FamilySearch Announces RootsTech 2026 Keynotes and Class Scheduling

https://www.familysearch.org/en/newsroom/familysearch-announces-rootstech-2026-keynotes-and-class-scheduling

FamilySearch has announced the keynote speaker lineup and scheduling details for RootsTech 2026, the world's largest family history conference, scheduled for March 5–7, 2026.

Keynote Speakers

The event features a diverse group of global icons who will share stories of heritage and connection:

• Steve Young: The NFL Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion will headline the main stage on March 7, sharing insights into his life, career, and family heritage.

• Marlee Matlin: An Academy Award-winning actress and author appearing in person.

• Tara Roberts: National Geographic Explorer in Residence and historian appearing in person.

• Gardiner Brothers: Viral Irish dancers who will provide a virtual keynote.

• Jessica Soho: Renowned Filipina broadcast journalist delivering a virtual address.

• José Hernández: NASA astronaut and engineer participating virtually.

• Zico: Brazilian football legend appearing as a virtual keynote speaker.

• Steve Rockwood: President and CEO of FamilySearch.

Event Logistics and Scheduling

• Class Scheduling: The full schedule of hundreds of sessions becomes available on January 8, 2026.

• On-Demand Content: Virtual keynotes and classes will be available for attendees to add to a free on-demand watch list starting January 8, with some virtual keynotes premiering on February 13, 2026.

• Participation: The conference offers both in-person attendance in Salt Lake City and a comprehensive virtual experience.

Registration is currently open at RootsTech.org for those looking to explore their family discovery journey.

MyHeritage added 1.2 Billion New Records in December 2025

MyHeritage Adds 1.2 Billion Historical Records in December 2025

In December 2025, MyHeritage achieved a significant milestone in genealogical research by publishing 1.2 billion historical records across 27 diverse collections. This massive expansion spans multiple countries, including the United States, England, Wales, France, Argentina, and several European nations. The newly added content is rich in detail, featuring newspaper extracts, probate records, and census data, many of which are accompanied by original images.

A major highlight of this update is the integration of AI-driven technology to enhance discovery:

• AI-Extracted Narratives: Using advanced technology, MyHeritage has extracted specific names, events, and stories from historical newspapers, providing automatically generated summaries for each record.

• Global Newspaper Coverage: Vast collections from Argentina, France, Germany, and Austria were processed using Optical Character Recognition (OCR), making millions of pages of vital record substitutes—like obituaries and birth notices—fully searchable.

• Key Historical Documents: Significant additions include the 1910 Czechia Census, the 1890 New York Police Census, and a massive England & Wales Probate Index covering 1858–1995.

To illustrate the value of these records, the blog highlights the probate record of author George Orwell, which confirms his date of death in 1950 and lists his last residence and beneficiaries. While searching these collections is free, users typically need a Data, Complete, or Omni plan to view and save specific records to their family trees.