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.

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.

RootsTech 2021: Free and online with a special RootsMagic offer

Current conditions prohibit large in-person genealogy conferences and events but that isn’t stopping RootsTech. The world’s largest genealogy conference is going online this year and, for the first time, is completely free!

“RootsTech Connect” runs February 25-27, 2021 at www.RootsTech.org. It has an impressive list of keynote speakers and over 1500 class sessions in 9 different categories.

Relatives at RootsTech

There is also an improved “Relatives at RootsTech” feature that lets you see how you’re related to the other 500,000+ RootsTech attendees. Just use RootsMagic to update FamilySearch Family Tree to see how you connect to interested genealogists around the world.

Special RootsMagic Discount

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

However, we’re pleased to offer our users the same special discount that we usually give at the in-person RootsTech event. You’ll get RootsMagic 7 Download and Getting the Most Out of RootsMagic 7 eBook (a $45 value) for only $20!

Plus, you will receive a free download of RootsMagic 8 when it is released (currently in Community Preview). This means that you can reserve a future copy of Version 8 at today’s lower Version 7 price!

So connect with others around the world at RootsTech Connect and take advantage of our special offer today!

Join the RootsMagic 8 Community Preview!

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With a new year comes a new release. We are excited to present the RootsMagic 8 Community Preview!

Now, you may be asking yourself- “What is a community preview?”

Basically, it is pre-release software. RootsMagic 8 has already been through extensive development and testing, but there is still some “spit n’ polish” before we are ready to officially release it. The Community Preview is a chance for us to get feedback from a larger group of testers and a chance for you to get acquainted with the software early.

As we are expecting a lot of feedback as we open the floodgates, we respectfully ask that you please do not contact our technical support regarding the preview. Our technicians are still becoming acquainted with the software themselves and are unable to offer any help with it until it is officially released.

In the meantime, we’ve set up a new special Facebook group just for users to discuss the preview with others. We’ve also made a special feedback form to send in any errors, bugs, or suggestions.

Do you still have questions? Check out our Frequently-asked questions for important answers to common questions.

Are you ready to take RootsMagic 8 for an early spin? Get the RootsMagic 8 Community Preview today!

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RootsMagic 7 Now Available for macOS 11 (Big Sur)

RootsMagic Now Available for MacOS 11 Big Sur

We are pleased to announce that RootsMagic 7 is now available for Apple computers running macOS 11 Big Sur. When Big Sur was released last month, it made some changes that broke the wrapper that allowed RootsMagic to run on macOS. While users with previous version of macOS could still use RootsMagic, users who had upgraded to Big Sur found that RootsMagic (and many other software applications) stopped working.

After much work and testing, the wrapper for RootsMagic 7 has been updated to run on Big Sur, as well as prior versions of macOS.

Users who installed a previous version of RootsMagic 7 on their Mac should uninstall RootsMagic before installing the new wrapper. Full instructions are found here.

Those users that are installing RootsMagic 7 on their Mac for the first time may download it here.

RootsMagic 8

In addition to the updated wrapper for RootsMagic 7, we are hard at work finishing up RootsMagic 8.  Version 8 is a fully-native, 64-bit macOS application and runs great on macOS Big Sur. Keep watching for more news about RootsMagic 8.

The Road to RootsMagic 8: More to Preview

We’ve been so busy working on RootsMagic 8 that we’ve neglected to post any updates on our progress over the last few weeks. While we’ve been sharing videos and tidbits via email and social media, we realized that we needed to pull these recent updates into one place to better communicate with all of our users.

The Testing Continues

We have many users who have been using RootsMagic 8, reporting bugs, and giving suggestions. In order to start testing the software, a user first agrees not to disclose to others about their experience or even that they are a tester. So for those that aren’t testing, it feels like everything is very quiet in regards to RootsMagic 8 while those that are testing are actually very busy and active. We gradually add more users to our testing pool so as not to overwhelm the process. Many of you have already volunteered to test the software and- if you aren’t already doing so- we hope to give you the opportunity soon.

Video Previews Galore

We’ve also been posting video previews of RootsMagic 8 onto our YouTube Channel. If by chance, you’ve missed them- then you’ll definitely want to check these out:

RootsMagic 8 Preview – People Page

RootsMagic 8: Work-in-Progress Preview

RootsMagic 8 Preview – Mapping

RootsMagic 8 Preview – Edit Screen

And our latest video:
RootsMagic 8 Preview – Reports, Charts, Publish & Search

We hope you enjoy these video previews of what is to come in RootsMagic 8. Thank you for your patience as we work hard with our testers to make this our best version of RootsMagic yet.