Many genealogists are taking their family history research beyond the record books and onto their computers. Software programs for mapping family trees and online databases for searching all kinds of records are just a few of the ways that genealogists can use technology to help their research along and preserve it for years to come. New technologies are being developed all the time and some of them are geared towards family history researchers.
If you have ever wondered what would happen if technology developers and genealogists got together, wonder no more. There is a new conference that will be taking place this February in Salt Lake City, Utah called Roots Tech. Roots Tech will bring genealogists and technology developers together to learn from each other and experience the latest advances in family history research technology.
You do not need to be a technology or genealogy expert to benefit from the collaborative experience of Roots Tech. There is a large selection of workshops and presentations which includes sessions that are designed for novice genealogists as well as intermediate and advanced offerings. Some of the topics that will be covered at Roots Tech include using smartphones and other mobile devices for genealogy, family health history tools, and social media for genealogists, preserving family history data, and more. On Friday night, conference attendees will have special late-night access to the Family History Library, which I have heard is an experience in and of itself.
Roots Tech will take place in Salt Lake City from February 10-12, 2011. While the date is fast approaching, if you live close to Salt Lake City or are able to squeeze in a weekend getaway, you may be able to fit it into your schedule. If you are interested in learning more about the conference, you can find all of the details as well as registration information on the Family Search website.