Family history research is serious work. Taking yourself too seriously while doing it? Not required. Join Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal, CG®, and Tami Osmer Mize for smart, actionable content on research methods, new technology, and the stories behind the records. From in-depth interviews with industry innovators to honest conversations about the tools and strategies that actually move your research forward, this is the podcast for genealogists who like a little "tea" with their research.
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Episode 1: Meet Your Hosts, RootsTech 2025, Black Friday Sales, & This Week’s Fave Tech Tools
Episode 1
Thursday, November 28, 2024 • Duration 34:46
In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal and Tami Osmer Mize introduce themselves and discuss their (long!) genealogy journeys.
Then, they share their thoughts on the upcoming RootsTech Conference and give an overview of upcoming Black Friday sales on genealogy products.
During Tea Time, they spill some tea on the latest genealogy social media scuffles and share kudos for an esteemed genealogist who recently earned high honors.
Finally, the duo shares which websites they've been hooked on for the past few weeks.
TIMESTAMPS
About the co-hosts:
00:40 Tami’s introduction and genealogy journey
01:43 Elizabeth’s introduction and genealogy journey
03:37 Elizabeth’s website, Heart of the Family
04:33 Tami’s website, Conference Keeper
08:49 Our vision for this podcast
RootsTech Conference 2025:
10:30 RootsTech 2025 is coming
10:47 In-person vs. virtual
13:05 Shopping at the RootsTech Expo Hall
14:42 The value of attending RootsTech
FamilySearch
15:48 FamilySearch celebrates 130 years
16:22 How we’re benefitting from FamilySearch’s work
17:44 FamilySearch Labs (full-text searching)
Black Friday/Holiday Sales on Genealogy Products:
20:25 Where to find our lists of Black Friday Sales
Tea Time:
26:08 Spilling the tea on social media rumblings
27:08 Kudos to David Rencher
Fave Tech Tools of the Week:
28:11 Elizabeth has been using a site called Character.ai
31:10 Tami’s been finding great stuff on MyHeritage’s Old News newspaper site
Episode 2: Cool Tools for Genealogy Story Collectors
Season 1 · Episode 2
Thursday, December 12, 2024 • Duration 45:26
In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth and Tami share the stories that got them hooked on genealogy.
Next, they discuss several tools for collecting, transcribing, and sharing your family’s stories (some are low-tech and free). They also offer story-collecting gift ideas for family members who missed the holiday get-togethers, as well as those who may be shy or less tech-savvy.
During What’s Happening, Elizabeth shares a call to action to support the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, and Tami shares a reminder to submit your nominees for NGS awards.
Finally, Elizabeth spills the tea on recent genetic genealogy lawsuits, but Tami “cleans up” with good news about recently announced RootsTech keynote speakers and kudos to an amazing 92-year-old FamilySearch volunteer.
TIMESTAMPS:
02:04 Tami’s “lost” family story
03:56 Elizabeth’s “lost” family story
Collecting Family Stories
08:01 The importance of listening and collecting stories
09:18 MyHeritage Live Memory
13:33 The Oral History Association
14:03 Vivid Pix Memory Station Software
17:19 StoryCorps
19:02 FamilySearch Memories
19:45 MyHeritage Mobile App
19:53 Pixstori
20:36 StoryMaps
21:43 Nominate someone for America 250
Recording & Transcribing Tools
Setting (and Achieving) Genealogy Goals for 2025
Season 1 · Episode 3
Thursday, January 23, 2025 • Duration 48:04
Ready to set your genealogy goals? In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth and Tami share strategies for setting and successfully reaching your goals, from education plans to specific research results. Elizabeth and Tami talk about their own goals for 2025 and how they plan to achieve them, including tips and tricks to ensure success.
During What’s Happening, they discuss the availability of the RootsTech Schedule and the RootsTech app for 2025, as well as the recently released BIRLS database from Reclaim the Records. Then, Elizabeth spills the tea on the extreme wait times when requesting NY State vital records. Tami brings the sweet tea, discussing FamilySearch’s goals for 2025.
Finally, during Listener Mail, Elizabeth shares where to find closed captioning for the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast.
TIMESTAMPS:
Genealogy Goals
04:34 Setting goals for the new year
05:03 Types of Genealogy Goals
08:35 Elizabeth’s goals for 2025
09:41 Tami’s goals for 2025
10:20 How Elizabeth sets and achieved a significant genealogy goal
15:43 How Tami sets and achieves her genealogy goals
What’s Happening
23:54 RootsTech Schedule & App
29:48 Reclaim the Records - BIRLS database
Tea Time
35:44 New York State Vital Records ordering wait times
40:43 FamilySearch’s Goals for 2025
RootsTech 2025 Wrap-Up
Season 1 · Episode 4
Monday, March 31, 2025 • Duration 01:10:04
In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth and Tami talk about their experiences at 2025 RootsTech Conference, from the Expo Hall to the Forums, what’s new at FamilySearch, and what other industry leaders are up to.
The show begins with a follow-up to Tami’s Ancestry Pet DNA testing and Elizabeth’s FOIA BIRLS request.
Next up are highlights from RootsTech, followed by a visit with Gena Philibert-Ortega, who shares her enthusiasm about GRIP and her passion for reading.
What's Happening includes news about upcoming events, changes, and scholarship deadlines.
During Tea Time, Elizabeth provides an update on NY Vital Records, and Tami discusses genealogy in the virtual world of Second Life.
TIMESTAMPS
2:23 Tami shares results of her pound pup’s DNA test, which included a close shared match.
7:00 Elizabeth talks about receiving one of her FOIA BIRLS files.
RootsTech Wrap Up
14:06 RootsTech online
14:47 Relatives at RootsTech
17:58 FamilySearch's Global Tech Forum
19:21 FamilySearch Family Group Trees
20:23 FamilySearch Tree Integrity
23:26 FamilySearch New Change Log
24:00 Full Text Search Updates
25:01 FamilySearch AI Help ChatBot
26:44 Industry Highlight Forum
28:50 MyHeritage: New Cousin Finder, phone app update
29:57 Storied: Memory books; creating a new census index
31:50 SOAR
Challenge Accepted! Elizabeth Takes the WikiTree Challenge (Now with VIDEO)
Season 1 · Episode 6
Saturday, August 16, 2025 • Duration 01:02:05
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss Elizabeth’s participation in the August WikiTree Challenge with special guest Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager. They delve into the unique aspects of WikiTree, emphasizing its community-driven approach.
In the What's Happening segment, Elizabeth shares news about babies born recently using a 3-parent IVF technique. Tami discusses creating AI biographies and videos using tools from Storied and MyHeritage.
During Teatime, Elizabeth spills the tea on the California Digital Newspaper Collection receiving needed funding and then letting all the employees go. Tami spills even more tea on strange genealogy job postings.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:08 What Elizabeth is working on: DAR Applications and the Inheritance Project
00:05:52 What Tami is working on: Visualizing Genealogy Data
00:07:33 Interview with Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager
00:20:09 About the WikiTree Challenge
00:22:37 Preparing for the Challenge
00:27:36 The WikiTree Challenge Process
00:32:21 The Growth and Accuracy of WikiTree
00:32:50 Future Aspirations for WikiTree
00:38:44 What’s Happening: Three-Parent IVF
00:40:52 What’s Happening: The Internet Archive and the GPO
00:42:29 What’s Happening: Enhancing Biographies with AI using Storied and MyHeritage
00:52:50 Teatime: California Digital Newspaper Collection
Tami Joins the DAR!
Season 1 · Episode 5
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 • Duration 49:51
After a three-month hiatus involving a variety of life's ups and downs, Elizabeth and Tami are back in the studio! In this episode, they catch up on the past couple of months, including a few unexpected setbacks, some personal updates, and a few bright spots of good news.
The conversation turns to lineage society applications, with a focus on joining the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Why might genealogists want to apply? How do you find a chapter, and what do you need to get started? Tami shares her personal application journey, including what documentation she already had, what still needs to be tracked down, and tips on what kinds of evidence are most useful.
This episode's "What's Happening" segment covers several key updates:
Changes to the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) Application Guide and process
News of 23andMe's change in ownership
How to connect your FamilyTreeDNA account to WikiTree and MyHeritage
Plus, Tami walks us through recent enhancements to MyHeritage’s Live Memory feature.
During Tea Time, Tami spills the tea about a scary use of Artificial Intelligence for building family trees. Elizabeth sweetens things up by spotlighting GEDmatch's "Honor the Fallen" initiative, which pays tribute to those who served.
Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more genealogy goodness.
Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Email us or leave a comment—we'd love to hear from you!
In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss the concept of "reverse genealogy" with Cheri Hudson Passey, who has recently authored a book on the subject. They explore the methods of finding living relatives, the differences between researching living individuals and ancestors, and the emotional aspects of connecting with family. Cheri shares her experience of writing her book and the importance of clear communication when reaching out to relatives.
Afterward, Tami demonstrates how easy it is to open multiple websites simultaneously by using the browser extension “Open Multiple URLs.”
During Teatime, the hosts discuss recent changes to what the VA is sending when one makes a FOIA request through birls.org. Elizabeth compares the file she received in February with the useless letters genealogists are receiving now. Then, Tami discusses the reasons behind the upcoming closure of the Plaza Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Those planning to attend the 2026 RootsTech Conference should consider making hotel reservations sooner rather than later due to this closure!
Finally, Tami shares a couple of Family History Month announcements regarding upcoming events by Vivid-Pix. If you are in the area, you won’t want to miss these!
______________
TIMECODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - INTRO
00:00:38 - Introduction to Genealogy Podcast
00:01:27 - Thank you to our Listeners and to WikiTree Challenge Elves
00:02:57 - Tami's Milo Allen Update
00:04:31 - Sponsor Break
00:05:01 - Introduction to Cheri Hudson Passey
00:05:49 - Interview with Cheri Hudson Passey
00:28:11 - Tech Tip: Open Multiple URLs
00:30:54 - Teatime
00:33:15 - Changes in how VA Fills FOIA Requests from birls.org
00:40:38 - The Plaza Hotel Closure and Future Plans
Bringing Memories Into Focus with Rick Voight
Season 1 · Episode 8
Friday, November 21, 2025 • Duration 01:05:46
Explore how photo restoration, memory care, and family history intersect in this inspiring conversation with Rick Voight, CEO of Vivid-Pix. Learn how personal photos can boost cognitive health, strengthen storytelling, and help families preserve their legacy.
___________________________________
In this episode of the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast, we speak with Rick Voight, CEO and co-founder of Vivid-Pix, about the science and impact of photo Reminiscence Therapy, a powerful tool that uses restored images to support memory and cognitive wellness—especially for individuals living with dementia.
We explore how Vivid-Pix evolved from photo enhancement software to a leader in memory preservation, working with genealogists, libraries, archives, museums, and aging-services professionals. Rick shares insights into tools like the Memory Station and Memory Cards, explains the brain science behind photo Reminiscence Therapy, and discusses how families can use photos to spark meaningful conversations and strengthen emotional connection.
You’ll also hear updates from the genealogy community, a practical tech tip, and a fun look at why so many of us—even celebrities—may have royal connections in our family tree.
If you're passionate about genealogy, memory care, digital preservation, or helping families share their stories, this episode offers valuable guidance you can use right away.
___________________________________
TIMECODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview
01:52 Genealogy News
BONUS: The Ponytail
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 01:39
Every family genealogist knows the feeling: the boxes get handed to you. And sometimes what's inside leaves you speechless. In this short bonus from the cutting room floor, Tami opens up about the blond ponytail she found tucked away, snipped from her great-aunt's head over a century ago, when the young woman was a teenager. What do you do with a century-old ponytail? You don't throw it out. You pass it to the next generation, whether they want it or not!A quick, unscripted continuation of the conversation that kept going after the recording light went off during our episode with Daniel Horowitz.
What MyHeritage Launched at RootsTech 2026: Daniel Horowitz Breaks It All Down
Season 2 · Episode 2
Saturday, June 6, 2026 • Duration 41:45
Daniel Horowitz has been the Chief Genealogist at MyHeritage for nearly two decades. He started his genealogy journey at age 13 in Venezuela, got bitten by the genealogy bug, moved to Israel, met MyHeritage CEO Gilad Japhet at a conference in New York, and the rest is... family history. These days, Daniel travels the world giving lectures, connecting local genealogy societies with the resources they need, and serving as the connective tissue between MyHeritage and the genealogy community.We caught up with Daniel at RootsTech 2026, where MyHeritage came with a lot to talk about!***In this episode, Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal, CG®, and Tami Osmer Mize sit down with Daniel Horowitz to get the full rundown on everything MyHeritage launched at RootsTech 2026, including full genome DNA testing, Scribe AI (the feature that made a woman cry — in a good way — in front of a computer at the MyHeritage booth), Family Graph, Country Flags, Gaia, and a teaser about an upcoming records collection Daniel absolutely refused to name.Plus: we're riding the wave of a new "old" trend and discussing the War of 1812 pension files (which are almost fully digitized and free to access on Fold3). During Teatime, we're spilling some very "unsweet" tea about Massachusetts Bill H.5377 — a budget bill that could slam the door on access to vital records if genealogists don't push back.IN THIS EPISODE[00:01:38] In today's episode[00:02:41] Opening[00:03:00] What we're loving (genealogists have been doing it for years)[00:09:37] War of 1812 pension files on Fold3 (free!)[00:10:24] Sponsor Break: Vivid-Pix[00:11:03] Interview: Daniel Horowitz, Chief Genealogist, MyHeritage[00:14:23] MyHeritage full genome DNA testing[00:16:00] Scribe AI: transcription, translation, and historical context[00:17:53] Family Graph: the AI-powered timeline graphic[00:18:37] The AI transition video from the keynote[00:21:07] Gaia: your AI genealogy research assistant (and why it stays in your tree)[00:26:12] Country Flags: a visual take on your family tree[00:29:31] What's coming next at MyHeritage[00:31:04] How to become a MyHeritage Friend[00:33:00] Sweet tea: Evidentia 3+ is out (and existing users get it free)[00:33:37] Unsweet tea: Massachusetts H.5377 and what's at stake for vital records access[00:39:02] What you can do about H.5377[00:39:16] Closing and OutroLINKSMyHeritage: https://www.myheritage.com Gilad Japhet's RootsTech 2026 Session (video): https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/03/myheritage-founder-and-ceo-gilad-japhet-at-rootstech-2026/MyHeritage RootsTech 2026 Roundup: https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/03/rootstech-2026-roundup/War of 1812 Pension Files on Fold3 (free): https://www.fold3.com/publication/761/us-war-of-1812-pension-files-1812-1815Evidentia Software: https://evidentiasoftware.com/APG letter opposing Massachusetts H.5377: https://www.apgen.org/docs/APG_Massachusetts_Budget_Letter_4_May_2026.pdfMassachusetts Genealogical Council Call to Action: https://www.massgencouncil.org/post/act-now-gov-healey-s-supplemental-budget-contains-both-good-and-very-bad-news-for-genealogistsFind your Massachusetts state legislator: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
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8 babies born with experimental 3-parent IVF technique - https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/3-parent-babies-uk-australia-1.7587286
The Internet Archive – https://archive.org
Federal Depository Library Directory – https://ask.gpo.gov/s/FDLD
GPO makes available Supreme Court cases dating back to the 18th century – https://librarytechnology.org/pr/31522
Storied U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918 – https://storied.com/historical-record-search/world-war-I-draft-registration-cards
MyHeritage’s AI Biographer™ – https://blog.myheritage.com/2023/12/introducing-ai-biographer-create-a-wikipedia-like-biography-for-any-ancestor-using-ai-enriched-with-historical-context
MyHeritage’s Deep Story (desktop version) – https://www.myheritage.com/deepstory
Losing Our History? Funding for the CaliforniaDigital Newspaper Collection Was Restored—but UC Riverside Laid Off All of theEmployees Responsible for the Project Anyway – https://cvindependent.com/2025/07/losing-our-history-funding-for-the-california-digital-newspaper-collection-was-restored-but-uc-riverside-laid-off-all-of-the-employees-responsible-for-the-project-anyway
ConferenceKeeper’s Genealogy Jobs – https://conferencekeeper.org/genealogy-jobs
Genealogy Jobs Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1497651017151639
03:29 Elizabeth mentions receiving an Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society
04:00 ConferenceKeeper makes the Family Tree (UK) magazine’s Best 50 Websites list
Tami Joins the DAR
06:22 Tami's application to the DAR
07:38 Tami's questions about joining DAR
08:39 Elizabeth answers questions about DAR chapters and meetings
08:55 Elizabeth talks about the new chapter of DAR in Ireland
10:00 Proof requirements for a DAR application
13:23 Choosing a chapter to join
14:18 How DAR membership benefits family history
16:07 Finding a registrar and starting your DAR application
18:00 Applying when a relative has already joined.
18:30 Documents needed for Tami's DAR application
What’s Happening
31:40 BCG 2025 Application Guide changes
33:18 Final sale of 23andMe to non-profit TTAM
36:29 Connecting FamilyTreeDNA account to WikiTree
37:58 MyHeritage update to Live Memory
Tea Time
41:30 Tami shares a scary misuse of Artificial Intelligence for family trees.
45:30 Elizabeth discusses the GedMatch initiative called “Honor the Fallen,” which attempts to use DNA to help identify remains of missing service members from WWII and the Korean War.
Rick Voight is the co-founder and CEO of Vivid-Pix, a company dedicated to improving, restoring, and preserving photographs. His work bridges the fields of genealogy, aging, and cognitive health, utilizing photo Reminiscence Therapy and accessible technology tools to help families preserve their stories while supporting memory care. Rick collaborates with libraries, museums, aging specialists, and dementia-care professionals across the U.S.
