The future of the family history industry

RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch.org, is the largest family history conference in the world. “As the name implies, technology is key to achieving our mission and is core to the tools that make the family history industry more effective,” said Bruce Band, VP of Community Outreach in the Records and Partners Division at FamilySearch.org.

Technology, such as cloud computing, has made collecting meaningful family stories for future generations simple. The AWS Cloud has powered many helpful genealogical tools, bridging the gap between generations and distance.

“If you think about major disruptors in the family history industry, they include technologies such as microfilm, the Internet, and now cloud computing, “ said Bruce. “Developers can now create a product and extend it to a world audience with ease using AWS. It is a game changer for the family history industry and it is taking things to the next level in terms of connecting people around the world.”

Innovator Showdown

Last week at RootsTech, we sponsored the Innovator Showdown. Innovators from around the world competed for $190,000 in prizes and pitched their innovative ideas. Watch the recording of the Innovator Showdown here.

During this year’s Showdown, competitors pitched diverse apps and sites, ranging from photo and video documentation to browsing and data tools.

The 2017 winners included:

• 1st Place: OldNews USA – Making Family History Mobile
• 2nd Place: QromaTag – Add your story to any photo using your iPhone and your voice.
• 3rd Place: Double Match Triangulator – Forging New Frontiers in DNA Analysis
• People’s Choice: Kindex – Search Every Word

Congratulations to the winners! Check out the innovative ideas submitted by the winners and finalists and how they use new technologies here.

The winners received AWS promotional cloud credits to expand the global reach of their products, using AWS services. Other customers are leveraging AWS for genomics analysis, search functionality, mobile development, facial recognition, and much more.

Learn how other nonprofits and NGOs use the AWS Cloud to save costs, improve scale, and generate outcomes.