Rootstech 2015 Keynotes

.....I, like many, was amazed to learn Donnie Osmond would be a keynote speaker.  Then a prominent author was announced as another one.  Then David Archuletta and another top performing troop were announced.  most recently Laura and Jenna Bush were a huge surprise announcement that clearly will have heightened security in place.

I can't be the only one wondering if this was the vision Rootstech founders like Anne Roach had in mind when they started off on this remarkable adventure - at least the high end celebrity aspect of it.  Between performers and keynote speakers, I think a pinnacle was reached last year with Spencer Wells and some others although I really enjoyed the 2013 group more than I could ever have imagined.

Is anyone else left with a longing for more relevant stars of the genealogy world or will the venue continue to seek out huge names to draw even bigger and bigger record crowds of attendees in the years to come?

Regardless, even though 2015 is not possible for me to go, I am setting a goal to not only attend in 2016, but also strive to be a presenter, if not also a service vendor so you know I have big things planned for Genedocs to blossom in 2015.  Please join us in all the fun next year on facebooks Genedocs Templates group because...

The year has certainly flown by...again!  December has not been without its discoveries as I embark on a new chapter after promotion to Archives Technician at NARA:

1.  I am working on Dad's units awards and decorations from WWII before wrapping up a book on the mighty 410th Bomb Group and I think this misclassified as SECRET document might entitle the unit to a seventh campaign star on their ETO medal/Ribbon:

2.  A completely unexpected great group yearbook photo from Brookings SD college showed up on ancestry.com from 1922 also (front row third from left):

Discoveries like these at least a few times a year remind us as family researchers just why our time and effort spent are so very worth it!

Whether you find yourself this December with family in the same room, a phone call away, or halfway around the world and just jotting a few lines of holiday spirit, be sure to include something special for the family to remember in the coming years - we hold the power to make some great family memories every day!