Insider Ketchup—RootsTech/FGS

With no time over the weekend, and a bunch of RootsTech and FGS conference news, I’m way behind. Time to ketchup…

Innovator’s Challenge to Aware $25,000

RootsTech has announced the eight semifinalists for the Innovator’s Challenge. The Challenge is to encourage innovation in the creation of new family history apps, websites, and technology. These eight were chosen from 51 entries. There will be $25,000 awarded to the finalists. The cash is offered by MyHeritage (a platinum sponsor), Grow Utah Ventures, Hero Partners, IPOP Foundation, Sprint, STG, and the Utah Technology Council. RootsTech attendees can attend the live finals and vote for the People’s Choice award.

For the names and technology innovations of the semifinalists, see “Announcing the Eight Semifinalists for the $25,000 RootsTech Innovator Challenge,” on the FamilySearch blog.

FGS Luncheons Opened to RootsTech Attendees

The FGS luncheons are now open for purchase on the RootsTech.org website. FGS lunches are $29. Seating is limited. The scheduled lunches are

Wednesday (Feb. 11)

• Sponsor: FGS
  Speakers: FGS Leadership
  Topic: The State of Our Societies - 2015 Update

Thursday (Feb. 12)

• Sponsored by NGS
  Speaker: Diane Florence Gravel, CG
  Topic: Biblical Breakthrough! How I came to Love the NGS Online Bible Collection
• Sponsored by GSG & ISFHWE
  Speaker: Warren Bittner, CG, MS
  Topic: Tales Grandma Didn't Tell

Friday (Feb. 13)

• Sponsored by Board for Certification of Genealogists
  Sponsored Lunch Speaker: J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA BIA
  Topic: What Did You Do When You Were A Kid? or Strategies for Gathering Family Stories
• Sponsored by New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
  Speaker: Pamela Weisberger
  Topic: Holly Golightly Was a Nice Jewish Girl: Our Ancestors Reinvented

Saturday (Feb. 14)

• Sponsored by Association of Professional Genealogists
  Speaker: CeCe Moore
  Topic: DNA Discoveries: Hidden African Ancestry and Jefferson’s Blood

Photo Scanning and Audio Recording

In the Expo Hall, FamilySearch has a “Family Discovery Zone.” It includes:

• a photo scanning area
• a recording booth
• telephone call recording

FamilySearch is also offering family history book scanning. (You must own the copyright, or have permission from the copyright holder.)

E-Z Photo Scan (booth 1343) is also offering a free photo scanning service. You can learn more on their blog. (See “New Photo Scan Kiosk to Help Scan 100,000 Photos at RootsTech 2015.”)

ACK!!! I’m out of time. See you next week at RootsTech and FGS!