Author: Michael Booth

It’s almost here! We’re pleased to again sponsor the largest genealogy conference in the world: RootsTech! It’s being held Wednesday, February 27 through Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ve been a part of it since the beginning and this year is no exception.

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 (#1125) to meet the RootsMagic staff, ask questions, and get special discounts on RootsMagic products.

View a Map of the Expo Hall

Expo Hall hours (subject to change) are:

• Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 6 pm – 8 pm
• Thursday, February 28, 2019, 9 am – 6 pm
• Friday, March 1, 2019, 9 am – 6 pm
• Saturday, March 2, 2019, 9 am – 2 pm

And while you’re there, you can be one of the first to see our latest creation- RootsMagic 8!

RootsMagic 8 Preview

Stop by our booth to see a special preview of our amazing new release- RootsMagic 8 (coming soon)! We’re also giving away a full license for RootsMagic 8 with every copy of RootsMagic 7. That means that you can buy RootsMagic 7 for only $20 at the conference and get a free upgrade to RootsMagic 8 at the same time. It’s your chance to get this future release at today’s prices!

RootsMagic 8 in the Demo Theater

After you’ve walked the halls of RootsTech, nothing sounds better than a soft, comfortable couch. And the Expo Hall Demo Theater is full of them! Join us for a quick demonstration of RootsMagic 8 in the theater where you’ll get a chance to relax, learn something new about your favorite software, and maybe even take a little nap.

Time: Thursday, February 28, 2019, 4:20-4:35 pm
Place: Expo Hall Demo Theater, Salt Palace Convention Center

Other Classes and Keynotes

RootsTech also has some amazing speakers lined up including Patricia Heaton, Emmy award-winning actress; Saroo Brierley, bestselling author; Jake Shimabukuro, chart-topping ukulele artist; Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch; and Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan K. Bednar. There are also over 300 breakout sessions taught by industry experts for beginners and experts alike.

See You There!

As you can guess, we’ve been very busy working on RootsMagic 8 and getting ready for RootsTech. We’re excited to show you a little of 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, we look forward to seeing you. And if you’re not going to be able to join us there, don’t worry- we’ll be sharing more news in the near future.

Today, we are excited to announce the official release of Personal Historian 3- the latest version of our ground-breaking computer software which helps you write the story of your life and of other individuals.  Are you overwhelmed with the idea of writing your life stories? Personal Historian breaks this seemingly monumental task into small, manageable pieces and then reconstructs it into a complete, publishable document.

Personal Historian creates an interactive timeline of a person’s life to keep the stories organized, give context to life events, and to allow users to write stories in any order they wish. When ready, Personal Historian will compile the stories into a finished book complete with table of contents, chapters, pictures, indexes, and more.  The book may then be printed at home, edited in a word processor, published professionally, or shared with friends and family.

New! Download and Publish Your Facebook Memories

Facebook has been in the news quite a bit lately. And if you’re like me, you’ve used it for several years to share news, pictures, and more with friends and family to the point that it contains many treasured memories and stories from your life.

One amazing new feature in Personal Historian 3 is the ability to download a copy of all your Facebook posts, places, pictures, family, and even comments right into the software. You can even print and publish a book from your Facebook feed.

New! Share and Combine Stories between Multiple Histories

As you can use Personal Historian to write any number of histories for all of the important people in your life, many users have requested the ability to share stories between their multiple histories.  Personal Historian 3 now lets you import stories, pictures, people, places, and categories from one file to another- making it easy to share and combine histories.

New! LifeCapsule Editor

One of the most powerful features in Personal Historian has been its collection of LifeCapsules- sets of events, timelines, and memory triggers which give context and color to your stories. In addition to the many LifeCapsules which come with the software (which have all been refreshed and updated in version 3), the new LifeCapsule Editor gives you the ability to create your own LifeCapsules on any subject you like. You can then import these LifeCapsules into your own Personal Historian files or even share them with others to incorporate into their own histories.

Of course, Personal Historian 3 also has many more enhancements, features, and fixes which have been requested by our loyal users throughout the years.

Join our Webinar to Learn More

To celebrate this new release, we’ll be hosting a special free webinar on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. MDT where we will demonstrating Personal Historian 3 and showing off its new features. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about the software and ask questions to its developer! If you can’t attend the webinar live, don’t worry- we’ll put up a recording of it that you can watch later on.

Upgrade Offer

Get your copy of Personal Historian 3 now by visiting http://www.personalhistorian.com or by calling 1-800-766-8762. New users may purchase it for only $29.95 while existing Personal Historian users may upgrade for only $19.95, saving $10 off of the regular price. A free, limited-feature version named “Personal Historian 3 Essentials” is also available for those who would like to take the software for a spin before purchasing.

So if you’re ready to finally make some progress on writing the story of your life, get your copy of Personal Historian 3 today!

RootsTech is almost here and you can read about our exhibit, discounts, classes, and demos.  We also promised to tell you about two different games and giveaways that we’re participating in. The first is the “GBA.Buzz Scavenger Hunt” and the second is our new “RootsMagic MagicWall”.

Now, you may or may not be familiar with “mermaid fabric”. It’s an amazing fabric covered with two-toned sequins that lets you reverse the color by simply brushing against it with your hand or finger. If you haven’t played with it before, take our word for it- it is mesmerizing. Most people have played with a small pillow or shirt with this fabric on it. Well, we’re bringing to RootsTech a wall covered with 28 square feet of the stuff! We call it, the “RootsMagic MagicWall”.

And we’ll have it at our booth in the RootsTech expo hall where you are free to brush, touch, write, doodle, and draw to your heart’s content. But we aren’t stopping there. We’re also giving away some fun prizes every day for people who stop by and play on the MagicWall.

 

Each day, Thursday through Saturday, we’ll be giving away 1 copy of Disney/Pixar’s “Coco”, an amazing animated film about family history and preserving memories; an Ancestry DNA testing kit, and a copy of our brand new Personal Historian 3 personal and family history writing software.

To enter to win:

1. Stop by the RootsMagic booth (#727) and draw something on the RootsMagic MagicWall.
2. Take a picture of yourself with your masterpiece.
3. Post the picture to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using the hashtag, “#RootsMagic”. Make sure your post is publically visible so we can see and count your entry.
4. Three entries will be randomly selected Thursday at 11:59 pm MST, Friday at 11:59 pm MST, and Saturday at 1:59 pm MST to win 1 of each day’s prizes (9 winners in total). You will need to post a picture each day to qualify for that day’s drawing.
5. Winners’ names will be posted at the RootsMagic MagicWall and winners will be responsible for collecting their prizes from the RootsMagic booth before the end of the conference at 4:00 pm on Saturday.

Good luck and we’ll see you at RootsTech!

RootsTech is coming soon, and we’re busy getting ready for it. We’ve already written about several of the ways you’ll be able to interact with us at the conference, and we promised to tell you about two different games and giveaways that we’re participating in. The first is the “GBA.Buzz Scavenger Hunt”.

RootsMagic is a member of the Genealogy Business Alliance. This is a group for genealogy business leaders to discuss best practices, network, and create a united voice in the genealogy community. This year, RootsMagic and 15 other members of GBA have joined together for the GBA.Buzz Scavenger Hunt. In it, we’re all giving away more than $2000 worth of prizes!

This video explains how to play:

Step 1: Visit any of these 16 booths in the RootsTech Expo Hall. The more booths you visit, the more entries you get, and the greater your chances of winning a prize.

Click here to download the map.

Step 2: Find the GBA.Buzz poster in each booth. Using your smartphone, either scan the QR code or enter the web address found on the poster.

Step 3: After entering the code, enter your name and your email address to track your progress.

Step 4: Answer a question about the exhibitor’s business. (Don’t worry, they aren’t hard)

Step 5: Watch for Instant Rewards from certain booths.

Step 6: Move on to the next exhibitor and repeat the Scavenger Hunt for more chances to win and more instant rewards!

For more information, visit http://GBA.buzz.

It’s almost here! The largest genealogy conference in the world: RootsTech! It’s being held Wednesday, February 28 through Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ve been a part of it since the beginning and this year is no exception. In fact, this year we are again pleased to be an official sponsor of this event!

Expo Hall

Don’t miss the free expo hall with the largest gathering of genealogy products and services in the country. Be sure to visit the RootsMagic booth (#727) to meet the RootsMagic staff, ask questions, and get special discounts on RootsMagic products.

View a Map of the Expo Hall

Expo Hall hours (subject to change) are:

• Wednesday, February 28, 2018, 6 pm – 8 pm
• Thursday, March 1, 2018, 9:30 am – 6 pm
• Friday, March 2, 2018, 9:30 am – 7 pm
• Saturday, March 3, 2018, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

And while you’re there, you can be one of the first to see our latest creation- Personal Historian 3!

RootsMagic Class Session

This year, we’re offering a class entitled, RootsMagic: Your Offline Home for Your Online Work. Here’s the description:

“It has never been easier to find and learn about your ancestors through internet records and websites. But collecting and organizing that information can be challenging. RootsMagic genealogy and family tree software can be your “home base” for accessing all these different resources. Join us and learn how to use the RootsMagic to spot holes and problems in your family tree. See how to easily search online sites such as Ancestry, FamilySearch, Findmypast, MyHeritage, and more. You’ll also learn how to easily share your findings with others.”

Time: Friday, March 2, 2018, 3 pm – 4 pm
Place: Ballroom G, Salt Palace Convention Center
Note: This class requires a RootsTech registration to attend.

Personal Historian in the Demo Theater

After you’ve walked the halls of RootsTech, nothing sounds better than a soft, comfortable couch. And the Expo Hall Demo Theater is full of them! Join us for a quick demonstration of the new Personal Historian 3 in the theater where you’ll get a chance to relax, learn something new about your favorite software, and maybe even take a little nap.

Time: Thursday, March 1, 2018, 2-2:15 pm (NOTE: The initial day and time published in this post were incorrect and are now correct.)
Place: Expo Hall Demo Theater, Salt Palace Convention Center

Other Classes and Keynotes

RootsTech also has some amazing speakers lined up including Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch; Brandon Stanton, photographer and author of “Humans of New York”; Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist; Henry Louis Gates Jr., professor, author, and filmmaker; Natalia Lafourcade, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter; and President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency and his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks. There are also over 200 breakout sessions taught by industry experts for beginners and experts alike.

Games and Giveaways

There’s a lot to do and see at RootsTech, and we like to keep things a little more interesting and exciting for those that join us there. Stay tuned for news about not one, but two exciting games and giveaways.

Last year, we announced we were working with Ancestry® to integrate Ancestry Hints® and Ancestry’s records and online trees with our software. After months of development and the feedback of thousands of testers, we’re pleased to announce the release of RootsMagic 7.5, a free update to RootsMagic 7 that adds two amazing new features: TreeShare™ for Ancestry and the addition of Ancestry Hints to RootsMagic’s WebHints™ feature.

TreeShare for Ancestry

RootsMagic’s TreeShare for Ancestry will let you move data between your RootsMagic files on your computers and your personal Ancestry online trees. You can transfer people, events, notes, source citations, and even pictures between the two systems.

RootsMagic users also gain the ability to easily share and collaborate with others by giving family members access to their Ancestry online tree. Using the new TreeShare feature, family members can then synchronize the latest changes and additions to both the online tree and their desktop computers.

Ancestry Hints Integration

RootsMagic leverages the Ancestry Hints capability, and as possible matches are found, users may conveniently review them from within the software. RootsMagic then lets you add new information and media from matching records into your file.

Free RootsMagic Essentials Software

For those that are just starting their journey into the world of genealogy, RootsMagic offers “RootsMagic Essentials”- a free version of their software with a limited set of features tailored towards beginners.

If you have an account with Ancestry, RootsMagic Essentials includes the ability to upload your file to Ancestry or download your existing online trees from Ancestry.  If you are a subscriber to Ancestry, RootsMagic Essentials also allows you to search and view all of the content in your subscription.  Those wishing to compare and transfer individual records between RootsMagic and Ancestry will want to use the full-featured RootsMagic software.

Celebrate with a Giveaway

To celebrate this monumental release, we’re holding a special giveaway. We’re giving away a 1-Year Ancestry World Explorer Membership as well as 3 Ancestry DNA Testing Kits. To enter, use this entry form:

RootsMagic TreeShare Giveaway

Available Now

The update is free for users of RootsMagic 7 and RootsMagic Essentials 7 and is available via direct download or through the “Check for Updates” feature within RootsMagic. To learn more about these features or to take advantage of a special offer for Ancestry users, please go to http://www.rootsmagic.com/ancestry.

There’s a lot of interest in our upcoming update which will add Ancestry integration to RootsMagic. We’re getting many questions through all our support channels about this, and we’ve tried to share as many details as we could. But there are lots of spinning plates in the air, and there are many people from multiple companies working to make this happen. So we haven’t always been able to give answers as specific and detailed as some have wanted.

Now that we’re getting close to releasing these features, we’re able to share a little more information and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

What are these Ancestry features?

RootsMagic’s TreeShare for Ancestry will let you move data between your RootsMagic files on your computers and your personal Ancestry online trees. You can transfer people, events, notes, source citations, and even pictures between the two systems.

RootsMagic’s WebHints will automatically search Ancestry’s extensive collections of historical records from around the world. As possible matches are found, you may conveniently review them from within the software. RootsMagic then lets you add new information and media from matching records into your file.

When will these features be released?

As already mentioned, many people and companies are working hard to make sure the new features are fast, stable, secure, and valuable to you, our users. The features are currently being scrutinized by an ever-growing group of testers. As problems are found, we correct them and put out a new update for the testers. Things are looking very promising and, barring some unexpected problem, we anticipate releasing the Ancestry integration to the public before the end of April.

How will I connect my RootsMagic file with my Ancestry online tree?

At release, you’ll have two options: 1. Upload your RootsMagic file to a new Ancestry online tree, or 2: Download an existing Ancestry online tree into a new RootsMagic file.

Can I connect multiple RootsMagic files to a single Ancestry online tree?

Yes. This means that you can use TreeShare from different computers working with the same Ancestry tree. In fact, we chose the name “TreeShare” to highlight an important side-effect of this. You can invite family members to edit and add to your Ancestry online tree. Each family member can then connect their RootsMagic data with the central tree to collaborate with one another. RootsMagic will also give you complete control over what information you share with each other.

How will I keep my RootsMagic file and Ancestry online tree synchronized?

After the initial upload or download, everyone will be in sync between the RoothsMagic file and Ancestry tree. As changes are made to either RootsMagic or Ancestry, RootsMagic will let you know who and what has changed and will allow you to easily select what to move back and forth. Rather than force your RootsMagic file and Ancestry tree to always look exactly the same, you as a user will choose what to share. This is what allows two (or more) different people to be able to connect to the same tree without forcing each other’s data into the other’s file.

Can I use TreeShare to backup my data to Ancestry?

The best backup strategy is to have multiple backup strategies. Saving your data to an Ancestry online tree is a great additional option for preserving your work. All the essential information including people, events, notes, sources, and media which are common to both systems are kept in an Ancestry online tree. However, RootsMagic-only data such as To-Do lists and Research Logs won’t make the journey.

Will any of the Ancestry features be included in the free RootsMagic Essentials software?

Yes. RootsMagic Essentials is the free version of our software which has a limited set of features tailored towards beginners. RootsMagic Essentials will include the ability to upload your file to Ancestry, download an online tree from Ancestry, and search Ancestry’s collections for WebHints. More advanced users wishing to compare and transfer individual records between RootsMagic and Ancestry will want to use the full-featured RootsMagic software.

I have multiple computers and operating systems. How many RootsMagic licenses do I need to buy?

Just one. Our software license is for the household, so you are welcome to install it on all of your own computers. You can even use RootsMagic To-Go and install to flash drives to take with you. The license covers both our Windows and MacOS versions.

I already have RootsMagic 7. How will I get these new features?

TreeShare for Ancestry and WebHints will be in a free update to RootsMagic 7, expected to be released sometime before the end of April. When you run the software, it will check for any updates via the internet, download, and install them. We will also send out an announcement via blog, mailing list, and celebratory dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Other Questions

If you have other questions, first check our previous list of frequently-asked questions and their answers. If you still can’t find your answer, feel free to contact us through one of our many support channels.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Based on the feedback from our current testers, we think you’ll love these new features and find them worth the wait.

[Edited to clarify details about the synchronization process]

I’ve managed to climb out of the RootsMagic underground labs for a quick break and was able to sneak some top-secret documents past the watchful gaze of the RootsMagician. I’m excited to give you an exclusive look at some long-awaited new features coming to RootsMagic 7. (Keep in mind that these features are still under development and may change before they are officially released). So here’s your first look at two of these new integrations with Ancestry.

TreeShare

Our upcoming TreeShare for Ancestry allows you to connect your RootsMagic data with an Ancestry Member Tree.

Once connected, you can quickly find differences and share data between the two trees.

WebHints

RootsMagic 7’s WebHints feature automatically searches for matching records from many providers including FamilySearch, Findmypast, and MyHeritage. And coming soon to this list is Ancestry! Just click on a light bulb next to a person’s name and you’ll see the WebHints screen:

Click on “Ancestry,” and you’ll see a list of matching records from Ancestry’s many collections. This is familiar territory for those who have already used our WebHints.

But this is where the similarities to the other record providers end. Instead of just viewing the records, you can click on information contained in the Ancestry record and copy it into your own RootsMagic file. It can even incorporate images and source citations!

Become a Tester

Currently, these features are being put through their paces by a group of testers. As the features become more polished and stable, we expand the group of testers and repeat the process. If you’re interested in becoming a tester and get early access to these features, you can sign up at here.

Well, it looks like my break is about over and it’s time for me to return to the underground labs. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this quick glimpse at these exciting new features coming to RootsMagic 7. Don’t forget to sign up to be a tester and- uh- please don’t tell the RootsMagician where you heard about all this.

RootsMagic is pleased to sponsor RootsTech 2017, the largest genealogy conference in the world. You can read about several of the ways you’ll be able to interact with us at the conference and the GBA Colossal Giveaway where you can win some amazing prizes. Today, we announce a second way to win prizes at RootsTech- the RootsMagic Daily Giveaway!

You’ll have a chance to win one of over $4000 in prizes from RootsMagic and some of our generous friends. Prizes include:

• (5) 1-year World Explorer Subscriptions courtesy of Ancestry ($300 value each)
• (3) 1-year Complete Plan Subscriptions courtesy of MyHeritage ($265 value each)
• Free DNA Analysis or Research Plan from Legacy Tree Genealogists ($350 value)
• 20″x24″ Canvas Custom Chart from Family ChartMasters ($200 value)
• Shotbox Portable Light Studio courtesy of Shotbox ($179 value)
• Personal Coaching Session from genealogyDOTcoach ($120 value)
• Complete Activity Book Set from Zap the Grandma Gap ($112 value)
• VHS-to-Digital transfers by Larsen Digital ($75 value)
• (3) 1-month Premium Subscriptions courtesy of Findmypast ($20 value each)
• Movie Film-to-Digital transfers by Larsen Digital ($50 value)
• (6) Amazon.com $25 gift cards

and of, course:

• Software, books, bags, and more from RootsMagic

To enter:

1. Find the RootsMagic Daily Giveaway Entry Form in your RootsTech attendee bag. Forms are also available at our booth.
2. Complete the word search puzzle on the entry form. Don’t forget to write your name on it.
3. Drop off your completed entry form at the RootsMagic booth in the Expo Hall (#723).
4. Come back to the RootsMagic booth every day at 12:50 pm for our daily prize drawings. You must be present to win.

Be sure to stop by the booths of those who donated prizes and thank them for supporting the RootsMagic community!

RootsTech is coming soon, and we’re busy getting ready for it. We’ve already written about several of the ways you’ll be able to interact with us at the conference, and we promised to tell you about two different games and giveaways that we’re participating in. Today, we’ll tell you about the first.

RootsMagic is a member of the Genealogy Business Alliance. This is a group for genealogy business leaders to discuss best practices, network, and create a united voice in the genealogy community. This year, RootsMagic and 15 other members of GBA have joined together for the GBA Colossal Giveaway. In it, we’re all giving away almost $3000 worth of prizes!

To enter:

1. Visit a participating booth in the expo hall (see this map)
2. Look for the GBA sign
3. Submit an entry using the sign-up sheet
4. Visit each participating booth to enter again
5. Winners will be randomly chosen after the conference and notified via e-mail to arrange prize delivery

See here for the official rules.

Watch this blog because we still have one other giveaway to tell you about!