Calling Members of the Commonwealth at Rootstech 2020

For the past few years I have organised a very casual dinner for one of the minority groups attending the Rootstech Conference in Salt Lake City. Some of my genimates have been asking about this event - the Commonwealth Dinner - never fear planning is underway.

Unfortunately as I have a date with a surgeon I won't be at Rootstech in Salt Lake City this year. I can't buck tradition so the Commonwealth Dinner will go ahead. Thanks to English genimate and Rootstech Ambassador, Heather Nowlan who has volunteered to coordinate this year's event. 

We need your help to get the word out so have set up a Facebook Group for you and other Commonwealth Genies at Rootstech SLC 2020. Please join the group and tell your friends about it. It will give you a place to meet others online and ask your questions prior to the big event.

Once Rootstech gets underway there is little time to organise  a function.  If you are new to Rootstech this dinner will give you an opportunity to meet and chat with new and old friends.   

We are extending this invitation to you, The People of the (Former) British Commonwealth now the Commonwealth of Nations to join us for a casual dinner. Please feel free to bring along your partners, travelling companions etc.

Commonwealth folk please accept the following as your invitation. 

You are invited to a casual "People from the Commonwealth" get together 

at the 

Blue Lemon, 55 West South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84111

from

6:00pm - 8:00pm on Monday 24 February 2020. 

RSVP Please leave a comment on this post or in our Facebook Group

As the restaurant closes at 9:00pm please arrive in plenty of time to dine and chat. We will gather at the rear of the restaurant so we won't cause too much disturbance to other patrons. After closing time new found friends may wish to adjourn to a neighbourhood establishment to continue their conversations.

 NB - Images on the left are of some attendees at the 2019 event in Salt Lake City

Rootstech Free Pass Giveaway - A Birthday Surprise

When I notified the winner of my Rootstech Free Pass Giveaway Competition this morning she responded "Thank you. A wonderful birthday gift!". I was thrilled to find that today is her birthday - what a super surprise for her.

My winner is my genimate Lilian Magill, an Australian geneablogger and Rootstech supporter. I imagine she is wearing a big smile today.

Lilian taking a break for sustenance and networking at Rootstech 2016

GeniAus (L) and Lilian (R) at Rootstech 2016

 I think this will be Lilian's 3rd trip to Salt Lake City for Rootstech. I am sorry that health issues prevent me from joining the Aussie contingent this year but I know that Lilian and the other Aussies attending will be wonderful ambassadors for genealogy downunder.

Rootstech 2020 - Free Pass Giveaway

One of the perks of being a RootsTech 2020 Ambassador is that I receive a free pass for myself and one to give to one of my genimates. RootsTech 2020 will be held at The Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 26 to February 29, 2020.

Each year I have packed my bags and made the long trek from Australia to Salt Lake City to  attend Rootstech, The Greatest Geneashow on Earth. Unfortunately this year I have a date with a surgeon so cannot attend Rootstech physically; I'll certainly tune in virtually while recuperating.  The good news is that I still have a pass to give away.

This competition provides me with an opportunity to give someone else a chance to experience the excitement and education Rootstech offers. 

The winner of this competition will

  receive a complimentary RootsTech 2020 Pass with access to over 300 classes: 

• -Keynote/General sessions
• -Power Hours on popular topics
• -New Lunch and Learn Session
• -New Specialized Forums
• -Expo Hall
• -Evening Events

This 4-Day Pass does not include airfare, hotel or the coverage of any other expenses. If the winner has already registered for RootsTech 2020, the original registration fee will be refunded.

What do you need to do to be in the draw?

Publish to me, @geniaus, on Twitter, a tweet that describes Rootstech using three words eg Rootstech is a great genealogy gathering. Make sure you add the hashtag #Rootstech to your post. 

• One entry per person
• By entering this draw you give permission for your name to reported on social media.
• The winner will be chosen randomly. 

I will publish the winner's name on this blog by Saturday 11 January, 2020 (GMT time).  Please tweet your entries to me by midnight Thursday 9 January 2020  (GMT time).

10th Consecutive Year

In the mail today I received an invitation to be a @RootsTechConf Rootstech Ambassador from Australia for the tenth consecutive year. Of course I accepted this immediately - it is such an honour to be able to promote genealogy downunder to the Rootstech Family while learning about our field from the world's best presenters.

I will be attending virtually this year. I will miss seeing my genimates in the flesh in Salt Lake City but I will take advantage of the virtual offerings from Salt Lake City and join in on social media with the many other #notatrootstech genies who attend virtually. 

The theme for Rootstech 2020 is “The Story of You.” This is  fitting and important for those of us who spend so much time concentrating on our ancestors. We must also remember to record our stories for future generations.

This was brought home to me last weekend when my 10 year old granddaughter said "Why do you have a laptop Gummy?" The 12 grandchildren call me Gummy, but that's another story. I pulled out my laptop and proceeded to show her some of the things I had there. We looked at my blogs that recorded some stories of her ancestors, we looked at some of the powerpoints I had prepared for the presentations I give and some of the Facebook pages I manage. 

What really captured her imagination was my family website, GeniAus Family Site. She enjoyed playing around with the interactive tree in public mode. When she asked about the nameless people on her tree we got into a talk about privacy on the internet. Although she could work out which Living female she was she wanted to see her name displayed so I logged in we looked at the Private View where she could see the details for her parents, siblings and cousins.

Public view of tree on GeniAus Family Site

We played around for nearly half an hour but I shut down before boredom set in. Granddaughter sat back and said "Gummy, I didn't know you did all that."

Do your granddchrilden know all about the things you do? 

If you want to be in on the Rootstech action and learn about sharing "The Story of You"you can register for Rootstech 2020 in Salt Lake City here https://rootstech.org.