Ancestral Findings
943 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago - ★★★★ - 83 ratingsThese brief historical and informational snippets about genealogy and history should encourage and help you advance your family tree.
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Episodes
AF-742: Is Newspapers.com Worth the Money for Your Genealogy Research?
April 17, 2023 12:00 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBNewspapers.com is a well-known genealogy research website. It includes hundreds of millions of scanned and indexed pages of newspapers from around the world. Lots of people use it. Is it worth your money, though? This article examines the merits of Newspapers.com for genealogists of every level. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/is-newspapers-com-worth-the-money-for-your-genealogy-research
AF-741: 10 “Must-Do” Genealogy Projects for April
April 15, 2023 12:00 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBAre you looking for some productive genealogy projects to do for April? As the first full month of spring, April offers some interesting and unique genealogy opportunities that just don't fit in as well during other months of the year. If you want to stay on top of things in your genealogy research, these are the projects that should definitely be on your “to do” list this month. Enjoy them. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/10-must-genealogy-projects-april
AF-740: Vivian Maier: The Great Artists
April 14, 2023 16:08 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MBMuch of Vivian Maier’s life is shrouded in mystery. What we know of her paints a picture of diversity and unique thinking that led to some of the world’s finest street photography. Hers is a tale of a lifetime of creating photographs that led to a posthumous discovery. The details of Vivian Maier's (The Great Artists) life are every bit as fascinating as her photography. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/vivian-maier-the-great-artists
AF-739: Julian Francis Abele: The Great Artists
April 05, 2023 12:00 - 8 minutes - 12.2 MBJulian Francis Abele is one of America’s very first prominent African American architects and is responsible for the design of the modern campus of Duke University. Here is the story of a remarkable man who was talented in many different ways, and contributed to the beauty of America with the buildings he designed... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/julian-francis-abele-the-great-artists
AF-738: A Closer Look at Prison Records, Part 2
April 03, 2023 12:00 - 8 minutes - 11.2 MBIf you are researching your incarcerated ancestors, or are curious as to whether you have any that you didn’t know about before, these are some excellent online resources that can assist you in locating the information you need. Make use of them. They will get you where you need and want to go with your genealogy. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/a-closer-look-at-prison-records-2
AF-737: A Closer Look at Prison Records, Part 1
March 31, 2023 15:00 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBDo you have a black sheep ancestor? Are you sure? There were all kinds of reasons a person might have been incarcerated in times past that seem completely innocent today. Whether you know that you have an ancestor who was incarcerated or are just curious if you do, this is what you need to know about prison records and your genealogy. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/a-closer-look-at-prison-records-1/
AF-736: Norma Zimmer: The Lawrence Welk Show
March 30, 2023 12:00 - 7 minutes - 10.7 MBNorma Zimmer was a talented soprano singer who found fame in the 1950s in various singing groups. She also landed a job on The Lawrence Welk Show, one that would last for decades, and that made her a household name of the time. A farm girl who loved to sing, Norma found incredible success in a tough industry. This is her story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/norma-zimmer-the-lawrence-welk-show
AF-735: Lawrence Welk: The Lawrence Welk Show
March 28, 2023 13:54 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBLawrence Welk was a beloved band leader with a special type of music called champaign music, which the crowds loved. He toured the country with his band and had his own TV show for decades. The son of German-speaking Ukrainian immigrants, Lawrence worked hard and built his own success. This is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/lawrence-welk-the-lawrence-welk-show
AF-734: Is Fold3.com Worth the Money for Your Genealogy Research?
March 23, 2023 12:00 - 8 minutes - 5.88 MBFold3.com is a genealogy website that specializes in military records. Partnered with the National Archives and Ancestry, it includes records from every American war and military action, as well as records from dozens of other countries. There is also a large variety of non-military records there that make the site useful for almost any genealogist. This is what you need to know. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/is-fold3-com-worth-the-money-for-your-genealogy-research/
AF-733: Is Ancestry.com Worth the Money for Your Genealogy Research?
March 22, 2023 12:00 - 7 minutes - 5.4 MBAncestry.com is the best known of the online genealogy subscription websites. It’s also quite pricey. Is it worth the price of admission? This article explores what Ancestry.com has to offer its customers, and whether or not it is worth it for the price for your genealogy research. If you’ve wondered whether you should subscribe to Ancestry.com, this is your answer. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/is-ancestry-com-worth-the-money-for-your-genealogy-research/
AF-732: Bonnie Lynn Fields: The Mickey Mouse Club, Part 11
March 20, 2023 12:00 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBBonnie Lynn Fields was a third season replacement Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club. While she did not get much of an opportunity to be featured on the show, the few times she did allowed her natural talent and gentle personality to shine. This is her story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/bonnie-lynn-fields-the-mickey-mouse-club-part-11/
AF-731: Roy Williams: The Mickey Mouse Club, Part 10
March 20, 2023 01:16 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MBRoy Williams was a Disney animator and story idea guy who specialized in gags and pranks. He was also a skilled sketch artist, and often made live appearances at Disney events and at Disneyland to draw for guests. Though not an actor, Walt Disney himself decided Roy should be an “adult Mouseketeer” on The Mickey Mouse Club, where he would be called the Big Mooseketeer. This is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/roy-williams-the-mickey-mouse-club-part-10/
AF-730: Bob Ross: People You Should Know
March 15, 2023 13:45 - 9 minutes - 12.5 MBBob Ross is best known for his PBS TV show, The Joy of Painting. A talented man, Bob was also complex as an individual, leading a most intriguing life behind the scenes of his beautiful natures-capes. This is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/bob-ross-people-you-should-know
AF-729: A History of the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
March 11, 2023 13:44 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBThe Roanoke Marshes lighthouse is a replica of the third lighthouse to stand on its site. There are a lot of reasons why lighthouses were important structures in coastal areas in the past. They are remembered fondly by locals and visitors alike today. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/a-history-of-the-roanoke-marshes-lighthouse/ #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
AF-728: Melania Knavs Trump: America’s First Ladies, Part 45
March 09, 2023 12:00 - 7 minutes - 10.3 MBMelania Knavs would one day become First Lady of the United States. Born in Slovenia to a middle class family, she began modeling as a small child, and turned it into a successful career in Europe and the USA that would lead her into the circles her future husband, Donald Trump, traveled in. This is her story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-44-melania-knavs-trump
AF-727: Michelle Robinson Obama: America’s First Ladies, Part 44
March 08, 2023 12:00 - 7 minutes - 10.3 MBMichelle Robinson would one day become our nation’s forty-fourth First Lady, and the first African-American one. She grew up in a traditional home in Chicago, achieved in school to please her ill father, and became a lawyer, before meeting her future husband, Barack Obama. Michelle Robinson Obama is still making an impression around the world… Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-44-michelle-robinson-obama
AF-726: Laura Welch Bush: America’s First Ladies, Part 43
March 07, 2023 20:49 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBLaura Lane Welch would one day become our nation’s forty-third First Lady. Before that, she was an only child who loved to read, and who had an excellent education. She also had a career as a teacher and librarian before marrying future US President George W. Bush and securing her place in US history... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-43-laura-welch-bush
AF-725: 10 "Must-Do" Genealogy Projects for March
March 05, 2023 17:00 - 7 minutes - 10 MBDid you know spring is the perfect time to begin some new genealogy projects? Here are the top ten you should be doing this month, as the snow melts again. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/10-must-genealogy-projects-march
AF-724: Delaware: The State Capitals, Part 8
March 04, 2023 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.2 MBDover is the capital of the state of Delaware, as well as a major economic point for the state. With a long history of European settlement and a strong connection to the American Revolution, it is both a historic and modern city. Here is what you need to know about Dover... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-state-capitals-delaware
AF-723: Connecticut: The State Capitals, Part 7
March 03, 2023 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11 MBHartford is the state capital of Connecticut. As the oldest city in the state, it earned that status by default. No one ever truly questioned that Hartford should be the area's capital. The city has a long and interesting history. Here is what you need to know about Hartford... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-state-capitals-connecticut
AF-722: Hillary Rodham Clinton: America’s First Ladies, Part 42
March 02, 2023 14:28 - 8 minutes - 12 MBHillary Rodham Clinton was our nation’s forty-second First Lady. However, she had a remarkable career in politics and law long before that, and long after, being a US Senator and US Secretary of State after her tenure in the White House. Here is Hillary Rodham Clinton's intriguing story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-42-hillary-rodham-clinton
AF-721: Barbara Pierce Bush: America's First Ladies, Part 41
February 28, 2023 13:40 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBBarbara Pierce would one day become our forty-first First Lady as the wife of US President George H.W. Bush. Before that, she was the third of four children in a prominent New York City family, and had a privileged upbringing. Here is her interesting story from society girl to First Lady. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-41-barbara-pierce-bush
AF-720: Iowa: American Folklore, Part 15
February 25, 2023 14:00 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBIowa was part of the Louisiana Purchase, and has a long Native American history going back before that. There is a lot of folklore here to explore. Here are some of the highlights of it. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-iowa/
AF-719: Indiana: American Folklore, Part 14
February 23, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBIndiana is the 19th state admitted to the union, with a Native American history going back centuries farther than that, and it borders the Great Lakes. There is plenty of fodder here for Indiana folklore tales, and the state has its own unique and ample supply of them. Here are some of the lore’s highlights. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-indiana
AF-718: Illinois: American Folklore, Part 13
February 22, 2023 17:59 - 7 minutes - 10.2 MBIllinois is home to quite a few interesting legends and folklore stories. It has had centuries of human habitation to develop them. Some tales are old and some are newer, but all are uniquely Illinois. Here are some of the highlights of the folklore of the 21st state in the United States. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-illinois
AF-717: Idaho: American Folklore, Part 12
February 20, 2023 17:00 - 7 minutes - 10.3 MBIdaho has some interesting folklore stories going back centuries, and even thousands of years. From nearly every body of water in the state being haunted or having a monster to mysterious creatures, to the question of Idaho’s actual existence, here are some of the highlights of Idaho folklore. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-idaho
AF-716: Colorado: The State Capitals, Part 6
February 19, 2023 23:20 - 8 minutes - 11.2 MBDenver is the capital of the state of Colorado, and it is a prosperous, popular, and intriguing place. From humble beginnings as a gold mining camp, the city quickly became the dominant economic power in the American west. It continues to dominate today. Here is its story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-state-capitals-colorado
AF-715: California: The State Capitals, Part 5
February 15, 2023 14:26 - 8 minutes - 11.3 MBSacramento is the state capital of California. With a history of human habitation going back thousands of years with Native Americans, its European habitation is relatively recent. Here is the story of how Sacramento became a city, and then the capital of the state of California... https://youtu.be/lCi79eQkczk Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-state-capitals-california
AF-714: William Ellery: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
February 14, 2023 15:25 - 7 minutes - 10.7 MBWilliam Ellery is one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, although he is not as well known as some of the others. He was a prominent politician in his time, and was an especially important and active one in the state of Rhode Island, where he was born and lived. This is William Ellery's unique story... https://youtu.be/kHpVTfqQ6UI Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/william-ellery-the-signers-of-the-declaration-of-independence
AF-713: Abraham Clark: Signers of the Declaration of Independence
February 10, 2023 18:23 - 9 minutes - 13 MBAbraham Clark is not one of the best known signers of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, he was well known for his rejection of artifice and pretense during his life, being the only member of the Continental Congress to dress plainly, without wigs, ruffles, or lace. His constituents trusted him to give good and honest advice. Today, he is known as an advocate for the common man. This is the intriguing story of Abraham Clark... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/charles-ca...
AF-712: Carleton Watkins and Mammoth Plate Photography
February 09, 2023 13:00 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MBCarleton Watkins was a well-known American photographer of the mid to late 1800s. Carleton is most famous for his use of mammoth plate photography in photographing Yosemite, as well as the giant sequoia trees of California. Let’s learn more about this talented man and the interesting and innovative photographic technique that he is best known for using. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/carleton-watkins-and-mammoth-plate-photography
AF-711: William Henry Jackson and the Wonders of Yellowstone
February 08, 2023 15:24 - 8 minutes - 11.3 MBWilliam Henry Jackson was a famous American artist and photographer. Most known for his work photographing Yellowstone before anyone else, William proved to the world that the wonders of the natural world in this part of the country really existed and were not just stories. William’s work directly let to Yellowstone capturing the public imagination and becoming a national park. This is his story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/william-henry-jackson-and-the-wonders-of-yello...
AF-710: 10 "Must-Do" Genealogy Projects for February
February 03, 2023 17:23 - 7 minutes - 10 MBFebruary is deep in the coldest part of winter. While the days are starting to get longer, it's not exactly spring-like yet. With Valentine's Day, along with this unique annual weather, February is the perfect time to tackle a bevy of genealogy projects, like these 10 "must-do" ones. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/10-must-do-genealogy-projects-for-february
AF-709: Nancy Robbins Davis Reagan: America’s First Ladies, Part 40
February 01, 2023 16:42 - 7 minutes - 11 MBAnne Frances Robbins, who later changed her name to Nancy Davis, married fellow actor Ronald Reagan, and enjoyed a Hollywood life that later became a political one. She went from First Lady of California to First Lady of the United States, and is one of our most popular and best known ones. Here is her story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-40-nancy-robbins-davis-reagan
AF-708: Rosalynn Smith Carter: America’s First Ladies, Part 39
January 31, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBRosalynn Smith Carter was our thirty-ninth First Lady, wife of former President Jimmy Carter. Growing up in poverty as the daughter of a farmer and a dressmaker, she entered the political sphere when her Naval officer husband got elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1962. She has been involved in politics and social causes ever since. Here is her story… Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-39-rosalynn-smith-carter/
AF-707: The History of the Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Outer Banks
January 30, 2023 21:17 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBThe Bodie Island lighthouse is an important historical landmark in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. It is actually the third lighthouse to sit on that island, and has recently undergone extensive restoration work to make it safe for the public to visit. This is its story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-history-of-the-bodie-island-lighthouse/
AF-706: The Intriguing Bodie Ghost Town
January 28, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 9.48 MBDo you know about Bodie? It is one of the best-preserved examples of the original Old West in the United States. Here’s what you need to know about Bodie. Podcast notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-intriguing-bodie-ghost-town/
AF-705: Samuel Chase: Signers of the Declaration of Independence
January 27, 2023 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.7 MBSamuel Chase was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Yet, it was not signing that important document that made him famous to history. It was his later career as a US Supreme Court justice. As the only Supreme Court justice to ever be impeached (so far–and he was acquitted in the Senate), his position on the nation’s highest court helped set some important legal precedents for that august institution for future generations. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/samuel-chase...
AF-704: Charles Carroll: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
January 26, 2023 16:54 - 8 minutes - 11.5 MBCharles Carroll of Carrollton is one of the lesser known signers of the Declaration of Independence. He is best remembered for adding “of Carrollton” after his name on the Declaration, but was well known for other things at the time. In addition to being a passionate supporter of the cause of independence for the American colonies, Charles was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies at the time. His descendants still own one of his valuable manor homes today. Podcast Notes: https://ance...
AF-703: Erdman Penner: Walt Disney Inspirations
January 20, 2023 14:21 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MBErdman Penner was a screenwriter, songwriter, and associate producer for the Walt Disney Company. Born in Canada to a Mennonite father and a Roman Catholic mom, he was an only child with a penchant for artistic pursuits. Moving to America as a young man, he quickly became a valued member of the Disney team. This is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/erdman-penner-walt-disney-inspirations
AF-702: Margaret Christine Otis Baker: A Colonial Woman with an Incredible Story
January 19, 2023 21:34 - 14 minutes - 19.9 MBMargaret Christine Otis Baker is a local heroine in the town of Dover, New Hampshire. Her amazing colonial American story of captivity, conversion (three times), and a love story that saw her leave behind everything she ever knew to return to the town she’d been abducted from as an infant, is not well known to most Americans. Yet, in Dover, her story has hardly been forgotten. It is the stuff novels, movies, and TV shows are made from. This is what you need to know about this entirely remark...
AF-701: Arkansas: The State Capitals, Part 4
January 17, 2023 13:40 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MBLittle Rock is the capital of Arkansas. It has a long history of human habitation, as well as a rich and varied history of European exploration and settlement. Here is the story of how Little Rock became a town, then a city, and then the state capital of Arkansas. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-state-capitals-arkansas/ #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
AF-700: Arizona: The State Capitals, Part 3
January 12, 2023 16:39 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBPhoenix is the capital of Arizona. How did it get to be such a distinguished city? From a seasonal residence for Native hunter/gatherers to a permanent home for farming Natives, Phoenix was not explored by European settlers until the mid-19th century. Now, though, it is a bright, bustling city, and in a short amount of time, too. Here is Phoenix’s story... Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-state-capitals-arizona #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
AF-699: Carter Braxton: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
January 11, 2023 14:00 - 9 minutes - 13.7 MBCarter Braxton may not be a well-known signer of the Declaration of Independence, but he was an important one, playing a huge role in Virginia politics for decades before and after the Revolution. A brief tenure at the Continental Congress gave him historical fame, but Carter did much more than sign the Declaration in his long and distinguished career. This is his story… Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/carter-braxton-the-signers-of-the-declaration-of-independence #...
AF-698: Josiah Bartlett: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
January 09, 2023 14:00 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBJosiah Bartlett was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was born in Massachusetts, but spent most of his adult life in Kingston, New Hampshire. That is where he was living when he was asked to be a delegate to the Continental Congress where the Declaration was signed. A physician, politician, and devoted family man, Josiah Bartlett was a unique person. This is his intriguing story. Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-signers-of-the-declaration-of-i...
AF-697: Jimmie Dodd: The Mickey Mouse Club, Part 9
January 04, 2023 15:07 - 8 minutes - 11.3 MBJames Dodd was the host of The Mickey Mouse Club TV show, and also wrote the show’s famous theme song. The son of a music store owner and a stenographer, he became interested in music at a young age, and pursued a career in both music and acting. This is the story of his life, his career, and how he came to be the host of one of the most famous children’s TV shows of all time. Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/jimmie-dodd-the-mickey-mouse-club-part-9
AF-696: 10 "Must-Do" Genealogy Projects for January
January 02, 2023 18:54 - 6 minutes - 8.48 MBThe long, cold month of January is here, and with it, an excellent opportunity to do some new and interesting genealogy projects that are just perfect for this time of year. Just because it’s freezing and possibly snowy outside doesn’t mean you don’t have plenty of things to do with your genealogy research to keep you busy. In fact, some projects are more suited to January than any other month. Here are ten “must-do” genealogy projects for January. Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfi...
AF-695: Elizabeth “Betty” Bloomer Ford: America’s First Ladies, Part 38
December 29, 2022 16:49 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBElizabeth “Betty” Bloomer Ford was our thirty-eighth First Lady, the wife of President Gerald Ford. As First Lady, she was an outspoken advocate for feminist causes and women’s rights, as well as for breast cancer awareness, after suffering from it herself and surviving. She is also well known for the creation of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse treatment. Here is her story. Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-38-elizabeth-betty-bloomer-ford/ ...
AF-694: Thelma “Pat” Ryan Nixon: America's First Ladies, Part 37
December 28, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.9 MBThelma Ryan was called “Pat” from an early age, and eventually became Pat Nixon, the thirty-seventh First Lady of the United States. A farmer’s daughter, she worked her whole life until her first child was born, doing whatever she could to get by. Her husband, Richard Nixon, fell in love with her on their very first date. Here is her amazing and fascinating story. Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-37-thelma-pat-ryan-nixon/
AF-693: How to Research World War II History
December 24, 2022 20:22 - 14 minutes - 19.4 MBSo, you’ve decided that you want to investigate your family tree and discover what your relatives did during World War II. It’s a great idea, of course, because the war is slowly fading from living memory as the last of those who lived and fought through it die off. In another 28 years, it will be a century since the end of the conflict and there will be just scattered survivors left to tell their stories. These word of mouth tales will be no more... Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralf...