What Are You Going to See at RootsTech?

Learn to determine when research is thorough by evaluating real-world examples. This session demonstrates how to apply the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to address research challenges, including identifying parents, distinguishing between multiple individuals with the same name, resolving conflicting evidence, and writing biographical sketches.

Participants will learn advanced techniques for integrating thorough research, source analysis, and evidence correlation.

In every community, there were dozens of social and civic clubs to be a part of and volunteer for. Garden Clubs, Home Demonstration Clubs, Historical Societies, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and so many more. Were your ancestors part of these clubs? Learn from a professional genealogist and archivist about the records that could be available in archives in the United States and other countries for genealogists to learn about their ancestors who volunteered for and made a difference in their communities.

This presentation will cover:

This case study of an African American woman born in the late 19th century, who left no original birth record, uses analysis and correlation to resolve conflicting birth dates from later records.

Attendees would benefit from an understanding of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS)

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

Manuscripts are more than historical artifacts; they are silent witnesses that can transform your genealogical research. This session will explore how to locate and analyze valuable manuscripts, including minister journals, lawyer notebooks, personal papers, and unpublished family histories, found in both major repositories and local collections. We will dive into the complexities of working with manuscripts, including evaluating provenance, identifying authors and transcribers, comparing manuscript versions, and extracting reliable data from uncited or edited materials. Attendees will learn how to incorporate scripted evidence into genealogical proof arguments, how to overcome challenges with unsourced content, and discover underutilized resources that can break through research barriers. This session is designed for professional genealogists looking to expand their research toolkit and tackle the complexities of manuscript-based evidence.

Attendees would benefit from having a strong foundation in genealogical research methods, understanding how to work with primary sources, and a basic knowledge of archival research.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

In this session, we show how FamilySearch applies generative AI to read historical handwriting and produce complete transcripts of billions of pages of historical manuscripts in a variety languages and scripts. We describe how FamilySearch identifies names, dates, and places in the text distilled from these documents. We then demonstrate techniques for searching the resulting full text by keyword, name, date, and place. We show how to leverage filter and search features in tandem so that you can readily find the records that reveal your ancestors and tell their stories.

Sponsored by FamilySearch

Doing genealogical research can be tricky. We are working with very few pieces of information that cover the whole life of a person. Even advanced researchers can find themselves off track if they do not stay vigilant. Using case studies, we will illustrate common research pitfalls that happen with names, locations, and timing. We will show you ways to resolve conflicting information, the importance of original documents, and researching the entire family, adding in friends, neighbors, and associates when necessary. We will discuss the importance of staying organized and staying open-minded about the evidence until you have done exhaustive research.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

Cornelia Ingersoll was born about 1788 in Carmel, Dutchess (later Westchester) County, New York. Cornelia’s life after her marriage to Henry Stogdill was well documented. However, extensive documentary research in the Carmel area failed to reveal her parents’ names. Autosomal DNA analysis left little doubt that Cornelia was the granddaughter of Josiah Ingersoll, Sr. However, Josiah fathered multiple children with two different wives. This session will illustrate how multiple test takers, DNA networks, half relationships, and maternal surnames were combined with documentary evidence to pinpoint the most likely parents for Cornelia.

Attendees would benefit from a basic understanding of the principles of using autosomal DNA evidence in their research.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

Learn how to plan and organize your research findings when encountering challenging problems or projects. In addition to a discussion on research questions, plans, and logs, an organizational strategy derived from the investigative world will be showcased to teach you how to have all of your findings in one location for optimal efficiency.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

Genealogists must transform complex research into clear and convincing conclusions. This session will focus on writing proof arguments that meet the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), highlighting how to select and organize the strongest evidence. Additionally, we will also review ways to address conflicting and indirect evidence using correlation tools such as timelines and tables. The importance of incorporating social and historical context will also be discussed. Whether you are writing for yourself or your clients, this session will provide you with the tools to write with clarity, confidence, and credibility.

Attendees should have a working knowledge of the GPS.

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Learn the tried-and-true methodology to defeat the Genealogy Gremlin and achieve accurate results using DNA for genealogy. This lecture discusses the evaluation of match pedigrees to identify potential snafus and demonstrates mitigation strategies to address the problem. Don’t let researcher confirmation bias pollute your family trees!

Participants should have an understanding of atDNA before participating in this session.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

Are you struggling to find your ancestors’ parents? Learn how to bust those brick walls and find your family by using a variety of sources. This lecture is geared for more advanced researchers and examines two kinship case studies for an Ohio couple who moved west.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

No matter how long you’ve been a genealogist, asking yourself the right questions can transform your research and your writing. In this session, we’ll look at how questioning yourself can guide you from the beginning of your process through testing hypotheses, assumptions, deepening analysis, and refining writing. Whether you’re working through conflicting evidence, or polishing your proof arguments, these straightforward strategies will help you sharpen your work.

Attendees will benefit from a thorough understanding of the Genealogical Proof Standards and BCG Genealogy Standards.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.

Immigrant laborers flocked to New York in the early 1900s, often changing their names to assimilate. Families moved from one town to another, chasing work.

Italian immigrant Gennaro Cesta died at work in the Bronx, leaving behind eight children. An autopsy report named his father ‘Furtunato,’ but Italian records identified him as the son of Stanislao, a foundling, and an unnamed mother. Who were Gennaro’s parents?

Through this case study, you will learn how to trace your immigrant ancestors and use cluster research to prove identity. You will also learn how to research foundlings and how circumstances of birth influence records across generations.

This advanced-level session is sponsored by BCG and ICAPGen.