I am thrilled to share that I have been invited to present at RootsTech 2012 after submitting my applications! My previous experience at RootsTech 2011, where I had the pleasure of co-presenting with Penney Devey, was both exciting and incredibly rewarding. The energy at the conference was palpable, filled with passionate individuals dedicated to genealogy and family history. Witnessing the enthusiasm of fellow presenters and attendees alike inspired me to pursue this opportunity once more. The process of submitting proposals was an enlightening experience in itself. It forced me to distill my thoughts and experiences into concise topics that would resonate with the RootsTech audience. Thankfully, two of my proposals were accepted, and I am eager to share my insights with everyone attending this year. Although I don’t yet have all the scheduling details, you can find my name listed in the official RootsTech schedule on their website, which is an exciting step in my journey as a presenter.

Awesome Family Websites: Record Your Living Family History

One of the presentations I will be giving is titled “Awesome Family Websites: Record Your Living Family History.” In this session, I will discuss how to connect with living family members while also cherishing the memories of those who have passed on. Building or acquiring your own family website has never been easier, and I will guide attendees through the steps to create an easy-to-use, private online space for their families. Having a central hub for family stories, photos, and history can significantly strengthen family bonds and facilitate communication. In my presentation, I will showcase examples from several extended families who have successfully utilized these websites to maintain connections and share memories. Throughout the session, we will explore the many features of a family website, from posting family news to sharing personal anecdotes and historical data. I’ll discuss how to manage the website effectively, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for current and future generations. Attendees will leave with actionable tips on how to create a private online space where family members can contribute, share, and reflect on their shared history. By the end of this presentation, participants will understand the transformative power of technology in preserving and sharing family legacies.

The Powers of Evernote: Photos, URLs, Censuses, Geo-Location, and Stories

My second presentation, “The Powers of Evernote: Photos, URLs, Censuses, Geo-Location, and Stories,” dives into one of my favorite tools for genealogy research—Evernote. As a genealogy enthusiast, I have found Evernote to be an excellent central repository for organizing all my research materials. During this session, I will demonstrate how to effectively utilize Evernote for genealogy. Attendees will learn how to store various types of content, from photos of gravestones to web clippings of valuable articles, all in one place. Evernote allows users to capture their research in multiple formats, making it an indispensable tool for genealogists. We will explore the features of Evernote Desktop, as well as the Android and iOS mobile apps, ensuring that everyone can access their notes anytime, anywhere. The session will cover essential functionalities such as the Web Clipper, which allows users to save web content with a single click. This feature is particularly useful when researching online, as it enables you to keep track of valuable resources without cluttering your browser with multiple tabs. Additionally, I will discuss the importance of geo-tagging locations within Evernote. By tagging where significant events occurred, genealogists can create a more vivid picture of their family history, enhancing their research and storytelling capabilities. We’ll also touch on how to outline blog posts, record audio notes, and even incorporate multimedia elements to enrich your genealogy projects.

Early Registration Benefits

If you’re as excited as I am about RootsTech 2012, I encourage you to register as soon as possible! Those who sign up through the end of November will receive discounted pricing, making this an excellent opportunity to join the genealogy community and learn from experts. RootsTech is not just a conference; it’s a gathering of passionate individuals dedicated to uncovering their family histories and sharing their stories. By participating, you’ll connect with others who share your interests and gain valuable insights from various presentations, including my own.

Conclusion

I am looking forward to presenting at RootsTech 2012 and hope to see many of you there! The opportunity to share knowledge and learn from one another is what makes events like these so special. Whether you’re looking to enhance your family connections through technology or streamline your research process with tools like Evernote, there’s something for everyone at RootsTech. Head over to RootsTech.org and sign up now to secure your spot! You can check out more info on the family websites I provide to people on my company’s website. Or by watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kHhBNyxUTs