RootsTech 2017 Giveaway Winner - Kimberly Nelson Savage

Kimberly Nelson Savage

Congratulations to the winner of my FREE RootsTech + Innovator Summit 2017 Registration - Kimberly Nelson Savage!

Kimberly first became interested in family history as a child.  Her great grandmother had a trunk of pictures and they would get it out and her great grandmother would tell her who everyone was. Kimberly loved the stories and two weeks before her great grandmother died, when Kimberly was 15 years old, she pulled out the trunk and her great grandmother said to put it away.  Kimberly said, "no I want to know who they are again".  So they spent the next two weeks identifying the photos before her great grandma was gone.  As a child one of her favorite times was when she got to go on trips with her grandma and great grandma and decorate graves.  She learned so many things from those trips.

Kimberly has recently been working on her grandfather's and great grandfather's histories.  Her great grandfather was killed in the Castle Gate Utah Mine Explosion in 1924, when her grandfather was just three years old.

"It has been amazing to me all the information that was kept due to the tragedy.  I have been able to access sealed records and found detailed information about my family. What a blessing." 

She is the oldest of 7 children, is married, and has two small children of her own.  She graduated from Weber State University in Health Information Management of Records & Information Systems and Technology. She loves to help others find their ancestors.

She is excited to be going to RootsTech 2017 where she can collaborate with speakers, vendors and attendees. According to Kimberly: "There is such a wealth of treasure that can be learned from a conference like this!!"


Thank you to those who entered my giveaway contest here on my blog. I hope to have other fun giveaways in the future.

I utilized Rafflecopter to run the giveaway. To select the winner the Rafflecopter software utilizes Random.org to ensure true randomness. In 2016, I ran a paid Facebook Ad to have exposure to my giveaway. This year I shared my blog post organically via Facebook in various genealogy related groups and also repeated sharing the post a handful of times over the course of the giveaway time frame. I received 2,152 Facebook views; which is more than the paid views I got last year. I also shared via Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

For some more numbers, that may be interesting only to me:
717 people viewed the blog post
25 people entered the giveaway
102 entries from those 25 people

Two of the entry options of my giveaway were to come back to my blog everyday and read another post and/or visit the RootsTech website and identify another class; which resulted in one/two additional entries each day.

The winner had 7 entries. The most entries had by one person was 9.

Thank you again for participating in my giveaway! I look forward to seeing you at RootsTech 2017!

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I am 2017 RootsTech Ambassador and have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.
#RootsTech

A Fundamental Responsibility

“Searching for our kindred dead isn’t just a hobby. It is a fundamental responsibility for all members of the Church. We believe that life continues after death and that all will be resurrected. (See Acts 24:15; Alma 11:41–45.) We believe that families may continue in the next life if they have kept the special covenants made in one of the sacred temples under the authority of God. We believe that our deceased ancestors can also be eternally united with their families when we make covenants in their behalf in the temples. Our deceased forebears may accept these covenants, if they choose to do so, in the spirit world.” 

- President James E. Faust, “The Phenomenon That Is You,” LDS General Conference, October 2003

Our Family Names Are All Done

“I have heard some members say, “But our family names are all done.” It is all right to say such a thing as long as you realize you are only kidding. 

"Of this, Elder W. Grant Bangerter has said: 

“Your genealogy has not all been done. My own grandparents performed ‘all’ the temple work for their deceased relatives fifty-five years ago. Since that time our family has discovered sixteen thousand others.” - “What Temples Are For,” Ensign, May 1982, p. 71. 

– George D. Durrant, “Genealogy and Temple Work: ‘You Can’t Have One without the Other’”, 

Ensign, August 1983.

President Russell M. Nelson to Speak at RootsTech Family Discovery Day

Salt Lake City, Utah, November 20, 2016 - RootsTech, the world’s largest family history conference, announced today that President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, will be speaking at RootsTech’s popular Family Discovery Day on Saturday, February 11, 2017, in Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The unique format of RootsTech Family Discovery Day will give attendees a more intimate perspective into the family lives of Elder and Sister Nelson and their insight into the significance of family. The event is free, but registration is required at RootsTech.org.

Prior to receiving his call in 1984 as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Nelson was well-known both nationally and internationally as a heart surgeon and medical researcher. He performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah and has helped people throughout the world with heart problems. He served his medical residency in surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the University of Minnesota. He is the recipient of many distinguished honors and awards and is the author of numerous publications.

Sister Wendy Nelson, also an author and avid genealogist, graced the Family Discovery Day stage in 2016 and won the hearts of all in attendance by sharing the excitement she has experienced in her family history discoveries. She is excited to be speaking again in 2017, this time sharing the stage with her husband, President Russell M. Nelson. Prior to her marriage to President Nelson, Sister Nelson was a professor of marriage and family therapy for 25 years, the last 13 years at Brigham Young University. She holds a Ph.D. in family therapy and gerontology.

Joining the exciting and inspiring speaker lineup at Family Discovery Day will be Kalani Sitake, Vai Sikahema, and Hank Smith. Sitake is BYU’s head football coach. Sitake played collegiately at BYU as a fullback and served as an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers and Utah Utes before taking the head coaching position at BYU in December 2015.

Vai Sikahema is a former NFL football player and current television personality. Sikahema is well-known for his diverse skills as both an anchor and sports reporter and can be seen co-anchoring NBC10 News Today on weekday mornings. He also serves as NBC10’s sports director.

Also joining the lineup is Hank Smith, BYU professor of religion and popular public speaker. Smith enjoys speaking at assemblies in elementary, junior high, and high schools around the country. He has also published many talks on CD and speaks to tens of thousands of youth each year. His life has been touched by family history and temple work. “There is something about temple work that unlocks our own personal gifts,” he says. When asked what family means to him, he readily replies, “Don’t make me cry! Family means happiness. Family means fun. Family means experiences. It means learning, friendship, and love.”

Family Discovery Day is a free, one-day event for members and families of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Attendees are invited to come and enjoy inspiring messages, engage in interactive activities for all ages, and discover the latest technology, products, and services in the family history industry by touring the expansive expo hall and other fun activities throughout the venue. Families with children and youth can discover the fun of family history together by playing games such as Family Feud and Twisted Family History.

Family Discover Day is the perfect place for individuals and families to discover helpful family history solutions, watch demonstrations, get one-on-one help, interact with innovative family history technologies, and mingle with hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe.

Select sessions are also available for those with Church callings and responsibilities related to family history and the temple. Individuals will be able to get their questions answered, discover new tools, and learn best practices.

Over 15,000 adults and children attended the free event in 2016. Tickets will be limited again in 2017 for this increasingly popular event.

Interested individuals and families should register as quickly as possible online at RootsTech.org.

Family Discovery Day Schedule:

1:00 p.m.—Opening General Session
1:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.—Sessions
5:30 p.m.—Closing Event

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I am 2017 RootsTech Ambassador and will be sharing these press releases on my blog in preparation for RootsTech in February 2017. I have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.
#RootsTech

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To learn more about the Nelsons, check out the following:
Facebook: Russell M. Nelson
Twitter: Russell M. Nelson
Website: Prophets and Apostles: Russell M. Nelson
Website: General Authorities: President Russell M. Nelson
Website: Deseret Book - Russell M. Nelson
Website: Deseret Book - Wendy Watson Nelson

The Scott Brothers (HGTV's Property Brothers) Will Keynote RootsTech 2017

Salt Lake City, Utah, November 17, 2016 - Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott, who star in HGTV's “The Property Brothers,” will give RootsTech 2017 attendees unique insights into the role their family has had in their lives. The 6' 5" identical twin brothers will be the Thursday keynote speakers at RootsTech on February 9, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The popular brothers share passions for film and entertainment and for renovating older homes into dream homes. They have combined those passions to form an entertainment empire which became Scott Brothers Entertainment—an independent production company.

The Scott brothers garner HGTV’s highest ratings and are syndicated to major networks worldwide. Their first series, the Property Brothers, spun off several other series including Brother vs Brother, Buying and Selling, Property Brothers at Home, and Property Brothers at home on the Ranch. They recently authored their first book, Dream Home.

Their journey in entertainment includes much more than home improvement shows. Jonathan began performing in live theater and in TV and film as a child. He became a successful illusionist winning many awards and even performed live in Las Vegas. Drew was a high school basketball star and began acting in theater, improve, and sketch comedy in his teens. He even performed as a clown until he tired of the costumes and face paint.

The pair developed a passion for real estate as teens, purchasing their first fixer-upper house when they were 17. They did some renovations, and sold it a year later for a $50,000 profit to help support them as actors for a time before they decided to go back to college.

The Scott brothers were born in Vancouver, Canada. Their parents didn’t know they were going to have twins until the doctor saw Drew shortly after Jonathan was born. Because they lived on a ranch, Drew and Jonathan embraced the value of work at a young age—starting their first business at age seven. Their parents supported their various endeavors and encouraged them to pursue their dreams. “Our dad told us, ‘Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Think of five ways you can do it, and then do it,’” Drew said, and that advice has become their mantra.

Both Drew and Jonathan are licensed real estate agents, but for their show, Drew is shown as the real estate agent and Jonathan as the contractor. Together they built their dream home in Las Vegas which has been featured on their series. The Scotts are involved in various philanthropic initiatives in North America and around the world.

At RootsTech, the brothers will talk about their unique family ties, and the can-do attitudes it fostered, their positive outlooks, and childhoods, their careers, their shared passions for buying and renovating property, and for the entertainment industry.

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Would you like to attend RootsTech for FREE? Check out my FREE registration giveaway running through 26 November 2016.

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I am 2017 RootsTech Ambassador and will be sharing these press releases on my blog in preparation for RootsTech in February 2017. I have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.
#RootsTech

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To learn more about The Scott Brothers, check out the following:
Website - The Scott Brothers
YouTube - The Scott Brothers
Vine - Team Scott Brothers
Facebook - The Scott Brothers
Twitter - The Scott Brothers

Facebook - Property Brothers
Twitter - Property Brothers
Instagram - Property Brothers
HGTV - Property Brothers

Drew Scott
Facebook - Drew Scott
Twitter - Drew Scott
Instagram - Drew Scott
Pinterest - Drew Scott
Vine - Drew Scott

Jonathan Scott
Facebook - Jonathan Scott
Twitter - Jonathan Scott
Instagram - Jonathan Scott
Pinterest - Jonathan Scott
Vine- Jonathan Scott

RootsTech 2017 Giveaway

I love RootsTech! It is the world's largest family history event. There are many great classes and speakers to choose from and so many wonderful people with which to network.

As an Ambassador for RootsTech 2017, I have the privilege of giving away ONE FREE full RootsTech + Innovator Summit conference pass (worth $299).

The RootsTech + Innovator Summit Conference 4 Day Pass is valid from Wednesday, February 8 through Saturday, February 11, 2017. It includes the registration fee for over 200 classes (including the Getting Started series), Innovator Summit, all keynotes, general sessions, the expo hall, and evening events.

It does not include Family Discovery Day or any sponsored lunches or computer labs. It also does not include any accommodations or transportation to or from the event.

The giveaway covers the registration fee only.

If the winner has already paid a registration fee for the 2017 RootsTech event, instructions will be provided to obtain a refund.

This giveaway runs from November 15 to November 26, 2016. 

Winner will be notified (with registration instructions) no later than November 28, 2016.  The winner's name will be disclosed on the Revealing Roots and Branches blog and associated social media accounts. The winner also agrees to participate in a blog post about the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Update: 11.29.16
Here is the WINNER.

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I am 2017 RootsTech Ambassador and I have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.
#RootsTech

God Holds Each Of Us Responsible For Saving Our Own Kindred

Mesa Arizona Temple - © Stuart Gardner

“What is our obligation then? Each one of us—if we pretend to obey the gospel at all—must search out our dead and have these saving ordinances performed for them.

“Many suppose that they are discharging their responsibilities by simply ‘going to the temple.’ But that is not wholly true. We must go to the temple, of course, and often. If we do not as yet have the records of our own dead kindred, then while we search for them, by all means let us help others with theirs.

“But be it understood that if we go to the temple, and not for our own dead, we are performing only a part of our duty, because we are also required to go there specifically to save our own dead relatives and bind the various generations together by the power of the holy priesthood.

“We must disabuse our minds of the idea that merely ‘going to the temple’ discharges our full responsibility, because it does not. That is not enough.

“We must get down to specifics and do the work for our own dead progenitors.

“God holds each of us responsible for saving our own kindred—specifically our own.” 

– Elder Mark E. Petersen, “The Message of Elijah”, LDS General Conference, April 1976.

"Music - It Runs in the Family" - Opening Event for RootsTech 2017

Salt Lake City, Utah, November 4, 2016 - FamilySearch, a non-profit family history organization, has announced that a special concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will be the opening event at RootsTech 2017, the annual global genealogy conference This unique performance entitled “Music–It Runs in the Family" will be held Thursday, February 9, 2017, at 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Center on historic Temple Square. RootsTech attendees will receive tickets with their registration, but the public is also invited. Free tickets for this one-night-only performance are required and are available now at lds.org/events.

Oscar Andy Hammerstein III

“Music–It Runs in the Family” will be an evening filled with Rodgers and Hammerstein music and stories narrated by Oscar Hammerstein III (“Andy”), grandson of Oscar Hammerstein II. Special guest artist Dallyn Vail Bayles will also perform.

Featuring music from State Fair, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, Oklahoma, and The Sound of Music, this special musical event will entertain the entire family. This presentation will tell the amazing history through story and video of the Hammersteins, one of Broadway’s most creative and productive families, and how this timeless music unites generations.

Dallyn Vail Bayles

“The beloved songs of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II will warm the hearts and lift the spirits of both old and new generations,” said Choir president Ron Jarrett. “We are thrilled to be part of this program narrated by Andy Hammerstein with insights into the life and work of his grandfather.  It will also be a treat to welcome back one of our favorite guest artists, Dallyn Vail Bayles.”

Andy Hammerstein will also be featured Sunday morning, February 12, 2017, on the Choir’s weekly Music and the Spoken Word broadcast from the Salt Lake Tabernacle as guest presenter of the Spoken Word. Dallyn Vail Bayles will also perform on that day. No tickets will be required for this broadcast.

RootsTech has become the largest genealogy and family history conference held in the world. Many attendees and vendors come from all over the globe. During the February 2016 RootsTech conference, family history enthusiasts from all 50 states and nearly 40 countries attended the RootsTech events in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. Conference registration for 2017 is available here.

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I am 2017 RootsTech Ambassador and will be sharing these press releases on my blog in preparation for RootsTech in February 2017. I have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.
#RootsTech

Leadership Expert Liz Wiseman to Keynote RootsTech Innovator Summit

Salt Lake City, Utah, November 8, 2016 - Do you multiply or diminish intelligence? Liz Wiseman, a leadership strategist, best-selling author, and inspiring speaker whose recent clients include Disney, Microsoft, eBay and PayPal, Google, and Facebook, is excited to share highlights of what she has learned as the keynote speaker for the 2017 Innovator Summit at RootsTech. Innovator Summit is a one-day event for developers, entrepreneurs, and innovators who want to explore business and technological opportunities in the multi-billion dollar family history industry. The Innovator Summit will be held on February 8, 2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Liz Wiseman teaches leadership to executives and emerging leaders around the world. She is the founder and president of the Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. She has been listed on the biennial Thinkers50 ranking for 2013 and 2015 and named one of the top 10 leadership thinkers in the world.

Wiseman is the author of three best-selling books: Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work; Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter; and The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools.

She has spent years working around a lot of really smart executives in tech industries and conducted significant research in the field of leadership. She's observed how some leaders actually shut down the brain power of people around them.

"Yet, other leaders seem to amplify the intelligence of people around them," said Wiseman. "These leaders were intelligence multipliers." She said that “when these leaders walked into a room, it was as if you could see light bulbs going off over people’s heads, and ideas flowed and problems got solved.”

Wiseman has emphasized that one of the most important aspects that she learned in this research was “that when we linger too long on a plateau a little part of us dies inside. But when we step out of the space of knowing—where we are fully capable—and step into unfamiliar territory, we feel alive. I think it is actually where we feel divine, and, in some ways, I feel like it is where we see God’s hand working in our lives.”

Wiseman is a frequent lecturer at BYU, Stanford University, and the Naval Postgraduate Academy. She is a former executive at Oracle Corporation, where she worked over the course of 17 years as the vice president of Oracle University and as the global leader for human resource development. During her tenure at Oracle, she led several major global initiatives and has worked and traveled in over 40 countries. She writes for Harvard Business Review and Fortune. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Inc., and Time.

The RootsTech Innovator Summit keynote session begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by a full day of classes, the semifinal round of the RootsTech Innovator Showdown, a networking social, and other related activities.

The annual Innovator Showdown contest is designed to foster innovation in the family history industry. Ten semi-finalists will be chosen and announced, with $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes offered by sponsors to the winners.

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I am 2017 RootsTech Ambassador and will be sharing these press releases on my blog in preparation for RootsTech in February 2017. I have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.
#RootsTech

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To learn more about Liz Wiseman, check out the following:
Facebook - Liz Wiseman
Facebook - Multipliers
Twitter - Liz Wiseman
Website - Wiseman Group

We Do For Them What They Cannot Do For Themselves

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple - Photo From LDS Media Library

“The great vicarious work for our kindred dead in our temples demonstrates both the justice and the fairness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith explained the terrible dilemma which would face God’s children without temple work for our dead. Said he: 

‘One dies and is buried, having never heard the Gospel of reconciliation; to the other the message of salvation is sent, he hears and embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal life. Shall the one become the partaker of glory and the other be consigned to hopeless perdition? Is there no chance for his escape?’ (History of the Church, 4:425–26.) 

"Fortunately our ancestors will have the opportunity to receive and accept the saving ordinances as we identify them and complete these sacred ordinances for them by proxy. We do for them what they cannot do for themselves. It is a very satisfying experience.” 

- President James E. Faust, “The Phenomenon That Is You,” LDS General Conference, October 2003