Tag: family

RootsTech 2022: New family history technology, keynote messages

Audrey
RootsTech 2022: New family history technology, keynote messages

RootsTech 2022 picked up right where it left off last year — by reaching more than 1 million participants in over 225 countries and territories in its first day.

Many more are expected to participate in the free online family history conference before it ends on March 5, according to a FamilySearch news release.

Participants who log in to RootsTech.org can choose from more than 1,500 learning sessions on 185 topics in over 30 languages, as well as can create custom playlists of sessions they would like to watch now or later on demand during the year. DNA, family history research, technology, travel and storytelling are among the popular topics.

The conference has featured messages from a diverse lineup of keynote speakers.

The large gathering also provides a prime opportunity for organizations such as FamilySearch, MyHeritage and other major sponsors to introduce new technology, updated tools and innovations.

Here is a quick look at some of the new technology and thoughts on connection from featured keynote speakers.

What is ‘Get Involved’?

FamilySearch has developed a new volunteer online experience called “Get Involved” that uses handwriting recognition technology. The new tool was released at RootsTech.

FamilySearch has developed a new volunteer online experience called “Get Involved” that uses handwriting recognition technology.

FamilySearch has developed a new volunteer online experience called “Get Involved” that uses handwriting recognition technology.

Here’s how it works:

  • A user pulls out his or her phone and clicks on the “Get Involved” app.
  • The user selects a country where his or her ancestors are from.
  • A record appears with a highlighted name. The user is provided with options to confirm the name, edit it or click “Unsure.” The name appears correct and the user confirms it. 
  • The app guides the user through a batch of names on records. The names confirmed are saved on FamilySearch for use in building a family tree
  • The task takes less than two minutes to complete.

In 2021, FamilySearch completed the microfilm digitization initiative, a new database with names and information for billions. FamilySearch hopes volunteers will use “Get Involved” to help digitize those records to help people find and connect with their ancestors.

The first projects available in English will be refining United States Wills and Deeds collections from almost all 50 states. The 1950 U.S. Census will be released in April. Additional projects in Italian, Portuguese and other Latin American countries are also in the works.

Learn more at FamilySearch.org/GetInvolved.

MyHeritage releases ‘LiveStory’

Last year, MyHeritage launched “Deep Nostalgia,” technology that brought still pictures to life with AI animation. It quickly became a global sensation. Many had fun using the technology to give movement to historic images of famous people.

This year MyHeritage released a new photo feature called “LiveStory.” LiveStory creates an animated video narrative of an ancestor as if they were telling their personal story.

“This incredible feature gives voice to your family stories and enables you to connect your ancestors in a remarkable new way,” said Maya Lerner, vice president of product at

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From Zoom to Disney+ watch parties: tech for family fun at Christmas | Zoom

Audrey
From Zoom to Disney+ watch parties: tech for family fun at Christmas | Zoom

With Omicron spreading in the UK the potential for disruptions to Christmas plans are high, whether you’re limiting your contacts or have been forced to isolate. But the fact you can’t meet in person doesn’t mean all the festivities have to stop.

It will not be quite the same but you can still join your family and friends and have a good time virtually. Here are some ideas to help keep you connected over the festive period – whether it’s checking in for a chat or sharing entertainment.

Easy video calling

video calling at christmas
A quick video call can keep someone involved in Christmas, even if they’re not in the same house with you. Photograph: ArtistGNDphotography/Getty Images

Video calls are most people’s first port of call. You can use almost any device with a camera, but tablets or laptops are the easiest to set up for longer chats if you have them.

Zoom is one of the easiest cross-platform services available with an app available for most devices. It can be used for free for up to 40 minutes at a time.

For those in the Apple ecosystem, FaceTime is built into every iPhone, iPad or Mac, is very easy to use and now you can send invites to those on Android or Windows for calls in their browser. Google users can use Meet on Android, in Chrome on a computer or iPhone and iPad apps.

Those sitting on their own should use headphones to avoid feedback and help keep conversations more natural, and shorter video chats are usually better to avoid fatigue. Place a tablet or laptop at the end of the table if someone can’t make a gathering.

Party games over video call

video call party games
Switch yelling out answers in person to shouting out guesses at a screen with charades and other party games over video call. Photograph: Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock

Chats can get old quickly, so why not try party games over video calls. Some things are easier to do than others. Charades is a natural fit: just prop up your video calling device and make your shapes to the camera.

Pictionary is also fairly easy to do over a video call using pen and paper, or you can use a shared drawing service such as the free Microsoft Whiteboard to see what other people are drawing on their screens or tablets.

Quizzes are a video chat favourite, too. You can try using Google Docs or similar services, but the old(er) fashioned way of pen, paper and a bit of screen sharing if any pictures are involved often works better.

Share films, TV shows and music over video calls

apple shareplay
SharePlay now works on iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TV. Photograph: Apple Inc./EPA

The latest addition to the growing list of video call activities is watching videos or listening to music at the same time. Apple’s new SharePlay offering makes this easy – it’s built into FaceTime as of the latest software updates.

While you’re on a FaceTime call you can start watching

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