RootsTech

I enjoyed the conference and learned some great things. The conference was well-organized and the volunteers helpful.  The keynote speakers (except for one) were fabulous.  

I have some new free sites to post. I'll try to get them up in the next few days. 

The emphasis was telling a story in the family history and not making it just about the dates and places.  I've collected stories all along, but I have not done a good job of putting them together or sourcing them, especially when I first started.

There were lots of great resources presented to help genealogists with their family stories, however, they all want your money AND your research.  Of course, they aren't going to pay your for your research as they are doing you such a favor to allow you to have a spot on their site to share.  Share was the other big emphasis at the conference.  Am I the only one frustrated with the paid sites for wanting me to upload my information while they charge others to look at it? 

I wanted to see what is available to help document and organize my information.  I've decided against changing software programs, however, I remain very frustrated with Family Tree Maker.  FTM didn't help their cause by NOT being at the conference.   I found some venders with some products that looked interesting, but they are paid sites and only web based.  I want something that resides on my computer.  The vendors tried to sell me on the point that I could access my data from everywhere, but I have a cloud that allows me to access it from anywhere.  I want to be able to access my data when I have no access to the internet...so I need it on my computer.

Since I didn't find a commercial product that fit my interests, I'm trying to create what I want using a database.  It's been slow going, but I am getting there.  I think.