Extreme Genes

Host Scott Fisher returns with this commercial free special RootsTech edition of Extreme Genes. This recent RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City will forever be remembered as being the one at which Generative AI made its debut. And what a debut it was and is! Fisher visits with FamilySearch CEO Steve Rockwood, AmericanAncestor’s David Allen Lambert, and African American Program Manager for FamilySearch Thom Reed about the impact of this remarkable new technology, how it works, and how you can put it to work for you right now!

3/18/24 • 23:17

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 by taking a deep breath over the crazy two part guest interview has in line for the show. A pair of eighth cousins… also eighth cousins to Fisher… who have exhumed the remains of their name line immigrant ancestor, Tjerck Claessen DeWitt, who died in 1700 in Kingston, New York, and his wife and two children. David then shares stories about the DNA Reunion Project, which seeks to reunite aging Holocaust survivors who were separated following World War II; The birthday celebration of “Papa Jake,” a World War II “dam buster,” who has been a hero to the British and a Tik Tok star!; The story of further conflict at the site of the former Pilgrim colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts where descendants of 17th century natives are angry. David will explain; And if you’re a Scottish researcher, David has some good news for you! Then, in two parts, Fisher visits with Gage and Justin DeWitt… distant cousins to each other, and to Fisher… who have literally dug up the immigrant ancestor, Tjerck Claessen DeWitt of Kingston, New York. Hear all about the project which took place this past summer, and what they are hoping to accomplish. It’s a genie-journey on steroids! David then returns for another round of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

1/1/24 • 44:16

There are various types of DNA tests, but the Y-DNA test serves one particular purpose. Here’s why you might want to “Y.”

12/30/23 • 01:14

It’s a great thing to find an old book with loads of information. But just how trustworthy are these “sources?”

12/27/23 • 01:06

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!

12/25/23 • 44:16

Public on line trees can reveal great information. They can also lure you into a trap.

12/23/23 • 01:02

It happens all the time. One record says one thing, and another says something else. Here’s how to sort things out.

12/20/23 • 00:56

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. As the long running weekly broadcast show comes to an end, the guys begin Family Histoire News with talk of the Boston Tea Party 250th anniversary celebration this weekend. Then, David reveals his role in setting the record straight on the last survivors of the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. Ever wonder how large the largest family tree in the Library of Congress might be? Wonder no more! Then, the guys give a brief update on the 23andMe data breach. Next, Fisher shares one his most interesting interviews from earlier this year. It’s with Dr. David Duffy who has discovered that DNA can be detected and connected to individuals even when taken out of the air, or from footprints on a sandy beach! What might this mean for future police work? Then, Your DNA Guide, Diahan Southard, and genealogical thriller author, Nathan Dylan Goodwin,  join the show to talk about their planned genealogical murder mystery on RootsTech eve in Salt Lake City. David then returns for another Ask Us Anything question. This one is on the use of aliases in the Revolutionary War. Fisher and David then sign off on the final segment of the weekly broadcast series, with a huge thank you to so many who have contributed to the success of Extreme Genes through the years. Stayed tuned for future, periodic Extreme Genes podcasts!

12/18/23 • 44:16

We all love to show off family photos and documents, but it puts them at risk. Here’s a better way.

12/16/23 • 01:12

Tracking down keepsakes of ancestors isn’t always easy. But sometimes there are mementoes just below your feet!

12/13/23 • 01:08

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David begins Family Histoire News with an update on the damage done in the attack of a homeless man on historic cemeteries in Boston. Then, the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party is coming. David talks about the rapidly approaching celebration. We’ve gotten accustomed to hearing about people discovering they were switched at birth through DNA, but wait til you hear this one woman’s story! It has more twists and turns than we’ve ever heard. Can the extinct Dodo bird become “unextinctified?” (Thank you George W. Bush!) One company thinks so. David will explain. In segment two, Fisher shares his 2021 interview with the late Jack Holder. Jack passed this year at 101 years old, but his story will live forever. Hear him describe how he could see the smiling face of a Japanese pilot while he was being strafed at Pearl Harbor! Then, Gage DeWitt returns to the show to talk about his new interest… creating tin type photographs. Not many people do it and for good reason. The chemicals are dangerous. Gage and his girl friend, Molly McNeal, talk about this risky hobby they hope to turn into a little business, and how they have recreated the 19th century process. Fisher and David then return for Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

12/11/23 • 44:16

Yes, we’re all future dead people. Doesn’t it make sense to make plans for what will happen to your family heirlooms?

12/9/23 • 00:56

It’s true… DNA testing can be confusing. Here’s what you should consider in choosing a good match in a DNA testing company.

12/6/23 • 00:58

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with guest host David Allen Lambert from the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys begin by exchanging stories about discoveries they each made this past week. David then shares the horrible word about a homeless man in Boston who destroyed an array of historic headstones, including that of Paul Revere, this past week. Then, cursive writing is back in schools! Hear what state just made it law. In Georgia, some interesting wills have been found of slave owners who left money for some of their enslaved for a specific purpose. Hear what it is. And, we have a new age record for skydiving. What til you hear this one! Then, Fisher has an important announcement concerning Extreme Genes. Next,  Crista Cowan of Ancestry.com comes on to talk about how Ancestry is trying to encourage collective work on family trees. And, no, you don’t need a paid account to be part of it. Then, in a follow up to a previous episode, JoAnne Jessee talks about her initial find of letters from the pandemic of the late 1910s, and how she tracked down the descendants of the other correspondent to exchange letters back into the family lines. It’s a fascinating story we can all learn from. David then returns for more of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

12/4/23 • 44:16

The show producer has not yet provided a description for this episode.

12/2/23 • 00:59

Fisher shares a key clue in many photographs that many people overlook. But it might be all you need to help you identify the subject of the photo.

11/29/23 • 00:54

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Fisher and David talk about the eclipse, and one in particular that occurred during the Revolutionary War that military leaders used to rally the troops. David then shares the remarkable story of the discovery of a uniform of a World War II vet and how it found its way into the hands of the vet’s granddaughter. Then, another World War II story has had another chapter written. The ship involved in one of America’s great naval disasters has been located. David then talks about the upcoming conference of the Federation of Genealogical Societies in Pittsburgh and shares a blogger spotlight on Robin Lacey’s spadeandthe grave.wordpress.com, where Robin talks about digging up a graveyard of ancestors. Then Fisher begins his two part visit with his first cousin, Joann (Fisher) Schmidt, of Dutchess County, New York. When Fisher and Joann began collaborating on their shared family history back in the 1980s, Joann also looked into her mother’s side. There, she discovered a horrible family secret. Her grandfather’s family had been decimated in a disaster on a steamboat in 1904 in which ten family members were killed. It is called the General Slocum disaster, and it took place in New York City. The tragedy marked the greatest single loss of life in New York City history prior to 9/11. In this two part interview, Joann shares her story of how she learned the details of her grandfather’s greatest trial, and how he endured the aftermath. Then, Tom Perry checks in from the road as he continues his Preservation Tour, scanning genies’ pictures for free at sites around the country. Where is he now and where will he be next? He will tell you. Tom then answers another listener question concerning the best way to be sure your material will still be around years from now. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

11/27/23 • 44:16

There are definitely techniques for preserving paper documents and records that you can trust will extend the life of your important documents.

11/22/23 • 00:59

Happy Thanksgiving! Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Both Fish and Dave describe recent discoveries they made and how they found them. Then, David talks about how a stash of letters, written in the 1750s from France and never unsealed (they were captured by the British) are being opened and digitized! Then, there’s more now on the painting discovered in France a few years ago. It had been hanging in the kitchen of a 90-year-old woman and was headed to the garbage can. It has now been sold for $25 million dollars and has been deemed a “national treasure.” Also, a marvelous museum of African American History has been opened in Charleston, South Carolina. David has more. Next, Fisher talks with Christopher Child of NEHGS and editor of the Mayflower Descendant. Chris takes us through his recent study of the first found family of Catholic descendants of the Mayflower and the amazing journey it led him on. Then, it being Native American History Month, Michelle Chubenko of sponsor Legacy Tree Genealogists talks about her background and a surprising DNA discovery of a match in a very unexpected place. Then, David returns for Ask Us Anything over two segments. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

11/20/23 • 44:16

If you’ve ever wondered why you don’t get everything you think you should from a search of a digitized newspaper site, Fisher has some ideas that may open up a whole lot more.

11/18/23 • 01:01

Marking pictures is essential for future generations, but using the right pens and markers will assure the identifications last without damaging your images.

11/15/23 • 01:02

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org.  Fisher lauds David for his successful efforts to get an 1837 census of Boston digitized after years of prodding. David then talks about a massive project revolving around Fort Ticonderoga and the many soldiers and civilians who came through there in the 18th century. Another coin hoard has been found…and it’s massive! The guys explain the wheres and whys on this amazing discovery overseas. David shares a summary of an article in “The Conversation” that claims that two thirds of genealogists are distressed by finds they make. Fisher then shares a new find he made in a very local newspaper database in New Jersey. He reminds us that there are still places to look when the big sites fail to reveal what you’re looking for. Next, Fisher visits with Jennifer Truelove, a volunteer for FindAGrave. Jennifer wanders cemeteries in New York City to photograph tombstones for genies everywhere. She shares her motivation, her experiences, and unusual stories from her service on our behalf. Then, Nat Taylor, Editor of The American Genealogist, comes on to talk about a huge international conference that will be held in the US next year that you can be a part of if you act quickly. It combines genealogy and heraldry. Nat explains some of the history of heraldry and what it means. David then returns for another round of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

11/13/23 • 44:16

Fisher talks about the risk of taking on line trees at face value and why copying isn’t researching.

11/11/23 • 01:05

Lots of great records are not on line, and won’t be anytime soon. Fisher talks about a Catholic record type you might want to look for.

11/8/23 • 01:00

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David shares his recent family reunion experience. Then, he talks about the living children of Civil War soldiers who are still around. Hear who they are and who their father’s were. Having trouble reading old handwriting? You can soon take a course on it! David will explain. Also hear about the passing of another Pearl Harbor survivor, and a library book that finally got returned… 93 years later… and more! Next, Fisher visits with A. C. “Carl” Ward in two parts. In part one, Carl tells the story of what happened to him as a boy while exploring his grandparents’ farmhouse in North Carolina. It involves secret staircases an attic and a sea chest full of Civil War letters and journals! In part two, Carl talks about how his discovery changed the course of his life, finally leading to his publishing of a book about what the letters told. Carl will explain how he wrote his historic novel. Then, David returns for Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

11/6/23 • 44:16

Fisher talks about school districts who created some unique records to help plan for buildings, teachers, and enrollment

11/4/23 • 00:50

Websites aside, it’s still a great idea to visit ancestral cemeteries.

11/1/23 • 00:56

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David begins Family Histoire News talking about his recent experience as a first time indexer for the National Archives for Revolutionary War pensions. Find out how you can do the same. Then, there’s a new cemetery website that has a completely different take on how to do it. David explains. The Montpelier Foundation is creating a memorial for the enslaved and is holding a fundraiser for it. Get the details. Then, not many digs turn up 19th century ships. Under a road! But it has happened in Florida. David will tell you more. Next, drawing from the vast archives of Extreme Genes, Fisher shares two segments that fit the Halloween “Spooky Season.” The first guest is Hank Jones, long time author of books on “serendipity” in family history research. You won’t believe some of the stories Hank has uncovered… and experienced… in our world. (Or is it our world and theirs?!) Then Sue Wynne, a New Jersey listener, shares her story about the ancestor that was buried, dug up four years later, found to be in great shape, and viewed by family and friends again! David then returns for Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

10/30/23 • 44:29

Tips for Geneies Who Are New to DNA Websites

10/28/23 • 01:08

What’s in an occupation?

10/25/23 • 01:09