From Paper To People
87 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 55 ratingsTake your ancestors from names on paper to multidimensional people who lived, breathed, loved, lost, and helped you to be who you are. Benefit from 40+ years of experience in folklore, history, genealogy, law, and tools of FamilySearch, Ancestry, Newspapers.com and more. I learn from my many mistakes, I teach from those lessons. I interview genealogists and authors. I discuss Reparational Genealogy - how Anglo- or European-American researchers can assist African-American researchers in restoring connections destroyed by centuries of chattel slavery. I even give recipes from ancestral meals in the Family Cookbook episodes. And if YOU want to be interviewed, let me know!
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Episodes
Diwali Lakshmi (the Hindu Festival of Lights), 2005-2006
November 11, 2018 03:09 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBI'm back after a brief illness-induced break, and while I'm not up to teaching yet, I am definitely here to celebrate! How much do YOU know about Diwali? I knew basically nothing but the name until I put this episode together. This is the final day of Diwali, and isn't it our good luck that they celebrate with food? Listen to learn about the holiday and its meanings, its means of celebration, and for some delicious recipes for sweets and savories from Indian cuisine. These recipes come from ...
Depression-Era Halloween in Miami with Colonel Goodbody, 1932
October 18, 2018 19:29 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBIt's Episode 3 in our bonus series for Fall - vintage recipes mix with straight-up US history this week as we talk about how the Great Depression changed what newspapers did to extend assistance to housewives at the holidays. I'll be doing this throughout October, November, and December, for all of the seasonal holidays. Today's recipes come from the October 28, 1932 issue of The Miami Daily News. There's an unexpected twist, though - the newspaper doesn't focus on candy and sweets and silly...
Halloween Candy, Cookies and a DRAGON, 1904
October 12, 2018 03:54 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBIt's Episode 2 in our bonus series for Fall - vintage recipes, foodways, social and cultural history culled from early- to mid-20th century newspapers. We're hitting all the holidays that fall in October, November, and December, including Kwanzaa - but I may need your help with that. The recipes I've found in newspapers so far are so corporatized it's ill. Today continues the Halloween, or Samhain, theme. All of these recipes come from the October 23, 1904 issue of The Buffalo Sunday Morning...
Come, Come, Ye Saints - Cross Over From Ancestry To FamilySearch!
October 07, 2018 00:03 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBSo, Latter-Day Saints, your family history is all done, right? WRONG!!! Not only can you work on your tree more (another nag for another day), you can use your special powers in Ancestry to benefit non-Church researchers. You can transfer their ancestors, and all of the research attached to them, from Ancestry to FamilySearch using the FamilySearch icon that only WE have in our Ancestry accounts. But this episode isn't just for members of the Church. This episode is a great way for non-membe...
Homemade Halloween Candy, 1913
October 03, 2018 03:13 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBWelcome to a new feature for Fall - a bonus series in addition to regular episodes, a jump backward in cooking and cultural history. Since October, November, and December all contain holidays celebrated with food, I will be digging into newspaper archives and giving you recipes from early- to mid-20th century newspapers every week, or in some cases, family recipes where newspaper coverage falls short. This month, we'll be enjoying all kinds of recipes that celebrate Halloween, or Samhain. Al...
The Family Cookbook - Gingerbread Waffles
September 26, 2018 17:42 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBIt's Autumn, but who needs Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING when you can join me and our Midwest Food Correspondent, Rick Leonard of An American Genealogy for an old family recipe - Gingerbread Waffles. And because they're homemade, YOU control the spice! We talk a bit about the value of food in the Progressive movement of the Republican and Democratic Parties of the 20th centuries (yes, BOTH had progressive wings - read your history, folks), the value of keeping up ancestral traditions in the famil...
Interview with Amy Johnson Crow - Indexing and Arbitration
September 19, 2018 00:27 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBHave you ever wondered where all of those digitized versions of birth records, census pages, or city directories come from? Well, there is no Genealogy Stork. While quite a few organizations provide opportunities and services, the primary way that records are turned from physical page to scanned image to searchable electronic data is a process called indexing, and the three-step indexing process that FamilySearch provides includes a final step called arbitration. I don't know enough about it...
Ancestry: What I Hate About New
September 12, 2018 02:11 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBAncestry's Summer of Pain seems to have ended, but what does Autumn look like? And have they left us in the Winter of our discontent? They're answering their phones again, the screens seem more stable, but their primary new feature, Potential Parents, is a wolf in sheep's clothing for any genealogist who wants to use best evidence and best practices to do their best work. Revel in my wrath as I discuss why this is not a good development, why the re-indexing of the 1870 census was a friendly-...
The Family Cookbook - Emily's Casserole
August 14, 2018 06:05 - 21 minutes - 20 MBFamily ties, a slight genealogical mystery, a discussion of privilege, 19th and 20th-century classism in Midwestern America, and the value of comfort food all converge in this week's episode of The Family Cookbook. And, we welcome our new Food Correspondent, Rick Leonard of An American Genealogy! Rick shares with us the backstory of a family member who wasn't blood but who was central to his family for four generations, and then shares her recipe for a simple, hearty casserole, known to the ...
Interview with Joseph McGill, The Slave Dwelling Project
August 06, 2018 22:50 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBThis episode is a special treat, an interview with Joseph McGill about his incredible labor of love, The Slave Dwelling Project. He shares with us his background, his motivations, and what it's really like to encounter children and adults as an educator and historic preservationist in the rarefied yet crucial field of preserving the history of the enslaved in a world that speaks almost exclusively about the plantation owners and enslavers of history. We talk about the places where genealogy ...
Using Public Records Databases to Find the Living and Recently-Deceased
July 30, 2018 22:54 - 33 minutes - 38.2 MBHave you ever looked someone up on one of those reverse-phone-number sites to see who the heck is calling you at 2am? Did you know that those sites, and the apps that go with them, are great for genealogy? In this episode I'll discuss my favorite, BeenVerified, and how I use it to find generations of family members when I'm shrubbing, and when I'm working with someone whose parentage is unclear and who is using DNA for research. Family trees need all the help that they can get; public record...
The Family Cookbook - Johnny Mazetti, or is it Marzetti?
July 16, 2018 20:08 - 22 minutes - 21 MBDid you know that family recipes have their own genealogy? I thought I was skimming yet another back-of-the-magazine recipe in a special family cookbook when I Googled Johnny Mazetti, and then one of its key ingredients, Sauce Arturo. It wasn't as simple as I thought. And it made me wonder: did my grandmother pick this recipe up in the Midwest, or did my grandfather's mother pick it up in Panama? A rather big question! I will never find the true answer, but I have solved it to my own satisfa...
How To Build a Life - John Joseph Dalain
July 11, 2018 00:38 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBI talk a lot about component parts, or the basic how-to's of handling records, but what about the how-to's of building one person's life in your family tree? Genealogy has become an immediate-gratification online phenomenon, but it's not always that at all. How long should a 21st-century online researcher be expected to wait before work is done on any one person in their tree? This episode takes on that question, and replies with my ongoing battle to complete details about one person - my gr...
The Family Cookbook - The Hinzie Family Cornbread
July 02, 2018 14:30 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBFor our inaugural episode of the folkloric and gastronomic aspects of family history, I'm presenting a staple recipe from my family's cookbook. It entered my family with my mother's mother's stepmother, and every generation that has made it has put a unique twist on it since. Ethel "Itey" Garrard Drahos Hinzie, who brought it into the family with her marriage to my great-grandfather in 1935, was born in Indiana in 1886. My grandmother took over the recipe when she married in 1931. She, in tu...
Interview with Brooke Schreier Ganz of Reclaim the Records
June 26, 2018 03:22 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBHave you ever gotten frustrated that the records you REALLY need from a US city or state across the country (or world), one you'll NEVER travel to, hasn't released their vital records indexes online? Brooke Schreier Ganz felt that way about New York (as so many have) and she decided to do something about it. Listen to my interview with her as she explains her response to the problem: she created a FREE service (and two websites) called Reclaim the Records, a tax-exempt, charitable organizati...
Juneteenth!
June 18, 2018 23:10 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBHave you heard of a holiday called Juneteenth? Do you know what it is, or why it's important in American history? Well, listen here - this is the episode for you. This is straight-up history - Ancestry.com is on the blink, so we're steering clear of Ancestry lessons for a few weeks in order to let them get themselves together again. And since there's a holiday to discuss, why not use the opportunity to learn in a whole new way? We've got quotes from the Emancipation Proclamation and General ...
Mail Bag for June 2018
June 02, 2018 02:34 - 29 minutes - 32.9 MBIt's our first mail bag, filled with questions and answers from the FPPP community! What's up with Ancestry, which of their records are good, do you believe a record over a human or vice-versa, and how do you make your slave-holding ancestors' info available to researchers of color? There are lots of goodies in this bag, provided by the entire group, so hop on in with us - there's plenty of room. Also, I'm introducing everyone to a new episode concept, and am asking for recipes for the new F...
Interview with Christopher Harris
May 20, 2018 11:13 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBThis week is something special: my first-ever interview! My friend Christopher Harris joins the podcast to discuss his 12-year learning curve about family history through folklore, DNA, and African-American documentary methodology. He’ll discuss with us how he records conversations and organizes his work, treeing vs shrubbing, the key role that DNA and GEDmatch play, and how genealogy led him to make jollof rice on Facebook live. He’ll also talk about the importance of Freedmen’s Bureau reco...
Hygienealogy 2: The Federal Census
May 12, 2018 20:29 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBUnderstanding the historical genesis and management of the decennial Federal Census, the digitization or "indexing" of the Census by FamilySearch, and the proper utilization of Census records in Ancestry is important to good Hygienealogy. And in Ancestry, Federal Census records don't always work the same way - some add all family members to your tree at once, while others only add one person at a time. So, why is that? And what ARE all of the origins of these records? I'll talk about that to...
Shrubbing, Gedmatch, and the Golden State Killer
May 03, 2018 19:54 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBIf you listen regularly but haven't started supporting the podcast financially, it's time to consider anteing up, my pumpkins! 2000 downloads, 200 listeners, and only 6 supporters. Can you help support this work? This ep is a twofer - first, I discuss shrubbing versus treeing, and why my way is better (surprise!), and second, I talk about some basic etiquette and understanding concerning various points of view surrounding the Golden State Killer task force's use of GEDMATCH's DNA database to...
Why is AncestryDNA Favoring Americans?
April 27, 2018 02:29 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBAn Australian listener pointed out to me today that the fantastic $59 DNA sale on Ancestry that runs through April 29th 2018 only applies to the US. That's not fair! In fact, AncestryDNA didn't even provide an Anzac Day sale. That's like AncestryDNA ignoring Memorial Day or Veterans' Day here in the US. I say we start a Twitter campaign to change this for Australians, my #1 non-USA listenership! And I want to know how others outside the USA are being given, or not being given, AncestryDNA sa...
Why Am I Here?
April 18, 2018 00:01 - 23 minutes - 23 MBI'm baaaaaaack! I think it's time to revisit the basics of the podcast - just in time for lucky episode #13! But why am I here? Having learning disabilities and neurological issues has made me sensitive to the needs of a range of non-traditional students. Also, I'm self-righteous and I tend to think that other people are wrong. Mix these together with a love for teaching and a real desire to create community and you have From Paper To People! And while I DO want support through Patreon, I am...
Keeping It Orderly, Or Hygienealogy
March 22, 2018 01:05 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBAre you new to Ancestry.com? Do you like the FamilySearch interface better? Do hints just freak you out? Are all those possible document matches overwhelming you? If you answered "yes" to one or more of those questions, this episode is for you. "Keeping It Orderly, Or Hygienealogy" is all about prioritizing the hints that you get from Ancestry for any given ancestor, and creating a plan of attack that lets you add best evidence to your tree. It lets you minimize confusion and maximize the da...
Findagrave & Find a Friend
March 14, 2018 16:07 - 22 minutes - 21 MBFindagrave.com is another great way to provide service to the world of genealogy and family history. It's maintained by a worldwide army of genie geeks with cameras, and who can resist that? Membership is free, people who request photos REALLY appreciate the service rendered, and lots of cemeteries out there are in desperate need of documentation. This week, I tell "The Cautionary Tale of Baldrick's Cemetery" to illustrate. You'll see what I mean. This week I also discuss how you can make a ...
Genealogy As Service Work: Lookups, Reparations & Social Justice
March 08, 2018 01:53 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBThere are a lot of ways that we can serve one another in the world of family history. I like direct service the best. Researching for one another, teaching others, and giving back to those who deserve to have their family repaired or at least explained is very important to me. In this episode, I discuss lookups, the most basic building block of genealogical trading cards. I talk a lot about my favorite thing in the world, Reparational Genealogy (researching and teaching for African-American ...
Keep It Simple, Researcher: One Life, One Tree
February 28, 2018 06:41 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MBSometimes, it's good to just stop and take a breath. This week, I'm discussing how to keep it simple in research by focusing all of your energies on one tree, where you provide for everyone in your family - biological parents, step parents, foster parents, and adoptive parents. You'll learn how to handle nervous relatives who might not want their secrets spilled, and why, regardless of your family situation, having one big picture is the best way to approach genealogy. Family history is frau...
Tell Me the Truth: Genealogy for Biographers
February 20, 2018 19:41 - 20 minutes - 23 MBBiography can be really dry and boring stuff, a string of facts without seasoning or flavor. In this episode, I'll teach you how to use genealogical research of your subject to add spice and life to a biographical book or project. I'll tell you how I'm using it to write a book of my own, and show you how much juicy deliciousness you can add to basic facts if you work to understand the entirety of your subject's life. If you want to stand out from other biographers or non-fiction writers and ...
I Wish You Were Dead
February 15, 2018 01:46 - 27 minutes - 28.4 MBI hate Valentine's Day, so this holiday episode is all about death records. They rock my world. The focus is on Social Security and county-level death records, featuring my favorite: DEATH CERTIFICATES! Learn about the 6 W's of assessing the purpose and value of a record before you ever use it, and then we'll talk specifics about the US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, the US Social Security Death Index, death certificates and death indexes. Even if you're from outside the US, ...
Don't Be a Genealogy Jeffrey
February 07, 2018 01:07 - 25 minutes - 25.7 MBGenealogy is populated with lots of groovy people, and just enough Jeffreys doing things the wrong way to thoroughly annoy the rest of us. Don't be a Jeffrey, be awesome! Follow the best practice and best evidence guidelines for Ancestry in this episode and you'll go far, Cousin. Happy Black History Month to all. And as the international strength of the podcast is growing, financial supporters are jumping on board. Join the crowd, and invite your friends! All are welcome here. Please rate a...
Cage Match! Ancestry vs FamilySearch
January 30, 2018 21:45 - 20 minutes - 21.6 MB"Cage Match! Ancestry vs FamilySearch" is about the pros and cons of using Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, the two main family tree sites used by the majority of researchers I know. Each has assets and drawbacks, but they're best used together. And get a load of my fan hot spots! All kinds of folks are tuning in. Add your friends and family to the list! Please rate and review the podcast on your podcast provider, at https://apple.co/2MLZW4H, at facebook.com/AncestorsAliveGenealogy, or at...
The Glory of the Story
January 24, 2018 06:30 - 17 minutes - 19 MBFolklore is great for finding facts and hints to start a tree, but it's equally wonderful for entertainment and for preserving the memory of family elders for all generations, current and future, to enjoy. If your family tells stories, this is for you. If they don't but you like stories, this is for you. If you just want to hear one of MY family stories, this is for you. And above all, if you want to hear about a bit of felonious scandal from my family's past, this is for you. I hope you enj...
Folklore, or Just the Facts, Ma'am
January 16, 2018 20:58 - 18 minutes - 19.8 MB"Folklore, or Just the Facts, Ma'am" is for EVERYBODY. If you're doing research for yourself, or helping someone new start their own, this episode will help you to understand the whys and hows of using folklore-gathering skills to jumpstart your tree. I discuss a few examples of how folklore has helped me, and how asking the right questions in the right way will warm up any participant in a story-gathering session. Then, I give my ten-point plan for successful folklore gathering. AND - I ann...
Episode 3: Folklore, or Just the Facts, Ma'am
January 16, 2018 20:58 - 18 minutes - 19.8 MB"Folklore, or Just the Facts, Ma'am" is for EVERYBODY. If you're doing research for yourself, or helping someone new start their own, this episode will help you to understand the whys and hows of using folklore-gathering skills to jumpstart your tree. I discuss a few examples of how folklore has helped me, and how asking the right questions in the right way will warm up any participant in a story-gathering session. Then, I give my ten-point plan for successful folklore gathering. AND - I ann...
Episode 2: Consecration, Recy Thomas and African-American Genealogy, or Reparational Genealogy
January 09, 2018 11:21 - 21 minutes - 19.2 MBThis episode is directed primarily toward European-American Mormons, but no matter what, you will get something out of it. I discuss the Mormon Law of Consecration and how I apply it to family history work and working with others; the differences between African-American and European American genealogy; and the specific case of my research on a reparational tree for Recy Corbitt Taylor and anyone who may search out her family. Please rate and review the podcast on your podcast provider, at ...
Consecration, Recy Thomas and African-American Genealogy, or Reparational Genealogy
January 09, 2018 11:21 - 21 minutes - 19.2 MBThis episode is directed primarily toward European-American Mormons, but no matter what, you will get something out of it. I discuss the Mormon Law of Consecration and how I apply it to family history work and working with others; the differences between African-American and European American genealogy; and the specific case of my research on a reparational tree for Recy Corbitt Taylor and anyone who may search out her family. Please rate and review the podcast on your podcast provider, at ...
Expect Surprises
January 02, 2018 09:15 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBYes, it's here! Episode 1 of Ancestors Alive, From Paper To People. It's a little bare-bones, but we'll get fancy later. I wanted to start the New Year off right by getting things going. Future episodes will be rife with bells and whistles like intro music, but for now, I'm keeping it simple. Have questions you want me to answer? Send me a message via the contact form on my website at ancestorsalivegenealogy.com and I'll answer your question in a future podcast. Please rate and review the p...
Episode 1: Expect Surprises
January 02, 2018 09:15 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBYes, it's here! Episode 1 of Ancestors Alive, From Paper To People. It's a little bare-bones, but we'll get fancy later. I wanted to start the New Year off right by getting things going. Future episodes will be rife with bells and whistles like intro music, but for now, I'm keeping it simple. Have questions you want me to answer? Send me a message via the contact form on my website at ancestorsalivegenealogy.com and I'll answer your question in a future podcast. Please rate and review the p...