What You CAN Do with a RootsTech Virtual Pass

Are you unable to go to RootsTech in person this year? It’s happening on Feb. 26, 2020. There’s still time for you to purchase the RootsTech virtual pass and learn from your home. Here is what I learned from my virtual learning experience!

Virtual Pass Classes

RootsTech offers a virtual pass that costs $129 and gives you access to 30 recorded classes and 12 months access to the video archive. I’ve used the archive before and I had access to classes from previous years as well as this year. I love how I could access these virtual classes from any device. I could listen to a class while I was going about my day. Even topics that I wasn’t currently working in had things to offer.

Many classes will also be streamed live online at the RootsTech website. I carved some time out of my day to watch the classes live. I listened to the streamed classes and I still felt like I was a part of the event. Therefore, I know it’s not the same as being there in person. However, RootsTech does an excellent job at creating a welcoming environment online as well. I didn’t have access to all of the classes, but I was still satisfied with the result. If you want to learn more about going to RootsTech in person for the first time then check out my blog post here and prepare to go next year to this event.

General Sessions

General sessions are events that focuses on entertainment as well as further learning. I was able to watch many of the general sessions streamed live. The keynote speakers were especially good. My favorite speaker was Henry Louis Gates, Jr. I did struggle to listen when the session was streamed in the evening. That’s when my family was home and I had other responsibilities. Overall, these sessions were just as entertaining online as they were in person. And I still felt like I was a part of the group.

Other Lessons

I didn’t have to pay for parking, look for lunch spots, or navigate the crowds. I was able to create a family history atmosphere at my home. If you’re a person that has high anxiety in crowds, then I would recommend the virtual pass. You get all of your learning done without the crowds.

Honestly, for me, doing the virtual learning motivated me to go in person the next year. I am a person that loves the energy of RootsTech. In addition, I have different goals this year then I did when I went the first time. Most of those goals have to be done in person. Therefore, my family and I carved out the finances and the time to make it happen this year. However, there will be years that I won’t be able to make it in person. I fully expect to use the virtual pass in the future.

This doesn’t mean that you have to follow the same path that I did. If you really can’t go in person, then don’t stress about it! This article hopefully shows you that it’s possible to get a satisfying family history experience online as well.

There ARE things you can do with the virtual pass from RootsTech and still feel satisfied. Like I said earlier, there’s still time for you to sign up for a virtual pass and have a great experience. So this week grab your notebook, get your favorite beverage ready, and get ready to learn some great stuff!

In the meantime…

Good luck and happy hunting!

Tiffany

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my emails and get a free download of my favorite genealogy websites for American and Scandinavian records.