Spotlight: Lily Parker

Lily Parker

Lily Parker, of Spanish Fork, Utah, was 6 or 7 years old when she first became interested in family history. Her first Family Discovery Day at RootsTech was amazing and she loved the prototype Family Discovery Center at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Now at the age of 11 years old she is RootsTech's youngest social media Ambassador! She will be posting about RootsTech on her mom's social channels at the end of this month. I'm excited to check out her posts and see RootsTech through the eyes of this youth. You can follow along at:

Keep Moving Forward With Me
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Lily is currently working on Indexing records and will soon be helping to teach 9 and 10 year old girls how to Index at her Stake Activity Day event. She has taken family names to the temple three times since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced, as of January 1, 2019, that worthy 11 year old youth can now participate in temple ordinances.

Lily's family participates in family history adventures. Recently they visited Fillmore, Pine Valley, and Cove Fort; all small cities and towns in Utah. In Fillmore they found a museum and walked through a hallway where the walls were covered in old photos. There on the wall were photos of some of her Ashby ancestors! They also visited the local cemetery and took photos of the headstones. While at it they took photos of other graves and uploaded them to Find a Grave so other families can find headstone photos.

Lily is researching the Zacher surname from Germany and wants to learn more about all her family lines. She is particularly interested in family stories and in locating more family photos.

If you are attending RootsTech this year, look out for Lily and if you see her, make sure to tell her Hello!

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If you'd like to participate in a spotlight, please check out this post for more information:
Family Historian Spotlight

RootsTech 2019 Giveaway Winner - John Smith

John Smith

Congratulations to the winner of my FREE RootsTech 2019 Registration - John Smith!

John first became interested in his family history as a young boy. On most Memorial Days he would ride with his father to Castle Gate, Utah and then to a cemetery in Spring Glen to care for and place flowers on his grandfather's grave. His grandfather was killed in the 1924 Castle Gate Mine Explosion. When John's own father passed away when John was 23 this left a lot of unanswered questions about his family story.

John's niece, Kimberly Nelson Savage, winner of my 2017 RootsTech pass, has been pursuing the research into this explosion and has found detailed information about their family. When Kimberly shared all this information with John, she claims he just rolled his eyes. However, his interest has since grown to where he wants to connect not only with the family tree but desires to know the stories of his ancestors.

John is President and co-founder of Premier Software Associates, which provides software and consulting services for hospitals, and he is married with three incredible children.

He is excited to be attending RootsTech 2019. His father served in WW II and he is interested in pursuing more research in war and military records. He is hoping to travel to areas his father served in Europe. He is also seeking ideas for how to keep the memories but not all the stuff. A great class at this year's RootsTech is: Heirloom, Documentation or Junk: What to Keep or Toss


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

This year I had one required question to enter my giveaway:
How old were you when you first became interested in family history / genealogy?

Of the giveaway entrants:
34% became interested before the age of 13
48% became interested before the age of 19
78% became interested before the age of 30

The youngest was age 2 and the oldest was age 50.

I'm going to write future posts about those who are interested in family history in their youth.

I utilized Rafflecopter to run the giveaway. To select the winner the Rafflecopter software utilizes Random.org to ensure true randomness. I shared my blog post organically via Facebook and received 455 Facebook views from the shared post on my Facebook page; I also shared via Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

For some more numbers, that may be interesting only to me:
186 people viewed the blog post
47 people entered the giveaway
158 entries from those 47 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 5 entries. The most entries had by one person was 7.

This year I had about half of the social views as last year, but nearly double the amount of entrants.

Thank you again for participating in my giveaway! I look forward to seeing you at RootsTech 2019!

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I am a 2019 RootsTech Ambassador and have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.

#RootsTech

RootsTech 2019 Pass 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 whom to network.

As an Ambassador for RootsTech 2019, I have the privilege of giving away ONE FREE full RootsTech conference pass (worth $299).

The RootsTech Conference 4 Day Pass is valid from Wednesday, February 27 through Saturday, March 2, 2019. It includes the registration fee for over 300 classes, all keynotes, general sessions, the expo hall, and evening events.

It does not include the free Family Discovery Day; you need to add on this free event if you'd like to attend. Nor does it include any sponsored lunches, computer labs or any additional paid add-on workshops. 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 2019 RootsTech event, instructions will be provided to obtain a refund.

This giveaway runs from November 20 to November 30, 2018. 

Winner will be notified (with registration instructions) no later than December 3, 2018.  The winner's name will be disclosed on the Revealing Roots and Branches blog and associated social media channels. The winner also agrees to participate in a blog post about the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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I am 2019 RootsTech Ambassador and have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.

#RootsTech

2019 RootsTech Ambassador

I am thrilled to be serving as a 2019 RootsTech Ambassador. This is my 4th year serving as an ambassador. You may be wondering ... just what is a RootsTech Ambassador and what do they do?

Ambassadors act as brand advocates by helping to generate awareness and excitement for RootsTech. This is accomplished through: writing and publishing RootsTech related content on my blog, sharing RootsTech content on my social media channels, and helping to generate interest in RootsTech.

Prior to the conference I will have opportunities to share information about RootsTech with you. Some of this information will be in the form of media press releases. While attending RootsTech in February-March 2019, I will have opportunities to connect with and interview guest presenters and keynote speakers. I will share information from those interviews on my Facebook page: Revealing Roots and Branches, on Twitter: @amyarchfam, and here on my blog.

I have received a free conference registration for my own attendance and I have received a free registration to give away to one of my followers. I will be starting that giveaway today.

In addition to being a RootsTech Ambassador, I have the privilege of serving as the RootsTech Ambassador Coordinator. I have served in this role since Fall 2016. As the Coordinator, I do just what the name implies, I assist the RootsTech staff in sharing and "coordinating" information with the nearly 100 social media ambassadors.

If you have any questions about RootsTech, please leave me a comment and I'll answer you.

#RootsTech

RootsTech 2018 Giveaway Winner - Gwen McClellan

Gwen McClellan

Congratulations to the winner of my FREE RootsTech 2018 Registration - Gwen McClellan!

Gwen first became interested in genealogy after she joined the LDS Church at the age of 18 while living in South Texas. She has been working on genealogy / family history for over 40 years and during that time has gained a real love and connection to her ancestors and family through doing the work. She is currently working on her paternal line; doing research in Oklahoma and Texas records.

She is a nurse by profession and she loves her family, including all her ancestors.

She is excited to be attending RootsTech 2018. She has always wanted to attend but has never taken the time to attend. She is interested in learning more about how to use her DNA results in her research. Lucky for Gwen, there are 13 DNA Classes Being Offered at RootsTech 2018! She is very excited to attend the conference and to make new genealogy friends.


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. I shared my blog post organically via Facebook and received 960 Facebook views from the shared post on my Facebook page; I also shared via Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

For some more numbers, that may be interesting only to me:
696 people viewed the blog post
24 people entered the giveaway
107 entries from those 24 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 5 entries. The most entries had by one person was 11.

Thank you again for participating in my giveaway! I look forward to seeing you at RootsTech 2018!

***
I am 2018 RootsTech Ambassador and have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.

#RootsTech

RootsTech 2018 Pass 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 whom to network.

As an Ambassador for RootsTech 2018, I have the privilege of giving away ONE FREE full RootsTech conference pass (worth $279).

The RootsTech Conference 4 Day Pass is valid from Wednesday, February 28 through Saturday, March 3, 2018. It includes the registration fee for over 300 classes, Innovation Showcase, all keynotes, general sessions, the expo hall, and evening events.

It does not include the free Family Discovery Day; you need to add on this free event if you'd like to attend. Nor does it include 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 2018 RootsTech event, instructions will be provided to obtain a refund.

This giveaway runs from November 20 to November 30, 2017. 

Winner will be notified (with registration instructions) no later than December 2, 2017.  The winner's name will be disclosed on the Revealing Roots and Branches blog and associated social media channels. The winner also agrees to participate in a blog post about the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***
I am 2018 RootsTech Ambassador and have received a free conference registration from RootsTech.

#RootsTech

2018 RootsTech Ambassador

I am thrilled to be serving as a 2018 RootsTech Ambassador. This is my 3rd year serving as an ambassador. You may be wondering ... just what is a RootsTech Ambassador and what do they do?

Ambassadors are expected to act as brand advocates by helping to generate awareness and excitement for RootsTech. This is accomplished through: writing and publishing RootsTech related content on my blog, sharing RootsTech content on my social media channels, and helping to generate interest in RootsTech.

Prior to the conference I will have opportunities to share information about RootsTech with you. Some of this information will be in the form of media press releases. While attending RootsTech in February-March 2018, I will have opportunities to connect with and interview guest presenters and keynote speakers. I will share information from those interviews here on my blog.

I have received a free conference registration for my own attendance and I have received a free registration to give away to one of my followers. I will be starting that giveaway very soon.

In addition to being a RootsTech Ambassador, I have the privilege of serving as the RootsTech Ambassador Coordinator. I have served in this role since Fall 2016. As the Coordinator, I do just what the name implies, I assist the RootsTech staff in sharing and "coordinating" information with the nearly 100 ambassadors.

If you have any questions about RootsTech, please leave me a comment and I'll answer you.

#RootsTech

RootsTech to Celebrate African Heritage Day

Salt Lake City, Utah, January 19, 2017 - RootsTech, the world’s largest family history conference, sponsored by FamilySearch International, will celebrate Black History Month on Friday, February 10, 2017, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the first ever African Heritage Day celebration. This celebration will feature LeVar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation) and other well-known African American historians and research specialists. To register or to find out more about RootsTech, visit RootsTech.org.

LeVar Burton

African Heritage Day is a celebration of culture, unity, and history of individuals of African descent from all over the world. With the help of modern technology and the completion of initiatives like the Freedmen’s Bureau Project in 2016, those of African descent have many tools at their disposal to enable them to connect with their ancestors.

A full day of celebration with events is planned from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., starting with a morning keynote session by LeVar Burton. For more than three decades, LeVar Burton has been an inspiring actor, author, and entrepreneur known for his role as Kunta Kinte in the original series Roots, his passion for literature with Reading Rainbow, and for his role as Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Burton will be sharing some of his own journey of family and storytelling, and the influence of African culture on his American experience.

Kenyatta Berry

Melvin Collier

Sherri Camp

In addition to Burton, RootsTech is also pleased to welcome nationally recognized speakers Kenyatta Berry, host of Genealogy Roadshow, Sherri Camp, president of the Afro-American Historical Genealogical Society, and Melvin Collier, author of Mississippi to Africa: A Journey of Discovery. In a combined session, these three will speak about their connection to their African roots and experiences that have kept them close to their ancestors.

Jambo Africa/Heartbeart Burundi Drummers

African Heritage Day attendees will enjoy a variety of genealogy classes, an expo hall with over 250 vendors, and an evening cultural celebration featuring the Jambo Africa/Heartbeat Burundi Drummers, an all-male drumline cultural group formed in 2009 with the goal of spreading awareness of peace from traditional African drum music. Following the morning keynote session, attendees will be treated to the joyful noise and inspirational sounds of the Calvary Baptist Church choir of Salt Lake City.

Calvary Baptist Church choir of Salt Lake City

World-renowned experts in African American genealogy and family history will teach how to unlock the door to your family’s past and make connections with your African heritage. Additional topics related to African family history research will include: how to get started as a novice, tech resources available to help with research, overcoming genealogical challenges, to understanding DNA analysis.

The massive RootsTech expo hall is free to registered attendees and is the place to discover helpful solutions, watch demonstrations, and interact with innovative family history technology. Attendees can see what hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe have to share, including event sponsors like Ancestry, FamilySearch, Findmypast and MyHeritage.

African Heritage Day is an unprecedented event with something for everyone. For more details about classes, prices, and how to register, visit RootsTech.org.

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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

Popular Genetic Genealogist, CeCe Moore, to Speak at RootsTech 2017

Salt Lake City, Utah, December 9, 2016 - What family mysteries can be unlocked through the growing availability of home DNA tests and ever-expanding online databases and genealogical tools?

New family connections are depicted weekly in the media and online social forums as millions turn to genetic genealogy to help uncover or dispel long-held family facts, fiction, and questions. CeCe Moore, the popular genetic genealogist, will be sharing these and other fascinating perspectives of DNA science as the keynote speaker on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at RootsTech, the world’s largest family history conference.

Moore, who’s been on the leading edge of genetic genealogy as one of its leading proponents and pioneers, is a sought-after media consultant collaborating regularly with ABC’s 20/20, showcasing her cutting-edge work reuniting individuals of unknown parentage with biological relatives through genetic genealogy. She also appeared as a genetic genealogy expert on the CBS Morning News, Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, and Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. where for three seasons she has worked as a consultant and scriptwriter.

Moore’s knowledge and unique talents have afforded her many opportunities to share what she’s learned on screen, in writing, and in person as a popular speaker.

“It is a dream come true and a personal goal fulfilled to be invited to speak as a keynote presenter at the largest genealogy conference in the world, RootsTech!” said Moore. “RootsTech is always so full of energy and anticipation. It will be exciting to share my experiences from the fascinating world of genetic genealogy. I am constantly amazed by the compelling stories I encounter in my work every day, and I look forward to sharing that with the audience and illustrating the power of DNA.”

Moore combines her extensive knowledge of the latest DNA research and testing with modern genealogical technology to shed light on family history mysteries. She works extensively on a pro-bono basis with individuals of unknown parentage to help them learn about their genetic heritage, often reuniting them with biological family members.

“Genetic genealogy is showing us that our ancestors are an important part of who we are today,” said Moore. “The more we learn and discover, the clearer this has become. As genealogists, we are all seeking to better understand our ancestral history and, through that, gain insight into ourselves. Thousands, even millions, of us are learning that our very own DNA holds the key to so many mysteries and incredible discoveries.”

A leading proponent of genetic genealogy education, Moore is the co-founder of the Institute for Genetic Genealogy and helped create and teach groundbreaking genetic genealogy courses at all of the major genealogical institutes. She maintains her popular blog Your Genetic Genealogist, and created and runs the largest online DNA focused forum, the DNA Detectives Facebook group.

Register or learn more about RootsTech online.

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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 CeCe, check out the following:
Facebook: CeCe Moore - Genetic Genealogist
Twitter: CeCe Moore
LinkedIn: CeCe Moore
Website: DNA Detectives

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!

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

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

"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

The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro Will Keynote and Judge Cake Competition at RootsTech 2017

Salt Lake City, Utah, October 27, 2016 - RootsTech, the largest family history conference in the world, is pleased to welcome the popular Italian-American celebrity chef, Buddy Valastro, also known as the hit TLC series, Cake Boss™ as a keynote speaker on Saturday, February 11, 2017, in Salt Lake City. Valastro will also judge a local cake decorating contest hosted by RootsTech.

The amicable Valastro is a Hoboken, New Jersey, resident and owner of Carlo’s Bakery. He has endeared himself to millions of people as the animated, passionate chef on the TLC series, The Cake Boss. His staff’s creative expertise in designing over-the-top cakes for locals and celebrities is only half the allure. The show’s long-running success can also be attributed to the fun, dynamic interactions and involvement of 3–4 generations of Valastro’s Italian-American family who help run the thriving family business.

“Family is the most important part of my life,” says Valastro. “You have to embrace and be proud of where you come from. I can't wait to share my story of how my past, present, and future have shaped who I am with the audience.”

During his RootsTech 2017 keynote address, the Cake Boss will share the story of how his strong family ties, roots, and traditions have shaped his life and business success, which include 12 bakeries, additional TLC series (The Next Great Baker and Buddy’s Bakery Rescue), and several books, to name a few.

Running bakeries is almost genetic in Buddy’s family. His grandfather and great-grandfather were both bakers in Sicily, Italy. His father, Buddy Valastro Sr., ran his own bakery for many years in New Jersey. When Buddy Valastro Jr. was 11 years old, he began working side by side with his father at Carlo’s Bakery.

Buddy Sr. died when his son was 17, leaving a very large hole in the teenager’s life. However, his tutelage had provided Buddy with “cast-iron business sense” and imbued in him a work ethic and a wealth of knowledge. He stepped up and took over his father’s role as proprietor and baker in Carlo’s bakery.

Buddy learned much without his father’s presence in the business but struggled making sfogliatelle dough, which is used in making Italian shell-shaped filled pastries called lobster tails, one of the bakery’s specialties. Buddy recalls the night his father came to him in a dream and told him, “I am here for one reason, to show you how to make lobster tails.” The next day, for the first time, Buddy successfully created the seemingly impossible dough and the very popular lobster tails were back. From then on, he says, he knew he could do anything he put his mind to and found comfort knowing that his father was looking after him.

After a few years, Buddy Jr. decided to take cake decorating to a new level with designer cakes. He created, among other spectacular cakes, a NASCAR racecar cake weighing over 10,000 pounds. In 2004, he was invited to participate in the Food Network Challenge where he took top prize in the fourth battle. He was urged to try a show for himself so he pitched a show featuring himself with his family. TLC executives were impressed enough to shoot a pilot episode in the shop which was a hit with audiences, and Cake Boss was born. The show is now in its eighth season.

Buddy’s extended family is indispensable both to the show and in running what has now become a chain of bakeries in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and some Norwegian Cruise Line ships. The business has diversified and expanded, but the legacy that began three generations ago in Sicily lives on. Buddy willingly holds to the traditions of his father’s bakery.

“Life lessons my parents have taught me define who I am today. I never forget where I've come from and try to pass that down to my children today,” says Valastro.

In addition to keynoting at RootsTech 2017, Valastro will help judge the first-ever RootsTech cake decorating competition.

There will be four different categories to compete in—wedding, birthday, holiday, and graduation—and there will be three finalists and one grand prize winner selected in each category. Cakes will be on display Saturday during RootsTech and Family Discovery Day where thousands of people will view and have a chance to vote for “People’s Choice” winners in each category. Official rules and entry information for the contest will be available soon at RootsTech.org.

See also Five Ingredients That Make Up the Cake Boss

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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 Buddy Valastro and The Cake Boss, check out the following:
Facebook - Buddy Valastro
Facebook: Cake Boss
Twitter: Cake Boss - Buddy Valastro
Twitter: Cake Boss Baking
Website: Carlos Bakery
Website: The Cake Boss TV Show
Website: Cake Boss Baking

Family Discovery Day to Feature Vai Sikahema, BYU's Kalani Sitake and Hank Smith

Vai Sikhema, Kalani Sitake, Hank Smith

Salt Lake City, Utah, 24 October 2016 - RootsTech 2017 announces that BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake, popular LDS youth speaker Hank Smith, and former NFL football player, now Philadelphia TV news anchor, Vai Sikahema, will join the lineup of speakers for its popular Family Discovery Day. This exciting, free, one-day celebration of families is designed for families and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family Discovery Day will take place on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is part of the annual RootsTech conference. Individuals and families can register online at RootsTech.org.

There’s something for everyone at Family Discovery Day. Attendees are invited to come and hear inspiring speakers, entertaining performers, engage in interactive activities for all ages, and discover the latest technology, products, and services in the family history industry in an expansive expo hall. It’s the perfect place to discover fun new ideas, hear helpful solutions, watch new concept demonstrations, get personal research help, experience innovative family history technology, and mingle with hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe.

Young single adults and other interested youth are invited to attend a special session with Kalani Sitake, BYU’s head football coach. Sitake played collegiately at BYU as a fullback, and he served as an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers and Utah Utes before taking the head coaching position at BYU in December 2015.

Hank Smith is a BYU professor of religion and popular public youth speaker. Hank’s life has been touched by family history work, and he plans on sharing some of that experience at Family Discovery Day. Joining the speaker lineup is Vai Sikahema, a former NFL football player and current television personality. He is well-known for his diverse skills as both an anchor and sports reporter and can be seen co-anchoring NBC10 News Today weekday mornings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Family Discovery Day will engage and inspire families, youth, and single adults to discover connections and share family stories together. Family Discovery Day is also a popular venue for Latter-day Saints to hear gospel messages from Church leaders. These speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Families with children and youth are invited to discover the fun of family history together by playing games such as Family Feud and Twisted Family History. Young single adults are invited to bring friends and participate in fun sessions and activities like #Myfabfamily Photography Contest, Family History in Emoji, Record Your Story, and Replace a Face.

Family Discovery Day also offers relevant sessions with the latest information for those with Church callings and responsibilities related to family history and the temple. Individuals will be able to get answers to questions, discover new tools, and learn best practices.

Family Discovery Day is free, but registration is required. Visit RootsTech.org to learn more and to register.

RootsTech is a genealogy conference of epic proportions. As the largest family history conference in the world, it provides extensive networking opportunities to a broad and diverse group of attendees. The conference showcases a vast array of modern resources and technology that aims to inspire and enable individuals to discover, preserve, and share their family stories.

See also Five Interesting Facts about Kalani Sitake

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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 Vai Sikahema, check out the following:
Facebook - Vai Sikahema
Twitter - Vai Sikahema
Website - Vai Sikahema

To learn more about Kalani Sitake, check out the following:
Facebook - Kalani Sitake
Twitter - Kalani Sitake
Website - Kalani Sitake

To learn more about Hank Smith, check out the following:
Facebook - Hank Smith
Twitter - Hank Smith
Website - Hank Smith

Reading Rainbow’s LeVar Burton Will Keynote RootsTech 2017

FamilySearch International is pleased to announce that LeVar Burton will be the Friday keynote speaker at RootsTech 2017 on February 10, 2017. Burton is known by millions for his legendary starring role as Kunta Kinte in 1977 in the globally acclaimed and award-winning ABC mini series, Roots, as chief engineer Geordi La Forge in the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation television series, and as host and executive producer of the beloved PBS children’s series, Reading Rainbow. Burton was also the co-executive producer of the re-envisioned production of Roots that aired in June of this year on the A&E Networks.

Reading Rainbow was one of the longest running children’s television shows in TV history (1983-2009) and one of the most acclaimed, earning more than 200 awards including 26 Emmys and a Peabody. "There's a whole new generation of kids that need to develop a relationship with the written word, especially, I believe, in this ultra-technological age. I'm in this for the mission. This is what I do," said Burton.

He is excited about the opportunity to keynote at RootsTech where he plans to share personal stories about Roots, Star Trek, his Reading Rainbow foundation, and also stories of his mom and her commanding influence on him.

"The story of Roots traces a family's journey from Africa to America and back. At RootsTech, I'll share some of my own journey of family, storytelling and the influence of African culture on my American Experience."

Burton’s acting career began as a college student at the University of Southern California with his first-ever audition—winning the role of Kunta Kinte in ABC’s wildly popular 1977 TV mini-series, Roots. Thus, at age 19, he found his picture on the cover of Time magazine. Soaring to stardom was only the beginning for Burton. He followed it with many roles—most notably in Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

An advocate for children’s literacy, Burton’s Reading Rainbow provides an outlet for innovative uses of storytelling. Reading Rainbow uses technology and media to inspire today’s children to love reading, and is currently the number one educational app on iTunes. The digital service includes more than 500 children’s fiction and non-fiction books, and 200 newly-produced video field trips with new content added weekly.

See also 5 Interesting Facts About LeVar Burton

RootsTech is held at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City and will be simulcasted around the world with many sessions recorded for later viewing. RootsTech offers a line-up of world-class speakers, thrilling entertainment and engaging classes and activities with a bigger-than-ever expo hall. There will be something for everyone regardless of age or experience. Registration for RootsTech is currently open at reduced rates at RootsTech.org. Rootstech 2017 is sponsored by FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com and MyHeritage.com.

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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 LeVar, check out the following:
Facebook - LeVar Burton
Twitter - LeVar Burton
Website - LeVar Burton

Popular RootsTech Event Open for Registration

Salt Lake City, Utah, September 15, 2016 —FamilySearch International has announced that registration to RootsTech 2017 is now open. RootsTech is an annual family history and technology conference where guests of all ages are inspired to discover, preserve, and share their family roots, heritage, and stories across generations—past, present, and future. In 2016 the event attracted more than 28,000 attendees in-person from all 50 US states and 30+ countries. RootsTech 2017 will be held February 8–11 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The popular Innovator Summit and free Family Discovery Day are also open for registration. The website for registration is RootsTech.org.

The 4-day conference will offer attendees a full lineup of inspiring and well-known keynote speakers, over 200 informative sessions, including hands-on computer labs taught by industry professionals and leaders, interactive activities and helpful exhibitors in the expo hall, and entertaining evening events, all designed to inspire and empower personal family discoveries. Early bird discount pricing is available for a limited time on 4-day passes at just $159 and $189 for the RootsTech plus Innovator Summit pass. Passes for the Getting Started track start at $49 for a single day and $69 for a limited 3-day pass. All passes include access to the popular expo hall and morning keynote sessions.

Starting off the 4-day RootsTech conference is the Innovator Summit, a unique 1-day conference designed for serious entrepreneurs, developers, and innovators interested in giving their creative ideas traction in a growing multi-billion-dollar industry. The event also offers attendees the opportunity to interact and connect with industry influencers, executives, and investors. The Summit will include a morning general session (the keynote speaker will be announced soon), over 20 classes, the Innovator Showdown semi-finals, and more. Innovator Summit ONLY passes are available at the discount price of $99.

Along with the Innovator Summit, the Innovator Showdown returns to RootsTech with $100,000 in prizes. Innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world and from any industry are invited to compete with their latest products or services that enable individuals to discover, preserve, and share their personal and family stories, memories, or ancestral connections. The top 5 finalists will be invited to present their product or service on the main RootsTech stage before a panel of judges and a live audience on Friday, February 10, just after the morning keynote session.

Registration for Family Discovery Day is also now open. The event takes place on Saturday, February 11, 2017, and is designed for families and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This free and fun 1-day event includes inspiring messages from Church leaders, engaging classes for families, youth, and young single adults, and evening entertainment to inspire and help families and members discover, preserve, and share their family connections. Family Discovery Day attendees will also have access to all the interactive activities and exhibitors found in the RootsTech expo hall. Event details, including speakers and classes, will be made available soon at RootsTech.org. Registration is required.

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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

Third Annual 2017 RootsTech Innovator Showdown Boasts $100,000 in Prizes

Third Annual 2017 RootsTech Innovator Showdown Boasts $100,000 in Prizes

The global innovation competition is now accepting entries

Salt Lake City, September 12, 2016 — RootsTech, the world’s largest family history and technology conference, is now accepting entries for the 2017 Innovator Showdown—a “Global Innovation Competition” for developers and entrepreneurs seeking an opportunity to impact the growing multi-billion dollar family history industry while competing for $100,000 in cash and prizes. The Innovator Showdown seeks to support, foster, and inspire innovation within the family history marketplace. The deadline for submitting to the 2017 Innovator Showdown is December 1, 2016. The winners will present on stage and be selected by judges and live audience voting at RootsTech 2017 on Friday, February 10, 2017. Go to RootsTech.devpost.com for more information.

Last year, 50 contestants, including six international applicants, competed in the Innovator Showdown. In 2017, the total cash and in-kind Innovator Showdown prizes will again be $100,000—making it one of the most attractive innovator contests in the nation.

Showdown Calendar:

• Submissions will be accepted: today through December 1, 2016
• Online Judging: December 1–20, 2016
• Semifinalists Announced: December 20, 2016
• Showdown Semifinals: February 8, 2017
• Showdown Finals: February 10, 2017 at RootsTech at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Out of all applicants, the field will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists.  Showdown semifinals will be held during lunch at the RootsTech Innovator Summit in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 8, 2017 where we will introduce the semifinalists and their products. Five finalists will be announced that evening.

The exciting Showdown Finals are held during RootsTech before a panel of industry judges, including genealogy, technology and business gurus, and a live audience of 3,000 family history consumers, making the Innovator Showdown arguably one of the largest live audience tech competitions in North America. Finals will also be streamed live through RootsTech.org to tens of thousands of online viewers.  This year, five finalists will pitch their innovations, field questions from judges, and await the announcement of the winners, while real time audience voting is taking place via texting to determine the winner of the People’s Choice prize.

Cash Prize Breakdown for Finalists:

• Judge’s 1st Choice: $20,000
• Judge’s 2nd Choice: $14,000
• Judge’s 3rd Choice: $6,000
• People’s Choice: $10,000

Besides cash prizes, winners will receive fabulous in-kind prizes from sponsors to assist in successfully launching their products to the awaiting world of family history enthusiasts, bringing the total prize value up to $100,000.

2016 Showdown winners represented a wide variety of family history related products that included:

TapGenes, 2016 RootsTech Innovator Showdown 1st Place Winner

• 1st place winner, TapGenes by Heather Holmes—Tools to identify medical and genetic threads that tie your family together. TapGenes also competed in the 2015 competition.
• 2nd Place winner, Studio from Legacy Republic by Michael Chang—Technology hardware and software for digitizing hard copy photo albums using off-the-shelf smartphone technology
• 3rd Place winner, Twile by Paul Brooks from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK— Web app that populates a visual family timeline with data and media
• People’s Choice winner—Twile

Entries for the 2017 Innovator Showdown can be made through RootsTech.devpost.com and must include a video.

About RootsTech:
RootsTech, held February 8-11, 2017 and hosted by FamilySearch, is the largest global family history event in the world! The sixth annual conference—celebrating families across generations—is the perfect place to discover and share your family's stories and connections through technology.

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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