Introduction: What is Roots Tech and why are Handouts important?
The largest and most popular global event for genealogy and family history research worldwide — RootsTech — is not just a simple conference, but a great academic and technological hub where experts, historians, digital archive experts, and family tradition preservers from all over the world gather on one platform.A fundamental and extremely valuable component of this event are the Roots Tech Handouts.
Roots Tech Handouts are all the written materials, presentation notes, workshop summaries, research tips, technical guidelines, and practical exercises that are provided with the lectures, seminars, and workshops presented at this conference.
- The importance of these handouts is also very high because:
- They strengthen and facilitate the learning process
- Information missed during lectures is preserved
- Researchers get practical practice
- You can re-read any topic in detail later
- Get the latest information about new tools, software, and methods
In this article, we will understand every aspect of Roots Tech Handouts in complete detail.
What are Roots Tech Handouts?
In simple terms, understand this:
When you attend a class or lecture, the written material that is given to you is called a Handout.
Similarly, RootsTech Handouts are all the informational documents that are provided with any lecture, training, or workshop. They usually include:
- Presentation Summary
- Illustrative Examples
- Study Points
- Research Guidelines
- Links to Tools
- How to Use the Software
- More Learning Resources
This material is usually in the form of a PDF, PowerPoint, or written notes.
Types of Roots Tech Handouts
Educational Handouts
These are handouts that cover research, genealogy methods, and principles related to historical research.
Technical Handouts
These documents provide guidance on the use of new technologies, software, databases, online records, and advanced tools.
Workshop Handouts
Handouts that include step-by-step practice given to participants in a practical workshop.
Research Handouts
These include research methods, data collection principles, family record keeping methods, and fieldwork tips.
Family Story Handouts
These handouts help you write family stories, preserve memories, create photo archives, and collect rare documents.
Genetic Genealogy Handouts
These handouts include information on DNA testing, interpretation of matches, and methods for creating genetic lineages.
Why are Roots Tech Handouts important?
This question often comes to the mind of new learners, why are handouts so important?
The reason is very clear:
A complete record is preserved
No matter how many notes you make during a lecture, many things are bound to be missed.
Handouts maintain a complete written record.
Opportunity to reread later
A big advantage in research is “rereading,” and handouts make this process easier.
A systematic research system is created
When you have documented material by topic, research progresses in an organized manner.
Practical examples for the learner
The examples and exercises provided in the handouts give you practical experience.
Save time and effort
No need to listen to lectures again or search for information.
Where are RootsTech Handouts obtained?
If you attend RootsTech, you will be provided with these handouts directly.
But if you attend online, you can get these materials from:
- RootsTech website
- Speaker profile
- Relevant session pages
- By email
- The “Downloads” section
Some handouts are free, while others are only available to registered attendees.
What topics do Roots Tech Handouts cover?
These handouts cover such a wide range of topics that every nation, every religion, and every family member can extract the information they need from them.
Below are some of the main topics:
Basic Family History Research
- These handouts teach:
- How to create a family tree
- How to get information from elders
- How to preserve household documents
- How to collect family stories
DNA Testing and Genetic Research
- DNA is playing an important role in family history today.
These handouts include: - How to get tested?
- What do the results mean?
- How to read matching records?
- How to get family evidence from DNA?
Searching Online Databases
- Millions of records from around the world are now digitized.
- RootsTech Handouts explains:
- Which databases are important?
- How to use search filters?
- Where to find rare records?
How to Read Historical Documents
Many beginners have trouble understanding old documents such as:
- Ancient letters
- Birth records
- Land deeds
- Marriage certificates
- Immigration files
RootsTech handouts provide a complete guide to analyzing them.
Photo Retrieval and Digital Storage
- If you have old family photos, the handouts teach:
- How to scan photos?
- What resolution to save in?
- What apps are best?
- How to identify family photos?
How to use software and tools
- Popular genealogy software such as:
- Family Tree Maker
- MyHeritage Tools
- AncestryDNA
- FamilySearch
- RootsMagic
Complete guides on how to use them are also included in the handouts.
Who benefits from Roots Tech Handouts?
Researchers
who need information that is secure, organized, and referenced.
Students
who are doing research on family history or social studies.
Family Historians
who want to preserve their family memories.
Teachers and trainers
who conduct classes or workshops will find this material very useful in a training manner.
Ordinary family members
who want to preserve their genealogical information.
How to use Roots Tech Handouts?
Read before watching the session
So you understand what will be taught in class.
Use as notes during class
Having the main points in advance makes it easier to understand.
Read in detail after class
This is the most important step in research.
Incorporate into your research
Make the methods and examples given in the handouts part of your research.
Save it for future reference
because this information will come in handy for years to come.
End of this section
This was part one.
I have given you a complete coverage of these topics in it:
- What are Roots Tech Handouts
- Their types
- Their importance
- Where do you get them
- What topics do they cover
- Who benefits from them
- How are they used
Roots Tech Handouts – FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are Roots Tech Handouts?
Roots Tech Handouts are written materials, lessons, presentation notes, workshop guides, and research documents provided with various sessions and workshops at the RootsTech conference.
Are Roots Tech Handouts free?
Some handouts are available completely free of charge, while others are only available to those who register or attend the session.
Where can Roots Tech Handouts be downloaded?
You can get handouts from the official RootsTech website, specific session pages, speaker profiles, or the download section.
Do RootsTech handouts change every year?
Yes! New sessions come out every year, so the handouts also change depending on the new topics.
What topics are RootsTech Handouts on?
These handouts are available on the following topics:
- Family History
- DNA Research
- How to Use FamilySearch
- Techniques for Reading Ancient Records
- Photo Archiving
- Genealogy Research
- Genetic Genealogy
- Online Database Searching
(Conclusion)
Roots Tech Handouts are a valuable resource for learning about family history, research, and genealogy. They provide session summaries, guidance, and practical exercises that make research easier, more organized, and more effective. Researchers of all levels can benefit from these handouts.