submitted by Lark M. Robart
Every spring, family history enthusiasts from around the world mark their calendars for RootsTech — the world’s largest genealogy and family history conference and learning celebration hosted by FamilySearch. This year’s RootsTech runs March 5–7, 2026, and as always, it’s a hybrid experience: vibrant and interactive both in person at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City and online for a global audience.
Theme: Together
The theme for RootsTech 2026 — “Together” — captures the heart of what this event is all about: connecting across generations and cultures to explore heritage, identity, and shared stories. Whether you’re stepping into a session hall in Salt Lake City or tuning in from thousands of miles away, RootsTech invites all of us to learn with and from one another.
What’s Happening Onsite
For those attending in Salt Lake City, RootsTech is a dynamic three-day in-person festival of discovery:
250+ exclusive live sessions on research methods, storytelling, records access, DNA tools, and archival best practices.
An expansive Expo Hall filled with genealogy technology vendors, research services, and resource organizations — a place to ask questions, see demos, and get hands-on help.
Live keynote presentations and performances featuring a mix of thought leaders, explorers, and culture makers.
Family Discovery Day — a free celebration on March 7 with activities, music, and speakers focused on heritage and inspiration.
In-person registration offers networking opportunities that can turn online friends into real-world collaborators — making new connections over shared ancestors.
What’s Available Online
If Salt Lake City isn’t in your travel plans this year, the online RootsTech experience remains robust and free:
Live streamed main stage keynotes and sessions you can watch from home.
Access to 1,500+ sessions in more than 40 languages, searchable and customizable to your research interests.
A virtual Expo Hall where you can explore genealogy tools, special offers, and interactive chats with exhibitors.
Community features like chat rooms and research help desks — great ways to meet people and ask questions in real time.
One of my favorite features is the ability to create a schedule, in advance, of Online programs that I want to attend. When you get to the RootsTech website, just log in to your FamilySearch account (or create a new one) . Next, open the dropdown window in the upper right corner and select MY PLAYLISTS.
This allows you to curate sessions on specific topics like DNA, immigration research, or storytelling techniques. Once your MY PLAYLISTS has been created, MY SCHEDULE allows you to come back later to review or add to your choices.
Keynote Speakers and Highlights
RootsTech’s keynote lineup blends inspiration with unexpected voices. For 2026, speakers span athletic legends, explorers, artists, and innovators — with both in-person and virtual presentations planned.
Some of the notable figures include:
Steve Young — NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP.
Marlee Matlin — Academy Award–winning actress and author.
Tara Roberts — National Geographic explorer and historian.
José Hernández — NASA astronaut sharing his personal and family story.
Plus dynamic voices like the Gardiner Brothers, blending culture and storytelling.
These speakers offer not just tips for digging into the past but reflections on how family history enriches our present and shapes our future.
Why RootsTech Matters
At its core, RootsTech is more than a conference — it’s an invitation to expand what family history can be:
A place to sharpen research skills and discover new tools.
An opportunity to connect with others examining similar lines and questions.
A global audience united by curiosity, identity, and shared experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist, someone just starting out, or someone who simply loves stories of people and place, RootsTech 2026 offers fresh perspectives — and a sense of community spanning continents.
If you haven’t yet registered, there’s still time to join online for free or plan a last-minute trip to Salt Lake City. RootsTech is where curiosity meets connection — and where your next discovery could be just a click or a conversation away.
NOTE: AI was used to assist with drafting this article.
