Legacy Tree Genealogists at RootsTech 2018: Schedule of Events

The countdown to RootsTech 2018 is on, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever! Held in Salt Lake City, Utah, the conference will run from Wednesday, February 28th through Saturday, March 3rd. Legacy Tree Genealogists will be there in full-force–exhibiting in the Expo Hall, teaching classes and hosting Q&A sessions.

Check out our schedule of events below, and be sure to stop by our booth (#217) and say hello!

Legacy Tree Genealogists RootsTech 2018 Schedule

Wednesday, February 28th

11:00 a.m. How Close Are We Really? Evaluating Shared DNA – Paul Woodbury (Ballroom J)

While each of the autosomal DNA testing companies offers estimates for how two customers might be related, their categories are necessarily broad. Analyzing exactly how much DNA you share with others can reveal the most likely levels of relationship and might be just the thing you need to prove your connection. To gain experience in this foundational skill, learn exactly what centimorgans mean, how to interpret probability charts and tables, and how to apply the information to your own test results. Learn how to recalculate shared DNA at varying thresholds, evaluate relationships for multiple subject comparisons, and interpret shared DNA on the X chromosome. Finally, navigate genetically equivalent relationships and interpret your results within the context of all available information. Armed with these approaches, you will be ready to tackle many genetic genealogy research problems.

3:30 p.m. DNA Innovation Contest – Paul Woodbury will be judging the competition. Read more about the DNA Innovation Contest and Legacy Tree's involvement.

4:00 p.m. Live Q&A – Working at Legacy Tree – join us for a live broadcast on the Legacy Tree Genealogists Facebook page to learn more about working for the world's highest-rated genealogy research firm.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Expo Hall – for the first time in RootsTech history, the Expo Hall will now be open on Wednesday! Stop by our booth for one of our scheduled Q&As, and have your questions answered by one of our expert genealogists:

Legacy Tree Genealogists Booth Q&A Sessions:

6:30 p.m. – British Research

7:00 p.m. – FamilySearch Tips 

7:30 p.m. – Colonial U.S. 

Thursday, March 1st

9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Expo Hall

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Paul Woodbury will be at the Association of Professional Genealogists booth answering questions about membership 

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Jessica Taylor will be at the Association of Professional Genealogists booth answering questions about membership

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. –  Paul Woodbury will be offering free DNA consultations at the Family Tree DNA booth. Space is limited, and usually goes quickly! Reserve your spot at the FTDNA booth.

12:15 p.m. – MyHeritage SuperSearch – Jessica Taylor (MyHeritage booth)

MyHeritage calls their search engine for historical records ‘SuperSearch.' It includes more than 6 billion genealogy records from all over the world, and an average of 200 million additional records are added every month. Jessica will share how to make the most of this useful tool.

3:00 p.m. On Target: DNA Testing Plans – Paul Woodbury (Ballroom J)

If your DNA testing has not yet proven helpful in resolving your research problem, consider targeted testing to make it a success. Each of us inherits 50% of our autosomal DNA from each parent, beyond that the amount of DNA we inherit from our ancestors decreases by about half every generation. Depending on your relationship to a research subject, it may be necessary to test additional relatives to improve your chances of success. Prioritize DNA testing for your known relatives, search for closest generational descendants, work to prove and refute hypotheses, and calculate coverage to evaluate your plan. If necessary consider Y-DNA and mtDNA testing. Rather than limit yourself to the available test results, make DNA testing work for you!

5:00 p.m. – How to Hire a Genealogist You Can Trust – Jessica Taylor, Demo Theater

No matter how much you love following the ancestral trail, there will be times when your best path to success comes through the help of a professional researcher. This class will help you explore 1) when hiring help may be appropriate, 2) how to find the best fit for your needs, and 3) how to make the most of a professional's time so you get the most bang for your buck.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Genealogy Business Alliance Get-Together – hosted by Legacy Tree Genealogists. If you are involved in a genealogy-related business, come by our booth for event details.

Legacy Tree Genealogists Booth Q&A Sessions: Stop by our booth (#217) during one of the below scheduled Q&A's and pick our brains!

10:30 a.m. Land Records and Property

11:00 a.m. Irish Research 

11:30 a.m. UK Research

12:00 p.m. Scotland 

12:30 p.m. Wales 

1:00 p.m. Canada 

1:30 p.m. Australia 

2:30 p.m. German Research

3:00 p.m. Italian Research

3:30 p.m. Poland 

4:00 p.m. Armenia 

4:30: p.m. Switzerland 

5:00 p.m. Midwestern United States Research

5:30 p.m. The Netherlands 

Friday, March 2nd

9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Expo Hall

3:15 p.m. – Developing a DNA Testing Plan – Paul Woodbury (MyHeritage booth)

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Carolyn Tolman will be at the Association of Professional Genealogists booth answering questions about membership 

4:30 p.m. – Looks Like We're Cousins: DNA Collaboration – Paul Woodbury (Ballroom F)

Collaboration is one of the key principles of genetic genealogy analysis, but sometimes it may seem like a waste of time: “What do I ask? What information could they provide which would help me? I already know how we are related, so why bother?” While the main focus of most genetic genealogy collaboration is to identify common ancestors, there is much more that could be useful for your research. In this session explore tips and tricks for successful collaboration in relation to genetic genealogy. Gain ideas for information and assistance you can request from your genetic cousins. When you get no response, explore other ways for identifying and contacting your relatives. Consider joining or creating group projects which enable more in-depth analysis. Tap into the full power of DNA test results by improving your collaboration with genetic cousins.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Paul Woodbury will be at the Association of Professional Genealogists booth answering questions about membership 

6:30 p.m. – Passport Drawing –  complete your Expo Hall Passport and be entered to win great prizes, including a Discovery Plan or DNA Discovery Plan  from Legacy Tree Genealogists!

Legacy Tree Genealogists Booth Q&A Sessions:

10:30 a.m. DNA 101

11:00 a.m. Southern U.S. 

11:30 a.m. French Research

12:00 p.m. South America

12:30 p.m. Spain 

1:00 p.m. Scandinavia 

1:30 p.m. Joining a Lineage Society 

2:30 p.m. Czechoslovakia

3:00 p.m. Slovakia 

3:30 p.m. Denmark 

4:00 p.m. Hungary

4:30 p.m. Tips on Finding Ancestral Hometowns 

5:00 p.m. Researching 20^th Century Ancestors 

5:30 p.m. Exploring Utah Family History 

Saturday, March 3rd – Family Day

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Expo Hall – It's Family Day! Stop by our booth and receive a FREE DNA balloon crown so you can “Strut Your Strands!” Supplies are limited, while quantities last.

11:00 a.m. – MyHeritage SuperSearch – Jessica Taylor (MyHeritage booth)

MyHeritage calls their search engine for historical records ‘SuperSearch.' It includes more than 6 billion genealogy records from all over the world, and an average of 200 million additional records are added every month. Jessica will share how to make the most of this useful tool.

Legacy Tree Genealogists Booth Q&A Sessions:

10:00 a.m. Autosomal DNA 

10:30 a.m. Y-DNA 

11:00 a.m. Mitochondrial DNA

11:30 a.m. Creating DNA Testing Plans 

12:00 p.m. DNA Testing Companies 

12:30 p.m. Finding Female Ancestors 

1:00 p.m. Southern U.S. 

1:30 p.m. Mexico 

2:00 p.m. Writing a Family Narrative 

2:30 p.m. African American Research

3:00 p.m. Estate / Probate Research 

3:30 p.m. Tracing Immigrant Ancestors 

Not Attending RootsTech This Year?

If RootsTech isn't in your plans this year, you can still participate in certain sessions via live streaming. The streamed sessions will include the popular general sessions and a sampling of technology and family history presentations appealing to varied interests. Check out the RootsTech Online Broadcast Schedule here. We'll also share our RootsTech Rundown of conference highlights, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for our recap of what you missed.

If we can't connect with you at RootsTech, we'd love to see you at another conference this year! Check out our upcoming conferences for 2018, and leave us a comment to let us know if you'll be at any of the events listed!