Kate Guanci says she looks at family history upside down. After half an hour with her at RootsTech 2026, we kind of think she's onto something.***

In this episode of the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast, Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal, CG®, and Tami Osmer Mize sit down with Kate Guanci, founder and CEO of Archoral, in an interview recorded live at RootsTech 2026.

Kate shared the story of why she walked away from the traditional pedigree chart and built profile-based software that captures more than 14,000 different kinds of relationships, including the chosen family, mentors, and community members who shape our lives but rarely make it onto a family tree.

We also talk about Archoral's partnership with Vivid-Pix, the meaning behind the name "Archoral," and why Kate believes the people we choose, and the people who choose us, shape our family history just as much as the ones we're related to by blood.

Plus a new format change for the show ("What We're Loving"), a desk chair recommendation, a Microsoft 365 Copilot tip, and some genuinely good news from New York for a change.

ARCHORAL DISCOUNT CODE:Use code PODCAST50P for 50% off ANY Archoral Subscription until 31 July 31 2026.

TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro02:59 - "What We're Loving"03:50 - Elizabeth's pick: her new desk chair07:08 - Tami's pick: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Excel10:54 - Sponsor Break11:31 - Behind the scenes at the RootsTech Studio16:48 - Interview with Kate Guanci17:20 - The 6,000 square foot warehouse18:18 - Why family history isn't siloed18:49 - Profile-based vs. tree-based archives19:14 - 14,000 relationship combinations22:51 - What does "Archoral" mean?23:13 - The Vivid-Pix partnership and the caregiving connection24:33 - Communal archiving, explained25:29 - The Preservation Initiative pilot at Panola College25:42 - How Memory Station and Archoral connect27:27 - A different mindset for family history29:27 - Hitting every learning style31:45 - Tutorials and the 500-year view34:41 - Teatime35:25 - The wait time for New York vital records (a continuing rant)35:53 - Sweet tea: NYSED, NYSL, NYSA, and FamilySearch collaboration38:28 - 250,000 pages of NY State Archives records now online39:02 - America 250 and the Loyalist records40:53 - OutroRESOURCES & LINKSArchoral: https://archoral.com/Vivid-Pix: https://www.vivid-pix.com/ConferenceKeeper: https://conferencekeeper.org/Heart of the Family: https://thefamilyheart.com/RootsTech: https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstechNYSED announcement on the NYSL/NYSA/FamilySearch collaboration: https://www.nysed.gov/news/2026/office-cultural-education-announces-collaboration-familysearch-expand-access-genealogyFamilySearch: https://www.familysearch.org/Elizabeth's desk chair (Amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4nqa3xLSPONSORS & DISCLOSURESThis episode is sponsored by Vivid-Pix. All product opinions are our own. As an Amazon Associate, this podcast earns from qualifying purchases.CONNECT WITH USWebsite: https://branchingout.showEmail: hello@branchingout.showFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/branchingoutgenpod/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branching_out_genealogy_pod/X: https://x.com/branchingoutgenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/branching-out-genealogy-podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BranchingOutGenealogyPodcastIf you're enjoying the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who loves family history. It's the best way to help others find us!