Genealogy (aka Family History work) is a hobby/obsession of mine. If you are "into" genealogy you know what I mean- the rush of being immersed in history piecing together the lives of our ancestors that came before us. It is fantastic stuff! Anyway I got the chance to attend Rootstech, a conference all about family history work, and further my knowledge of my favorite thing to do. Here is a rundown/review of what happened the one day I could attend-
The date- February 6, 2016
The time - 7:16am
The location- The Salt Palace Convention Center
I walk into the large ballroom and am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of empty chairs before me. I take my seat as close as I possibly could - about 8 rows from the front (rows 1-7 were reserved). I was so excited to hear the keynote speakers Mike Leavitt (former Utah Governor) and Doris Kearns Goodwin (Award winning author) - I have never waited as patiently as I did for the conference to begin at 8:30am.
Leavitt told several stories from his own life but focused on one I hope to never forget. He told the story when Salt Lake City was chosen for the 2002 Olympics. The run with the Olympic torch began in Greece by placing flammable items in a hot bowl and the sun ignites the fire.
Part of the run was completed by a 5th grade boy in Utah. Governor Leavitt asked an Olympic official, "Why that boy?" The official said, "You don't know what the meaning of the torch run is do you?" Leavitt agreed with the official.
Weeks passed with no contact when finally Leavitt called the official and asked for more information as to why the young boy was chosen for the run. The official chuckled and simply said, "Since the olympics that boy has never sat alone at lunch."
The Olympics is about lifting each other up which is what family history work is all about- helping each other piece together the history of our family
The date- February 6, 2016
The time - 7:16am
The location- The Salt Palace Convention Center
I walk into the large ballroom and am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of empty chairs before me. I take my seat as close as I possibly could - about 8 rows from the front (rows 1-7 were reserved). I was so excited to hear the keynote speakers Mike Leavitt (former Utah Governor) and Doris Kearns Goodwin (Award winning author) - I have never waited as patiently as I did for the conference to begin at 8:30am.
Leavitt told several stories from his own life but focused on one I hope to never forget. He told the story when Salt Lake City was chosen for the 2002 Olympics. The run with the Olympic torch began in Greece by placing flammable items in a hot bowl and the sun ignites the fire.
Part of the run was completed by a 5th grade boy in Utah. Governor Leavitt asked an Olympic official, "Why that boy?" The official said, "You don't know what the meaning of the torch run is do you?" Leavitt agreed with the official.
Weeks passed with no contact when finally Leavitt called the official and asked for more information as to why the young boy was chosen for the run. The official chuckled and simply said, "Since the olympics that boy has never sat alone at lunch."
The Olympics is about lifting each other up which is what family history work is all about- helping each other piece together the history of our family
