Special RootsTech Offer (In-Person and Online)

RootsTech 2024 is the world’s largest in-person and online family history celebration! And we’re offering RootsTech attendees a special discount. Save up to 50% on our software including Personal Historian 3Family Atlas, and RootsMagic 9!

At our booth, take advantage of our special conference pricing. You’ll get RootsMagic for only $20!

Those who can’t attend RootsTech this year can get the same conference special online by visiting www.NotAtRootsTech.com. The offer is only available through Monday, March 4, at 11:59 pm MST.

RootsTech 2024

RootsTech 2024 is almost here!

It’s almost time for the largest genealogy conference in the world- RootsTech!

It’s being held Thursday, February 29, through Saturday, March 2, 2024, online and in-person at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ve been there from the beginning, and we’re pleased to sponsor this event again in 2024.

Attend Online for Free!

Register for free for the RootsTech online conference! It only takes 10 seconds, and you will get access to hundreds of class sessions, a virtual expo hall, outstanding keynote addresses, and other unique experiences to help you discover more about your story.

Relatives at RootsTech

There is also an improved “Relatives at RootsTech” feature that lets you see how you’re related to the other RootsTech attendees. Just use RootsMagic to update FamilySearch Family Tree to see how you connect to interested genealogists worldwide.

Expo Hall

Don’t miss the expo hall, which is the country’s largest gathering place for genealogy products and services. Be sure to visit the RootsMagic booth #1301 (right up front) to meet our staff, ask questions, view demonstrations, and get special discounts on RootsMagic products.

Expo Hall hours (subject to change) are:

  • Thursday, February 29, 2024, 9 am–7:30 pm
  • Friday, March 1, 2024, 9 am–6 pm
  • Saturday, March 2, 2024, 9 am–3 pm

In-Person RootsMagic 9 Class

While the virtual RootsTech is free, the in-person event in Salt Lake City includes:

  • 250+ exclusive sessions only available in-person
  • Access to the world-renowned FamilySearch Library
  • Face-to-face connections with friends and industry experts

Plus, if you are attending in person, you can come to a RootsMagic 9 class, taught by the RootsMagician himself, Bruce Buzbee!

RootsMagic: Growing a personal tree in a connected world
Friday, March 1, 3:00–4:00 pm
Salt Palace Convention Center, Room 155 D

Join us for a friendly, easy-to-follow guide to starting your very own family tree using RootsMagic. We’ll learn how to grow your personal family tree in today’s connected world using the powerful tools of RootsMagic. We’ll show you how to handle private information about living or unproven family links while connecting your non-sensitive findings with larger family history platforms like FamilySearch and Ancestry.

Important: Upgrade to RootsMagic 9 to continue using FamilySearch and Ancestry features

For years, RootsMagic users have enjoyed integration with leading online genealogy services like FamilySearch and Ancestry. This collaboration has let our users search records, synchronize data, and more.

RootsMagic has always been at the forefront, staying up to speed with the latest technologies and online services.

The Next Step: Introducing OAuth in RootsMagic 9

The latest release of RootsMagic 9 (version 9.1) marks a significant upgrade in how users interact with these online services. Adopting OAuth technologies, this update introduces a new online sign-in system, supporting more sign-in options — including two-factor authentication — ensuring that users’ online data remains secure.

Why are Ancestry and FamilySearch making this change?

Ancestry and FamilySearch, understanding the importance of data security, will soon discontinue support for the old sign-in methods. The goal is to safeguard user data and provide more flexible account creation and access. It’s a necessary step forward as web technologies advance and security needs become more complex.

When this happens, users of RootsMagic 7 and 8 will no longer be able to sign into them. RootsMagic 9 users who have installed the latest update will not be affected.

When will these changes take place?

Ancestry and FamilySearch, working independently from each other, will make the changes on their own timetables. The exact dates aren’t known at this time, only that they will be soon.

We wanted to give our users advance notice so that they will be able to move their data to RootsMagic 9, and become familiar with it before the changes occur.

UPDATE: As of Monday, December 11, 2023, Ancestry has shut off external sign-in access to their API. FamilySearch remains unchanged.

Why can’t RootsMagic update previous versions to support the new sign-in methods?

We cannot update previous versions to support the new sign-in methods because they are built on older technologies that are not compatible with the new security measures.

RootsMagic 9, however, has been developed with these changes in mind, thanks to considerable time and effort from our development team.

I use RootsMagic 7/8 and want to keep using Ancestry/FamilySearch. How do I get version 9?

If you use an earlier version of RootsMagic and wish to continue using its Ancestry and FamilySearch features, you will need to upgrade to RootsMagic 9.

Special Limited-Time 50% Discount

We are excited to offer a limited-time discount — upgrade to RootsMagic 9 now and gain access to the latest version, including enhanced integration with Ancestry and FamilySearch, for only $20.

This offer represents a significant saving of 50% off the regular price. To take advantage of this special offer, use the code UPGRADE9 at checkout.

Not only will you get uninterrupted support for Ancestry and FamilySearch services, but you will also enjoy all the new features and enhancements available in RootsMagic 9.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, this is the perfect time to upgrade to RootsMagic 9. But hurry, this offer expires soon!

Exploring the New “Associations” Feature in RootsMagic 9: A Powerful Research Tool

RootsMagic 9, the latest version of our popular genealogy software, introduces an exciting new feature called “Associations”. This innovative addition, also known as the “FAN method” or “cluster research”, is a powerful research tool that provides a unique way to expand family research and discover connections beyond traditional family lines.

It allows you to document relationships between two people in your file that aren’t necessarily related. They could be friends, neighbors, or even something like an enslaver / enslaved person relationship.

Adding an Association

You can add an association in two different places:

  1. From the Add button on any of the People views
  2. From the Add fact list when editing a person

When adding (or editing) an association, you can enter the following information:

  • Association type: The type of association (friends, neighbors, etc.). You can also create your own association types.
  • The 2 people: You can select the two associated people using the selection list. If the two people are reversed, you can use the “Switch roles for the 2 people” button to switch them.
  • Date: The date (or date range) for the association
  • Sort date: A non-printing date used to sort the association with other events and associations
  • Place: The place for the association
  • Place details: The place details for the association
  • Description: A short (one line) description for the association
  • Note: Any text you want to enter describing more details about the association

When editing from the Edit Person screen, you can also add source citations, media, and even tasks to the association.

Association View

On the main screen, the new Association view is a list of all the associations in your file.

From the association view, you can:

  • Sort the list: Click the header of the column to sort by
  • Filter the list: Type in the name of the person you want to filter by
  • Edit either person: Click “Edit person 1” or “Edit person 2”
  • Edit the association: Click “Edit relationship”

Association List

There is also a new report called the “Association List”. It displays an indented list of the highlighted person’s associations. The list will include all associations for the person, plus all the associations for the associated people for as many levels as you select.

To print an association list:

  1. Select the Publish page
  2. Select “All reports and charts”
  3. Select “Association List (Individual)”
  4. Select your options from the Report Settings panel

For a demonstration of Associations in action, watch the video tutorial available here. This new feature is a powerful tool for genealogists and family historians, offering a new way to explore and document the complex web of relationships that make up our pasts.

It’s here! RootsMagic 9!

We are thrilled to announce the official release of RootsMagic 9, the latest version of the award-winning genealogy software, which makes researching, organizing, and sharing your family history easy and enjoyable. With the release comes an update to the free “RootsMagic Essentials” product and a limited-time discount offer for both new and existing users.

NOTE: The limited-time discount has expired since the publication of this article.

Impressive New Features

RootsMagic 9 includes exciting new features that will help you to discover more about your family history.

  • With our innovative new “Associations” feature, you can track more than just family relationships. This powerful tool lets you record friends, associates, neighbors, enslavements, and more, giving you a more complete picture of your ancestors and their connections.
  • Enhanced color coding with multiple color code sets and color labeling makes it easier to identify different branches of your family tree and see relationships at a glance.
  • With the ability to save and reuse search criteria and task filters, you can quickly access frequently used searches and save time on your research.
  • RootsMagic 9 also includes powerful new database tools, which can help you to identify and correct errors in your family tree data. This can lead to a more accurate family tree and more informed research.
  • The RootsMagic 9 note editor has been completely rewritten to be more responsive and now includes spell-checking.
  • For Windows users, RootsMagic 9 is now available in 32-bit and 64-bit formats.
  • And RootsMagic 9 includes dozens of new features designed to make working with your data faster, easier, and more enjoyable.

New Book

We’re also excited to announce the return of our “Getting the Most Out of RootsMagic” book, written especially for RootsMagic 9.

Many people barely touch the tip of the iceberg of RootsMagic’s features. If you are one of these people, “Getting the Most Out of RootsMagic 9” is the book for you. You start with basic data entry and continue by learning advanced techniques such as custom reports, citing sources, research tasks, creating user-defined facts, powerful tools, and much more.

“Getting the Most Out of RootsMagic 9” is available for $19.95 and is printed and shipped by Amazon.com.

New Videos

To help users become familiar with the new version and features, we’ve created a new set of free tutorial videos, including “Getting Started with RootsMagic,” “What’s New in RootsMagic 9,” and shorter videos showing individual features in more depth.

Free “RootsMagic Essentials”

RootsMagic 9 is also available in an updated, free edition named “RootsMagic 9 Essentials”.  RootsMagic Essentials is available for both Windows and macOS and contains many core features from the RootsMagic software.  The two products are fully compatible with one another.

Many people are curious about their family history and don’t know where to begin. RootsMagic Essentials is the perfect way for someone to get started risk-free. It’s available for download at https://rootsmagic.com/try.

Discount Offer

RootsMagic 9 is normally available for only $39.95.  Existing RootsMagic and Family Origins users may upgrade for only $29.95.

But for a very limited time, RootsMagic is offering RootsMagic 9 at the special price of $20.  Until Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 11:59PM Mountain time, any customer may purchase RootsMagic at this special $20 price. After March 10, RootsMagic 9 will return to its regular price, with the standard discount for upgrades.

Join the thousands of family historians who trust RootsMagic as the place to plant their family tree and get RootsMagic 9 today!

RootsTech 2023: In-person & Online; Special Discount on RootsMagic 9

RootsTech-Booth-2017

It’s the return of the live version of the largest genealogy conference in the world- RootsTech! It’s also the event where we are premiering our latest creation- RootsMagic 9!

It’s being held Thursday, March 2, through Saturday, March 4, 2023, online and in-person at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ve been there from the beginning, and we’re pleased to again sponsor this event in 2023. If you’re coming in person, we hope you’ll join us for our special in-booth demonstrations of RootsMagic 9.

Relatives at RootsTech

There is also an improved “Relatives at RootsTech” feature that lets you see how you’re related to the other 650,000+ RootsTech attendees. Just use RootsMagic to update FamilySearch Family Tree to see how you connect to interested genealogists worldwide.

Expo Hall

Don’t miss the expo hall with the largest gathering of genealogy products and services in the country. Be sure to visit the RootsMagic booth #1003 (right up front) to meet our staff, ask questions, view demonstrations, and get special discounts on RootsMagic products.

Expo Hall hours (subject to change) are:

  • Thursday, March 2, 2023, 9 am – 6 pm
  • Friday, March 3, 2023, 9 am – 6 pm
  • Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9 am – 3 pm

In-Person RootsMagic 9 Class

While the virtual RootsTech is free, the in-person event in Salt Lake City includes the Virtual Pass, PLUS:

  • Exclusive classes from expert genealogists
  • Access to the world-renowned FamilySearch Library
  • Face-to-face connections with friends and industry experts

Plus, if you are attending in-person, you can come to the very first RootsMagic 9 class, taught by the RootsMagician himself, Bruce Buzbee!

What’s New in RootsMagic 9
Friday, March 3, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Salt Palace Convention Center, Room 155 E

Special RootsTech Offer (In-Person and Online)

At our booth, take advantage of our special conference pricing. You’ll get RootsMagic for only $20!

Those who can’t attend RootsTech this year can get the same conference special by visiting www.NotAtRootsTech.com. The offer is only available starting Monday, February 27, at 11:00 am MST through Monday, March 6, 2023, at 11:59 pm MST.

See You There!

We’re excited to show you what we’ve been up to and to meet with so many of you in person. For those of you fortunate enough to be able to attend RootsTech in person, we look forward to seeing you. And if you won’t be able to join us there, be sure to participate in the virtual sessions and take advantage of the special offer at www.NotAtRootsTech.com.

RootsMagic 8, Windows 10, and FamilySearch

We’ve received reports from some users who have installed the Windows 10, October 2022 updates (version 21H1 or 21H2) and have discovered that RootsMagic 8 can no longer log into FamilySearch.

After some investigation, we have learned of a known issue in Microsoft’s update that can break the TLS internet security protocol. This affects not only RootsMagic 8, but many other products, including some of Microsoft’s own software.

To be clear:

  • This issue only affects RootsMagic 8 (not previous versions) running on Windows 10 with the October 2022 Windows updates.
  • Windows 7, 8, 11, and macOS are not affected.
  • Not everyone who has Windows 10 with the update is affected.
  • This Windows issue is affecting other software and not just RootsMagic 8.

If you have Windows 10 and have not yet installed the October 2022 updates, we recommend you hold off on doing so.

Fixing It (Updated)

If you have Windows 10, have installed the October 2022 updates, and cannot connect to FamilySearch using RootsMagic 8, you have 3 options to resolve the issue:

  • Install Microsoft’s fix. Microsoft has released an emergency fix (KB5020435) for this issue which can be downloaded and installed from these links:
  • Upgrade to Windows 11. If your computer is compatible with Windows 11, you may upgrade by following these instructions. Windows 11 does not have this problem, and RootsMagic 8 is compatible with Windows 11.
  • or Uninstall the October 2022 Update to Windows 10. You may also fix the problem by uninstalling the offending Windows update by following these instructions. You’ll need to uninstall “Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5018410).”

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

RootsTech 2022: 100% online, 100% free; Special RootsMagic discount

The world’s largest genealogy conference is 100% virtual this year as well as 100% free!

RootsTech 2022 runs March 3-5, 2022 at RootsTech.org. It has an impressive list of keynote speakers and over 1,500 class sessions on 185 topics in over 30 languages. Did we mention it’s all free?

Relatives at RootsTech

There is also an improved “Relatives at RootsTech” feature that lets you see how you’re related to the other 650,000+ RootsTech attendees. Just use RootsMagic to update FamilySearch Family Tree to see how you connect to interested genealogists around the world.

RootsMagic Users Group Chat

We also set up a group chat room in the RootsTech chat feature. To access it:

  1. Visit https://www.familysearch.org/messages/chat/fullpage. Sign into FamilySearch, if needed.
  2. Click on “Groups”, to the right of “Chats” on the header bar.
  3. In the “Search for groups” box, type “RootsMagic”.
  4. The “RootsMagic Users” group will appear in the search results. Click on it to join the chat group.

Special RootsMagic Discount

While RootsTech Connect does have a virtual expo hall, we’ve been putting all of our time and efforts into improving RootsMagic 8 and, unfortunately, don’t have a virtual booth this year.

However, we’re pleased to offer RootsTech attendees a special discount. Save up to 37% on our software including Personal Historian 3Family Atlas, and the NEW RootsMagic 8!

Through March 19, 2022, use the code ROOTSTECH to receive your discount. There is no limit on the number of discounted copies you can buy during this limited-time offer.

RootsMagic 2021 Year in Review

With the new year, we’d like to take this opportunity to look back at all that has happened with RootsMagic in 2021, as well as look forward to our plans in 2022.

RootsMagic 8

Of course, our biggest event of 2021 was the community preview and official release of RootsMagic 8.

Although this wasn’t the first time we have rewritten the RootsMagic code, it was by far the biggest project in our company history. We rewrote RootsMagic to support the latest genealogical technologies available today while building a foundation for future functionality that would have been impossible with our older code.

One of our main goals was to create native Windows and Mac versions with identical functionality, so we selected a development platform that allows us to create both with a single code base. This means that when we add new features in the future, those features will be available on both Windows and Mac.

In addition, we added an all-new interface that supports easily switching between different types of information without losing your place, the ability to edit multiple persons at the same time, reusable citations, a completely rewritten report engine, and the ability to save reports directly to Word (.docx) or Excel (.xlsx) files.

After working insanely long hours for months on end, we were able to officially release RootsMagic 8 on October 1, 2021.

New RootsMagic Community

In 2021 we also announced a new online community for users to connect and ask questions, share ideas, and discuss how to use the RootsMagic software. This community replaced our old forums which were based on a platform that had long since become obsolete. The new RootsMagic community is based on the Discourse platform and can be found at https://community.rootsmagic.com. Everyone is welcome to view or read posts, but a free account is required in order to post or comment on messages.

New Website

Our official website also received an overhaul with a responsive design, updated content, and easier navigation.

New RootsMagic Wiki

With the release of RootsMagic 8, we also introduced our new RootsMagic Wiki. The wiki contains the online version of help for RootsMagic 8, which means we can instantly add to and update the RootsMagic help, as well as include videos, links to webinars, and other multimedia options.

New Webinars

And speaking of webinars, we brought back our free webinars on getting the most out of your RootsMagic software. To help users become familiar with the new version and features, we’re offering a new series of free webinars; the first being, “What’s New in RootsMagic 8”.

Webinars will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel and recordings will be available there.

2022 New Year’s Resolutions

RootsMagic Updates

When rewriting RootsMagic 8, we did so with an eye on the future and emerging technologies. In the process, several features in RootsMagic 7 weren’t ready in time. Since then we have added several of those features to RootsMagic 8 in free updates, such as custom reports.

In 2022, watch for regular updates to your software with improvements, fixes, and new features.

Future RootsMagic

The future of RootsMagic is bright. We are no longer constrained by obsolete programming tools and technologies, and can focus on adding the exciting new features we’ve been dreaming of all these years.

It’s here! Presenting RootsMagic 8

We are thrilled to announce the official release of RootsMagic 8, the latest version of the award-winning genealogy software which makes researching, organizing, and sharing your family history easy and enjoyable. With the release comes an update to the free “RootsMagic Essentials” product, as well as a limited-time discount offer for both new and existing users.

Built For the Future

RootsMagic 8 is the biggest release in our 30-year history. We’ve rewritten RootsMagic to support the latest genealogical technologies available today while building a foundation for future functionality that would have been impossible with our older code.

Impressive New Features

RootsMagic 8 boasts an impressive list of new features including an all-new interface that supports easily switching between different types of information without losing your place, the ability to edit multiple persons at the same time, native Windows and Mac support, reusable citations, a completely rewritten report engine, and the ability to save reports directly to Word (.docx) or Excel (.xlsx) files.

Other exciting new features include fan charts, streamlined search capabilities, an enhanced person editing experience, and a powerful new task management system.

New RootsMagic Community

We’re also excited to announce a new online community for users to connect and ask questions, share ideas, and discuss how to use the RootsMagic software.  The RootsMagic community is based on the Discourse platform and can be found at https://community.rootsmagic.com.  Everyone is welcome to view or read posts, but a free account is required in order to post or comment on messages.

New Webinars

To help users become familiar with the new version and features, we’re offering a new series of free webinars; the first being, “What’s New in RootsMagic 8”. Visit https://rootsmagic.com/webinars to register.

Webinars will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel and recordings will be available there.

Free “RootsMagic Essentials”

RootsMagic 8 is also available in an updated, free edition named, “RootsMagic 8 Essentials”.  RootsMagic Essentials is available for both Windows and macOS and contains many core features from the RootsMagic software.  The two products are fully compatible with one another.

Many people are curious about their family history and don’t know where to begin. RootsMagic Essentials is the perfect way for someone to get started, risk-free. It’s available for download at https://www.rootsmagic.com/try .

Discount Offer

RootsMagic 8 is available for only $39.95.  Existing RootsMagic and Family Origins users may upgrade for only $29.95.

For a limited time, RootsMagic is offering an additional discount for both full and upgrade copies.  Until October 17, 2021, the full version will be available for $34.95, and upgrade pricing will be $24.95.  After October 17th, the price will return to its regular price.

Thank You

Thank you to all of the users and testers who have worked with us as we’ve journeyed this long road to get to this point. This wouldn’t have been possible without your testing, feedback, and patience. We’re excited to finally deliver RootsMagic 8 to you and for the future plans that we have for our software.