Genealogy Videos – Part 3 - Roots Television

This is the 3rd in an ongoing series about genealogical videos that are available free on the internet.

Previous posts include:
Part 1 - APG Videos
Part 2 – Legacy Family Tree Webinars

Roots Television

One of the early adopters of video for the internet was Roots Television. Roots Television wanted to make a permanent channel for genealogy 24/7 on the internet. It is the brain child of  internationally known genealogist Megan Smolenyak and Media Producer Marcy Brown. They went live in September 2006. Roots Television has the largest collection of free genealogy videos on the internet. They continue to add at least one new video every week.

What can you expect to find?

When you arrive at the homepage for Roots Television you will find a video loaded and waiting for you. You don’t have to watch that one but it just goes to show how simple accessing videos is. To the right of that video under a “Browse Videos” header are five tabs presenting other video content.

If you don’t find those of interest, scroll down to the bottom of the page where you have the option to choose a “channel.” Each channel (or topic) is represented by a different photograph. Some of the channels include: New & Featured, Conferences, DNA, How To, Military, British Roots, African Roots, Ancestors Series and much more.

Roots Television nearly “went off the air” earlier in the year due to costs. There was such an out cry that it now accepts advertising in order to keep it going. The videos, however, are still free for viewing.

Today I watched the “Getting Started” episode from the PBS Ancestors series. Other than the out of date clothing and at times overly expressive hosts, the program was professional, enjoyable and fun to watch. It's a good place to start for people who are new to family history research.

Some of my favorite Roots Television videos include:


Down Under Florida: The Ashley Family by the Genealogy Guys - George C. Morgan and Drew Smith


Elizabeth Shown Mills being interviewed on the Wholly Genes Cruise, 2008

The conference videos are a great way to learn more about some of the national speakers you haven’t met in person.

Need an afternoon coffee break?  Why not stop by Roots Television and get some new ideas for your genealogy research.