Rootstech Innovator Showdown Semi-Finalists

The semi-finalists are...

Champollion 2.0
CSI Crowd Sourced Indexing

Cuzins

Double Match Triangulator
Emberall
JoyFLIPS
Kindex

OldNews USA

QromaTag

RootsFinder

See the official announcement and program details here: https://www.rootstech.org/innovator-showdown

Congratulations to the semi-finalists and thanks to all who entered apps in the competition.

I  spent an enjoyable couple of days last week evaluating the 42 entries for the Rootstech Innovator Showdown. I was honoured to receive an invitation be a judge on the selection panel for the semi-finals of this award.

Having met the other judges online I figure that I represented the older generation,  amateur genealogists, the southern hemisphere and women and Rockstar Genealogists (with Christine Woodcock from Canada).

The judges individually selected their top ten apps (and two reserves) from the list before we met to discuss our choices with David Pugmire from Familysearch in a teleconference earlier this week. There was a deal of consensus among the group but we also had lively debate on the merits of some programs. Once we settled on our list David and the Showdown organisers went away to give the good news to the semi-finalists. We came up with a worthy list of semi-finalists whose products will serve the diverse needs of family historians.

I look forward to attending the Innovator Showdown during the  Innovator Summit at Rootstech and hearing the developers pitch their products to the judges and audience. If you are going to be at Rootstech 2017 make sure you register for this event on Wednesday 8th February and be in attendance to support your fave software and developer. The five finalists chosen on this day will present their apps again during Rootstech on Friday 10th February where there are some handsome cash prizes on offer.

You can see what my genimate Christine had to say about our gig here: http://scottishgenealogytipsntricks.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/innovator-summit-semi-finalists.html

Sharn's FindMyPast Interview

Sharn White, a fellow Rootstech Ambassador, invited me to join her in her interview with Ben Bennet from FindMyPast in the Rootstech Video Studio.

As Sharn is still flitting about visiting family in the US she gave me permission to upload the video to Youtube and share it around on social media.  THANKYOU, Sharn.

Thanks also to Ben Bennet, whom I first met at Rootstech several years ago when he was part of the Familysearch organisation.

Judy's Next Adventure

Unavoidable circumstances at Rootstech 2015 got in the way of my planned interview with Judy G Russell, The Legal Genealogist. Judy, a very gracious lady, offered to do an interview with me at a later date. I chose Rootstech 2016 and conducted the interview earlier this week.

Judy, who is one of the best known genealogists in the United States is heading downunder shortly to speak on a genealogy cruise, undertake a lecture tour and explore our beautiful area.

I invited fellow Rootstech Ambassador, Sharn White, to join me in the interview with Judy. Our only disappointment was that we were only given eight minutes to chat. Fortunately during the conference we had several other opportunities to speak with Judy. People in Australia and New Zealand will have a chance to hear Judy speak in several major cities.

This video should whet your appetite.

That's Kirsty not Kristy

As a Rootstech Ambassador I have a chance to interview attendees at the event. I got to chat with Kirsty Gray from Wiltshire on Thursday.

Point Form

As I am keen to hit the sack the report on my activities today at Rootstech will be in point form.

6:30 Leap out of bed and get dressed. I had bathed last night to save time.

7:15 Tour of Rootstech Expo Hall with Paul Nauta from Familysearch. 

The Expo Hall before the crowds swarm in.

8:00 Seated ready for the Opening session.

A photo with Ruby, 15 year old Ambassador.

8:30 Opening Session: Steve Rockwood, Stan Ellsworth, Paula Williams Madison, Shipley Munson (I wonder if he is still Tenor Number 13?), Bruce Feiler.

Paula Williams Madison

Steve Rockwood

Stan Ellsworth

Shipley Munson

Bruce Feiler

10:20 Move to Media Center and set up computer.

I got a spot between Kirsty Gray and Sharn White

10:40 Photo opportunity with Stan Ellsworth

11:45 Audio interview - Stan Ellsworth.

12:00 Video Interview - Judy G Russell - a gracious  lady who will be visiting Australia soon - watch ourt for her lectures in your capital city. Will post when available.

12:20 Video Interview - Kirsty Gray. Will post when available.

13:00 Lunch - Voucher kindly supplied by Familysearch. 

13:30 Presentation - Michelle Goodrum - Introduction to Genetic Genealogy and DNA for the Non-Scientist. Very good presentation supported by clear graphics.

Michelle Goodrum 

 15:00 Wander around the Expo Hall and chat with vendors. The area is huge with lots of vendors but I didn't spend a cent -Mr GeniAus would be proud.

16:30  Presentation - D. Joshua Taylor. Can I Undo That? 25 Tech Mistakes You Should Avoid. Ended the day on a high note, josh consistently delivers an excellent, rich and practical talk.

17:30 as I was tired I passed on the Findmypast reception and the Rootstech Opening social

18:30 Dinner at the hotel with Australian genimates, Maureen, Fran and Sharn.

Early to bed so I can be rested for my presentation tomorrow and a MyHeritage party tomorrow evening.

Tell me - Which would you choose?

My Genimate and fellow Rootstech Ambassador, Randy Seaver, recently published a list of sessions he hopes to attend at Rootstech. I am thrilled that he has listed the  Panel Session I am moderating (but more of that later).

Since arriving in Salt Lake I've had a few conversations about Rootstech session choices with fellow genies where we have discussed our criteria ofr selection fomr the smorgasbord of presentations available.

Basically I want to be Challenged, Educated, Entertained, Informed and Inspired. I don't expect each speaker I select to deliver on each of these but a combination of three or more would be nice.  If it helps me to understand DNA for example then just Educated will do. My selections will differ from Randy's and yours because we are individuals and have different needs.

I have selected two sessions with D. Joshua Taylor because I like him and I know he will deliver on several of my reauirements.

I have chosen John Grenham to be educated on Ireland. I have his fat book at home so I know he knows his stuff. Hopefully I'll gain some insights for my forthcoming trip to Ireland.

Several sessions on DNA are in my schedule. This is an area where this scientifically illiterate person needs a lot of guidance. I'm listening to Bennett Greenspan because he is the DNA Guru.

Andrew Lee, who I've never heard of is going to teach me how to use Audacity. It's an app I've toyed with for about six years. I'm hoping to become competent at last.

We all know that my organisational ability is haphazard. Nancy Loe aka Sassy Jane has a job ahead of her in getting me to Manage my Digital Research Environment. (Did I say I like Librarians?)

The other person who is going to help me be better organised is Drew Smith (another Librarian).

I have realised that I haven't chosen Judy G Russell but that's ok because I will be interviewing her in the video studio - how's that for a catch?

I have steered clear of many software howtos and how to use your smartphone for genealogy  and the beginner sessions that are presenting stuff we heard at Rootstech in 2011, 2012 and other years. I also generally avoid presentations where a person who represents a commercial organisation is speaking about a topic related to a procuct or service to their company or organisation.

Of course I'm going to all of the General (Keynote) sessions to hear the famous people present. Well they may be famous in the US but they are a mystery to me! I have heard of Steve Rockwood, Familysearch CEO, and am keen to hear in which direction he is taking the organisation.. I look forward to hearing David Isay who I watched in a TED talk, his work is inspiring. I'll let you know what I think of the others after I hear them.

I'm also hoping to attend the Innovator Summit showdowns and register votes for my selections.

In addition to all this there will be lots of socialising a few video interviews and sofa chats.  I'm tired thinking about it.

Tell me - Which would you choose?

Rootstech - Commonwealth Cousins get together

Following on the success of our dinners in 2013 and 2015 I have invited a few Aussie friends plus Kirsty Gray from the UK and NZ expat Roger Moffat to a pre Rootstech get together in Salt Lake City at The California Pizza Kitchen in The Gateway Center on Tuesday February 2  prior to Rootstech. We'll be there from 6:30pm (it gets cold at night in SLC) and will try to order by 7.pm. (The California Pizza Kitchen is still showing up as being in the Gateway Center but I will confirm this on my arrival in SLC and also warn them of an impending invasion.)

We members of the British Commonwealth are greatly outnumbered at Rootstech so it's nice to get to know a few people before the big event. 

I am hoping that Commonwealth Cousins from Canada, NZ, the UK, South Africa and other Commonwealth nations who would like to meet up with some people from downunder will drop in and say G'day.  If you are able to join us please drop me an email jillballau@gmail.com so I can get an approximate idea of numbers.

The Gateway Center is just a brisk walk down from the Salt Palace and Family History Library or a couple of stops on the free Trax light rail. California Pizza Kitchen (which serves more than just pizza) is number 14 on the Gateway Mall Map below

Gateway Center Map

Walk or ride from the Marriott and other central hotels to CPK

CPK's address is 

156 South 400 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
One Block South of the Delta Center
(801) 456-0075

Tricky Stuff

In just four weeks I will be taking to the stage at Rootstech with three of my genimates to discuss, in a panel session, some tricky topics in Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas in an Online World. 

Unfortunately one of our panelists, Pauleen, is no longer able to make the trip to Rootstech. I am delighted to announce that Canadian genealogist (and Scottish expert), Christine Woodcock, has agreed to join Kirsty Gray (England), Roger Moffat (proud Kiwi living in in the US) and me (flying the flag for Australia) to make up an international panel that represents five countries. Thank you so much Christine for agreeing to join us.

I do hope that some of our Genimates will join us in Room 151 of the Salt Palace (just across from the Exhibit Hall) at 4:40pm on Friday 2 February as we offer some suggestion for dealing with sticky situations.

Should you have some issues you would like us to discuss please contact one of the panelists and we will try to weave your dilemma into our chat.

Eeks - It's only four weeks away

A message in my email box last night gave me quite a jolt.

It's a timely reminder that I had better get my act together for my Rootstech adventure as I will arrive in Salt Lake City just four weeks from today.

Am I prepared? Yes and No. As a Rootstech veteran  I know what to pack and the ins and outs of getting around once I arrive in Utah.

Last Year I published my Rootstech checklist five months out from the conference : http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/rootstech-checklist.html.  I haven't really thought about it for 2016 (I see another blog post coming soon).

As a Rootstech Ambassador I have fulfilled most of my obligations so far and have lined up a couple of victims for video interviews.

As a Rootstech Presenter I need to do a more work - ie communicate and collaborate with my co-presenters to create some scenarios for discussion in our session. As we hail from four different countries we use a Google Doc to discuss our ideas. Once we are set on scenarios I will put our slideshow together.

Are you ready for Rootstech?

Bring on the Keynotes

Many of my fellow Ambassadors for the 2016 Rootstech Conference have been busy sharing details of the Keynote speakers that have been announced for the Thursday Rootstech Sessions. You can read all about them here.

As a foreigner I have only heard of one of the three speakers, Steve Rockwood, but I am not perturbed because the Rootstech organisers have consistently sourced excellent people (most  who were previously unknown to me) as keynotes. Some like Curt Witcher and Jay Verkler (of the amazing hair) have really resonated with me as they shared very strong messages about the Future of Genealogy.

I got to interview Jay Verkler at the first Rootstech in 2011

How about the barefoot boy, Josh Coates, who presented without shoes in wintry Salt Lake City? Judy Russell's keynote in 2014 was a real wakeup call and multi-faceted David Pogue in 2013 (whom I got to interview - watch it here) was a real showman. This year young Australian, Tan Le, had many in tears while Old Rocker, Donny Osmond, took us on a trip down memory lane. And then there was everyone's cousin, A J Jacobs,  who befriended the geneabloggers. I passed on an invitation to interview this funny guy and have been regretting it ever since.

A chat on the couch with Tan Le

A J Jacobs and his geneablogging cousins

 One of the reasons I attend Rootstech is to hear new (to me), inspiring, entertaining and challenging speakers and I am more than satisfied with most of the selections made by the organisers each year.

I don't mind who they serve up - the keynotes will make my trip worthwhile.

And here's that interview with David Pogue:

Panel Sorted

Recently several people I respect have made negative comments on social media about panel sessions at genealogy conferences. I have taken these comments on board as I prepare for the session I am moderating at Rootstech 2016. 

I am thrilled to announce that I have gathered a panel representing four countries to join me on the podium. The bios for these three folk will appear shortly on the Rootstech website.

We have some ideas for discussion during the panel session but I am hoping that you might also be able to suggest scenarios for our panelists to ponder and discuss. You can read about our topic on the Rttostech website here: Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas in an Online World. Please take a look as I'd appreciate your ideas and input, you can place comments on this blog or email jillballau@gmail.com with your suggestions.

Young Aussie at Rootstech

I was thrilled to see young Australian, Tas, who travelled to Rootstech last year in this promotional video for Rootstech 2016.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Tas at Rootstech 2015 and was so impressed by this confident Sydney school student. You can see what he had to say (a little more) than on the Rootstech clip here:

Find out more about Rootstech 2016 here.

I'm a winner - You can be too

I am a winner because I am off to Rootstech in 2016.  Although I have attended this event several time its gloss does not lose its sheen. I get to meet old friends, make new ones, hear some world class speakers, interview some interesting folk and, if I can spare the time, do some research in the Family History Library.

Additionally I have been selected as both a Rootstech Speaker and a Rootstech Ambassador - that will make me doubly busy but will bring more than double the fun. I have been given the graveyard shift on the Friday for my panel session "GS2384 - Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas in an Online World" where I will be joined by some fellow Genealogy Rockstars.  It is excitiing to see my Speaker Bio (we had to make them short) online. The Ambassadors' bios are yet to come.

You can be a winner because, as one of my Ambassador perks, I have a Rootstech Registration to give away. In the next few days I'll think up some sort of simple competition for my Rootstech Giveaway.   Watch this blog for further details later in the week.

My first ever Rootstech Interview with the late Joan Miller, and Jay Verkler (Familysearch CEO) in 2011

Even if you can't be there - You can appear at Rootstech

Just in from the Rootstech Organisers. Have you some family footage you can share?

Share Your Family Memories. Be a Part of the RootsTech 2016 Kickoff Video! RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is the largest family history conference in the world. It is the perfect place where people of all ages come to discover, preserve, and share their family connections and stories across generations—past, present, and future. RootsTech is the ultimate family celebration. This year, RootsTech wants to share what draws families together by compiling clips of your family videos and photos. Selected footage from those who submit will be used to create theRootsTech 2016 Kick-Off Video, and shared with families from all over the world during the event on February 3–6, 2016. Also, one lucky submitter will win a full RootsTech 2016 conference pass worth more than $200! Click on the link below to learn more. LEARN MORE

Six years in a Row

I am thrilled to announce that I have been invited to be an Ambassador for Rootstech in 2016. Since the first Rootstech in 2011 I have been the southern hemisphere's only official voice for Rootstech.

Having this role has opened so many doors for me and given me the opportunity to make some lifelong friendships with fellow genies. Thank you to Paul Nauta and his team at Familysearch for once more affording me this opportunity.

I am so excited that my genimate and fellow member of Hornsby Shire Family History Group, Sharn White, has also been appointed as an Ambassador for Rootstech in 2016. Sharn is one of Australia's foremost geneabloggers. Sharn was one of a contingent of Aussies at Rootstech 2015 and like myself was bitten by the Rootstech bug. Having a fellow Australian as an Ambassador will be so much fun.

Will I see you at Rootstech?

Qantas recently announced the reintroduction of direct flights from Sydney to San Francisco so I hopped on the internet this morning to see if I could spend my Frequent Flyer points on a return flight that would land me in the US within cooee of Salt Lake City.

BINGO! I managed to get a booking - now I just need to organise some internal flights, accommodation in Salt Lake City and then in San Francisco for some retail therapy prior to returning to Australia. I'm hoping the Rootstech people publish accommodation details on therie website soon.

I'm wondering which of my genimates will be joining me at Rootstech 2016.

Genimates at Rootstech 2015