Genealogy has always been about stories. Stories of where we came from, who shaped our lives, and how the past connects to the present. Each year, one event brings thousands of those stories together in one place, and that event is RootsTech.
Held annually in Salt Lake City and streamed online to a worldwide audience, RootsTech has grown into the largest family history conference on the planet. It blends technology, research, community and a genuine love of family stories. For professionals and enthusiasts alike, it is part conference, part reunion and part celebration of the past.
This year was no exception. Among the many attendees travelling from across the globe was Kirsty Gray, Managing Director of Family Wise Limited. For Kirsty, RootsTech is more than a conference. It is a place where the genealogy community comes together in a way that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else.
The Originality of RootsTech
What makes RootsTech so unique is its ability to combine cutting-edge technology with the very human stories behind family history.
Technology companies and genealogists share the same space. Researchers compare discoveries. Friends who have only known each other online finally meet in person. And somewhere in the middle of it all, new ideas about how we preserve and understand family history begin to take shape.
One of the highlights this year came during the keynote from Myko Clelland of MyHeritage, who unveiled a number of exciting developments that show just how quickly genealogy technology is evolving.
Among the most talked about announcements was Scribe AI, a tool designed to transcribe, translate and analyse historical documents. From handwritten letters to gravestones and even family crests, the tool helps genealogists unlock the stories hidden within historical records. Unsurprisingly, many attendees quickly became hooked on testing it out.
Another new feature introduced was country coding for family trees, allowing researchers to add flags to ancestors in their trees and instantly visualise where their family lived across the world. For anyone researching migration or global ancestry, it adds a colourful and intuitive way to see how families moved across generations.
And that is only the beginning. Coming soon is GAIA, an AI genealogy assistant designed to answer questions about your family tree and guide your research. Alongside this, Family Infographics promises to transform family tree data into visual biographies, turning names and dates into compelling family stories.
The scale of genealogy data continues to grow too. MyHeritage announced that its collections now contain 6.6 billion historical records, while OldNews.com has expanded to 438 million newspaper pages, giving researchers even more material to explore!
A Community Like No Other
Yet while the technology is impressive, what truly defines RootsTech is the people.
Anyone who has attended will tell you that the atmosphere is unlike most conferences. It is welcoming, warm and full of genuine enthusiasm. Conversations start easily. Compliments from strangers are not unusual. There is a shared understanding that everyone in the room cares about the same thing: discovering the stories of the past.
Kirsty experienced this kindness from the moment she arrived in Utah. From fellow attendees admiring her famously colourful leggings and genealogy-themed hoodie to friendly conversations with people she had never met before, the spirit of the event was clear.
Even small moments stood out. After losing one of her distinctive DNA earrings during the year, Kirsty visited the stall of the maker she had purchased them from previously. Without hesitation, the vendor offered to make her a new pair overnight. It was a simple gesture, but one that perfectly captured the generosity that seems to run through the genealogy community.
More Than A Conference
Of course, the trip to Utah is about more than just conference halls and presentations.
For many returning visitors, Salt Lake City has become part of the RootsTech tradition. Kirsty even managed her annual pilgrimage out to Olympic Park and Park City with a fellow genealogist, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery. The weather may not have delivered the usual deep snow this year, but the views were still spectacular.
Between travel adventures, catching up with friends and exploring the latest innovations in genealogy, the days seemed to disappear quickly.
And that is the magic of RootsTech. It manages to blend professional learning with genuine connection, bringing together people who share a passion for discovering the past.
For genealogists like Kirsty and the team at Family Wise, the event is not just about what is announced on stage. It is about the conversations in corridors, the friendships strengthened over coffee, and the shared excitement about where family history research is heading next.
With another RootsTech now behind us, one thing is certain. The countdown to the next one has already begun.
Inspired to explore your own family story? The team at Family Wise Limited, led by Kirsty Gray, specialises in professional genealogy research, helping people uncover the stories hidden in their family history. Whether you are just starting or facing a research brick wall, Family Wise can help bring your past to life. Get in contact today!
