Getting kitted up for Rootstech

As a newbie (and a foreigner) at Rootstech last year I was not aware of the need to have a swag of
geneabloggers's accessories. I was rather proud of the snazzy new business cards I had along with me but these paled into insignificance when I saw the array of accessories that other geneabloggers had brought along.

I'm like a schoolkid who has to have the right pencil case and the right pencils (in my day Derwents) to be part of the in crowd. Well, this poor old Granny from downunder failed dismally in the accessories race at Rootstech 2011.


Believing that it is more blessed to give than receive I felt inadequate when Thomas MacEntee adorned my person with a couple of strings of shiny red hearts and a geneabloggers ribbon, then he gave me a genealogist's baseball card and a precious Keep Calm and Cite Your Sources badge. Kerry Scott's business card was much snappier then mine. Even Joan Miller, who hails from that other British colony, Canada, had  blog ribbons to hand out.

My cupboard was bare in 2011 but I won't be making the same mistake again. I am hoping to source some Aussie kitsch to share with my GeniMates at Rootstech 2012.

If you are intending to attend Rootstech 2012 and are a firstime genealogy conference goer you had better start gathering your geegaws or you will stand out like a sore thumb.

It's Official, I'm Official

A first invitation is always sweet but to be invited to a party or to participate at any other event a second time implies acceptance.

I was an Official Blogger at the initial Rootstech Conference. I was thrilled when I received an email from Paul Nauta, from RootsTech Public Affairs and Familysearch inviting me to be an Official Blogger at the 2012 Rootstech Conference. I am pleased on a number of levels.


I had booked my flights to Rootstech a couple of months ago so I was going along even if I didn't have a role other then attendee. I was over the moon when I heard a few weeks ago that I would be presenting at the conference. The blogging invitation, that I accepted with glee, is icing on the cake. 


I will have an opportunity to share experiences of  my journey to Salt Lake City with my blog audience and, hopefully, give those who are not able to make it to Rootstech 2012 a glimpse into the excitement of the conference and an introduction to the people I meet. I am committed to the focus of Rootstech in bringing technology and genealogy together. 


In 2011 all of the Official Bloggers except for me came from the Northern Hemisphere. As the Australian member of this group I tried to promote genealogists and genealogy resources and activities from downunder. My blog posts views increased in February 2011 with many visits from North America, I presume this will happen again. As the Bloggers page is not yet live I don't know who will be my Fellow Official Bloggers in 2012 - I'll just have to wait and see.


Being an Official Blogger has some perks. I hope there's an upfront seat t the opening keynote again. One gets Free Registration to the conference, not such a big deal when the earlybird registration is only $US129 (expires Nov 30).   I'll also have somewhere to stow my bag and a table and wired internet access to use to write blog posts, although with all the chatter and networking that happens a quiet hotel room is a better spot for writing. Once again I will have to provide my own wireless access for tweeting during presentations. I will probably also get a couple of invitations to breakfasts, dinners, briefings and the like that will enable me to chat with luminaries from the genealogy world.


More importantly one has access to dedicated spaces in the RootsTech Media Hub for conducting audio interviews and podcasts. As a newbie in 2011 I did not make use of this facility. Now I know the ropes I will be making online reservations for interview rooms so that I can interview genealogy bods who are at the conference. I would love to hear who you would like me to interview and what you would like me to ask them. How privileged I am to have this opportunity to get such fantastic content for my blog.


The updated Rootstech website states"Bloggers with significant followings who post up-to-date information about technology and genealogy news and events were selected as Official RootsTech Bloggers." I thank the Rootstech organisers for including me in this list and look forward to discharging my role honourably.

Will I be seeing you at Rootstech 2012?

My flights are booked so I am definitely going to Rootstech 2012.  I know that it is seven months away but, one needs to take advantage of good airfares when they are available.

I am not a member of the LDS Church so why am I travelling all the way from Australia to Utah for a three day conference?

* I found that the content at Rootstech 2011, that combined technology and genealogy, suited my interests. No event in Australia provides such a range of  presentations on this topic area.
* There is an opportunity to hear world renowned keynote speakers that don't travel to Australia.
* The conference program that caters for a couple of thousand attendees has multiple streams has enormous breadth and depth.
* I can meet in person the geneabloggers and geneatweeters with whom I communicate each day.
* I will be able to renew the friendships I made with conference attendees in 2011.
* There is an opportunity to meet up with the developers of software that I use like Darrin Lythgoe.
* The conference represents excellent value with a low registration fee and reasonably priced accommodation right next door the the conference venue.


* I get an opportunity to promote Australian genealogy to an international group.
* I can use the facilities of The Family History Library with its free access to print and microform resources on open access. I spent two days there this year and only looked at the online and print materials. In 2012 I will concentrate on the microforms.
* The air is fresh and crisp in SLC in February - a respite from Sydney's summer humidity.
* I can see a bit more of the United States on my way to and from the conference.
* I can visit my favourite department store, Macys, and bag a few bargains.

Next year I am taking Mr Geniaus along to Salt Lake City with me. Although he has no interest in genealogy research he is interested in his ancestry. As the cost of registration is so reasonable I will be registering him for the conference so that he can attend the social functions and some conference sessions. The Rootstech program is so varied that even he should find something of interest!

Will I be seeing you at Rootstech 2012?