RootsTech 2023

Mar 4, 20232 min read

What is RootsTech? It's a way to grow closer to the people, places, and stories that matter most. RootsTech is all that and so much more. Being there in person, was inspiring. Presenting at the Family Search booth, was a privilege, and meeting my co-workers in person for the first was a blast!

I was asked by Ron Sanders, (my boss of sorts, who is over Indexing), to present with him at the 2023 RootsTech convention. He wanted me to share my story about reviewing names in Spanish and Portuguese languages. My main point and purpose of presenting was to encourage the work of C.A.I. in the future of indexing. (CAI stands for Computer Assisted Instruction).

Josh and I set out Tuesday February 28th to Salt Lake City, Utah. We were put up at the Radisson Hotel which has tumbleweeds for decor, but is less than a 60 second walk to the Salt Palace where the RootsTech convention was held. My assignment was to be a moderator to some live-streaming family history classes put on by people all around the world (RootsTech is both an in-person event and online).

My other assignment was to present for Family Search both Thursday and Friday morning at 10AM. I ended up having a lot of enthusiasts and excited Indexers ready for these upcoming changes! The presentations went so well. Everything was successful and on top of that, I was able to watch Jordan Sparks sing live, and see Sean Astin on stage (Samwise from LOTR, Rudy, Bob from Stranger Things etc etc). And I was able to hang with Kirby Heyborne (Saints and Soldiers). Then I got to see Kate Lee whip up one of her amazing paintings of the Savior. WOW.

JORDAN SPARKS VIDEO: You can see me waving my phone back and forth in my hot pink blazer at 21:13. Speaking of pink blazer, I bought it specifically for my presentations. It's my General Conference vibing outfit. If you present for the church...you wear a blazer. If you're me, it's hot pink.

HERE'S SEAN ASTIN and Adassa from Disney's Encanto sang for us right after. And the COOLEST part was that Elder Gong walked in and sat a couple rows in front of me.

Josh and I were able to have a 4 night vacation (while both still working during the day). And then the kids stayed home alone watching the 3 pets, while being spoiled by my parents with meals, movie dates and card games. They only had school Monday and Tuesday this week, so no school basically the whole time we were gone.

Here's a photo summary of RootsTech 2023!