The Family History Guide at RootsTech 2026

thefhguide.com

The Family History Guide Booth for RootsTech 2026. This was the best year for us and the booth was fabulous. 

thefhguide.com

This is the new look of the website. Here is our RootsTech 2026 website. There are links from this website to all the videos and presentations at RootsTech. 

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/the-family-history-guide-association

Here is a copy of our main handout.  You can click on the image to see a larger copy. 

Thanks to all our about 60 volunteers and all those people who stopped by to learn about our website. 

International Society for British Genealogy and Family History

 https://isbgfh.com/

During my wandering around the Expo Hall during RootsTech 2026, I found this interesting booth. 

For those looking to bridge the gap between their family's modern life and their ancestral roots in the British Isles, the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH) serves as a dedicated educational resource. Since its founding in 1979, the society has focused on helping researchers of all levels understand and navigate the records of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.

The organization is particularly well-known for its immersive educational programs. The British Institute provides an annual week-long deep dive into specific research topics; for 2026, the focus is on the fundamentals and advanced methodologies of Scottish research. Additionally, the Summer Institute offers specialized sessions, such as the upcoming program on tracing colonial American roots back to the British Isles.

For year-round learning, the society hosts a series of Winter Webinars that are available as a member benefit. These sessions cover a wide variety of geographical and temporal research challenges. Members also receive British Connections, a quarterly journal filled with expert advice, historical context, and the latest news in the field of British genealogy.

Beyond educational content, the society facilitates community connections through its Surname Interests program, which helps members find others researching the same family lines. If you are looking to join, the organization is currently offering a RootsTech 2026 Membership Sale, providing a 30% discount for new members through March 31, 2026. Whether you are just beginning your journey or are a seasoned researcher, the ISBGFH offers a professional framework for uncovering your British and Irish heritage.

Japan Genealogy Connect

 

https://japan-genealogy.com/

During my wanderings at RootsTech 2026, this was one of the Expo Hall booths that caught my attention. 

For anyone looking to bridge the gap between their modern life and their ancestral past in Japan, Japan Genealogy Connect serves as a comprehensive resource for tracing lineage and rediscovering family history. Based in Tokyo, the organization specializes in navigating the unique administrative and historical landscape of Japanese record-keeping.

The foundation of their work lies in Koseki Research. The koseki is Japan’s official family register, documenting births, marriages, and deaths. While modern records focus on the nuclear family, pre-war registers often include extended family members, allowing researchers to trace direct ancestors back to at least the late 19th century.

Beyond official documents, the service offers deeper dives into family history through several specialized avenues:

• Historical Record Research: Genealogists search libraries and archives in Tokyo and rural regions to find information that pre-dates or supplements official registers. This can often reveal an ancestor's occupation during the Edo period, such as whether they were a merchant, farmer, or samurai.

• On-site Investigation: Researchers visit the specific locations where ancestors lived to find local historical materials and physical evidence of a family’s presence.

• Old Photograph Analysis: This service helps identify the people, places, and time periods captured in inherited family photos.

• Roots Experience: For those looking for more than data, this program provides immersive experiences to help individuals connect with the culture and history of their ancestors.

The site also provides a variety of Additional Services to document these findings, ranging from traditional Japanese scrolls and detailed research reports to genealogy data entry and translation. Whether you are just starting your journey with a few names or looking to conduct an exhaustive on-site search, the platform provides the professional expertise needed to navigate Japanese records and reconnect with a lost heritage.

Gathering of the Tribes at RootsTech 2026

 

https://www.gatheringoftribes.org/

I had the distinct privilege of meeting with some members of the Gathering of the Tribes at RootsTech 2026. Here is some information about their organization. 

The Gathering of Tribes is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening Indigenous members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded by Cindy Quinney, Shane Manning, and Amber Irwin, the organization was born from a desire to create a space where Indigenous people could find a sense of belonging, see themselves represented in their faith, and celebrate the harmony between their cultural heritage and the gospel. The mission is centered on four main objectives: nurturing faith in Jesus Christ, uniting families through family history and temple work, caring for those in need, and honoring cultural identity as it relates to spiritual life.

The organization operates through three primary pillars:

• Gather: They host community events designed to foster connection and faith. A recent landmark event, "Good Medicine," held in American Fork, Utah, focused on the healing power of traditional arts. These gatherings often include sunrise ceremonies, workshops on traditional skills like Hopi pottery and Navajo weaving, and opportunities for temple worship. An upcoming Indigenous Youth Trip is scheduled for April 2026 to help young people explore their divine potential in Provo and Salt Lake City.

• Uplift: To provide ongoing spiritual nourishment, the group creates faith-filled media. This includes the Come, Follow Me Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as devotional videos like Sacred Brothers and Sacred Sisters, which feature testimonies and traditional music.

• Serve: Collaboration is at the heart of their service efforts. They work with local leadership to plan projects that address the specific needs of Indigenous communities. One significant initiative is the Navajo Nation Oral History Project, which documents family relationships and histories of Diné elders.

How to Support Their Goals

There are several ways to contribute to the mission of the Gathering of Tribes:

• Financial Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, they rely on donations to fund their service projects, youth trips, and media production. Contributions can be made directly through their website or via platforms like Venmo and PayPal (@LDSGatheringofTribes).

• Volunteer and Serve: They seek Oral History Specialists to help document lineage and stories, and they often look for volunteers to assist with the logistics of their large-scale gatherings and community service projects.

• Stay Connected: You can subscribe to their email list to receive updates on upcoming events and service opportunities. Following their YouTube channel or social media pages also helps amplify their message and reach more members of the community.

• Participation: Their events are open to everyone—Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike—who wishes to learn, support the community, and participate in a shared celebration of faith and culture.