By: Courtney Eberhard
Want the full RootsTech experience?
Learn why attending RootsTech 2026 in-person offers even more opportunities to connect, learn, and discover.
Attending RootsTech 2026 online is free with a FamilySearch profile. Learn how to register, what virtual access includes, and how to engage with sessions and exhibitors like FamilyTreeDNA.
RootsTech 2026 is free to attend online, making it easy for genealogists around the world to participate—no travel required.
RootsTech is a hybrid conference, with both in-person and virtual experiences. With free virtual access, attendees can watch live-streamed sessions, explore prerecorded classes, and participate in an interactive online conference experience from anywhere. Many general sessions, including keynote presentations, will be live streamed, and virtual attendees will also have access to additional sessions created specifically for the online audience.
In addition to educational content, virtual attendees can explore the virtual Expo Hall, connect with experts, and engage with sponsors like FamilyTreeDNA throughout the conference.
Below, you’ll find clear answers to the most common questions about attending RootsTech 2026 online.
Is RootsTech Free or Paid?
RootsTech 2026 is a hybrid conference with both in-person and virtual attendance options. While attending in person may involve travel and other associated costs, virtual attendance is completely free.
Anyone can register to attend RootsTech 2026 online by creating a free FamilySearch profile. With virtual registration, attendees can access live-streamed general sessions, select in-person classes streamed online, virtual-only keynote presentations, and the virtual Expo Hall — all at no cost.
If you’re looking for a flexible way to participate without traveling, registering for free virtual access is the easiest way to experience RootsTech 2026 and explore its educational sessions, exhibitors, and online resources.
What’s Included with Free RootsTech Access?
Free virtual access to RootsTech 2026 includes a wide range of educational content and interactive experiences designed for online attendees around the world.
Virtual attendees can watch live-streamed and prerecorded genealogy classes, explore conference sessions as they happen, and return to many sessions on demand after the event. This flexibility makes it easy to learn on your own schedule, regardless of time zone.
To help attendees navigate the breadth of content, RootsTech offers tools to make discovery easier. You can create your own playlists of sessions to watch later, or explore curated playlists featuring popular topics and highlights from previous years.
Free access also includes entry to the virtual Expo Hall, where attendees can explore exhibitor booths, access resources and promotions, and connect with experts throughout the conference. In addition to learning from sessions, virtual attendees can connect with others around the globe — including discovering connections through Relatives at RootsTech.
Is RootsTech Global? Is It Available in My Language?
Yes. RootsTech is a global event with region-focused experiences that highlight family history research and education from communities around the world. Virtual attendees can explore content tailored to different regions, cultures, and languages through dedicated regional RootsTech experiences.
Virtual attendees can explore content from regions such as:
- RootsTech Africa
- Pacific Area RootsTech
- Middle East North Africa Region
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Portugal
Each region offers sessions and perspectives designed to reflect local history, research methods, and community interests, helping make RootsTech accessible and relevant to a truly global audience.
Explore Virtual Classes at RootsTech 2026
RootsTech offers a wide range of virtual genealogy classes designed for online attendees. These sessions cover topics like:
- Family history research
- Records
- Methodology
- DNA topics
These classes are available to watch live or on demand as part of the free virtual experience.
In addition to RootsTech 2026 content, the class catalog from past RootsTech conferences remains available, allowing attendees to explore recorded sessions from previous years. This makes it easy to preview topics, discover presenters, and find sessions that match your research interests.
Virtual attendees can also browse the RootsTech 2026 catalog and filter specifically for online classes, helping you quickly find sessions designed for virtual participation.
Below, you’ll find the virtual classes offered by FamilyTreeDNA at RootsTech 2026, including select in-person sessions that will be live streamed for online attendees.
FamilyTreeDNA Virtual Speakers & Classes
FamilyTreeDNA’s virtual classes focus on DNA education and genetic genealogy research, offering practical guidance for using DNA tools alongside traditional family history research. These sessions are designed to support virtual attendees and provide clear, actionable insights.
Roberta Estes
Roberta Estes is a founding pioneer in genetic genealogy and the author of The Complete Guide to FamilyTreeDNA, with decades of experience combining DNA science and traditional research to solve complex ancestral puzzles.
Virtual Class:
Mapping Maternal Connections: Where Science Meets Genealogy on the mtDNA Tree of Humankind (Live Streamed)
Explore FamilyTreeDNA’s expanded mtDNA Tree of Humankind and learn how maternal DNA testing reveals ancient origins, migration paths, and family connections across time.
Date: Saturday, March 6
Time: 1:30 PM MST
Dave Vance
Dave Vance is a lifelong genealogist and Senior Vice President & General Manager at FamilyTreeDNA, with extensive experience developing tools, publications, and methodologies in genetic genealogy.
Virtual Classes:
Illuminating Our Ancestors: Are We Done Peering Through The Keyhole? (Live Webinar)
This session examines recent innovations in DNA testing and emerging ideas that suggest today’s tools are only an early glimpse into what genetic genealogy may become.
Date: Friday, March 5
Time: 3:00 PM MST
The Future of AI in Genealogy (Live Streamed Panel)
This panel explores how emerging AI technologies may shape the future of genealogy and how researchers can prepare for these changes.
Note: This session is live streamed but not sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA.
Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 1:30 PM MST
Sherman McRae
Sherman McRae is an experienced genealogist specializing in African American genetic genealogy and DNA research and a key contributor in FamilyTreeDNA’s Research & Development department.
Virtual Class:
Reviving Hidden Branches: A Genetic Study of George Washington’s Extended Family Tree (Live Webinar)
Learn how DNA research helped uncover new insights into George Washington’s extended family and ancestral lineages.
Date: Friday, March 6
Time: 6:00 PM MST
Jim Brewster
Jim Brewster is Education Coordinator at FamilyTreeDNA and is known for explaining complex genetic concepts in clear, accessible ways for genealogists of all experience levels.
Virtual Class:
Understanding DNA Testing Methods (On-Demand)
Learn how different DNA testing methods work — including Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, and microarray testing — and how each supports genetic genealogy research.
Katy Rowe-Schurwanz
Katy Rowe-Schurwanz is Product Manager at FamilyTreeDNA, where she helps shape genetic genealogy tools that break down brick walls and make complex DNA insights accessible to researchers at every level.
Virtual Classes (On-Demand): The Match Game Series
This three-part series walks through the tools available at FamilyTreeDNA to help identify genealogical connections with your Family Finder matches, along with a few helpful third-party tools. Whether you’re just getting started in genetic genealogy or have years of experience, these sessions offer practical strategies to make connections, confirm your paper trail, and expand your family tree.
- Part One: Fill in the Blank — Scoring Points with Known Matches and Paper Trails
Learn where to begin with autosomal DNA matches by using known relatives, shared family trees, and paper trails to identify unknown connections. - Part Two: Head-to-Head — Tackling Your Unknown Matches with DNA Visualization
Explore how tools like the Chromosome Browser, shared matches, and triangulation help group matches, test hypotheses, and connect DNA evidence to your family tree. - Part Three: The Tie-Breaker — Navigating Unexpected Results and Untangling Complex Relationships
Learn strategies for working through complex match scenarios, including endogamy, multiple relationships, and missing branches, using clustering and segment analysis.
Visit the Virtual Expo Hall and Chat with Experts
The virtual Expo Hall is included with free RootsTech 2026 access and gives online attendees a way to explore tools, resources, and educational content beyond conference sessions. Each sponsor has a dedicated virtual booth, making it easy to learn more, watch demos, and discover research tips throughout the event.
FamilyTreeDNA’s virtual booth features a collection of on-demand product demos and research tips, along with downloadable resources that help attendees learn more about our DNA tests and tools. Virtual attendees can also find special conference promotions, including exclusive discount codes available during RootsTech.
FamilyTreeDNA Product Demos and Research Tips
Virtual attendees can explore a range of short, focused videos and resources in the FamilyTreeDNA virtual booth, including:
- Discovering Your Y-DNA Haplogroup — Presenter: Sherman McRae
- Discovering Your Maternal Line — Presenter: Jim Brewster
- Using Geographical Group Projects to Break Brick Walls in Irish Ancestry — Presenter: Martin McDowell
- How to Triangulate DNA Matches with Family Finder Tools — Presenter: Katy Rowe-Schurwanz
- Linking Your FamilyTreeDNA Results to WikiTree — Presenter: Mags Gaulden
- Using the Updated SNP Checker for Big Y Results — Presenter: Jim Brewster
- What Ancient DNA Reveals About Our Ancestry — Presenter: Miguel Vilar
- X-DNA Basics for Genealogists — Presenter: Roberta Estes
- Uncover European Y-DNA Lineages with Middle Eastern Origins — Presenter: Haydar Alyassery
- Beyond Hadrian’s Wall: Discovering Yorkshire’s African Past — Presenter: Sherman McRae
- Y-DNA and Surnames: Why Your Matches Don’t Always Share Your Name — Presenter: Katy Rowe-Schurwanz
These videos are available to watch on demand, making it easy to explore specific topics or tools at your own pace.
Support During the Conference
During RootsTech 2026, FamilyTreeDNA’s standard customer service channels will be temporarily closed. Phone support and regular live chat will not be available during the conference.
Email support will continue to be monitored, and virtual attendees can connect in real time with FamilyTreeDNA team members and experienced volunteer Group Project Administrators through the virtual Expo Hall chat throughout the event. This chat is the best way to ask questions, explore resources, and get help during RootsTech.
How to Use Virtual Chat at RootsTech
Virtual chat is available throughout RootsTech 2026 to help attendees connect with exhibitors and volunteers during the conference. To ensure a safe, helpful, and well-moderated experience, there are a few requirements and guidelines to keep in mind.
To attend RootsTech virtually and access chat features, a FamilySearch profile is required. In addition, a birthday must be entered in your FamilySearch profile to enable chat access. This requirement helps maintain a secure and moderated environment for all participants.
FamilyTreeDNA’s virtual Expo Hall chat will have coverage around the clock during the conference.
- FamilyTreeDNA employees will be available during business hours.
- Volunteer Group Project Administrators will be available outside of business hours, helping keep chat coverage active throughout the conference.
Group Project Administrators are experienced volunteers who work closely with FamilyTreeDNA tools and projects and can help answer general questions about products, features, and research approaches.
FamilyTreeDNA business hours during RootsTech (Central Time) are:
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CST
Please note that Expo Hall hours and business hours are not the same, and employee availability may vary accordingly.
For privacy and security reasons, personal or account-specific questions — including details about individual DNA kits — should not be shared in RootsTech chat. These questions should be sent via email so your private data remains protected.
This approach helps ensure that RootsTech chat remains a useful space for education, guidance, and general questions, while sensitive information is handled securely through the appropriate channels.
How to Access RootsTech 2026 for Free
Accessing RootsTech 2026 online is simple and free for anyone who wants to attend virtually.
1. Create or sign in to a FamilySearch profile
A free FamilySearch profile is required to attend RootsTech virtually.
2. Complete your profile
Make sure your profile information is complete. (A birthday is required for chat access.)
3. Register for RootsTech 2026
Once signed in, complete your free registration to unlock virtual access.
4. Browse the catalog and attend sessions online
Explore the RootsTech catalog and attend live or on-demand classes throughout the conference.
Registering for free virtual access gives you entry to conference sessions, the virtual Expo Hall, and educational resources available during RootsTech 2026.
Can You Watch RootsTech Sessions After the Event?
Yes, many RootsTech sessions are available on demand after the conference, making it easy to learn on your own schedule. This is especially helpful for virtual attendees in different time zones or anyone balancing work, family, or other commitments.
On-demand access allows attendees to revisit sessions, catch up on classes they missed, and explore content at their own pace after RootsTech concludes.
Please note that live-streamed sessions are not available for rewatch until after the conference ends. Virtual attendees who want to watch these sessions as they happen should plan to attend live or be prepared to wait until the recordings are released following the event.
Your Free Access to RootsTech 2026—All in One Place
RootsTech 2026 offers a complete virtual conference experience that’s free to attend online. Virtual access includes educational classes and sessions, live-streamed content, on-demand viewing after the event, and access to the virtual Expo Hall.
By creating a free FamilySearch profile, attendees can unlock full virtual access, explore conference content, connect with exhibitors, and participate in RootsTech from anywhere in the world.
Whether you’re new to genealogy or continuing long-term research, the virtual RootsTech experience makes it easy to learn, explore, and connect—on your schedule.