Looking Ahead to Day 4 Roots Tech (Sat. March 7) or Dallas Genealogical Society General Meeting?

 

Saturday keynote speaker will be available via this link:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/rootstech-2026-general-session-3-steve-young

Ari Wilkins is speaking on Saturday at 11 am CT at DGS but there will be NO replay.

Whether virtually or in person, join us "live".

“If you blink, you’ll miss it!” Did your ancestor come from a one-horse town or an unincorporated community? Learn about researching country ancestors! This lecture will discuss a variety of census records; land records; maps (including census enumeration, postal route and cadastral maps); rural directories; newspapers and other sources. It will also discuss methodology and state of the art tools for mapping and researching our rural ancestors.

https://dallasgenealogy.org/general-meeting/

Day 3 - RootsTech - Friday March 6

 

(1) Miss today's keynote session?

Watch replay at: https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/rootstech-2026-general-session-2-tara-roberts

Or, check Tara Robert's book website at: https://www.tararoberts.me/written-in-the-waters

(2) Trying to focus on which webinars to watch?

Go to RootsTech Schedule and filter by topics such as Breaking Through Brickwalls, Census, and Compiled Sources. You also can filter by Speaker and by Skill Level.

(3) Wishing you could see "In Person" only sessions as a virtual attendee?  

Click on those sessions and download handouts and/or slides.  Related Content may also provide previous videos to watch.

Day 2 - RootsTech - Thur March 5 - Online Expo is open!

 

Browse the multitude of offers now live on:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/

(1) Search by Company or Category (such as Charts, DNA, Storytelling, Records, Preservation, Technology, Association, Society, Library).

(2) You also can browse "All Offers". This is an excellent time of year for a discounted price for something new (or perhaps lower a rate if close to a renewal). 

(3) Try this vendor as an example - FamilyTreeDNA

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/familytreedna

Here you'll find that you can upload DNA data for free (along with other promotions).

Plus, this link takes you to:

CLASSES

PRODUCT DEMOS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (downloadable)

(4) Don't forget to check the Sponsors links since they usually announce "What's News?"

e.g., https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/familysearch

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/ancestry

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/myheritage

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/findmypast

Day 1 - RootsTech - Wed. March 4 (online)

 

RootsTech in person  is Thurs/Fri/Sat (March 5-7), but videos can be watched now.

Tips:

(1) Once you have registered for RootsTech (see previous post), create "My Schedule". 

When logged in, you can see your schedule in one place, so it's easy to play the videos.

(2) Look at your "Watch History" to see what you already viewed.

(3) For sessions with handouts, download them - helps with note-taking and for future reference.

(4) Don't forget to contact "Relatives at RootsTech" (see previous post). You might have a better likelihood of a response with many people online this week.

(5) Do you have favorite professional genealogists that you follow via social media or emails? Watch for their RootsTech insider tips and any special offers.  Some are in Salt Lake City in person, but many are online.

Family Tree Technology

 Natalie Webb helps people with technology and genealogy. Her website, Family Tree Technology, includes a blog, videos, and a dictionary. She hosts Office Hours each month where you can ask tech questions. 

This week, she is featuring a free Conference Momentum Pack to use during RootsTech. Check it out on her Website - Family Tree Technology

DNA Group Changes

 

Genealogy Friends DNA Special Interest Group has been meeting for a couple of years now and has evolved to intermediate and advanced topics. We are adding a second group that focuses on Beginning DNA topics. 

We would like your input to design programs for both groups that match your interests and experience. Please take a few minutes to answer the survey. 

  Survey Link 

March 21 (Saturday Seminar) "Be A Super Sleuth: Accessing Images and Full-Text Search in Family Search"

 

"Be A Super Sleuth: Accessing Images and Full-Text Search in Family Search" by Jill Morelli, CG, CGL

 Did you know that Family Search is placing their recently digitized material online in less than 24 hours after it is scanned? 

Did you know that they were placing them, not in the Catalog, but in Images? 

Did you know that using "Full Text Search," you can conduct an all word search in certain documents?

 What is a Super Sleuth to do? 

We will learn how to access these two features of FS to find your ancestors. Treasures await!

RootsTech with a Texas Focus

 

Discover the Innovative Genealogy and Archival Projects Shaping Texas

https://dallasgenealogy.org/texas-connect-2026/

CLICK on the "View Flyer" LINK so that you can see the many experts who will be speaking. Recordings will be available for anything you miss live.

RootsTech will be hosting their live Texas Connect virtual session on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 am CST. This event brings spotlights outstanding genealogical and archival projects as well as collaborative and innovative work that is happening across the Lone Star State.

This will be a virtual even host on Zoom. Participants will be able to join one of the 19 break-out rooms to hear a short presentation followed by a question & answer period. Transitions (opportunity to go to a different break-out room) will occur every 20 minutes.

• You can join the live event on the 7^th at  https://tinyurl.com/TXConnect2026
• You will be able to view recordings of this years event (and view recordings from previous years) at  https://tinyurl.com/TXConnectYouTube
• View the flyer for more information

Tony Hanson will be conducting one of the sessions, sharing information about how the DGS has integrated the digital images of their publications in the society website.

Those of you who are planning to be at the library for the March7 General Meeting can stop by the Stone Room (located just outside of the O’Hara room) and watch parts of the Texas Connect presentation beginning at 9:00.

RootsTech - Check All Sponsors (Boston Tea Party Descendants as an example)

 

If you’re looking for world-class family history products and services, you’ll want to see what RootsTech sponsors have to offer! With trusted solutions, innovative products, free samples, and incredible deals, they may have just what you need for the next step of your family history adventure.

RootsTech, the largest international genealogy conference, is available to attend in person or online. If you’re attending RootsTech in person in Salt Lake City, you can visit our sponsors in the RootsTech Expo Hall. If you’re attending online, you can visit the virtual Expo Hall, where you'll have access to many of our sponsors’ booths. You can even interact with them online and ask questions.

Register for RootsTech Today

Get to know our valued sponsors below. They are categorized by sponsor level—platinum, gold, silver, bronze, or society—and then listed alphabetically in each level. Be sure to visit their websites to learn more and to find out about any special RootsTech deals!

Here's one I want to learn more about during the conference:

Boston Tea Party Descendants Program

The Boston Tea Party Descendants® Program is dedicated to fostering interest in genealogical connections to the Boston Tea Party participants, their families, and those involved in the colonial rebellion in Boston. The program is a growing resource for descendants, researchers, and organizations, providing access to historical documents, guidance from American Ancestors’ genealogists, lesson plans, oral histories, digital exhibits, and more.

Explore the Boston Tea Party Descendants online portal to discover and contribute to this remarkable historical archive.

https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/boston-tea-party-descendants

One week to Go until RootsTech - MyHeritage

 

Consider following this blog about MyHeritage as they announce speakers at RootsTech, plus any special offers and other news.

https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/02/myheritage-heads-to-rootstech-2026/

MyHeritage team members will present lectures as part of the official conference program. Here is the schedule of a few of the RootsTech 2026 lectures.

NOTE:  Be sure to check the time zone listed (most show the Salt Lake City time).

Thursday, March 5, 2026

9:30 A.M. MT — Room 151
Obituaries as Priceless Genealogy Resources
Daniel Horowitz, Genealogy Expert at MyHeritage

3:00 P.M. MT — Room 150
Genealogy for the Non-Genealogist: How to Engage Family and Friends with Family History
Erica Edvi, Head of Global Brand, MyHeritage

4:30 P.M. MT — Ballroom B
Genealogy, Upgraded: AI and Smart Tools on MyHeritage
Daniel Horowitz, Genealogy Expert at MyHeritage

Friday, March 6, 2026

8:00 A.M. MT — Room 151
Your Genes, Your Story: Exploring MyHeritage DNA
Ran Snir, VP Product, MyHeritage

1:30 P.M. MT — Room 151
Session with Gilad Japhet, Founder and CEO of MyHeritage

Saturday, March 7, 2026

3:00 P.M. MT — Room 151
Record-Breaking Records: MyHeritage’s Fastest-Growing Genealogy Record Collection
Myko Clelland, Director of Content at MyHeritage

For updates during the conference, follow MyHeritage on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

FamilyTreeDNA is Upgrading Their Family Finder Testing

 

Family Tree's autosomal DNA test is the Family Finder. Beginning March 2, 2026, a new sequencing panel will bring greater precision and consistency to the test. An upgrade will be offered for customers who previously tested. 

There is more information on their help center. 

Diahan Southard wrote a blog post about this.

Dallas Genealogical Society - Mastering the Search: German Genealogical Research Strategies

 

March 28, 2026 - Join in person at the downtown Dallas Public Library or via Zoom. 

Sessions: 

• Overcoming the Language Barrier in German Genealogy
• German Genealogy on the Internet: Beyond the Basics
• Finding and Using German Church Records
• Telling Their Story: Adding Character to Your German-American Genealogical Narrative

Link to More Information and Registration

The DNA Geek Classes - Leah Larkin

Leah Larkin, the DNA Geek and creator of the Leeds Method offers DNA classes. Here is what is coming up:

𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁, 𝗜’𝗺 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁?!? 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

Ethnicity (origin) estimates are one of the most popular reasons people test and one of the most misunderstood. Learn how they work, which are most accurate, and what those percentages really mean.

𝗕𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗗𝗡𝗔: 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗡𝗔

Already solved mysteries with DNA? Put your tree to the test. Learn how to use BanyanDNA to validate relationships, spot disconnects, and uncover what your tree might be missing.

𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅: 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵

Learn how to move beyond basic match lists and start seeing patterns, connections, and signals in your DNA data that can take your research to the next level.

Each class includes time for Q&A, has limited attendance, access to recordings for two weeks, captioning, and a handout.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://thednageek.com/events

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀?

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁: https://forms.gle/vCVWXRYCwdNRTxxR7

It's Time for RootsTech 2026!

 

Find Relatives at Roots Tech is "live" now

https://www.familysearch.org/en/connect/8a37fa20-0398-41a6-b391-0b33657a9976/

If you haven't signed up yet, you can do so here:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/registration/online/

February 21, 2026 - Saturday Seminar - "Organizing for Genealogical Success" by Emily Richardson

 

Join Genealogy Friends for our monthly free Saturday Seminar from 10:15 to Noon CT at W.O. Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano, TX. 

Organizing for Genealogical Success

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or professional researcher we have all felt the pain of not being able to find the document or picture we have previously found during our genealogical research. Organization of genealogical research is critical for success. Whether you use files, notebook, or digital files, you must have a process that will enable you to easily locate a document in your system. This organization includes developing a process that you use to know who you are researching, what you have completed, what you have found, where you found it and how this information aids in future research. Come learn more about organizational skills for genealogists so that you can be efficient and successful for your quest to find your ancestors. 

Members have access to handouts and recordings by logging in to our website - http://www.genealogyfriends.org/

2026 Texas State Family History Conference - A Journey of Discovery

 

This year the 2026 TxSGS Family History Conference will be at the Riley Center on the campus of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 6-7, 2026. It will be a hybrid event with 10 speakers in person. These presentations will be livestreamed to our virtual audience and recorded for registrants to view after the conference. In addition, there will also be a robust library of on-demand recordings that will also be accessible to registrants following the conference. 

This conference is being designed to inspire genealogists at all stages of their research as they explore new records, methodologies, technologies, and perspectives. We will explore the adventure of genealogical research - those exciting moments of discovery, the creative problem-solving, and the thrill of piecing together family stories. 

Save the Dates: November 6-7, 2026 And Come to Fort Worth!

TxSGS Offers Genealogy Essentials Class

 

Genealogy Essentials: Building a Strong Foundation for Family History February 2 - March 13, 2026| Online Course | $80

Are you just starting out on your family history journey? Have you been  researching for a while but want to jump start your research with new skills and resources? Unsure how to navigate the mountains of documents and  details you’ve inherited from relatives? The Texas State Genealogical  Society (TxSGS) understands the challenges beginners and other  researchers face—that’s why we’ve created “Genealogy Essentials,” a  flexible, online program designed with you in mind. TxSGS is again offering Genealogy Essentials – Course 1, our  comprehensive, eight-session curriculum aimed at beginners and  those who want to review the basic principles necessary to be successful as a genealogist. The pre-recorded lectures will all be released on  February 2, 2026, allowing students to watch sessions on their schedule.  A homework assignment booklet is included which will help participants  practice what they have learned in the courses. A recording of instructor  interviews addressing frequently asked questions will be available weekly  to provide additional information. “In designing ‘Genealogy Essentials,’ we aimed to create an accessible,  flexible program that helps participants build a strong foundation in  genealogy,” said Emily Richardson, TxSGS president and course  coordinator. “From understanding basic research concepts to evaluating  sources and organizing family documents, this course empowers learners  to discover their heritage with confidence.” All participants will enjoy access to the course materials—including  detailed handouts and session recordings—through March 13, 2026,  allowing ample time for review and reinforcement. No prior experience  is required; all you need is a computer with audio.

Learn More & Register Now

Family Tree Technology

 Natalie Webb's website Family Tree Technology is a great resource for technology and genealogy. Her website has her blog articles, videos, and a technology dictionary. You can subscribe to her blog and get emails with her articles. The latest one, "Problem Solving Without Knowing the Problem," was informative. https://familytreetech.com/

Free Webinar - 7 Essential Tips for Starting German Genealogy by Katherine Schober

 Webinar Link: 7 Essential Tips for Starting German Genealogy

Dates: January 20, 21, or 22

Description: 

In this free webinar hosted by internationally-known German genealogy expert Katherine Schober, you'll learn the 7 must-know tips that successful German genealogy researchers use to fill in their family tree —without feeling overwhelmed by old handwriting or foreign-language records.

By the end of this session, you’ll know:

• Where to start (and what not to waste time on)
• What German records are available - and how to get your hands on them
• How to fill in your German family tree with a clear, action-oriented plan

 Register now and start 2026 with confidence - your ancestors are waiting for you.

You’ll leave this webinar empowered to work - accurately - with your German documents!

Save your spot here!

January Genealogy News

 The first ship landed at Ellis Island on January 1, 1892. Thomas MacEntee's post about Ellis Island includes a free 10-page guide. https://mailchi.mp/genealogybargains.com/decoding-ellis-island-your-complete-guide-to-passenger-manifest-codes 

Reclaim the Records, a non profit group of genealogists and historians. They identify genealogical record sets that out to be in the public domain which are being restricted by government archives, libraries, and agencies to get them released to the public.  Here is a recap of their accomplishments in 2025 https://www.reclaimtherecords.org/about/year-in-review-2025/

MyHeritage added 1.2 billion historical records in December 2025 across 27 new and updated collections. More information is available on their blog post.  https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/01/myheritage-adds-1-2-billion-historical-records-in-december-2025/

Topotehque Our Memories is a collaborative online platform hosting individual 'topotheques' from across Europe, where communities share private historical collections like old photographs, letter, and documents. https://www.topothek.at/en/ 

January Saturday Seminar - The Road to Independence: Defying the British During the Revolutionary War

 

January 17, 2026 - "The Road to Independence: Defying the British During the Revolutionary War" by Michael Strauss, MA, AG, AGL - This lecture examines the complexities of the American Revolutionary War and its immediate aftermath, tracing its origins in escalating colonial tensions with Great Britain through its conclusion in 1783. Drawing on a range of primary source materials, we will explore the individual and collective experiences of military service in both the Continental and state forces. In addition to analyzing compiled military service records, pension files, and land bounty warrants, the lecture will incorporate naval and marine documentation to construct a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict. The analysis extends beyond the war's conclusion to address the national emergencies of Shay’s Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion, framing them as critical moments in the new republic’s post-war trajectory. 

Copyright Update

Every January 1st more published works are added to the Public Domain, which means they are no longer protected by copyright. Credit should be given to the author but you no longer have to pay a fee or ask permission to use information from the published work. 

The laws have changed over time, as of January 1, 2026 works published in or before 1930 are in the public domain. This only applies to the original 1930 version, if the work has been updated or annotated they are under copyright based on the date of the update. Websites that publish images of published works have their own terms and conditions.

Images in the public domain can be used to add interest to the family stories that we share.