Recorded live at the RootsTech 2026 conference in Salt Lake City, this episode of Journey Through the Generations features a conversation with genealogist and entrepreneur André Kearns, founder and CEO of Black Ancestries.

Trisha sits down with André in the expo hall at the world’s largest genealogy conference to talk about how he got started in family history research, the evolution of genealogy over the past 20 years, and the powerful role that technology is playing in helping people uncover their stories.

André shares how a simple request from his father to create a family tree for a reunion led him into decades of research, eventually tracing his family lineage back to a named African ancestor. He also discusses the importance of records, DNA matches, and emerging tools like AI-powered document transcription that are helping researchers uncover ancestors who were previously hidden in historical records.

In addition, André talks about the mission behind Black Ancestries and his vision to help people of African descent uncover, celebrate, and preserve their family history across the global diaspora.

To learn more about André and the work he is doing, or you want some help with your own research visit, https://blackancestries.com/

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Thinking about attending RootsTech this year but not sure if you should go in person or tune in virtually? In this episode, we break down what RootsTech is, what to expect from both options, and how to prepare so you actually get value from the experience. We share practical tips for planning your schedule, choosing sessions, networking with other family historians, and making the most of the expo hall, whether you are walking the floor in Salt Lake City or attending from home. If you want to avoid feeling overwhelmed and walk away with real progress in your family history research, this episode will help you go into RootsTech with a clear plan and realistic expectations.

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Get exclusive genealogy tips, research tools, behind-the-scenes updates, and early access to new resources delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVodHWarer8oea90hmbG9Q

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For the final day of our 12 Days of Genealogy Media Resources, we’re highlighting the RootsTech website—a powerful, year-round resource for family historians.

In this episode, we talk about what you can do on the RootsTech website beyond the annual conference. We discuss how to search the site, explore on-demand educational videos, discover content from genealogy experts, and use RootsTech as an ongoing learning hub no matter where you are in your research journey. From beginner topics to more advanced methodology, the RootsTech platform offers a wide range of sessions that can help you build skills, find inspiration, and stay connected to the genealogy community.

If you’ve ever attended RootsTech—or wondered how to take advantage of its resources outside the conference—this episode will help you understand why the website is worth bookmarking and revisiting often.

🎧 Listen in as we wrap up the series and share how RootsTech fits into your genealogy media toolbox.

Explore RootsTech:
https://www.rootstech.org/

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Stay Connected with Journey Through the Generations

📬 Join Our Newsletter
Get exclusive genealogy tips, research tools, behind-the-scenes updates, and early access to new resources delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at:
https://www.journeythroughthegenerations.com/newsletter

🌐 Explore More
Blog: https://www.journeythroughthegenerations.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneyThroughtheGenerations

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeythroughthegenerations/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVodHWarer8oea90hmbG9Q

☕ Support the Show
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/familyhistory

🎵 Music
Music provided by Third House Productions
https://soundcloud.com/third-house

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your community!