Global RootsTech 2022 Conference begins today

The desire to know about our heritage was stirred many years ago by the author Alex Haley in "Roots." He wrote, "There is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage – to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that RootsTech 2022 will be held online from March 3-5. RootsTech is the world's largest family history conference, and the conference is entirely free for everyone.

The theme of this year's event is "Choose Connection." Family Search, the sponsor of the event and the world's largest genealogy organization, states, "Whether it's by learning about ancestors, traveling to homelands steeped in your heritage or even discovering how you're related to your friends, you can make powerful connections to the people and places that matter most to you."

RootsTech helps by bringing families together. Participants will have access to over 1,500 sessions to include activities that celebrate and connect families.

Featured speakers will also share their stories. Some of this year's speakers are actor Matthew Modine, Africa's greatest boxing legend Samuel Azumah "Zoom Zoom" Nelson from Ghana, French baker Apollonia Poilane and Argentine singer Diego Torres. Each will tell stories about how family history has changed them.

Last year participants were introduced to a vast online learning library of more than 1,500 sessions, which provided information on almost any family history or genealogy-related topic. Those classes are still available on-demand.

RootsTech 2022 will add close to 900 more sessions in more than 30 languages from presenters worldwide, many in a shorter format. Participants can use the My Playlist feature to create a customized list of sessions.

RootsTech, considered to be the largest family history conference in the world, is hosted by FamilySearch, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all people discover their family story.

Complimentary registration is available at RootsTech.org. The quality of our families and our communities across the nation began with our descendants years ago. Through searching for our roots, we will be able to better understand how to cope with today's problems and challenges and to prepare for generations to come. Daniel Webster wrote, "There is a moral and philosophical respect for our ancestors which elevates the character and improves the heart."