Attended RootsTech this year? Here are four practical steps to help you turn conference inspiration into genealogy progress.
RootsTech is one of the most exciting events in the genealogy community. For a few days, we immerse ourselves in new ideas, tools, and research strategies.
But when the conference ends, many genealogists wonder what to do next.
Here’s a simple way to turn your RootsTech inspiration into meaningful progress in your family history research.
If you attended RootsTech this year, either in person or online, you’re probably feeling both energized and slightly overwhelmed.
That’s completely normal.
RootsTech is packed with new ideas, tools, record collections, and research strategies. Over the course of just a few days, genealogists are exposed to a huge amount of information. It’s exciting, but it can also leave you wondering:
Where do I even begin?
The true value of RootsTech lies in what you do after the conference ends.
Instead of letting those great ideas sit in a notebook or browser bookmark folder, take a little time to turn that inspiration into a research plan.
Step 1: Review Your Notes
Begin by gathering everything you collected during the conference.
This might include:
- Session notes
- Screenshots of slides
- Links to websites or record collections
- Books or resources mentioned by presenters
- Research ideas you quickly scribbled down
Spend 15–20 minutes looking through your notes while the sessions are still fresh in your mind. Highlight the ideas that seem most relevant to your own family history research.
You do not need to follow up on everything. RootsTech offers far more information than anyone can realistically use at once.
Instead, focus on the ideas that directly relate to your current research questions.
Step 2: Choose One Research Goal
One of the biggest mistakes genealogists make after a conference is trying to do too much at once. Instead, pick one specific research goal inspired by something you learned. For example:
- Searching for a church record mentioned in a session
- Exploring a new database for immigration records
- Looking for land records for a particular ancestor
- Applying a research strategy that could help break down a brick wall
A clear goal helps turn a general idea into a practical next step.
Step 3: Create a Simple Research Plan
Once you have a goal, write down a short plan for how you will achieve it.
Ask yourself:
- What records should I search first?
- Which archives or databases might contain the information?
- What do I already know about this ancestor or family?
- What evidence am I aiming to find?
Even a simple research plan can significantly help keep your research focused and productive.
Step 4: Schedule Time to Follow Through
Finally, and this is the step that really makes a difference, set aside time to work on your research.
Block off an hour or two this week and start exploring one of the ideas you discovered during RootsTech.
Inspiration is wonderful, but progress happens when we actually sit down and do the research.
RootsTech is designed to spark new ideas and possibilities. The real breakthroughs happen afterwards when you apply what you've learned to your own family history.
So review your notes, select one idea, and get started.
You might be surprised by what you discover.
