RootsTech Connect 2021 announces keynote speakers
Global genealogy conference RootsTech has revealed the first keynote speakers for its free virtual event, RootsTech Connect 2021.
The speakers come from the USA, Australia, Italy and Mexico, and include leading figures from the worlds of genealogy, sport and music.
RootsTech Connect will take place online from Thursday 25 February to Saturday 27 February.
One of the speakers is African-American genealogist and author Sharon Leslie Morgan.
Morgan founded Our Black Ancestry ( ourblackancestry.com), an online community that provides resources for African-American genealogical research and preserves historical materials and properties.
“I believe genealogy is a tool for healing from America’s egregious past and a shining light on a pathway toward a society that embraces equality and justice for all,” Morgan said. “RootsTech Connect 2021 is an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate humanity in all of its colours, cultures and creeds.”
The other keynote speakers are Australian inspirational speaker and author Nick Vujicic, Mexican golf champion Lorena Ochoa and Italian pianist and composer Francesco Lotoro.
First established in 1998 and run by the free family history website FamilySearch ( family
search.org), RootsTech is the largest genealogy conference in the world.
In previous years, it has taken place in Salt Lake City, Utah. But in response to the coronavirus pandemic, FamilySearch announced that the 2021 event would take place online for free.
This year, RootsTech is encouraging attendees to submit ‘Heritage Discovery Videos’ celebrating their food, traditions and culture. The submission deadline is 18 December. You can find out more at rootstech.org/get-involved.
There is also a song contest on the theme of ‘Connections’ ( rootstechsongcontest.org), which has a deadline for submissions of 31 December.
As well as the keynote speeches, the conference will offer dozens of classes in multiple languages, and a virtual marketplace featuring ‘stalls’ run by family history businesses and societies.
RootsTech held its first international event, RootsTech London, in October 2019. The 2020 London event was postponed, but is currently scheduled to go ahead in autumn 2021.
To find out more about RootsTech Connect and book your place, visit rootstech.org.