Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Stories That Live In Us
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa: A Love of Food and Family (with Rosie Grant) | Episode 90 | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:48:01 | |
When archivist Rosie Grant stumbled upon a gravestone with a spritz cookie recipe carved into it, she had no idea it would change her life. What began as a TikTok curiosity during her cemetery internship became a viral phenomenon and, eventually, a groundbreaking cookbook celebrating 50 recipes from gravestones across America. Rosie shares her remarkable project "To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes." We discover how her library science background and passion for community archives led her to document not just recipes, but the rich stories of the people behind them. From Maxine's Christmas cookies in Iowa, and the German tradition of hanging cookies on the tree, to intimate oral history interviews with dozens of families, Rosie reveals how food connects us across generations. You'll hear about Rosie's journey from cemetery intern to bestselling author, her dedication to both grandmothers who shaped her understanding of food and family, and the surprising ways these gravestone recipes are inspiring living families to preserve their own food traditions. Whether it's Iowa's community-minded spirit or the universal power of recipes to keep memories alive, this conversation reminds us that the stories we share around the table are the ones that truly live in us.
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| Wisconsin: Great Grandmothers and the Great Migration (with Dani Allen) | Episode 89 | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:33:31 | |
When Dani was in eighth grade, she watched her grandmother wash and braid her own mother’s hair. In that moment, she was witness to a ritual passed on through generations of Black women. Join me as Dani Allen, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Ancestry, shares her family's journey from the Deep South to Wisconsin during the 1930s and 40s as part of The Great Migration. Together we explore how her grandfather's search for work in the auto industry led their family north, the tumultuous marriage that nearly ended in tragedy, and the newspaper clipping that finally confirmed whispered family stories. From her great-grandmother's striking blue eyes and the meaning behind hair care rituals, to her weekly Zoom calls with her 90-year-old grandmother filled with freshly discovered stories, Dani reveals how intergenerational connections shape identity and preserve legacy. She shares how these discoveries help her two-year-old granddaughter understand the resilient women whose strength flows through her veins. Dani’s story reminds us that family history isn't just about the past. It's about the bonds we nurture today that will live on in generations to come. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| North Dakota: Creating Community (with Sarah Walker) | Episode 80 | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:36:11 | |
When Sarah Walker's grandfather checked his mail one last day before leaving for World War I, he discovered a neighbor had intervened to keep him home—a bachelor farmer needed on the home front. That single act of community support changed everything. Sarah Walker, Head of Reference Services at the North Dakota State Archives, shares her grandfather's journey immigrating at age 10 from Germany through Russia to North Dakota's farmland. We explore how tight-knit immigrant communities preserved their language and customs across generations, and why Sarah's career as an oral historian feels like the natural continuation of her family's story-keeping tradition. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| South Dakota: Finding the Girl in the Middle (with Marni Sandweiss) | 02 Oct 2025 | 00:42:33 | |
When historian Marni Sandweiss discovered an 1868 photograph of six prominent Civil War generals standing around an unnamed Indigenous girl, she couldn't let go of one haunting question: Who was she? In this episode, Princeton University Professor Emerita Martha "Marni" Sandweiss shares how she identified the child as Sophie Mousseau and uncovered a remarkable story of survival, identity, and resilience spanning generations on the Northern Plains. Through meticulous research combining written records, oral histories, and collaboration with Sophie's descendants, Marni reveals how one photograph connects to broader themes of mixed-race identity, territorial boundaries, and the power of naming the unnamed in history. Discover how this truffle-hunting historian transformed an anonymous face into a fully realized person whose story matters—and why every name in your family photographs deserves to be remembered. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Montana: Love, Loss, and Everything In-Between (with Mary Anne Mercer) | Episode 78 | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:36:35 | |
💕 When Mary Anne Mercer discovered her great-grandmother's diary in a trunk that had sat untouched since 1915, she knew she had found something extraordinary. Mary Anne, an accomplished author and former international health expert who worked in Nepal and Africa, returned to her Montana ranching roots to uncover a remarkable love story. Through a combination of family interviews, a preserved diary, and treasures from a century-old trunk, she pieced together the journey of Florrie—a young nurse from London whose path led to the isolated Montana plains. Working alongside the stories of her grandfather Andy, a former Wyoming cowboy turned rancher, Mary Anne discovered how family artifacts can reveal not just facts and dates, but the beating hearts of people who lived extraordinary lives. As she shares her process of turning fragments into a full family narrative, you'll understand why some stories demand to be written down and preserved for future generations. 💭 Have you ever wondered what stories might be waiting in your own family's forgotten treasures? 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Washington: Replanted Roots Now Evergreen (with Cyndi Ingle) | Episode 77 | 18 Sep 2025 | 00:40:46 | |
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| Idaho: Unboxing Gems of the Past (with Jen Iverson) | Episode 76 | 11 Sep 2025 | 00:35:03 | |
🎵 When Jen Iverson said "What I wouldn't give to hear Grandpa's music again," she had no idea what she was about to discover just two days later. Join me as Jen Iverson, a Gen X mom and passionate family historian, shares an incredible story of musical discovery that transformed her family's connection to their Idaho heritage. We explore her great-grandfather Arnold Steed's forgotten legacy in Pocatello and how one unexpected find in a nursing home room became the bridge connecting four generations of her family. From migratory beekeeping adventures to multi-generational traditions at Island Park, Jen reveals how music became a powerful time machine to her ancestors' hearts. You'll hear why sometimes our most precious family treasures are hiding in the most unexpected places, just waiting to remind us of the voices we thought we'd lost forever. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Wyoming: Tumbleweed Ties That Bind (with Lindy Nielsen) | Episode 75 | 04 Sep 2025 | 00:49:04 | |
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| Utah: Walking Where They Walked (with Michelle Ercanbrack) | Episode 74 | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:50:04 | |
When Michelle Ercanbrack volunteered for a Mormon pioneer trek, she thought she'd be helping teenagers learn history. What she discovered instead was a missing piece of her own family story that had been hiding in plain sight for decades. Michelle, a BYU family history program graduate and former Ancestry researcher who worked on television shows like "Who Do You Think You Are," joins me to share how sometimes the most meaningful genealogical discoveries happen not behind a computer screen, but when you physically stand where your ancestors once stood. Her emotional experience retracing her ancestor’s journey through the Wyoming wilderness to Utah reveals why knowing the facts of a story and truly understanding its impact are two completely different things. Her ancestor, Mary Ann Malley, was a widowed single mother facing impossible choices and learning more about her life led Michelle to understand that even professional genealogists can overlook the most meaningful connections in their own family trees. Her story challenges every family historian to ask a simple but powerful question: What happens when you stop researching your ancestors’ lives and start walking where they walked? This episode will leave you questioning whether you truly know your family's stories or if you're ready to discover what you've been missing. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Oklahoma: Two Genealogists and a DNA Match (with Nicka Sewell-Smith) | Episode 73 | 21 Aug 2025 | 00:34:21 | |
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| New Mexico: Centuries of Stories (with Stephen Torres) | Episode 72 | 14 Aug 2025 | 00:24:55 | |
When Stephen Torres's grandfather told him "one of your forefathers was the first European to set foot on New World soil," young Stephen was skeptical—until his college history research revealed a truth that changed everything. Stephen shares what it means to have 400 years of unbroken family history in New Mexico's Taos Valley. From growing up with 50+ cousins to living with his storytelling grandfather, Stephen's family represents something rare: deep, unshakeable roots in one place. When genealogical research through Catholic Church records revealed remarkable connections to pivotal moments in American history, Stephen discovered his grandfather's stories held more truth than he'd ever imagined. This is a story about the power of place, cultural continuity, and what happens when family roots run so deep they become inseparable from the very soil of home. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Arizona: Hidden Gifts of Healing (with Lisa Louise Cooke | Episode 71 | 07 Aug 2025 | 00:46:21 | |
When Lisa Louise Cooke walked into her estranged grandmother's house in Arizona, she had no idea she was about to discover the key to healing a decades-old family rift. Lisa Louise, host of the long-running Genealogy Gems podcast, shares how following an unexpected inner voice led to finding a hidden quilt that would transform her relationship with her father forever. After years of separation following her parents' messy divorces, a mysterious feeling in her grandmother's bedroom guided Lisa Louise to uncover not just a family heirloom, but a handwritten note that became the bridge to reconciliation. This powerful story reveals how our ancestors sometimes speak to us through the most unexpected discoveries, and how listening to those quiet promptings can heal wounds we thought were permanent. Whether you're dealing with family divisions or simply wondering how the past can inform the present, Lisa Louise's journey from disconnection to deep relationship will remind you that it's never too late for healing when we're willing to trust our instincts and follow the voice that guides us home. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| California: Stars Shooting Out of Silence (with Candace Dixon Horne) | Episode 88 | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:39:56 | |
When Candace Dixon-Horne's husband bought AncestryDNA kits in 2018, she hesitated before sending hers in. Raised by a single mom in Arkansas, Candace spent her entire life with her mom as the only blood relative she knew. One DNA match changed everything. A simple Google search led to names she recognized, faces that looked hauntingly familiar, and a connection to California's golden age of cinema that seemed too extraordinary to be real. I talk with Candace about the moment she realized the story she'd found was actually her story, and how meeting her biological father's family for the first time revealed generations of Hollywood history, creative passion, and family connections spanning from the silent film era to today. This episode explores how DNA can unlock not just names and dates, but entire worlds of family legacy and how discovering where you come from can transform your understanding of who you are. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Alaska: Treasured Pieces from the Last Frontier (with Jay Marquiss) | 31 Jul 2025 | 00:32:32 | |
🏔️ When Jay Marquiss sat down for breakfast at a Southern Utah ranch house, he had no idea a casual conversation would unlock a 130-year-old family mystery. Jay Marquiss, a third-generation Alaskan, grew up expecting to spend his entire life in the Last Frontier. But when his wife experienced her first Alaskan winter, their plans changed forever. Now living in Utah, Jay thought he'd left Alaska behind until an unexpected encounter with a former missionary revealed an incredible connection that had been hiding in plain sight for decades. In this episode, you'll discover how Jay's family tradition became something much more significant than anyone imagined. From gold rush miners to modern-day missionaries, this story demonstrates how the most precious family legacies often travel in the most unexpected ways. Jay shares how he's transformed this discovery into meaningful connections with his children, grandchildren, and dozens of young people, creating new traditions that honor both past and present. Through tales of Alaska's wilderness, family adventures, and serendipitous encounters, you'll see how sometimes our most treasured family heirlooms aren't stored in attics. They're living pieces of history that continue to grow and connect hearts across generations. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Hawaii: Woven Together in the Aloha State (with Mike Daniels) | 24 Jul 2025 | 00:27:49 | |
What happens when cultures collide and choose connection instead of conflict? To launch our America 250 series and Season 2 of the podcast, I sit down with Mike Daniels — former mayor of Pleasant Grove, Utah and a dear colleague from our early days at Ancestry — to explore his family’s extraordinary journey to and through Hawaii. From war and immigration to love, loss, and discovery, Mike shares how his family’s story became a living example of what it means to build unity through difference. “It is a melting pot, and it's really possible for people to live together in peace.” Along the way, we talk about picture brides, holiday feasts with 50+ cousins, and a name change that reshaped an identity. This heartfelt conversation about belonging, resilience, and multicultural legacy reminds us how place becomes a character in our family stories—shaping not just where we come from, but who we become. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| America 250: A Journey Through 50 States and 50 Stories That Live In Us (Season 2 Trailer) | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:01:52 | |
What if the story of America isn't just in history books, but living right now in your family tree? As we approach America's 250th birthday in 2026, I'm taking you on an extraordinary journey across all 50 states through the intimate family stories that shaped our nation. Starting in July 2025, Season 2 of Stories That Live In Us will reveal how your ancestors' choices and experiences are still echoing through your family today. Over 50 weeks, we'll travel from Hawaii to Alaska, Arizona to Oklahoma, following each state's admission to the union in reverse order. You'll discover tales of immigration, migration, courage, and community. These moments of resilience that defined entire families and continue to influence generations. These aren't stories about famous names and places; they're about real families whose experiences show us that American history lives in our DNA, our traditions, and our family trees. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the transformational power of family storytelling, this season will inspire you to see your own family history with fresh eyes. Because every family tree holds stories connected to places and times that can fuel your imagination, inspire your resilience, and deepen your family connections. Join me as we discover, from sea to shining sea, the stories that live in us—and learn how your family's journey is beautifully woven into the larger American story. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Waiting to Be Found (with Hopwood DePree) | Episode 68 | 17 Jul 2025 | 00:40:14 | |
🛏😴 What if you found out that the bedtime stories you were told as a kid were really true? When Hopwood DePree finally traced his unusual first name to its origins, he discovered something extraordinary: a 600-year-old ancestral estate in England that had been waiting centuries for him to find it. When Hopwood, author of "Downton Shabby," began exploring the childhood stories he dismissed as fairy tales, it led to the adventure of a lifetime. From growing up in Michigan, embarrassed by his name to dedicating his life to restoring Hopwood Hall Estate in Middleton, England, his journey reveals how our ancestors' stories can literally reshape our entire lives. You'll hear about secret priest holes, hidden tabernacles, and the moment he realized his grandfather's "bedtime stories" about a castle were actually family history waiting to be reclaimed. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| A Life Changing Adventure (with Diana O'Connor) | Episode 67 | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:40:23 | |
🌍 After decades of dead ends and false leads, one $27 payment to a county archive changed everything for Diana O'Connor. She didn’t just get a record. She got a photograph that made her weep with recognition. Diana grew up knowing almost nothing about her family history. Her father was placed in foster care at two years old when his mother died. He then died tragically young and Diana’s own mother’s death followed a short eight years later. With virtually no family stories, no extended relatives, and no sense of her roots but armed with a single legal document and unshakeable curiosity, she embarked on a journey that would transform her from a woman with no family connections into someone discovering an abundance of Irish cousins and ancestral homes. Diana shares the emotional highs and lows of researching her Irish heritage, discovering orphanage records, connecting with cousins across continents, and finally standing in the cemeteries of County Tyrone and County Mayo where her ancestors are buried. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that even the smallest clues can lead to life-changing discoveries. And that it’s never too late to find your people. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Gathering and Connections (with Betheny Tomseth) | Episode 66 | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:29:14 | |
🎂 What do cake and cemeteries have to do with one another? Maybe not much but both have quite a bit to do with family history. Betheny Tomseth, known on Instagram as @BethenyCakes, takes us on a journey through her family’s complex history. From the mysterious circumstances surrounding her great-grandfather Omer's hunting accident in 1921 to the Scottish immigrant family she discovered buried together in an Ogden cemetery. We explore how a 140-year-old cake recipe connects generations of women who understood that food brings families together. As the middle child in a family of 14, Betheny shares how her great-aunt Edith's stories about a grandmother who died in childbirth became family treasures, and how her genealogist sister Rebecca's Christmas gift may be the most meaningful one she’s ever received. Our conversation celebrates the beautiful ways our ancestors continue to gather us together. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Wonderful Grandmothers (with Aimee Cross) | Episode 65 | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:24:31 | |
When Aimee Cross discovered her French ancestor's will in a 1904 newspaper, she found something more precious than gold - a grandmother's heartfelt advice to her children. Professional genealogist Aimee Cross joins me to share how her second great-grandmother Estelle Dumont left behind more than an estate. She left a legacy of wisdom that continues to shape her family today. From Pierre Dumont's journey from France to the goldfields of California, to Estelle's courageous choice to run a business as a widowed mother in 1897 San Francisco, this story reveals how family wisdom survives even when original documents don't. Discover how one woman's deathbed counsel speaks directly to today's grandmothers and learn why the most powerful family stories often hide in the most unexpected records. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| These Are My Kinfolk: A Juneteenth Reunion (with Linda Epps Parker) | Episode 64 | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:30:18 | |
Linda felt there was "something special" in her dad's family but couldn't get answers. She never imagined a single phone call would connect her to relatives she'd never met and a Civil War-era ancestor whose story would change how she celebrates Juneteenth forever. In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Linda Epps Parker, whose connection to the Hawkins Wilson documentary reveals the extraordinary power of genealogy to heal generational separation. Linda shares her journey from growing up with unanswered questions about her father's Southern roots to discovering her relationship to Hawkins Wilson, the formerly enslaved man whose 1877 letter became the centerpiece of an award-winning film from Ancestry. What else Linda discovers feels less like coincidence or chance and more like ancestral guidance. This episode beautifully demonstrates how family history research can move us from longing to belonging, creating profound connections that span generations. Link to Hawkins Wilson film:
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| An Honest Witness | Episode 63 | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:26:18 | |
What if one of history's most famous authors unknowingly documented your ancestor's immigration journey? In 1863, my three-times-great-grandmother Rachel Smuin sailed from England to America aboard the Amazon—and Charles Dickens was there to witness it all. Expecting to find chaos and disorder among 800 Mormon emigrants, Dickens instead discovered remarkable organization, cheerfulness, and dignity that completely challenged his preconceptions. His detailed letter about that day provides an incredible window into Rachel's actual crossing experience, from the crowded London docks to the careful inspections before departure. I'll read you Dickens' account and share how I discovered this hidden gem that brings my ancestor's journey to life. This episode will inspire you to search for the contemporary records, newspaper articles, and historical accounts that might capture your own family's pivotal moments in surprising detail. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Through the Eyes of a Child ( with Tamara Buzyna Adams) | Episode 62 | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:43:53 | |
🚢 When 11-year-old Lydia escaped Russia on the last evacuation ship in 1920, she began documenting her extraordinary journey in beautiful handwritten diaries. Tamara Buzyna Adams discovered her grandmother’s childhood diaries during COVID lockdown. What started as a mother-daughter translation project unveiled an incredible story: a young girl who lived on a refugee ship for two and a half years, finding joy and wonder even amid the chaos following the Russian Revolution. Through meticulous research, Tamara pieced together not just dates and places, but a moving story of childhood resilience. Her most surprising discovery came when she decided to research the mysterious friends Lydia mentioned throughout her diaries - children with nicknames like "Zhenya" and "Kolya." Lydia's story reveals how family histories preserved through a child's innocent perspective can illuminate our ancestors' humanity and inspire resilience across generations. _____ 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Minnesota: Santa Claus, a Corn Cob Pipe, and Nellie Oleson (with Lisa Elzey) | Episode 87 | 27 Nov 2025 | 00:48:20 | |
What if your family's pioneer past looked exactly like your favorite childhood TV show? When Lisa Elzey discovered her great-great-grandfather's story, she realized she'd been watching his life every Monday night on Little House on the Prairie. Complete with homesteading, hand-hewn cabins, and a white beard down to his belly. In this episode, Lisa shares how a purple-inked memoir written by her great-grandmother's half-sister unlocked the story of Johann Heinrich Seba, a German immigrant who arrived alone at 18, hacked through Minnesota wilderness for a mile and a half in a single day, and became so beloved his community lowered flags to half-staff when he died. For decades, Lisa and her mother searched for his origins in Germany, writing letters to archives and scrolling through endless microfilm reels. Then in 2016, a single search on Ancestry revealed not just where he was from, but a family secret hidden in Lutheran christening records that changed everything they thought they knew. Discover how one ancestor's story can bridge four generations of women, why a steeple clock matters more than any antique collection, and what happens when patience meets the right record at exactly the right time. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Even in the Face of Injustice | Episode 61 | 29 May 2025 | 00:28:10 | |
What if your ancestors' darkest moment could teach you the most about resilience? While chasing down a DNA match with my dad, I uncovered a shocking story about two sets of my 8x great-grandparents that kept me awake all night. Roger and Anne Park and Andrew and Olive Smith were Quakers who fled England seeking religious freedom in colonial New Jersey, but found decades of land disputes and corrupt officials instead. When my 7x great-grandfather John Park and his brother-in-law, Thomas Smith faced an impossible choice - pay twice for land they already owned or lose everything - their response involved tar, feathers, and a decision that haunts me as I consider how we respond to injustice today. This discovery reminded me why family stories matter: they teach us resilience even when our ancestors made questionable choices, and show us we can choose to be better in the face of hardship. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| The Ache Is Still There (with Tara Hall) | Episode 60 | 22 May 2025 | 00:33:44 | |
When Tara Hall discovered her great-uncle Norman had been shot down in WWII, his story became an enigma that haunted her family for generations. In this poignant episode, my Ancestry colleague Tara shares how Norman joined the Army Air Corps as a navigator, following in his older brother's footsteps. Shot down over Germany on just his third mission, Norman's body remained unidentified for twelve years, leaving his family in painful limbo. Through military records and precious letters, Tara uncovered not just how Norman died, but glimpses of who he truly was—a young man who secretly read poetry and promised his father, "Don't worry about me, Dad." As we approach Memorial Day, this story reminds us of the profound ripple effects war creates across generations, and how family history transforms enigmas into cherished ancestors whose memories provide strength and resilience. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| I Can See All The Story (with Lisa Elzey) | Episode 59 | 15 May 2025 | 00:39:00 | |
When Lisa Elzey discovered her grandfather flew on a B-17 bomber during D-Day, she knew there was more to uncover… 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| I Can Live With the Truth (with Nidel Day) | Episode 58 | 08 May 2025 | 00:47:17 | |
When DNA results revealed a puzzling Quebec connection in Lisa Elzey's family tree — everything she thought she knew was called into question... 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| One Year Anniversary - I'm So Glad You're Here | Episode 57 | 01 May 2025 | 00:50:30 | |
For one year straight, I've shared stories that remind us we're all connected through the messy, beautiful threads of family history — and today, I'm celebrating YOU. Recorded live at RootsTech 2025, this anniversary episode is a reflection of the incredible stories we've uncovered together, from my great-great-grandmother Carrie to DNA discoveries that led to phone calls from heaven. In this special episode, I'm revisiting seven of my favorite moments from the past year and sharing the behind-the-scenes impact each story had on me, on my guests, and on you. From discovering how a kitchen table can become a family's gathering place for connection to the family of seven sailing through storms, you'll hear what made these episodes unforgettable — and why your own family stories might be closer than you think. Whether you've been listening since day one or just discovered this podcast, join me as we reflect on how family stories aren’t just about the past - they’re about creating connections that last generations. And, get a sneak peek at our exciting America 250 project coming in year two of the podcast. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| We Wear a Poppy (with Simon Pearce) | Episode 56 | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:39:39 | |
When Simon Pearce discovered his great-great-uncle Howard's name on a casualty list from WWI, his heart skipped a beat — launching a 20-year quest to piece together the life of a man he never met but now feels deeply connected to... In this moving conversation, Simon, an Ancestry military history expert, shares how Howard's service from China to Gallipoli and ultimate sacrifice in 1915 created ripples through generations of his family. Together we explore how a single postcard, a war diary, and a sister's poignant poem in her autograph book transformed Howard from a name on a memorial to a cherished family member. This episode reminds us that family stories don't end with death, but continue to shape identity, create connection, and inspire purpose across generations — sometimes in the most unexpected ways. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Marry a Genealogist (with Irene Hantman) | Episode 55 | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:33:12 | |
💕 When a stranger asked Irene Hantman about Arthur Kurzweil's lecture at a Jewish genealogy conference, she never imagined it would change her life forever... In this heartwarming episode, I talk with Irene, an accomplished genealogist and longtime editor of Avotaynu journal, about her 40-year journey through Jewish family history. She shares how receiving the book "From Generation to Generation" sparked a lifelong passion that ultimately led to love when she met Jerry at a conference in Los Angeles. Irene's story weaves through her early discoveries at the National Archives, uncovering the mysteries of her grandmother's citizenship, and navigating the complexities of Jewish surname changes. But what makes her journey truly special is how genealogy brought her not just family connections, but unexpected romance at age 60. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| All I Need is a Warm Glass of Milk (with Brian Donnelly) | Episode 54 | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:28:12 | |
🍀 When Brian Donnelly's grandfather calmly announced he was having a heart attack, nine-year-old Brian's only instruction was to fetch a warm glass of milk… 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Ancestors Are Complicated (with Anne Mitchell) | Episode 53 | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:46:22 | |
When Anne Mitchell discovered a tattered family Bible with a handwritten account of an ancestor eagerly joining the Confederate Army in 1861 it changed how she understood her family history. Now, it has also changed how millions might discover their own histories. Anne shares the story of her ancestor John Calvin Gillespie—from excited Confederate soldier to "galvanized Yankee" to a man whose tragic end made headlines across America. Her deep dive into her family's Civil War connections (with ten direct ancestors who fought in the conflict!) ultimately inspired her work as a product manager at Ancestry® developing the new Networks feature. In our conversation we explore how confronting complicated truths about our ancestors can lead to personal transformation and why understanding past generations might be a key to understanding ourselves today. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Project Managing the Saga (with Nicka Sewell-Smith) | Episode 52 | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:43:49 | |
When Nicka Sewell-Smith set out to find her great-grandmother Easter's maiden name, she never imagined it would lead to uncovering 10,000 descendants from a single enslaved community... In this moving conversation, genealogist Nicka Sewell-Smith returns to share how her search for one ancestor evolved into the groundbreaking "Trask 250" project. By meticulously tracking enslaved families from the 1850s through freedom, she's reconstructed a community that remained connected across generations. Nicka reveals how a chance cemetery visit, a cartoonist cousin with perfect recall, and strategic spreadsheet management helped piece together a family narrative that spans from pre-Revolutionary African ancestors to modern DNA connections. Her story demonstrates how determined research can transform overwhelming historical data into powerful family connections that bring pride and healing to thousands of descendants. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Oregon: Trail of the Unclaimed | Episode 86 | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:37:58 | |
When Phyllis Zegers discovered her cousin died alone in Oregon State Hospital in the 1890s, she never imagined it would lead to reconnecting hundreds of families with their forgotten ancestors. In this episode, Phyllis shares how her genealogy research uncovered 3,500 unclaimed cremains at the hospital—and how she's worked tirelessly to honor each person by researching their stories and finding their living relatives. From sending surprise letters that reveal family secrets to sprinkling ashes at a beloved fishing hole, Phyllis demonstrates the profound impact one genealogist can have. Her work reminds us that every name in a record represents a real person whose story deserves to be told, and that sometimes the most meaningful family history work happens when we look beyond our own family tree to honor the forgotten. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| The Irish Experience (with Kyle Betit) | Episode 51 | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:35:18 | |
🍀 When I gathered around a traditional peat fire in Galway with a group of descendants of the Irish Diaspora, I experienced my ancestors' world in a way records alone could never reveal…
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| It's Like Genealogy 3.0 (with Jenn Utley) | Episode 50 | 13 Mar 2025 | 00:35:06 | |
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| For a Wise Purpose (with Steve Rockwood) | Episode 49 | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:36:27 | |
When Steve Rockwood discovered his ancestor's journal as a child, he never imagined how family stories would shape his future as President of FamilySearch International. In our conversation, Steve reveals how a 7th-generation Bostonian's writings sparked his sense of belonging, while his Danish great-grandmother's solo journey across the Atlantic became the untold DNA story he treasures most. Steve shares how a recent family history trip with his 93-year-old mother brought "Grandma Chandler" to life through forgotten newspaper accounts—proving that records kept "for a wise purpose" reveal their value generations later. Whether you're building your family tree as a "driver" or enjoying discoveries as a "passenger," Steve's insights on capturing character stories and engaging today's "most journaling generation" will transform how you share your family's legacy and keep your growing family connected through powerful stories. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Live Undaunted (with Lisa Valentine Clark) | Episode 48 | 27 Feb 2025 | 00:41:42 | |
Have you ever wondered what story you'd tell if you knew your time was limited? Lisa Valentine Clark's husband faced this exact question when diagnosed with ALS. In this powerful conversation, Lisa reveals how Christopher's decision to document his life story created an unexpected treasure their five children now cherish like scripture. We explore the unexpected parallels to her grandmother’s life and how that provided strength when she needed it most. She shares the profound shift in perspective that comes when witnessing a complete life story, and how intentional choices shape our family narrative. Lisa's approach to reframing tragedy challenges us all to consider: how will the stories we leave behind shape future generations? Discover why laughter through tears might just be the most important emotion in preserving your family's authentic legacy. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Daddy Was an Outlaw (with Jackie Dorothy) | Episode 47 | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:37:04 | |
A childhood memory of two sisters arguing at a kitchen table leads historian Jackie Dorothy to uncover an astounding truth — her great-grandfather wasn't just any Wyoming cowboy, he was part of Butch Cassidy's infamous Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. As an award-winning historian and member of the Northern Arapaho tribe, Jackie shares how she pieced together newspaper clippings, tribal records, and family stories to reveal her ancestor's double life: respected family man by day, outlaw by night. Through her research, she discovered that Wyoming wasn't just a setting for outlaw tales — it was a refuge where people came to reinvent themselves, often leaving their true identities buried in the past. Join us for a fascinating exploration of how one family's "shameful secret" transformed into a celebrated piece of Wyoming history, and discover how your own family legends might hold more truth than you imagine. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Their Love Stories | Episode 46 | 13 Feb 2025 | 00:28:41 | |
Do you know how your parents met? Research shows this simple story could be the key to building family resilience — and in this intimate solo episode, I open up about three generations of love stories that shaped my own family's legacy. From my grandparents’ powerful wartime romances to my parents' whirlwind 19-day courtship, each story reveals how family connections are forged in both dramatic and everyday moments. Along the way, I explore fascinating research from Emory University showing why these origin stories matter so much, regardless of how they end. Join me as I demonstrate how uncovering and sharing your family's love stories — whether epic or understated — can strengthen bonds across generations and create a deeper sense of belonging for everyone in your family tree. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| The Magic Part Is The Listening (with Natalie Zett) | Episode 45 | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:42:49 | |
When journalist Natalie Zett received a mysterious family manuscript, she had no idea it would lead her to her long-lost Aunt Martha – a 19-year-old victim of the tragic 1915 Eastland disaster in Chicago. What began as a deeply personal quest to understand her aunt's story transformed into a mission to preserve the forgotten stories of over 800 souls lost that day. Through a combination of journalistic expertise, genealogical research, and what she calls "listening to the departed," Natalie shares how she's uncovering the human stories that have been overshadowed by the famous shipwreck. Listen as we explore how family history research can bridge generations, heal old wounds, and sometimes give voice to those whose stories are waiting to be told.
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| Not A Secret Anymore (with Linda Goldman and Milly and Marty Mandel) | Episode 44 | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:32:49 | |
"There must be a mistake - I know all my first cousins." When Linda Goldman responded to an unexpected DNA match, she had no idea how wrong she was. Join me for a remarkable conversation with 100-year-old Millie Mandel, her son Marty, and cousin Linda as they share how DNA testing unveiled a century-old family secret that would transform two families who had lived parallel lives, unaware of their deep connection. This story of discovery, sacrifice, and unexpected joy reminds us that it's never too late to uncover the stories hiding in our family trees. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Mess in His Wake | Episode 43 | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:21:50 | |
When family relationships shatter, the ripples can span generations. In this deeply personal episode, I uncover the story of my great-great-grandfather Park Cowan, whose choices left a wake of heartbreak, bigamy charges, and newspaper headlines across the Midwest in 1901. Through historical records and family lore, I piece together how his abandonment impacted three generations - from my resilient great-great-grandmother Carrie to my own grandfather's commitment to break the pattern. You'll discover how family stories, even the messy ones, can lead to healing and redemption. Join me in exploring how confronting our family's past challenges can transform our present relationships and shape a different future for those who come after us. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Bit by the Bug (with Emily Pulham) | Episode 42 | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:27:47 | |
When a 12-year-old girl watched her grandmother work at a microfilm reader, she couldn't have known she was witnessing the beginning of her own family history journey. Now a young mother of three, Emily Pulham has transformed her passion for genealogy into a profound gift - a book preserving her Danish grandmother's incredible stories of life during WWII, immigration to America, and the power of family bonds that span generations. From burning Nazi documents to surviving 10-hour interrogations, these stories became more than just historical accounts - they helped Emily understand herself and her place in her family's story. Join me for this touching conversation about how documenting family stories while our relatives are still with us can heal generational disconnections and create lasting legacies that will outlive us all.
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| Kansas: A Calling From the Ancestors (with Calvin Osborne) | Episode 85 | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:49:51 | |
Calvin Osborne, a Washington D.C. attorney and Civil War reenactor, spent nearly three decades studying African American military history before Ancestry researchers revealed a stunning discovery: his great-great-grandfather, William Lacey, was a soldier in the First Kansas Colored Troops, the very first Black men to fight in the Civil War. In this powerful conversation, Calvin shares how a 1989 viewing of the movie Glory sparked an unstoppable passion that led him from battlefield reenactments to uncovering a love story that began in slavery, survived the chaos of border wars, and created a legacy that would span generations. His book, Contraband Hearts, tells the story of William and Lucinda. These two teenagers escaped enslavement together, fought for freedom in Kansas, and built a family that would eventually reach back across time to inspire their descendants. Sometimes our ancestors don't just leave us stories. They call us to find them. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Operation Pedro Pan (with Elisa Seeherman and Yda Okurliand-Pack) | Episode 41 | 09 Jan 2025 | 00:37:44 | |
When cousins Elisa and Yda finally met in person, they uncovered more than their shared DNA – they discovered how a desperate effort to save Cuban children from Castro's regime had shaped their family's destiny. Through meticulous research and a surprising DNA match, Elisa connected with a branch of her Jewish family she never knew existed, leading to the discovery of their role in Operation Pedro Pan – one of the largest child refugee operations in American history. In this moving episode, Yda shares her experience as one of over 14,000 Cuban children who left everything behind, armed with only a small token to identify them upon arrival in the United States. Their story reminds us how DNA testing can reveal not just family connections, but also uncover profound chapters of history that continue to shape families across generations. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| An Opportunity for Connection | Episode 40 | 02 Jan 2025 | 00:26:58 | |
When my mom was just 17, she lost her father – but 50 years later, DNA revealed an unexpected gift... In this deeply personal episode, I share how an ordinary AncestryDNA test revealed an extraordinary family secret. What began as a potentially devastating discovery became a beautiful experience that brought four women (in their 60s and 70s) closer together. As the story unfolds, you'll see how even the messiest parts of our family stories are an opportunity for connection. Join me as I explore how DNA testing can unlock forgotten stories, heal old wounds, and create new bridges between generations that transform both our past and future relationships. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| Thanks for the Memories (with George Ott) | Episode 39 | 26 Dec 2024 | 00:34:33 | |
What happens when you present Bob Hope with his family history, and he has no joke to crack? In this episode, professional genealogist George Ott shares moving stories from his decades-long career, including unforgettable moments with Hollywood legends Bob Hope and Jimmy Stewart, who both found themselves brought to tears by discoveries about their family histories. Having started his career in 1975, George reveals how family connections can transcend fame, fortune, and even family feuds - from courtroom battles over cherished samplers to emotional reunions between long-lost siblings. His remarkable stories demonstrate that whether you're a celebrated entertainer or someone searching for your roots, family history has the power to touch hearts and bring people together. Join me for this touching exploration of how the stories that live in us can surface in unexpected and powerful ways. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||
| It Doesn't Take A Lot (with Jason Terry) | Episode 38 | 19 Dec 2024 | 00:41:13 | |
When a 20-year-old WWII pilot makes fudge in a POW camp on Christmas Day, he teaches a lasting lesson... Jason Terry shares how his grandfather's small act of kindness in a German prison camp during WWII sparked a family legacy of service that spans generations. Through stories of answered prayers, harrowing escapes, and a precious Red Cross package shared with fellow prisoners, we discover how even the smallest gestures can create lasting impact. This moving conversation reveals how family stories shape our values and how service to others becomes a cherished inheritance passed from one generation to the next. 〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️ | |||