Are You Watching RootsTech With Us?

 Photo: The Family ChartMasters Team at RootsTech 2020

by Janet

We love Rootstech! For twelve years RootsTech has always been such a huge part of our calendar. I think it was the second year that I got in trouble for taking my kids. Then in 2014, one of the highlights of my career was when my son Matthew spoke to two full halls at only 14 years old. I've spoken with my Dad, with my Sisters, with Erin and numerous times by myself, besides running the Family ChartMasters booth and booths for other societies and companies that I've been affiliated with.

So it was with great surprise last year, that when the conference went virtual, I actually had time to listen to some of the other lectures. They were awesome. I was so excited to hear everyone else's presentations and get inspired along with all of you. I

Unfortunately, as we learned last year, and with other conferences too, the virtual format does not work very well for vendors. We've tried to make adjustments and do different things but with a sad heart, we decided it just didn't work for us to put the money, time and effort into doing RootsTech in a virtual format this year. I'm happy to report though, that I've already found a few new things to check out in the vendors hall this year, and I would encourage all of you to support our friends there.

We're really looking forward to the time when we can all be back in person and enjoy each other's company again. We'll be there with bells on. We're looking forward to the NGS conference in Sacramento, CA in May. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Annual Favorites 2019: New Designs

To finish up with our Annual Favorites list I have two new, interesting layouts.  The first one is a fan built into a tree with a classic, vintage black and white feel.  I love this chart and I think it would fit in nicely with several different kinds of decor.  No matter what your design style, we can come up with something that will add interest to your room.

Unique modern fan style

Truly, anything you can dream up, our designers can create for you.

This second chart is similar to our "branches" style chart but again, with a more updated feel.  Pretty leaves and more greys for 2019.  This one is tricky to do with descendancy information, but in this case it turned out perfectly.  Depending on how your descendancy information plots out, this style may end up being more of a bush than a tree, but we're always happy to give it a try.  And it works really well with ancestors too.  Or even ancestors and descendants combined if we add people into the roots.

New crisp descendant branches tree

These and all of the rest of the Annual Favorites for this year can be found in our gallery, with lots of other charts to give you ideas. Our talented designers can literally make your family chart ideas come to life.  When you are ready to get started, just send your information for a free consultation.  We're looking forward to creating the perfect, artistic representation of your family.  

Annual Favorites 2019: Custom Color Coding

We always have to include some amazing color coded charts in our Annual Collection.  We are the color coding specialists and color makes everything look better--not to mention more understandable.  We can color code anything: place, linage, time-frame, genetics, marriage, generation, health, DNA, research results, pioneer lines, royal lines, immigrants, soldiers, colonial Americans, different wars or branches of service, religious office, divorce, occupation.  You could use any event your ancestors might have participated in such as being a Filles du Roi, Mayflower immigrant, etc.  

You could also use color coding for research help such as whether or not a DNA test has been taken, whether the person is a match, you could include icons for proven and unproven lines, for the number of sources or images you have, for adoptive and genetic lines--you get the idea. We can go far and beyond what the current genealogy chart softwares offer.  

For the Family Reunion

One of the most common types of color coding we do, this chart is coded by the each of the children of the main couple.  Each child and their descendants are a different color, thus it is easy to find everyone at the family reunion.  This chart has only names for a condensed, clean chart of a large family.  Only six pictures illustrate their rich and varied history.

Ethnicity AND Details

One of my favorite types of color coding is by country of origin.  This color coding goes one step further showing each country's outline.  A beautiful display of a diverse heritage. Originally 24 inches wide and 42 inches tall.

All the Immigrants Coming Down to Modern Day

Nine generations of ancestors show on this 24x36 inch fan chart showing dates and places for ancestors.  The chart starts with three siblings.  Colors and flags show each ancestor's country of origin.  

Ancestors, Descendants, Color and Descriptive Icons

This chart again starts with the three children of a couple and then traces the father's lineage.  A simple left to right chart shows of immigrants, military and specific ethnicity notes while colors correspond to a digital and paper filing system with more information.

If you would like to create a chart with distinctive color coding according to something important in your own family history, we can do it.  Just send your ideas and information for a free consultation and one of our designers will take a look, send you feedback and then create a masterpiece just for your family.  

Annual Favorites 2019: Blended Families

So these two charts made it on to our list because the were such a spectacular display for a blended family.  The man in the center had three wives.  The first two wives also had children from other marriages.  So while he wanted all of his children on the chart, one of the charts had the children from the first wife's subsequent marriage--for that side of the family, and the other chart had he second wife's children from a previous marriage--for that side of the family.  He was able to give each part of the family a chart that included their step-siblings.  It was really quite brilliant. 

The first blended family all blended together

When you add the flags, and especially all of the photos--including the group photos.  Both charts were truly spectacular.  He was also able to add his current wife although they don't have any children together.  A beautiful, inclusive family.

The second blended family all blended together

So again, no matter how your family relationships are arranged, we can arrange them correctly on the chart.  It doesn't even have to be perfect in the file you send us.  When you send in your information, the designer we assign to you will send you an initial mock up and then we'll work with you, including other mock ups to move and arrange everyone exactly the way you want to display them.  Want to show the scoundrel of a son-in-law because he fathered your beautiful grandchildren?  Great, we can do that.  Want to take the scoundrel out?  No problem.  We can do that too.  In-laws and outlaws and all the ways a family blends together.  Whatever you want to look at on your wall is what we'll develop for you. 

And there's no obligation until you are happy with it.  Once you approve the design, you can click on the order link we send and place your order.  It truly will be perfect for you.  You can get started by clicking on the "get started" button on the front of our website.  Just wait until you see the perfect chart for your own family.  I promise it will be just as amazing as these two charts.

Annual Favorites 2019: Something Different

I just fall in love with all of the charts we do, but these have a special place in my heart this year.  We've done some really awesome non-traditional charts.  Some are similar to what you've seen here before, but some are of a completely different caliber.  As usual, we're always up for a new challenge.  

AKC pedigree (Isn't he the cutest?)

Apparently I've never said it on the blog before, but I think I've mentioned it a few times in lectures or on social media, I've always wanted to do a dog pedigree.  This year I finally got the chance.  And isn't this just the most adorable dog you've ever seen?  His name is Mr.Mister and he is a purebred Maltese.  Oh my goodness so much adorableness.  And if you look close, the names of his ancestors are just as adorable. We don't usually get to chart out names quite that unique on human charts.

A Royal Scottish line

While we've done direct line charts before, this one was special with the clean crisp layout and the two crests.  A beautiful way to help Dad show off his Scottish pride--directly back to Robert the Bruce.  I'm not sure, but I think this client made it on to the highly favored daughter-in-law list with this one.  We're happy to help you on to that list too.  We've got a well-used direct ladder there.

Piano Teaching Lineage

This was another unique chart for the year showing the piano teaching lineage of this great musician.  His instructors go back to Mozart, Liszt, Beethoven, Czerny, and J.S. Bach.  The chart weaves in and out with instructors who taught multiple people (the ultimate kissing cousins chart if it had been family.)  It was a complicated one but we figured it out.  And the 27x19 canvas hangs proudly in the studio.  The pride is definitely justified on this one.

Inspiring Military Heritage

This chart was a gift from a sister to her brother.  Wow!  Anybody would be lucky to have a sister like that right?  Going straight up the patriarchal line, this family had an amazing military heritage spanning back to the mid 1600s.  We were able to add stories, documents and a timeline along the bottom that explained everything and really brought it all together into one story.  I'm sure the 30x36 canvas was a treasured gift.

So if you want to be the hero in your family, with a traditional format or not, we can help you out.  Feel free to give us a call at 801-872-4278 and we'd be happy to discuss your ideas over the phone.  Or come find us at RootsTech in a couple of weeks (or at any of the conferences on our calendar) where you can see these amazing charts and talk to a designer in person.  We can't wait to get to work on your most fascinating ideas.

Annual Favorites 2019: Amazing All in One Charts

Some of the most impressive charts we do are our "all-in-one" charts.  To my knowledge, we are the only place on the planet where you can send a genealogy file and ask for everyone in the file, and then get back something that actually looks reasonably understandable.  As I've discussed before, there is an option to show everyone in the Family Tree Maker software, and that is really helpful and works well, but the charts usually turn out rather disjointed and quite large.  Our designers can create something much more condensed and logical.  It takes a human touch to create something clear and legible because every family is different.  

These are the charts I really love because they are so impressive. But we usually only choose a few for for our annual favorites because I think the can be a bit overwhelming to the typical genealogist.  The are inspiring though right?  We are doing more and more of these types of charts and we're more than happy to help you get it ALL out where you can see it and inspire your family members.  

Originally 20 feet wide and 3 feet tall.  We've chosen this chart for our backdrop at the upcoming RootsTech conference.

Imagine walking into the family reunion with this beauty.  It shows all four lines of the family tree with cousins, aunts, uncles, ancestors and descendants.  The pictures are beautiful and Karli did a great job with the layout so that it was all very understandable.

This chart shows the extensive family lines in a more reasonable format

This chart was originally 3.5 feet tall and just over 7 feet wide.  If you were to plot it out with one of the genealogy softwares, you would have a much larger chart with tons of white space in order to accommodate the extensive ancestor lines, not to mention that the more modern lines would have been substantially more complicated.  Again, the personalized touch of one of our designers comes to the rescue.  We were able to wrap things around so that the lines were obvious and everyone made it into the smaller size.

EVERYONE in the family

This beautiful chart include eight lines of the family tree that were all color coded so that the chart was clear to understand.  There are many ways we can help you display all of your family, even with cousins who married each other, blended families and an extensive family tree.  No matter who complicated your family relationships are, we are up to the task and have alot of experience making sure everyone is included.  No matter how your family is arranged, we can create a chart for you.  We are the experts at non traditional formats including lineage charts, adoptions, in-law lines, and extended cousins. 

So let our designers give your family tree a try.  You can send your information to us at http://www.familychartmasters.com/consult.  There's no obligation until we go to print because we are confident we can come up with something you love. Just wait until you see your own family.  Our all in one charts are really breathtaking.  

Annual Favorites 2019: Beautiful Photos

So I have to start off our week of the Annual Favorites Collection with the beautiful photo charts we've selected this year.  We love helping you create beautiful charts and nothing is better than having beautiful photos to incorporate.  Often, when clients chart their beautiful photos with us, we're just as enamored with them as you are.  We love getting to know these gorgeous people.  And we're excited to share them with you. Take a look:

Honoring Mother

Celebrate Mom's birthday in style.  Knock her socks off with this chart.  Five children are color coded and all of the children, grand children, and great grandchildren fit into a 20x24 chart. 

Honoring Ancestors

Honor mother's proud heritage with a beautiful chart including a map watermark with her home state.  Even a few perfect pictures make all the difference.

All the descendant family in a reasonable size

Color coding helps the viewer follow this descendancy chart that we designed to stay in a reasonable size even though there are multiple lines and lots of cousins.  Beautiful photos make the family come to life.

Ancestors and Descendants - Ethnicity and Photos

What a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary.  This chart shows siblings, ancestors, cousins and descendants of the main couple with beautiful photos and maps watermarks showing off the ethnicity of the family.

Honoring Mom and Dad

What a beautiful way to celebrate the family of this adorable couple.  A meaningful, emotional gift to thank Mom and Dad for everything they've done for the family.

Descendancy with a main line of beautiful photos

The main line of photos on this chart focuses the viewer's attention, yet the chart shows off all the cousins and aunts and uncles.  What a beautiful family.  Six generations in only 24x36.

Crisp Clean and Modern with all the details

Beautiful modern fonts and a clean crisp style show off this family's amazing photos.  Icons give detail and pictures make the heritage of this family interesting and accessible.

36x50 The Family Masterpiece on Canvas

The last generation of this chart is stacked on top of each other so as to get to the immigrant origins of this family.  A blended family with amazing roots.  This masterpiece was 36 inches tall and 50 inches wide--beautiful on canvas.

Mom and Dad's ancestors with their siblings.  All the Aunts and Uncles

This chart shows three generations of ancestors with all of the siblings along with the main couple's three children. 

Any of these charts make a beautiful centerpiece to your home, or an amazing meaningful gift.  Send your information in for a free consultation and our designers will work with you, sending previews until it is exactly perfect for your family.  Once you approve your chart, you can place your order and we'll send it right out.  We'll help you really impress and inspire your family.

Watch for new posts on our Annual Favorites collection all week this week.  We have so much more to show you.

Where to see us in the first half of 2019

from the Family ChartMasters Calendar

Save the Date

We are looking forward to 2019! When will we see you? 

  

27 Feb - 2 Mar 2019 RootsTech in Salt Lake City.  We just received word that we have a great spot up front to show off our charts in the vendor's hall.  We're super excited to display our 2018 favorites and all of the new trends we are working with to show off your family history.  I'll be giving a new lecture "Heirloom, Documentation or Junk"

3-6 Apr 2019 New England Regional Genealogical Conference in Manchester New Hampshire.  We love New England and we're always so excited to see this conference roll around again.  I'll be giving my super popular Archiving Lessons From My Great-Grandfather's Family History Records lecture as well as the 6 Steps to Choreograph Your Research Across the Internet.  I have to leave this conference a little early so we're actually looking for a little help in the booth.  If you are planning to be close by (or know someone who is) and want a free ticket to the conference and some extra money, let us know in a return email.  

1-4th May 2019 Ohio State Genealogical Conference in Mason Ohio.  We haven't been back to Ohio for a while so we're super excited about this one.  I'll be speaking on Where to Start When You Get Stuck, and Heirloom, Documentation or Junk.  Will we see you there?
30 May-1 Jun 2019 Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in Burbank California.  It's the 50th anniversary of one of our favorite conferences so we'll be doing something special there to celebrate.  Stay tuned. 

Here's Where to See Us IRL

You can always see what we are up to at https://familychartmasters.com/calendar.php

We have just a couple more conferences and lectures this year and then we'll be on to all of our big plans in 2019.  Here's what's happening next:  

15 Sept 2018  Welby West Jordan Family History Fair.  This is my last opportunity to speak with my son Matthew who is giving his "Get to Know Your Geezers" lecture before he leaves for a LDS mission for two years. Speaking with Matthew and seeing his success there has been one of the highlights of my career. I'm sure he'll be helping people with his family history there too so that's good.  

28-29th Sept 2018 Family Roots Expo in St George Utah.  I'm taking our new employee Stacy with us to introduce her to all of the fun we have talking to clients.  I'm giving four lectures, 6 Steps to Choreograph Your Research Across the Internet, Zap the Grandma Gap: The Ten Best Ideas for Youth and Family History, Voila: Professional Charts to Impress Your Clients & Family, and Where To Start When You Get Stuck.  Looking forward to it!

12 December 2018 Family Tree Webinars (in your slippers) I'll be giving my lecture on 101 Ways to Design a Genealogy Chart.  Hopefully all of our newsletter readers here realize that it is good to get your holiday orders in before that though right?  We want to have enough time to make sure everything is perfect for you!

27 Feb - 2 Mar 2019 RootsTech in Salt Lake City.  We just received word that we have a great spot up front to show off our charts in the vendor's hall.  We're super excited to display our 2018 favorites and all of the new trends we are working with to show off your family history.  I'll be giving a new lecture "Heirloom, Documentation or Junk"

3-6 Apr 2019 New England Regional Genealogical Conference in Manchester New Hampshire.  We love New England and we're always so excited to see this conference roll around again.  I'll be giving my super popular Archiving Lessons From My Great-Grandfather’s Family History Records lecture as well as the 6 Steps to Choreograph Your Research Across the Internet.  I have to leave this conference a little early so we're actually looking for a little help in the booth.  If you are planning to be close by (or know someone who is) and want a free ticket to the conference and some extra money, let us know in a return email.  

1-4th May 2019 Ohio State Genealogical Conference in Mason Ohio.  We haven't been back to Ohio for a while so we're super excited about this one.  I'll be speaking on Where to Start When You Get Stuck, and Heirloom, Documentation or Junk.  Will we see you there?
30 May-1 Jun 2019 Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in Burbank California.  It's the 50th anniversary of one of our favorite conferences so we'll be doing something special there to celebrate.  Stay tuned.  

It's Coming, It's Coming..Our RootsTech Plans

It's getting close.  It feels a bit like Christmas Eve.  The biggest family history gathering is coming up and we can't wait to see all of our friends.  

You may remember the chicken with her head cut off named Janet last year.  Two booths, Five lectures, including the Innovator's Summit, two with my sister and one with my Dad.  SUPER FUN, but a super big crash afterward.  So this year, for the first time, I decided not to apply to teach, but just to focus my efforts on our Family ChartMasters booth and having time to really enjoy the wonderful people we get to work with.

We have some special sales we're doing for the conference.  Check out a few of the signs we've been printing:

So I'm so excited to be able to help our clients and have time to talk individually to each of you.  I'll be available for consultations anytime and all of our wonderful designers will be there too.

We've also helped organize a super fun game with the Genealogy Business Alliance where you can play for instant coupons and lots of prizes.  Just scan the barcodes at each booth to play.  We're giving away a free canvas DNA Chart.  Watch this fun video from the Family History Fanatics to get all the deets.

Can't wait to see you.  If you aren't able to come, be sure to watch the live stream.  You're sure to learn alot and get even more excited about family history.  Let us know what we can do to help you.

RootsTech 2017: Conference Specials including New Look Books

We have 3 helpful and fun new products we are introducing at RootsTech 2017.  Here is your sneak preview so that you can plan accordingly.  You're definitely going to want to spend some time at the Family ChartMasters/Zap The Grandma Gap Booth, #1041, our regular spot. 

First, we've been working on a helpful resource for you if you are wanting to print a Family ChartMasters genealogy chart but don't know where to start.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming with all the choices we offer, and this new tutorial book is going to help.  We have a new 48 page Step by Step Tutorial for creating a family history chart through Family ChartMasters. It shares all of the ways you can display your family history on a chart including: how to get the information to Family ChartMasters, what you can include on your genealogy chart, different design elements and styles, how to work with your personal Family ChartMasters Designer, and how to place your order.

And best of all the book is FREE!
Come see us at RootsTech, Booth 1041, purchase a $30 gift certificate for ONLY $10 (the best sale we've ever offered on gift certificates), and receive the tutorial book for FREE.  Then when you are ready to create a chart, you have a step-by-step tutorial at your side and you are good to go.  (Only one gift certificate can be used per order with this conference special.)

At RootsTech 2017, Family ChartMasters will also have a 24" x 75" Fill-In-The-Blank Chart, with lots of space for data including birth, marriage, and death dates and places.  This chart, regularly priced $19.95, will be available at RootsTech for 50%, for only $10 tax included! It comes packaged in a nice sturdy box that will keep your chart safe. Quantity is limited, so hurry to our booth before we sell out!

And finally, announcing our newest products just in time for RootsTech 2017:
A super-cute line of  Zap the Grandma Gap Look Books. These 4x6 photo books are super easy to insert photos into and write brief captions on the included coordinating pages.  And look at the 7 great topics...

Each Look Book comes with coordinating insert pages to fill out so that you can write about the significance of the photos (or recipes) that you add.  These 7 Look Books are packaged in cello bags with a fun bow, ready to give as gifts to your family members who could fill them out, or to complete yourself and give to the youth in your family.  A super simple, easy way to share your family history in a cute format! Plan now for Mother's Day, birthdays, or even stocking stuffers for Christmas!

They are priced $10 each, but our RootsTech Special makes them Buy 2 Get 1 FREE, PLUS a FREE Zap the Grandma Gap Power Up E-book with tons of printables!

These Zap the Grandma Gap Look books are limited edition and will only be available at RootsTech 2017.  Let us know what you think in the comments below. 

RootsTech 2017: Speaking Schedule and Breaking New Ground

Ok.  I just have to brag on my family a little bit here.  As you know, my son Matthew was the first RootsTech youth speaker, and as far as I know, still the youngest speaker that has ever presented at RootsTech.  That was truly the highlight of my career and a big payday for this mom.

Well now we're breaking new ground at RootsTech again.  February 2017 I'll be giving one presentation with my father, and two more with my sister. (as well as two by myself.) We're truly making RootsTech a family affair.  As it should be.  I'm pretty sure I hold the record as the person who has spoken with the most family members at the conference.  It has been delightful to spend more time with my sister Amy and her two little sons and to spend time with my Dad while we've been putting these presentations together.  And they are going to be great presentations.  I'm super excited to share them with you.

Here's the schedule:

• 3:00 pm Wednesday Feb 8th  Nature and Nurture: Family History for Adoptees with Amy Slade: 251A
• 4:30 pm Wednesday Feb 8th  Skinny Genes: Successful Lean Startup for Genealogists: Ballroom A

(I'm also excited to be speaking at the Innovator's Summit this year about Lean Startup business practices.  Hopefully that will help new businesses in this market.)

• 3:00 pm Thursday Feb 9th   What's in Your Attic and What to Do About It with Don Carpenter: Ballroom A
• 3:00 pm Friday Feb 10th  18 Genealogy Contests to Play With Your Family Online: Room 151
• 3:00 pm Saturday Feb 11th Helping Your Grandparents Share Their Story with Amy Slade: Room 255B

You can see more details about each presentation on the RootsTech Website. 

I'm also giving a few demos in the demo hall.  I'll be speaking about our Zap The Grandma Gap Books at the Family Tree Maker booth.  And I'll be speaking for genealogyDOTcoach in the main demo theater at 11:20 on Saturday. The genealogyDOT coach booth is holding free demo lectures (we're calling them "Pep Talks"!) throughout every day of RootsTech. Even though I'm a coach, I won't be giving any Pep Talks in the genealogyDOTcoach booth this time.  There were so many great speakers there that I knew they were covered.  Check out the pep talk schedule here...So many important and knowledgeable speakers. 

So, really, you're covered for RootsTech 2017.  You don't even need to look at the rest of the schedule.  We have lots of great ideas for you and lots of help for your family history.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

May We Show Off Your Genealogy Chart?

I've been asked to speak at RootsTech 2016 and the title of my lecture is "Voila: 101 Ways to Design a Pedigree Chart." After 10 years of speaking on all different topics, it's nice to feel recognized that we really know what we are talking about when it comes to genealogy charts.

We've designed some magnificent charts over the years and I've always been a little bit shy about asking permission to share your chart because it's so personal--it's your family.  But now I'm asking! If we've done a chart for you and you would permit me to share it as part of the slideshow at my RootsTech presentation, please email me at janet@familychartmasters.com.  To protect your privacy, our company policy is to always change the personal information of any living people. 

Compared to how many we've printed in the last 11 years, 101 charts is a drop in the bucket, but I'm hoping our clients will help me put this slideshow together.  We want to show off our best work.  Let me know if you can help me with this presentation.  Not only would we love to share your chart, but we would also love to see your pictures of what you've done with your chart and how you have displayed it.  Send your photos to janet@familychartmasters.com