Watch the Best of RootsTech 2026: Now Available On Demand

Lisa Hallett Taylor
Apr 16
2 min read

If you missed this year’s RootsTech 2026—or just want to revisit your favorite sessions—you’re in luck. Much of the conference is now available free on demand, giving genealogists and family historians the chance to keep learning all year long.

Hosted by FamilySearch International, RootsTech once again proved why it’s considered the world’s largest family history event. The 16th annual conference brought together millions of participants from 235 countries and territories, offering a truly global celebration of family, heritage, and connection.

A Global Gathering of Family Historians

RootsTech 2026 delivered a range of programming, including:

500+ sessions and classes
200+ exhibitors in the online expo hall
Content in 23 languages
Interactive experiences like Relatives at RootsTech

Whether attending in person or online, participants explored new tools, discovered ancestral connections, and shared their own family stories.

Even though the live event has concluded, the learning continues. Thousands of classes are now accessible online, and users can build personalized playlists to guide their ongoing research.

RootsTech '26

Popular Classes to Explore

This year’s sessions covered everything from artificial intelligence to DNA research to historical storytelling. Some standout classes now available on demand include:

AI and Family History: Help or Hype? — Andrew Redfern
DNA’s FAN Club: Using Shared Matches to Solve Genealogical Mysteries — Paula Williams
Finding Binkey: When Research Questions Become a Road Map to the Enslaved — Michael A. Willis
DNA Misconceptions — Kelli Bergheimer
Gravestone Symbols from A to Z — Cathy Wallace

Several sessions were also offered in Spanish and Portuguese, reflecting RootsTech’s growing international reach.

Inspiring Keynote Speakers

A hallmark of RootsTech is its dynamic keynote lineup, and 2026 did not disappoint. Speakers from across industries shared powerful stories about identity, resilience, and connection:

Steve Rockwood opened the conference with reflections on unity and family
Marlee Matlin spoke about inclusion as a historical responsibility
Tara Roberts explored the stories behind slave-trade shipwrecks
Steve Young highlighted the role of family in his success
José Hernández shared his journey from migrant roots to NASA
Jessica Soho and Zico offered global perspectives on heritage

The Gardiner Brothers added energy and cultural connection with both a virtual keynote and a live performance.

Together, these speakers reinforced the conference theme: “Together.”

Technology and Innovation in Focus

RootsTech forums continue to be a valuable resource for staying current with emerging tools in genealogy. This year’s sessions included:

FamilySearch Global and Tech Forum
RootsTech Innovation and Tech Forum

These discussions highlighted new technologies designed to make family discovery more accessible and meaningful.

Keep Learning—All Year Long

One of the biggest advantages of RootsTech is that it doesn’t end when the conference does. With free, on-demand access:

Watch sessions anytime
Explore new research strategies
Discover tools to break through brick walls
Build a personalized learning experience

The RootsTech Online Expo Hall will remain open through August 2026, offering additional opportunities to connect with genealogy organizations and resources.

What Is RootsTech?

RootsTech is a global conference dedicated to helping people discover, preserve, and share their family histories. Through classes, storytelling, and innovative tools, it brings together a worldwide community of researchers, beginners, and professionals alike.

Start Watching

Ready to dive in? Explore the RootsTech 2026 sessions and start building your watchlist—you might just discover a new branch of your family tree along the way.