interacting for those who cannot attend in person. 

For Roots Tech, regardless of year, the official hash tag is always #RootsTech. Sometimes, though, variants will be used frequently enough that you should watch them too.

Here is a list of hashtags I recommend following on Twitter during RootsTech 2017:

#NotAtRootsTech ***
#RootsTech
#RootsTech2017
#genealogy
#familyhistory

Through following these, you may even discover a few more hashtags worth investigating!

Now, are you wondering how you're going to follow all of these or even just one in real time??

1. Get yourself a Twitter account. [I can't believe you don't have one already!]
2. You can click on and follow the links above ... or ...
3. After you've logged in, enter the hashtag (#hashtag) of interest into the search box at the top, left-hand side of the page. The default is to show you the Top posts first; those will be the ones with the most interaction regardless of when they occurred. I recommend clicking on the "Latest" tab/link (as pictured below) which will update automatically with the newest public posts containing your searched-for hashtag. You can scroll to view posts earlier in the day and so on.
   
   It can be a pain in the buttinski trying to follow events in this fashion, though. Instead, I recommend using TweetDeck which is a Twitter application.
4. a) Sign in with your Twitter account information to TweetDeck. I believe you can download and use this application on your smartphone but I find it most convenient to use on my laptop viw the web address.
   b) Add a column for your Notifications so that you will get immediate notification of any activity directed at your account.
   c) Add columns for each relevant hashtag. This will enable you to view and interact with all activity involving all selected hashtags in real time.
   
   Here is an article that will help you get started with TweetDeck. You don't HAVE to use this application but I find it makes following along in real time much easier. There are also other apps out there that can help you follow real time discussions but I do not have enough experience with them to make any recommendations.

3. INTERACT on Twitter.

Part, if not most, of the fun of virtually attending a live event is interacting with other sad sacks who couldn't make it to the real deal. You interact by Liking (click the heart), retweeting, quoting (adding a comment to a retweet) and replying to the posts of other tweeters. Go ahead - ask questions, make comments! Don't be shy! Interact with vendors exhibiting in the Expo Hall! Keep an eye out for special conference-only deals, discounts, and contests from your favourite genealogy-related companies. Remember, even if they're not officially hosting a booth, many smaller societies and businesses in attendance have an accessible virtual presence on the Expo Hall floor to talk with prospective members, clients and customers! Share photos of yourself relaxing in your jammies or re-share pics of your friends who are having fun in person at the event. No friends attending? This how you start new friendships and spark connections with colleagues who could one-day help you with some aspect of your research!

Include the official hashtag as often as possible (unless the conversation gets more specific/personal and may not be of general interest). 

4. Follow the hashtags on Facebook.

Did you know that hashtags are also something you can follow on Facebook? That's right! Log in to your Facebook account and enter the hashtag into the search bar at the top left of the page. 

The default is to show you the Top posts first though I prefer to follow the Latest tab/link (as pictured above).

Following are links to the hashtags on Facebook that I recommend keeping an eye on during Roots Tech 2017. You could probably bookmark these links into a folder so that you can go back to review them without entering in all the text again.

#NotAtRootsTech
#RootsTech
#RootsTech2017
#genealogy
#familyhistory

5. Make Facebook friends or Follow-Backsies.

Further to #3... If you find yourself having a good conversation or enjoyable small talk with a particular tweep or person on Facebook, don't let the virtual relationship end there! You clearly have at least one subject in common and each of you probably have a specialty or special knowledge that may complement the other's at some point in the future. You never know what contacts and connections may come in handy one day. You certainly never know which random networking efforts will end up becoming your new BFF, your Genealogy Conference Husband or Family History Twin.

Cultivate your new genea-relationships by continuing the social media interaction after the event. Everyone likes to be followed back on Twitter! Request their friendship on Facebook or the URL of their business FB page so you can follow them there, too. In the more immediate future, you may benefit from more direct access to their posts related to the ongoing conference and subject matter. Following each other also enables you to send Private Messages.

6. Take the opportunity to share your blog, website or other social media links on Twitter.

So you're stuck at home with a somewhat captive audience who is clearly interested in your favourite subjects: genealogy and family history! Is this not the perfect time to force upon others (IOW, share) the address to your genealogy blog or website and/or the URLs to whatever other social media accounts you use frequently (ie, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc)??

Especially on a Friday, using the hashtag #FollowFriday or #FF, put yourself and your links out there. These two particular tags are meant to direct people towards new accounts to follow. Depending on the days the event occurs on, you could also make use of hashtags like #SurnameSaturday or #ThrowbackThursday to share your surnames of interest or topical blogposts with the larger audience the event hashtag will add. Use your imagination - or google! 

Of course, you must not forget to include that Official Hashtag! Do refrain, however, from spamming your information (IOW, sharing repeatedly and excessively). Keep in mind that any tweet has a lifespan of about 15 minutes BUT virtual attendees of an event like RootsTech should not be considered Joe or Jane Twitter User in this instance since they are, likely, closely following the same event feeds (hashtag threads) as you. Err on the side of restraint.

Getting back to more specific #NotAtRootsTech survival tasks... 

7. Watch Power Sessions live-streamed from Genealogy Gems.

Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems Podcast celebrates its tenth anniversary and 200th episode this year. To celebrate, they're giving away tons of prizes and freebies on-site. That doesn't help us virtual attendees much, does it? Nope. Way to rub it in, LDC. [Sorry!]

Anyway, the part of interest to those of us #NotAtRootsTech is that select 30 minute classes will be broadcast LIVE over the Periscope app or on their Facebook Page (via Facebook Live). These are indicated in the schedule (below) by the little blue and red pinpoints. Alternatively, click on the image to go directly to the Genealogy Gems webpage in question for additional info.

All times listed in MST.
PS. Congratulations!

8. Watch DearMYRTLE's Ambush Cam et al on her YouTube channel.

Not quite live, usually, but soon enough after-the-fact to be relevant and to make you feel like you're participating from home! DearMYRTLE's Roots Tech 2017 play list already boasts 10 videos (around 2 minutes each) and it is, presently, still very early on in the event! Alternatively, follow her on Google+ (a social media forum which tends to confuse me more than it probably should but might be more your cup of tea), Facebook or via her blog which are all kept quite current. Wait, you say? Just who is this DearMYRTLE character?? Check out her bio HERE.

9. Read and follow Randy Seaver's RootsTech 2017 Blog Compendium.

This blog post is a genea-community fave! Looked forward to by many (including yours truly!) every year, this post will be updated, at least, daily throughout the conference with relevant blog posts by genea-peeps talking about their experiences at RootsTech 2017. Live vicariously through the prose of posters present! Enjoy the photos! Resist the devious draw of gluttony and hold fast to the inspiration and motivation! You can do it. I believe in you. Then, spread the love by commenting with your thanks and sharing their work on social media.

10. Watch the recordings of the live-streamed sessions.

All live-streamed sessions are recorded and, generally, posted 

1. to the www.RootsTech.org website within hours of the conclusion of the day's events. Scroll down past the schedule of the next sessions, currently on the main page, to the Did You Miss A Session? section. Click on the appropriate day.
   Wednesday's sessions can be watched HERE.
   Thursday's sessions can be watched HERE.
   Friday's sessions can be watched HERE.
   Saturday's sessions UPCOMING!
2. Alternatively, watch from the Mormon Channel on YouTube.

11. Make sure you enter the genealogy contests you're eligible to win!

There won't be many, but every year there are a couple more. This year, people #NotAtRootsTech are welcome to enter SIX genealogy contests:

1. "Watch for an official giveaway Tweet from the RootsTech account (@RootsTechConf)... Then, to enter, simply tweet a photo of you watching the conference online with the hashtag #NotAtRootsTech. Winners will be selected at random during the day. If your photo is selected, prizes such as a RootsTech t-shirt, hat, or backpack will be mailed to you". -- via the FamilySearch Blog
   Prizes include three WD My Passport hard drives!
   UPDATE: via @RootsTechConf selfies tweeted do NOT have to include your face if you are #NotAtRootsTech and the contest continues on Saturday!
2. Enter to win a FREE DNA ANALYSIS from Legacy Tree Genealogists (valued at $350 USD) to help you interpret your DNA test results or create a DNA testing plan to aid in your genealogy research.
   
   NOW CLOSED! TO ENTER:
   a) "Like" the Legacy Tree Genealogists Facebook page
   b) Complete the form HERE.
   Winner will be announced during the LIVE DNA Q&A on the Legacy Tree Genealogists Facebook page on Saturday, Feb.11th at 4:00pm MDT.
3. Enter to win an Artisan 5® Digital Scrapbooking Program from Shop The Hound valued at $59.95 USD (approx. $79.65 Canadian). "Great for beginner or expert scrapbookers. Telling your story is easy; you start by choosing some of your favorite photos and then adding your creativity, and you have a special keepsake. You can create scrapbooks, photobooks, cards, calendars, mugs and much more. You can literally build a book in minutes and believe me when you make something yourself it’s the best gift of all".
   
   
   TO ENTER:
   Follow THIS link.
   Giveaway ends at 6:00pm CST on 14 February 2017. Open to Canadian and US residents where allowed by law. 
4. "Innovator Summit semi-finalist, JoyFLIPS, is giving away four Apple iPad-2 tablets to celebrate their RootsTech 2017 launch and you don’t have to be in Salt Lake City to win!! Anyone opening a free JoyFLIPS account from 8 February 2017 to 11 February 2017 will be entered into the daily drawings. (All JoyFLIPS accounts created before the event opens will be included in the drawing on 8 February.) Winners will be picked each day at the JoyFLIPS booth #1335". -- via The Ancestry Insider
5. Enter the drawing for a chance to win one (1) Ancestry DNA kit and unlock your family history. Brought to you by www.passitdown.com.
   TO ENTER:
   Follow THIS link.
6. Enter to win a FREE DNA test from Living DNA.
   Find out more about Living-DNA here:​
   www.livingdna.com/en-gb/uk-regional-breakdown
   TO ENTER:
   a) Read this blog post.
   b) Guess what percentage of the writer's total DNA result will fall within Living DNA’s geographical definition of ‘Northumbria’.
   c) Submit your guess and contact information, HERE.
   The competition closes on 31st March 2017. The winner will be announced during the ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ Live event at the NEC in Birmingham which runs from the 6-8th April.

12. Visit the Virtual Expo Hall

You've gotta admit that one Plus about not being able to attend RootsTech 2017 in person is that crowds are definitely not a problem. Just think - you get to take your time, browse and learn in peace!! [Yeah, I know. Trying too hard, there, LDC]. Anyway, you really should follow the virtual map and investigate all of the new and established vendors RootsTech 2017 has to offer! Check out their websites, follow their blogs and social media accounts, shop through the products, ephemera and software. Create your wish list! The money you've saved NOT attending and/or NOT travelling to this conference might just come in handy now, eh? ;-)

You may also find more live-streamed, Facebook Live or Periscope sessions offering first-hand peeks at the action! Do not fret if you miss the actual live stream, it will usually be preserved to play back at a later date or time.  

13. Keep an eye out for Roots Tech SALES and DEALS!

Now, I've hinted at this before but -- while you're reviewing all of these vendor websites, blogs and social media pages, you absolutely MUST keep watch for any special offers, discounts, freebies (ie, shipping) or sales of which non-attendees might be eligible to take advantage. For example, a discount on the digital magazine, Going In-Depth has been advertised on The In-Depth Genealogist Facebook page.

Normally, a subscription which includes 12 months worth of new content plus access to all past editions runs for $35 USD. So you will save $15 USD if you order between February 9th and February 13th. Use the code 2017RT on the subscription form to take advantage of this great deal.

Here's another deal!!

TapGenes has a deal for us "locationally-disabled" non-attendees too! #NotAtRootsTech attendees are eligible for their exclusive show discount:

get 50% OFF a Premium Plan through 2/28 with promo code RT17
Visit http://www.tapgenes.com/rootstech to get immediate access. Once in the platform, click on the Genetics section to upgrade!

Another #NotAtRootsTech DEAL comes from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies which can also be found in the Expo Hall if you are not "locationally-disabled".

Share any of @geneastudies tweets during RootsTech2017 and receive 50% OFF the registration fee for one of their courses or 10% OFF an entire course package!! Your discount code will be sent to you via PM. Offer ends Saturday, 11 February at 11:59pm MST.

Don't forget to SHARE finds like this with ME -- I mean, your new-found "presently-challenged" mates via your own social media outlets!

14. Make the most of the RootsTech app!

I know, you haven't bothered to download the 2017 RootsTech app because it can't help someone who isn't actually attending the event. WRONGZO!! The app is FREE and provides exclusive access to the downloadable handouts for each and every conference lecture! You're clearly wondering what possible help a handout for a talk you're not attending could be to you. Well, some won't be helpful. You won't care about some topics and, frankly, some lecturers are just crap at creating effective handouts. But there will be at least a few containing tips and tidbits you didn't already know or about which you could use a reminder. There will likely be links to online resources you haven't explored. Contact information for lecturers themselves, businesses, other events -- you never know what you might find... unless you look!! Hey, that reminds me of a hobby we all seem to be pretty invested in... 

Which is a pretty good note to end a previously grump-tastic blogger's blog post on, IMO!

Yes, The Asterisks Mean Something

* Okay, okay. I'm being melodramatic. Humour me.

** Or second youngest because, yes, I know The Other young Canadian genealogist! LOL 

*** Who was the first sad non-attendee to use the #NotAtRootsTech hashtag? Christine McCloud appears to have scrolled back to the beginning to determine it was Susan Kitchens! 

Screenshot via LDC's tweetdeck dashboard.

Deciding What Sessions to Attend at a Conference

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Prior to beginning my short series about my preliminary conference session choices (see Wed - Thurs - Fri - Sat), I read Linda Stufflebean's blog post with HER preliminary list of session choices. I just had to mention that is was Linda who got me itching to make my own list -- though I don't generally need much inspiration to make a list. I am, after all, the List Queen! (PS. What an awesome surname... Stufflebean!!!)

Having made those initial choices, I have let them ruminate for a few days.

Next, I need to pare down my list and consider other factors which might affect those decisions. I certainly can't be in 6+ places at once (even if I were a bigger Dr. Who fan)!

It's obviously easier to rule out lectures you're not as interested in when you can immediately see their competition (which ones are taking place at the same time); however, as for RootsTech/FGS, a schedule may not be released until close to the event date. That is to say, a list of sessions and brief descriptions may be published well in advance but without a timeline to guide your choice-making. This doesn't mean you can't make progress in the meantime, though! In fact, you might be all the more prepared by the delay.

Here are the 15 steps I try to take in order to create a personalized conference schedule:

1. Read through the session descriptions and mark all the ones you're interested in. Make a special note of the sessions in which you are most interested and any you Must See. If you are like me, you will do this multiple times.

2. Read all speaker biography blurbs. Make note of any speakers you have seen previously; mark any want to see. Are there any experts you particularly would like to ask specific questions? I actually have a list which I update periodically of all the speakers I've seen lecture. Additionally, I keep a series of duotangs containing the notes I make during each webinar* I attend, each page headed with the session title, speaker name and date. I do need to make a list of these session titles and speakers for quick reference in situations such as this. It would help ensure certain sessions are not just titled differently while actually a re-do of something I've previously seen. Yeah, that happens.

3. Once you get your hands on the schedule, it's a good idea to read through the session descriptions again - even if you have already done so. Sometimes due to space restrictions, the wording is more succinct, more to-the-point (and therefore revealing) on a schedule. Mark all sessions of interest. Make a special mark next to those in which you are most interested or any you know are on your Must-Not-Miss list.

4. Note all of your marked session possibilities in each time slot. How do they compare to each other according to priority? If there is nothing presented at the same time as one of your classes of interest or Must See lectures, you're golden! Decision made! If any are occurring at the same time as others of interest, you have work to do.

5. Write a blog post (or a private document) about all the sessions you have an interest in attending and make a note about why. How will it help you increase your knowledge or skill? Might it provide you with a new perspective? Is it simply a speaker you really want to see? If you are hesitant about a particular session, note that too. If you can't think of anything to write, that's probably a clue that it's not as important for you to attend that session. It is a good idea to sift through the sessions by time slot as you write so you can better interpret how your items of interest compare to each other versus those of disinterest. You might think writing it all out won't help but it does, or at least it did for me - it serves as an aid to clarification -- your own, for yourself, and that of others who are trying to make their own choices if you choose to publish.

6. Further to #5, write out or consider your priorities and goals for attending this conference and its sessions in general. How do these relate to your overall professional and/or educational goals? In other words, you are trying to determine which sessions will best help you accomplish your goals. For example, deciding whether or not seeing Mr.Xpert speak about a topic you're having trouble with is probably a better use of your time than watching Mrs.Xpert lecture about a subject in which you are interested but will not need to focus on for a while yet.

7. Determine whether or not any of the speakers are giving the same or similar presentations elsewhere. Remember, you can either attend in person if the location is near you or you are available to travel but sometimes you can also attend virtually, via a webinar. Ask on social media, make use of Google, review speaker websites and their scheduled events lists, check society webpages and sites like GeneaWebinars.com. If any sessions being presented at this conference are being presented elsewhere, knock them off your list. But keep in mind, even if they could be taken off your list, this may be your one or even only chance to see a particular individual present in living colour.

8. Note any indicated skill or learning levels for each class. This may be indicated by track or series; otherwise, individually. Usually, I see the traditional labels: Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced. For example, there is a Getting Started track at RootsTech this year. If you are like me, you are more advanced in some subjects while just starting out in others so it's not always a one-track decision. Be aware that lectures labelled appropriate for all skill levels will likely be broader in scope and less advanced. Make sure the skill levels of the sessions in which you are interested are commensurate to your experience and knowledge. Sometimes a challenge is a good thing, sometimes it's not. Are you looking for instruction or a new perspective?

9. Similar to #8, note any prerequisites mentioned. If having an understanding of basic computer/internet skills or general genetic genealogy or a particular type of record research is suggested, take that advice to heart. Don't go to a session you are not prepared to understand. You will get frustrated, overwhelmed and will feel like you have wasted your valuable conference time.

10. If any of the session descriptions include specific websites or technologies, look them up. You may discover, armed with a little additional information, that the service is not something you are really going to utilize or that the technology is not something you will understand from just a lecture. (I personally learn much better by taking an hour to fiddle around with something on my own as opposed to being verbally told how to do it). Note: If a session is "sponsored by" a certain company or group it does not necessarily mean the session will be about that company's service or product.

11. By the same token (as #10), pay attention to the wording of each description. It is worth mentioning that each speaker submits their own write-up advertising their own lecture and that it's the description's job to win your interest and attendance (thereby, ticket sales, etc). Sometimes titles can be misleading. Sometimes descriptions will initially give the impression a session is about one topic while a second read-through will indicate a hidden agenda. For example, a talk about cemetery or headstone research tips and tricks could take on a different light when you realize it is being given by the person in charge of a grave-finder website. I have been to a couple webinars like this where the promised tips and tricks turned out to be an overview of how to use a particular website instead of general skills. While this sort of advertising/agenda is not necessarily a bad thing, it might not be the best use of your time during this particular conference.

12. Read the syllabus materials. Make note of any questions you already have or that arise from your reading.
A) Whether you read the material online or in paper form, in advance of the event or only after you've arrived, make sure you read at as far ahead as possible. And don't just read the pages related to your sessions of interest; read them all. Read them all because, having more information at hand, you may find other session options you are more interested in. Read them all so that you know what else is going on at the conference, what is of interest to others and current within the community, what your peers will be talking about.
B) Evaluate the syllabus materials of your sessions of interest. Has everything already been said in the syllabus? Is it just an outline? Just a list of links or further resources? Good speakers leave things to say for the presentation. Are there new concepts, subjects or views presented in the syllabus about which you'd like to know more?

13. Make yourself aware of any sessions that may be streamed live online, recorded and later made available online or recorded and available for purchase. A popular tip I've read about attending conferences like RootsTech, FGS and the SoCal Jamboree is to purchase recordings of sessions (made by a particular company found in the marketplace) in the event of a scheduling conflict or to free up time to spend in the marketplace. To date, I've never been to a conference where this has been an option but it makes good sense to me to utilize the service when available (though I'm not fond of the idea of spending even more money on one conference and would, personally, probably do this only sparingly). The ability to view any of some lectures of interest at a later time or date may well mean that you can spend that valuable conference time at an alternate session -- make the most of the experience, get the most bang for your buck!

14. With all of this in mind, create your top three session list for each time slot. Rank those top three sessions from most important to least. Clearly mark Must-Not-Miss lectures. It is important to note options for each time slot in case a particular room fills up before you arrive, a speaker falls ill or technical difficulties prevent the presentation.

15. Be aware that, even with all of this preparation, this "perfect schedule" you've carefully crafted will likely change. Be flexible!

Yes, The Asterisks Mean Something

*Webinar = a lecture presented online, in real time.

Preliminary Session Choices - Friday, Day Three at RootsTech / FGS 2015

So I figure I'll post my preliminary list of choices for sessions and after the conference we'll come back and see how I did. Okay? Okay. Cool. Glad that's sorted.

See my prelim picks for Wednesday's schedule here.
See my prelim picks for Thursday's schedule here.


FRIDAY'S PICKS

8:30am - 10am
(Plenary) General Session - Inspirational Keynote Speakers and Presenters
D. Joshua Taylor (FindMyPast)
A couple of Bushes*


10:30am - 11:30am
My first cut of the choices, in no particular order:

1. Cluster Genealogy: Finding Your Lost Ancestors - Deborah Abbott
-- I tend to do this type of research automatically but not necessarily consciously (I think it's because I'm naturally a nosy-Parker); clearer tips and strategies can only help.

2.  Gentlemen Judges: The Justices of the Peace - Judy Russell
-- no judges in my ancestry of whom I'm aware at this point; this would be a talk that wouldn't make the list if anyone else was presenting it...

Had to be done... I refuse to apologize.

3. New Standards or Old? Guidelines for Effective Research and Family Histories - Thomas Jones
-- nitty gritty, meat-and-potatoes-type learning to be had, methinks...

4. Be the Ancestor You Wish You Had - Linda Coffin
-- I suspect I may have heard this lecture before... If not from Linda herself, definitely a beginner's level interviewing lecture... still, I'm intrigued.

5. Right or Wrong: 6 Things You Need to Know About Picture Sharing Online - Maureen Taylor
-- I'm always leery about posting any photos online...

6. Using 23andMe's Ancestry and Genealogy Tools to Learn About Family History - Joanna Mountain
-- I've had my DNA tested through 23andMe but still don't fully understand how to locate relatives based on the shared DNA segments, etc, etc, yadda, yadda...

7. Impossible Immigrant! Exhausting Research to Find an Ancestor's Origins - Warren Bittner
-- sounds like more FAN and cluster stuff - but with examples
-- and I've never heard Mr. Bittner speak IRL...


11:30am - 1pm (Otherwise known as LUNCH!)
(Paid) FindMyPast Luncheon: Who Do You Think You Are? Story -- Ian Tester
-- Chose this luncheon, honestly, in hopes that there might be special swag and/or prizes
-- Scheduled Eats: Boneless breast of chicken topped with pear tomato marinara sauce; mozzarella and romano cheeses; penne pasta; seasonal vegetable; fresh baked breads; house salad; homemade dessert; coffee, tea and chilled beverages


1pm - 2pm
So, for this time slot, I'm pretty much screwed-chewed-and-barbecued. Let's see how many I can eliminate as I type them out here... **

1. Doing the History Eliminates the Mystery - Curt Witcher
-- Very interested in an intermediate/advanced look at using historical, geographical and ethnic details to aid my research.

2. Jumping the Pond: Finding the Origins of Your Immigrant Ancestor - Donna Moughty
-- Interested in intermediate level tips for locating ancestral countries of origin.

3. Certification: Measuring Yourself Against Standards - Elissa Scalise Powell & Judy Russell
-- This session is 2.5 hours (so, basically, it's a double session which would eliminate all choices in the next time slot)
-- I have previously seen a presentation about BCG certification though that one was only about an hour long... but this one is described as more interactive AND includes the Legal Genealogist
-- and I really do think I want to get certified after I've graduated NIGS....

4. Culinary Family History: You are What Your Ancestors Ate - Loretta Evans
-- My attempts at family cookbook compilation have been such a success that I'm considering giving this lecture instead of just attending it (Ha!)...
-- and my Nanny's name was Loretta - definitely a sign.

5. Blogging Your Research, Memories and Family Stories - Laura Hedgecock
-- I follow Laura's blog and would like to hear her speak... but this sounds more like a techie how-to than a bloggy-writey one. The former is not my bag.

6. Antiquus Morbus: Diseases and Causes of Death - Janet Camarata
-- This talk is one that I picked to see from the very beginning, when just the descriptions of sessions were posted and the schedule had yet to be released. I'm very interested in the heredity of certain causes of death and medical conditions within my family. Of course this talk has to be presented at the same time as forty-seven hundred other lectures I'd like to see...


2:30pm - 3:30pm
This time slot will be moot if I choose to go with the BCG session (#3 above)... But here are my choices, nonetheless, in no particular order (actually, they are usually in the order they come up in the RT app):

1. Writing a Prize-Winning Family History - Thomas Jones***
-- Advanced. Tom Jones. Nuff said.

2. Fraternal Organizations: Records and Resources - Kris W. Rzepczynski
-- Many of the men on hubby's tree were Masons... but I still can't get a clear idea of how to get my grubby little paws on these secret-y records or of what they might entail...
-- Another one of my first-picked sessions!

3. Railroads Beyond the Mississippi: History and Records - Paula Stuart-Warren
-- lots of railroad workers in hubby's tree but most were on the CPR; mine also sports some rail dudes but mine worked the line in South Africa... still, this talk might spark some ideas...

4. Interviewing Grandma - Linda Coffin
-- another beginner level interviewing session; another chance to see Linda speak IRL

5. Deciphering Old Handwriting Online - Amy Harris
-- I've done a lot of wandering around on BYU's paleography site but it would probably help to go through some of it with a live instructor; I do have a paleography course coming up through NIGS though...

6. Personal History Triage: How to Tell the Best Ten Stories of Your Life - Alison Taylor
-- the session description mentions a few of the writing dilemmas with which I frequently struggle...


4pm - 5pm
Choices. They are here:

1. Using Tax Records for Genealogical Problem Solving - Michael Lacopo
-- Not sure I've ever used tax records... voter's lists, yes; but I don't think tax records...

2. Lesser-Known Sources for Births, Marriages & Deaths in the British Isles - Audrey Collins
-- Lots of Brits up my tree
-- intermediate level = good

3. Fun with... Citing Sources! - Jean Wilcox Hibben
-- it's a beginner class but citation creation still freaks me out
-- I've heard Jean speak on a webinar and she seems to be quite good at making the basic stuff simple as pie...

4. What's in a Name? Trouble! - Ron Arons
-- I like the showing the GPS in action with examples bit... not so interested in mind map tech, if I'm correctly interpreting this description...

5. Uncovering Family Histories in Cemeteries - Tom Comstock
-- not sure how much I'm willing to bet this isn't just a big advertising session for BillionGraves....

6. Genealogists, Technologists, Privacy Advocates: We REALLY Need to Talk! - James Dempsey & Frederick Moss
-- I'm not really up for a debate... but the subject matter is compelling and ever-more relevant

7. Discover Family Stories with FMP and Mocavo - Michael Leclerc
-- I have had a subscription with Mocavo and didn't use it as much as I would have liked...


5pm - 7pm
(Plenary) Celebrate Your Heritage: RootsTech Cultural Night in the Expo Hall
-- Must remember to complete my Expo Hall Passport and return it to the Info Desk by 6:30 to be eligible for prizes drawn at 6:45!! PRIZES!!! YAY!! Good thing I just read that in the app!





Yes, The Asterisks Mean Something

* Can you believe I couldn't find an appropriately funny bush PLANT meme??? I just wanted something funny about bushy plants but OH NO that's not the bushy that pops up...

** So, yup - was able to knock four Beginner Level or Getting Started classes right off the list just for being beginnery... Too bad, so sad. At any other conference, I'd probably get to go to all of the beginner ones that interested me because options would be lacking!

*** I know it's this Tom Jones:

and not this Tom Jones:

but, I can't help it...
Every time his name comes up I start singing like THIS (I know you do it too FYI):

Preliminary Session Choices - Thursday, Day Two at RootsTech / FGS 2015

So I figure I'll post my preliminary list of choices for sessions and after the conference we'll come back and see how I did. Okay? Okay. Cool. Glad that's sorted.

See my prelim picks for Wednesday's schedule here.

So this is where things get tricky because the schedules of the two conferences begin to compete. The most choice I've ever had per session at a conference is three or four classes, MAX. For FGS2015 alone there are SIX different sessions to choose from!! SIX! Altogether - combined with RootsTech? Try 24 different sessions (according to my count on the RT app)! TWENTY-FOUR!!!! *mind blown*

YES! I'M SERIOUS!
(I have no idea where I found this meme -- If this cute lil chunk belongs to you and you object to his/her presence here, just say the word and I shall vanish it!)

Seriously... how the hell am I going to choose only ONE out of twenty-four sessions to attend per time slot?? That's more sessions in one time slot than at one entire conference here!!!

I have heard some popular sessions will be repeated. Others, like the keynote addresses, will be broadcast live and available to watch online for a year afterward. I've also received the tip that some sessions will be recorded and sold on CD in the Expo Hall... but which sessions? and how do I schedule which ones I want to see in person when I don't know which are being taped/sold? And which company will be selling them? and how much per recording??

*sigh*

Well, one thing at a time I suppose.


THURSDAY'S PICKS

8:30am - 10am
(Plenary) General Session - Inspirational Keynote Speakers and Presenters
Dennis Brimhall (FamilySearch Int'l)
Mike Mallin (MyHeritage)
Tan Le (Emotiv)
-- The RT app says doors open at 7:30am... OMG, I'm going to be SO TIRED!!! The anticipation of it is almost as tiring as the actuality will be... lol

11am - Noon
A cursory perusal of the FGS schedule and the RT app leaves me with "only" seven choices for the first session of the day... YIKE.
In no particular order, they are:

1. 21st Century Italian Genealogy - Michael Cassara (DigiRoots.net)
-- Lots of Italian ancestry on hubby's side for which I may glean tips from this lecture...

2. Getting the Most Out of Genealogical Evidence - Thomas Jones
-- Never heard Tom Jones speak IRL before and it's listed as an Intermediate level so this talk should be an invaluable asset to my learning curve...

3. Hatched, Matched and Dispatched: Vital Records Research - C. Ann Staley
-- Intermediate level class looks like it might provide some insight into more current vital records

4. How Old Did He Have to Be? - Judy Russell
-- Who cares what it's about? It's Judy Russell! Actually, I'm not entirely sure about this one because Judy tends to focus on American law/records and the US is not one of my main concerns at this point, nor for the foreseeable future...

5. How to Wring a Record Dry - Nancy Lauer
-- can't figure out what level this class is... can't hurt to revisit proven procedures though

6. Is that Uncle Harry or Jesse James: Facial Recognition Tools for the Genealogist - Maureen Taylor
-- Maureen is the Photo Detective and a genuine Genea-Celeb in my book; in fact, I own a couple of hers (books)! Have never heard her speak in person... would love to learn to "CSI" my families' photos...

7. Self-Publishing for Genealogists: Tips, Tricks & Tools - Lisa Alzo & Thomas MacEntee
-- I've seen Lisa speak IRL but not Thomas. Not sure if I'm at the publishing point yet...

8*. Searching for Our Ministers and Clergy - Patricia Stamm
-- I honestly wouldn't mind seeing this lecture either though I rank a few previously mentioned as higher priority. There are a lot of priests and nuns in my family, though so far they are all Canadian...


Noon - 1:30pm (otherwise known as LUNCH!)
(Paid) MyHeritage Lunch: Family Storytelling and Instant Discoveries in the Mobile World -- Mike Malin
-- I chose this luncheon because I don't know much about MyHeritage
-- Scheduled Eats: Roasted turkey breast with natural gravy; cranberry sauce; parsley buttered mashed potatoes; traditional sage dressing; seasonal vegetable; fresh baked breads; house salad; homemade dessert; coffee, tea and chilled beverages.


1:30pm - 2:30pm
In no particular order, my top six (I still can't believe I'm whittling it DOWN to ONLY six!!) choices for this time slot are:

1. Infamy in the Family: Online Tools to Help Identify Family Members of Ill Repute - B. Douglas Conley
-- so many criminals in my hubby's family tree... hehehe... Is it weird that I am so drawn to them??

2. Accessing England's Probate Records and Indexes Online - Apryl Cox
-- my main surnames of interest track back to England and this intermediate level class may shed some light...

3. Bridging the Gap: Tracing US Ancestors Between 1780 and 1840 - D. Joshua Taylor
-- Both my husband and I have Pennsylvanian Dutch ancestors who immigrated to Canada around 1790...

4. Genealogists 3.0: Adding Emotion to Your Research! - Cor de Graaf & Walther Hasselo
-- I can't find this on the RT session list I printed out so it must be a newer addition but using newly-available-online archival, archeological, museum collections in my research is definitely intriguing... I know certain things are available offline right now but am not really at a point yet where I can make proper, efficient use of them... I don't -think- "Genealogists 3.0" means a new type of software...

5. Irish Records: Beyond the Obvious - Rosalind McCutcheon
-- Tons of Irish ancestry on my tree therefore anything "beyond the obvious" would be good for my research efforts; however this session is listed as appropriate for ALL skill levels... I'm not sure whether I think that is a good thing...

6. Up in Smoke! What to Do When the Courthouse Burns - Peggy Lauritzen
-- Should this ever be a problem for me, I think I have a pretty good handle on using alternate records, found outside the courthouse... Also unsure if the talk will be so US-centric that I won't find it more-immediately useful... BUT, a plus is that it is listed as intermediate level...


3pm - 4pm
My top five choices for this session time slot, in no particular order, are as follows:

1. From a Pile of Pieces to a Puzzle Picture - Donna Moughty
-- I think I have a "good grasp of the basics" but sometimes hearing someone new talking about "the same old, same old" shines a new light on things... And this talk is not listed as solely a beginner level, so... it's a possibility. Also, never heard this speaker IRL or otherwise.

2. Problem Solving with Probate - Thomas Jones
-- Though this session is listed as Beginner level, I'm not nearly an expert with probate records yet and I hear Tom Jones is a very good teacher...
-- Whether or not I have already heard this speaker by this point in the conference will also play into my decision, I think.

3. Stetsons, Chaps, Prairie Bonnets and Levis: Western Dress Clues - Maureen Taylor
-- I'm so interested in what the fashion in photographs can tell me but how did the fashion migrate? Especially to places other than America...
-- Again, whether or not I have already heard this speaker by this point in the conference will also play into my decision.

4. Documenting Your Family Heirlooms - Jennifer Alford
-- This is something I'm presently trying to figure out as my mom and her siblings age... I'm worried I will lose the stories associated with the "things" that are important within our family... Also, I've never heard this speaker IRL or otherwise.

5. Family, Food, and Fun: Making a Family Story Cookbook with Recipes - Alison Taylor
-- Along the same lines of my previous choice... This past Christmas I attempted to engage my relatives in the collection of favourite family recipes. Let's just say, if success is defined as one person responding after a few days and about four others mentioning my email to me in person over the holidays with only ONE recipe received in total... then I suppose my attempt to compile a family cookbook was successful. LOL!

6. Making a Federal Case Out of It - Judy Russell
-- This WAS on my list until I realized Judy will be giving this same presentation via Legacy Webinar on July 10th.


4:30pm - 5:30pm
I have paid to attend a computer lab in this time slot; however, I'm now seriously considering backing out of it (refund, etc). I'm currently signed up for Batch Processing of Photos and Their Metadata Using XnView (Randy Whited). I'm very interested in metadata but there are just SO many other lecture choices that don't cost extra... Now, I've heard that Mr. Whited is an excellent teacher but this lecture says it builds upon previous RT workshops -- workshops I have not attended. So, while I consider what I'm going to do about the computer lab... My top choices for this time slot are as follows, in no particular order:

1. A Gift of Legacy: Who's Writing Your Story? - Deborah Abbott
-- I like writing about ME lol although it's probably not a priority presently...

2. After You're Gone: Future Proofing Your Genealogy Research - Thomas MacEntee
-- I have a suspicion I've signed up to attend this (or similar) webinar by Thomas at a later date... Whether or not that's true, I will have to consider whether or not I've already heard Thomas speak at this conference already by this time. Additionally, I'm unsure about this session because his lectures tend to be more techie than I prefer. That is by no means a knock; I just underconstumble tech options better when I'm farting around on my own as opposed to via this sort of format.

3. Finding Your Family on Newspapers.com - Peter Drinkwater
-- Solely because the speaker's name reminds me of my Game of Thrones fave, Peter Dinklage! LOL

From Guy Code Blog (click for link).

-- I'd like to learn more about using this website more effectively; however, I have the same reservations as those from my previous choice

4. Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy - Diahan Southard
-- I'm pretty clear on the very basics of genetic genealogy but I saw Diahan's presentation at the 2014 SoCal Jamboree via live broadcast and was blown away by her teaching style, enthusiasm and the clarity with which she described a fairly complex topic; she would be awesome to see live, in person! I need to check what the actual topic/title of that presentation was and how it compares to this one... don't want to see the same thing again, especially with so many other options out there! *stress*

5. Parenting Keys that Unlock Hearts - Carol Rice
-- I'm not a parent yet but I definitely want to pass on this interest in genealogy and heritage once the little ones arrive...

6. Finding the Living Among the Dead: Using the Internet to Find Your Living Cousins - Amy Archibald
-- I'm pretty savvy about locating contact info for living peeps. I think I scared our realtor with how much info I dug up in just under an hour about the sellers of a house for which we'd submitted an offer! But there are likely tips and ideas I've not considered yet... and I'm always interested in techniques for dealing with the living and their private info...

7. The Margarine Moonshiners from Minsk: How Curiosity and Persistence Uncover Buried Secrets - Tammy Hepps
-- It's strange... I am experiencing some sort of cosmic pull toward this lecture. I don't have any specific interest in it's description (other than my general genea-proclivity for those of unseemly ilk). Or maybe the draw stems from reading about how Ms. Hepps won the Innovator Summit at RootsTech one year for Treelines.com. Of course, now, I can't recall where the heck I read that so I'm not 100% positive how accurate it is LOL... Whatever the case, this session may just prove to be the dark horse on my list of choices!


6pm
(Plenary) RootsTech Opening Social
Sponsored by Forever.com
Featuring YouTube sensations Alex Boye and One Voice Children's Choir




Yes, The Asterisks Mean Something

*Yeah, yeah. I said "only seven" and then added an eighth choice... Ya gonna make a big deal about it???

Preliminary Session Choices - Wednesday, Day One at RootsTech / FGS 2015

So I figure I'll post my preliminary list of choices for sessions and after the conference we'll come back and see how I did. Okay? Okay. Cool. Glad that's sorted.

[Oh my gawd... I just realized I will actually be AT these sessions only three weeks from today!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!!!]

WEDNESDAY'S PICKS

8am - 9:15am Session
(Plenary) Successfully Embracing the Future
"...Courage to Change the Things I Can..." - Curt Witcher
Applying TLC to Create New Growth - Deena Coutant
Being More than "Social" on Social Media - Jen Baldwin

9:30am - 10:30am
Engaging Your Long Distance Membership - Jen Baldwin
-- I met Jen in person at the Ontario Genealogical Society's 2014 conference in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. She was manning (womanning?) the FindMyPast booth in the marketplace. Having seen a grand total of six people younger than age 40 (including Jen!!) at genealogy conferences up here in my neck of the woods, I am very interested to see how the younger generation makes a living at this "hobsession". Definitely looking forward to listening to her speak!
-- second choice was Thomas MacEntee's TechSoup.org talk but after looking at the website it's not something I'm interested in at the moment

10:45am - 11:45am
New Kid on the Block: Embracing Your Society's New Volunteers - D. Joshua Taylor
-- Just for the NKOTB reference alone! J/K

-- I'm a new volunteer with my local society AND I have never seen D. Joshua Taylor speak IRL* - another young'n to emulate!
-- second choice was Rorey Cathcart's Wordpress session but I'm a Blogger user so I don't know if I particularly want to spend my precious session time learning about a whole new service I may never use...

Noon - 1:15pm (otherwise known as LUNCH!)
(Paid) FGS Luncheon: The State of Our Societies: 2015 Update
-- I need to eat and this seemed like the solution. I hear it's usually a pretty good session and many people's favourite luncheon of the event. So sayeth the interwebs.
-- I don't know about you but, in my book, all meals require the mention of food: Plated Lunch Menu = Asian Chicken Salad, Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake! (The operative word here... cheesecake!) #YUMMO

1:30pm - 2:30pm
The Ethical Genealogist - Judy Russell
-- Seriously? It's The Legal Genealogist! No other choice for me. I will make a point of grabbing a spot early as I'm sure her lectures will be packed.

2:45pm - 3:45pm
What Do I Do Now? Your First Year as a Board Member - Jen Baldwin
-- Pretty much Me-To-A-Tee, right there in the title...
-- I think my second option will be C. Ann Staley's Organizing and Carrying Out a Society Project since I should probably volunteer to do something as a board member...

4pm - 5pm
Maximizing Organizational Effectiveness - Jordan Jones
-- Surely some "tips and techniques from 16 years of professional management experience" will assist my personal organization strategies even if the talk is geared toward society org.
-- second choice is Rorey Cathcart again with her Social Media for Societies: It's Not a Bandwagon, It's a Freight Train! lecture. I think I'm pretty in-the-know about social media tools but there are always new things being developed and I certainly am not an expert; neither am I an expert in organizing and strategizing social media in conjunction with the volunteer resources of societies. AND I haven't yet seen Rorey present IRL... Maybe this will become my first choice...

6pm - 7:30pm
(Paid) FGS 2015 Opening Social: Behind the Scenes: Family History & Television







Yes, The Asterisks Mean Something

*IRL = In Real Life