Left, David Lambert, chief genealogist for American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society, presents FamilySearch CEO Steve Rockwood with an original 1856 copy of a book about his ancestor Timothy Rockwood, at RootsTech in the Salt Palace Convention Center on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

At times over the years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been known to present distinguished guests, prominent leaders and honored friends with their family history.

David Lambert, the chief genealogist for American Ancestors and the New England Historic Genealogical Society, turned the tables when he surprised FamilySearch CEO Steve Rockwood with an invaluable family treasure on the eve of RootsTech, which opened Feb. 29 and ended on March 2.

Rockwood had no idea it was coming.

“It’s one of the greatest gifts, but also one of the kindest demonstrations of courtesy that I have ever experienced,” Rockwood said, visibly touched. “What a sweet launch to RootsTech.”

‘Friends ever since’

The two men met a number of years ago and became better acquainted when Rockwood visited American Ancestors at its facility in Boston, Massachusetts.

“I happened to say that the Rockwoods first came to Massachusetts from England in the 1600s,” Steve Rockwood said.

Lambert impressed Rockwood by showing him family records he had never seen before, and later sent him scanned copies of documents.

“We’ve remained friends ever since,” Lambert said.

Rockwood noted that his Rockwood ancestors were in Massachusetts for five or six generations before his great-great-grandfather married a cousin of Brigham Young.

“Brigham came and taught him the gospel and the Rockwood family in Massachusetts say, ‘he was never heard of again,’” Steve Rockwood said. “But there are quite a few of us here in the west now with the legacy of Albert Perry Rockwood having entered the covenant path.”

Finding the book

Lambert said he was visiting different antique shops in Maine nearly a year earlier when he came across the book.

“We went into an antique store and didn’t see anything exciting,” he said. “My wife got tired and went to the car.”

Lambert was on the verge of leaving when he felt a strong desire to return to the second floor. That is where a small book — “like a diary or a journal” — sitting atop an antique bureau, caught his eye.

Upon closer inspection, Lambert realized he was holding the original 1856 printed book on Timothy Rockwood, Steve Rockwood’s ancestor.

The book was in pristine condition, possibly purchased and then left undistributed for decades on a bookshelf. Lambert showed the book to the shop owner and asked, “How much?”

“Five dollars,” came the reply.

“Thank you,” Lambert said as he quickly made the purchase.

Lambert considered mailing the book to Rockwood — but decided a personal delivery was the better option.

The gift

Fast forward to the night of Wednesday, Feb. 28, when Lambert approached Rockwood before a RootsTech event with a special gift and an unforgettable story.

Lambert then related the account of how he found the book.

“I happened to feel like I had to go back upstairs. Something called me to go take another look,” Lambert said. “It was really the only book in that whole area. So to get it back in his hands, where it can be passed along and be with his family, it means a lot to me.”

Lambert said Rockwood offered to pay him for the book.

“You paid it with friendship a long time ago. That’s all I require,” the chief genealogist said. “I was delighted, and I’m glad that it’s found its rightful home. … This needed to be with the Rockwood family, not sitting in a Maine antique store.”

One never knows what can be found, learned or experienced at RootsTech, Rockwood said.

“The beauty of RootsTech are those sorts of discovery experiences. The spirit that comes with that, which I felt last night, will happen time and time again,” he said. “Through that gift, I felt the spirit of lovingkindness. I felt the spirit of the second great commandment, to love our neighbors. And he facilitated me feeling the Spirit bear witness of the divine nature of my family. I couldn’t think of a better way to launch RootsTech this weekend.”