Taking the stage to kick off day two of the largest genealogy and family history conference in the world, Leigh Anne Tuohy shared with the RootsTech audience what she has learned about “the power of you — the power of one person.”
Tuohy’s story is a familiar one for anyone who has seen the Oscar-winning movie “The Blind Side,” which depicts her decision to take in and eventually adopt Michael Oher, who later became an offensive lineman in the NFL. And in real life, the petite mother of three is every bit as commanding in her presence as Sandra Bullock’s Hollywood portrayal of her.
Every person has a story, and although people and their stories can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of life, their stories matter, she said during her keynote address on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Recounting the details of how a split-second decision led her to invite a stranger into her home and family, Tuohy emphasized the power that each individual has to make a difference in the lives of others.
For Tuohy, the decision to “turn around” her car and talk to a poorly dressed young man on the street changed her life. From that one decision, she gained another son, another member of her family, and a better understanding of the need to reach out and love others.
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“That’s what happens when you turn a car around and you invest time in someone and you offer them hope, you offer them love, and you offer them opportunity,” she said. “It changes their life.”
When it comes to family history and genealogy work, individuals who are reaching out to make connections with strangers and relatives across time and space are changing lives, Tuohy continued. In her own life, Tuohy said she has recently been blessed by DNA research and genealogy work when a cousin she never knew reached out to her.
“My whole life is taking a different course now,” she said.
By learning more about one’s history and heritage, individuals have the power to make sure their family doesn’t get left behind in history and that their story is given a chance to affect them and future generations. And like it did for her son Michael Oher, a chance can make all the difference.
Concluding her keynote speech, Tuohy left with one thought: Turn around and make a difference.
“It’s not hard. It’s giving of your time,” she said. “You can save that one, you can make a difference to that one. The one name you find could be the difference made. Turn around, make a difference.”
A look around this year’s expo hall
At the expo hall — what many describe as the “heartbeat” of RootsTech — are a variety of exhibits, booths and vendors for attendees to find resources for areas of interest. The hall features opportunities to learn, watch demonstrations and interact with new technology.
New to the expo hall in 2020 is a virtual reality experience, in which participants can virtually visit their homelands using Google street view. A virtual reality headset is placed over a user’s head and he or she can “walk around” any location using hand-held controllers.
Jay Lambert, a first-time RootsTech attendee from Scottsdale, Arizona, spent a few minutes walking through Leige, Belgium, where his Lambert line comes from.
“I walked next to the river that runs through the middle of the city and by buildings,” he said. “It was really neat to see where my ancestors probably walked.”
The virtual reality experience gave Lambert a desire to learn more. “I’d like to learn exactly where the Lambert family lived and go see the church where they were baptized,” he said. “I don’t think I will be able to go there anytime soon, so it was a good way to be there.”
“Everybody should try it,” he added.
Also new this year, RootsTech attendees can watch exclusive pre-recorded workshops in the Cyber Cafe. A classroom has also been added to the expo hall this year, with classes beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Another highlight of the expo hall is the Heirloom Show and Tell, where people can bring their family artifacts and get information from expert historians on the value of their items.
“We do this to try to get people to remember at home what they have,” said collector Glen Beckstead. “We help them understand what they have, what is of value, and what year it was.”
Among the items displayed include coins, toys, spoons and Latter-day Saint memorabilia. People can bring their own items to display.
“This is all history,” Beckstead said. “You can tell something about your grandpa or grandma by what they collected.”
One of the most popular areas of the expo hall is the DNA Basics Learning Center. A new activity called “JellyGenes” likens DNA to a mix of jelly beans. Participants press a button and a machine randomizes a handful of jelly beans — similar to how an individual gets a variety of DNA from their ancestors. Several DNA classes of all skill levels are offered at RootsTech this year.
Many attendees have also visited the Demo Theatre, where they can take a seat and relax on a comfy couch and listen to vendors demonstrate family history related technology. A new vendor presents every 15 minutes.
Those looking for personal help with family history can visit the Coaches’ Corner to meet one-on-one with a research specialist.
