Directories and Maps Can Sometimes Tell Stories as Plainly as a Personal History

Journal keeping is a simple, old fashioned, and effective way to document your life’s adventures. And what a treasure it will be for your descendants.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. They begin Family Histoire News with the story of a dog that served on both sides of the Revolutionary War! David explains. Then, how would you like to have access to over 59,000 dissertations on countless subjects? Dave will tell you where to find them. Who knew that pants were so controversial in Roman times? David will tell you how pants went from banned to required! In Israel, those caves that brought us the Dead Sea Scrolls have now given us more ancient treasures. Hear what they are. In Egypt, 19th century graffiti, where Europeans left their mark on ancient edifices, is being researched to learn who those people were. And finally, DNA work on 1,100 skulls is tying these dead people to their descendants. Hear who is doing the work. Next, over two segments, Fisher visits with Matamba Austin of Frisco, Texas. Matamba was born and raised in New York City. He also saw the world in travels with his mother, a worker at the United Nations. Hear how a dream and a revelation from his mother changed his life and sent him on a decades long journey to identify his freedom-fighter father in Africa. Then, David returns for more of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Want your kids to find history a little more interesting? Try sharing family stories about how your ancestors were connected to historic figures and events.

Over many years anyone, like Fisher, can accumulate quite an Ancestral Museum. But without proper planning, where it goes after you might be to the dump!

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Family Histoire News begins with the story of a pair of adopted siblings who learned something remarkable about each other. Then, DNA has come through again in another cold case. One hundred eleven years since its sinking, Titanic continues to make news. David has the latest. Another ship wreck has been found, this time in the Great Lakes. David explains. Next, Amelia Earhart continues to fascinate, and a new clue concerning her disappearance is being investigated.   Fisher visits with “The Photo Angel,” Kate Kelley. A few years ago, Kate started investigating old photos found in antique stores that identify the person in the image.  She would then research them, track down descendants of the ancestor, and pass the photo along. She’s done this with thousands of pictures sent all over the world!   Then, Elizabeth Murray Vargas of sponsor Legacy Tree Genealogists comes on to talk about the difficult challenge of researching Cuban ancestry.   In Segments 4 and 5, David returns for Ask Us Anything.   That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Many families have long running oral traditions. But just how accurate are they?

We all have family secrets. And if you’re concerned about how to handle those secrets in a history, Fisher has some thoughts.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys begin with the story of a Canadian man who learned from a newspaper birth listing from the early 1950s, and DNA, that he had been switched at birth. Then, one of the oddest stories of the year… a married couple is freaking out because they learned that they share ancestors eight generations back! Then, a cannon ball has shown up at a beach in Rhode Island. You won’t believe where the finder is keeping it. At Colonial Williamsburgh, a dig has revealed a remarkable new find at a spot that David has walked over countless times. And finally, Europe’s oldest publication has been dated at over 2,300 years old. Next, in two parts, Fisher visits with Dr. Nick Barratt, best known in the UK for his hosting and research on four seasons of “Who Do You Think You Are?” In his own research, Nick has discovered that his paternal grandmother’s brother was a spy for the Soviet Union leading up to World War II! Hear how he discovered this shocker, how it has impacted him and his immediate family, and how it has changed his understanding of how he presents information he provides to others. Then, David returns for another couple of rounds of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Over 40 years before photography became a thing, a printing process paved the way for the publication of numerous images, some of which may help tell your family story.

Your old home movies may be a treasure trove of photographs you didn’t even know you had. Here’s how to get to them!

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The boys begin with conversation about Fisher’s recent three week European vacation and some of the history he saw. In Family Histoire News, a pair of Canadians have learned through DNA they were switched at birth. Hear more about their challenges with this. In England, TV host Nick Barratt (of Who Do You Think You Are? fame) has learned a horrifying family secret. In Romania… a metal detectorist has done it again! Hear what’s been found this time. In Colonial Williamsburgh, thanks to RATS (!) remarkable historic objects and papers have been found. Catch the details. And finally, a 94-year-old was on hand for a birthday… her mother’s! Mom is now 114! Dave will explain.   Then, also from NEHGS, VP of Research & Library Services, Lindsay Fulton, talks about a huge new initiative to identify the names of the some 10 million individuals who were enslaved before and after the Revolutionary War, up until 1865. See more at 10MillionNames.org.   Next, Brandt Gibson of sponsor Legacy Tree Genealogists talks about the sneaky ways DNA can deceive you (even though it “never lies).   David then returns for another round of Ask Us Anything.   That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Have you ever been told that you are a cousin one or more times removed? What that means is simpler than you may think.

Have you been hesitant to write your own history? Everyone has a story to tell! Don’t deprive your descendants of the lessons and events of your life.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org.  David begins by sharing his diagnosis of “Gen-Somnia.” (We might ALL have it!) In Family Histoire News… there is now only one surviving crewman of the USS Arizona following the passing of Ken Potts of Provo, Utah at age 102. Lou Conter of Northern California, a friend of the show, is 101. He is the last survivor. David next has news of the underwater discovery of a Japanese transport ship that was sunk in World War 2 transporting over 1,000 POWs. Then, a recent cruise miraculously brought together an American woman and an Irishman who learned they were cousins. And she had thought that the last of her Irish kin had died! Hear the details. What’s with all those stone walls in Vermont and elsewhere? David shares material from a recent story on them. Finally, several Revolutionary War soldiers who had been killed in the Battle of Camden have been reburied. Next, Fisher catches up with Curt Witcher, Genealogy Center Manager of the Allen County Public Library, the largest in the Midwest. Curt shares his thoughts on family history’s silver lining during the pandemic. So much has changed in our world since early 2020. Curt then talks about how the Allen County Library is approaching adult education these days, as well as the latest on the remarkable Internet Archive. Then, from NEHGS, Melanie McComb shares some valuable information on researching your World War 2 soldier. Yes, most of the personnel records were burned in 1973, but all is not lost! Let Melanie tell you about the “Morning Reports.” David then returns for Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Are you considering writing an ancestral history, but feel their life story is “spotty?” Here is how historical context can help you fill in the gaps.

Most people have records, photos, or heirlooms in their homes. But other relatives almost certainly do as well. And often the things they have are different than what you’ve had passed down. Perhaps it’s time for an inventory of all the Family Archive “Branch Offices!”

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys begin with David’s recent amazing discovery while visiting the National Archives. In Family Histoire News, David tells the story of a pre-photographic era artist from Virginia whose silhouettes from 1803 to 1812 have been digitized. Then, a treasure trove of Neanderthal tools and remnants has been discovered. David has details. Next, one of the more bizarre stories you’ll hear anytime soon is about a giant meatball that contains DNA from the Wooly Mammoth and other extinct creatures. President Biden is learning about his ancestry in Ireland. And a kitchen renovation in England has revealed some insane 17th century artwork! Next, Fisher visits with Jewish researcher Kathryne Thorne from sponsor Legacy Tree Genealogists. Kathryne will explain why your Russian Jewish ancestry may not be so Russian after all. She also explains the challenges of Eastern European Jewish research. Fisher then talks with author Anne Hansen about her book “Buried Secrets- Looking for Frank and Ida.” These were Anne’s grandparents who apparently had no past! Hear about Anne’s research process and how she writes in a fascinating genre called “Creative Non-Fiction.” David then returns for another round of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Imagine a library that stores billions of webpages from sites that no longer exist, and digitized texts of millions of books and other assets. It’s not in Greece, and it costs you nothing to visit.

There’s a time for collecting and a time for distributing. While you’re still here, it’s time you figure out how that’s going to happen. Fisher shares some thoughts on protecting your life’s family history work.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org.  The guys begin Family Histoire News with an incredible new discovery about the family of Leonard da Vinci. David has details. Then, it’s a new web project tracking the movement of the enslaved of South Carolina. SoldDownRiver.com is doing great work in identifying those who were enslaved and sold out of their families. A new organization is coming together to recognize descendants of those with ties to the Boston Tea Party. David explains. Canadians are rejoicing in anticipation of the release of the 1931 Canadian census coming out in June. And the New York Times has written about the “DNA of a Donkey!” It has been learned that our earliest form of transportation goes back 5,000 years! Finally, we sadly announce the passing of Pearl Harbor survivor, Jack Holder, who recently passed at the age of 101. Hear Fisher’s 2021 interview with Jack next week. Then, well known blogger and researcher, Sunny Morton, is back to talk about her comparison study of newspaper sites that she presented at RootsTech. There are differences! Next, Fisher visits with author Judy Goodman Ikels whose book “Death in Wartime China: A Daughter’s Discovery” talks about what she learned about the father she never knew, whose heroism in World War II is still remembered in China. David then returns for another round of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Genealogy and family history, believe it or not, are actually defined very differently. Hear why the two terms are not the same.

Wondering why you can’t always find articles you believe should be there in a digitized newspaper? Here are some tricks for squeezing it all out of digitized newspapers!

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Fisher begins discussing his recent 3D printing project, by which he recreated the 1856 New York City volunteer firemen’s badge, number 1475, lost by his great grandfather. Andrew Fisher ran an ad in the New York Daily Herald on March 19 of that year seeking its return. Fisher explains the process and the cost. David then sends out 104th birthday greetings to the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain. Hear his story. Then, a new theory is out there on the true identity of Jack the Ripper! Could they have it right this time? Another previously unidentified victim of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor has been laid to rest. David will tell you his story. Meanwhile, in Canada, researchers are combing through remains of a cholera cemetery that has burials from the 1830s and the 1850s. And finally, an ancient Iranian language, dating from between 200 BC and 700 AD has been translated. Hear how it was done. Then, Leeanne Hay, author of “NPE- A Story Guide For Unexpected DNA Discoveries,” talks about her own shocking find and how her book has been made to assist those whose DNA test results were not what they were expecting. David then rejoins Fisher for a couple more questions on Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

If you’ve ever dug into Swedish ancestry, you know the issue. Tons of people have the same name and live in the same places. Well, Swedish Church records can at least help a little in sorting out which Hans Olsen might be yours. Fisher explains.

Two key census record sets were destroyed in Ireland in 1922, but some of that information was preserved in another way. Fisher explains why your ancestors’ data from those census records may still be available.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys begin Family Histoire News with word of the identification of the remains of a World War II soldier who died in Italy. It has taken 79 years. David shares details. Then, “Ava” is back in the news. She is the Bronze Age Scottish woman whose face has now been brought back to life! Hear what was done. The Times-Union of Brooklyn has an article about how New York’s state government still hasn’t escaped the onslaught of genealogical record requests from during the pandemic. Find out how far behind they are. In Oregon, it has been learned that people were living there some 18,000 years ago… as were North American camels. Honest! And finally, there has been quite the discovery in Israel having to do with something Egyptian. Hear what it’s about. Next, from sponsor Legacy Tree Genealogists, Melanie Torres joins the show and talks about German research. No! Most records were not destroyed in the war! Hear also how to track those Germans who didn’t live in Germany. The show continues with another Melanie… Melanie McComb… from NEHGS. Melanie has been called to jury duty and shares how we can find out some important information on our ancestors by using jury lists. David then returns for Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Within the United States, it was not uncommon for churches to give a “letter of transfer” to a member of their congregation who is moving to a new location. But sometimes they came with immigrants from across the ocean. What can this mean to you? Fisher explains.

Obituaries often reveal connections to the Free Masons. If you have an ancestor that belonged to this organization, his membership application may provide great information on him. Fisher has more.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys open the show talking about the first ten years of Extreme Genes. David then reveals more good news for Irish researchers. Next, in Family Histoire News, Stanford University has developed a new DNA analysis technique for African-American research. Then, a Kentucky cornfield has yielded some 700 gold Civil War era coins, and they’re still coming out the ground! David has more. The last slave ship, the Clotilda, is back in the news again. David shares details. And finally, this week marks the 50th anniversary of the fire in St. Louis that destroyed over 750 million records of 20th century US Army and Air Force service people. Fisher and David talk about the impact and how many of the records are being reconstructed.   Next, Your DNA Guide, Diahan Southard, joins the show to discuss the history of genetic genealogy over the last quarter century. She was there at the beginning. Diahan talks about how she got started, and in the second segment discusses what is still to come. (Hint: It’s very cool!)   David then returns for two more questions with Fisher on Ask Us Anything.   That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!