Extreme Genes

Episode 486: Special Edition - RootsTech and the Astounding Arrival of “Generative AI”

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 ...

Episode 445 - Pair of DeWitt Descendants LITERALLY Dig Up their Ancestor

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 ...

Fisher’s Top Tips #078

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

Fisher’s Top Tips #077

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

Episode 471: CLASSIC REWIND - British “Who Do You Think You Are?” Host and Researcher Learns Great Uncle was a Soviet Spy

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 ...

Fisher’s Top Tips #076

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

Fisher’s Top Tips #075

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

Episode 485 - The Weekly Show Finale! / Dr. Duffy on DNA from the Air / Diahan Southard and Nathan Dylan Goodwin on RootsTech Murder Mystery

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 th...

Fisher’s Top Tips #074

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

Fisher’s Top Tips #073

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

Episode 484 - “I Could See The Pilot’s Smile” Pearl Harbor Survivor Shares His Very Close Call / Passionate Genie Takes On Tin Type Photography

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 thr...

Fisher’s Top Tips #072

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

Fisher’s Top Tips #071

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

Episode 483 - What’s Ahead At Ancestry? The World War 1 / Pandemic Letter Exchange

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 interesti...

Fisher’s Top Tips #070

Fisher’s Top Tips #069

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.

Episode 204: Classic Rewind - The Biggest Disaster You’ve Likely Never Heard Of!

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 sto...

Fisher’s Top Tips #067

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

Episode 482 - Catholic Descendants of The Mayflower / Native American History Month

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 ...

Fisher’s Top Tips #066

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.

Fisher’s Top Tips #065

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

Episode 481 - FindAGrave Volunteer Shares Her Adventures / Nat Taylor Explains Heraldry

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 w...

Fisher’s Top Tips #064

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

Fisher’s Top Tips #063

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.

Episode 480 - The Civil War Letters Found in an Attic and What They Revealed

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 ...

Fisher’s Top Tips #062

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

Fisher’s Top Tips #061

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

Episode 479 - Tales From The Crypt And The Great Beyond

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 f...

Fisher’s Top Tips #060

Tips for Geneies Who Are New to DNA Websites

Fisher’s Top Tips #059

What’s in an occupation?

Episode 478 - Indexing And Artificial Intelligence At FamilySearch / Photo Projects In Time For The Holidays With Maureen Taylor

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 contest winner. He’s the young guy who figured out how to translate dozens of tightly rolled scrolls burned in the Mount Vesuvius explosion in 79 AD. David will have more. Then, for families who have missing people in Florida, a special day is coming to help you find closure… and it involves DN...

Fisher’s Top Tips #058

Creating a Genealogy “Research Log”

Fisher’s Top Tips #057

When it’s time to hire a professional

Episode 477 - Reunion! Descendants of the GU272 Enslaved Families of Georgetown University Get Together; What Grandmother’s Asylum Records Told One Genie

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 some encouraging news from our friends at MyHeritage.com, based in Israel. Then, David shares the story of a recent discovery, prior to the war, of an ancient burial in Israel. 23andMe has made some very concerning news as hackers have accessed their site to obtain information on roughly one million DNA testers of Ashkena...

Fisher’s Top Tips #056

Have you ever considered “going wide” instead of “going deep?”

Fisher’s Top Tips #055

Are you taking full advantage DNA Test Results?

Episode 476 - Dr. Blaine Bettinger Talks DNA and Artificial Intelligence

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 talking about the recent update on Ancestry’s ethnicity report. Then, a family tree on MyHeritage has provided a rescue line to Norway for a family in Ukraine. Catch the details. A pair of ticket stubs from the night President Lincoln was shot have been auctioned off. Wait til you hear what they went for! An adoptee from So...

Fisher’s Top Tips #054

What is and what isn’t a genealogical “source?”

Fisher’s Top Tips #053

Google Search Tricks

Episode 475 - Hidden Histories Hiding In Congregational Church Records / Kentucky Brick Wall Falls After Five Decades

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 Fisher describing his recent eBay score… an invitation to a New York City firemen’s “hop” in 1860, sponsored by his great grandfather’s volunteer fire company. It also notes the name of his great grandfather’s brother who was also a member of the company and on the dance committee. David then describes his strange journey...

Fisher’s Top Tips #052

Coats of Arms and Family Crests. What Are the Differences?

Fisher’s Top Tips #068

Who knows the old folks in your pictures, as well as their stories, better than old folks?!  Fisher talks about how to maximize your visits to senior relatives.

Episode 474 - Scottish Rookie Genie Finds Arsonist Relative / NYG&B On Latest New York City & State News

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 talking about a treasure trove of new information that kept him up til 1 am! Speaking of treasure, David then talks about visiting a museum for the pirate ship, Whydah. Next, big news about RootsTech 2024! Then, a Virgin Galactic rocket has taken the remains of two ancient men into space. David explains. How would y...

Fisher’s Top Tips #051

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

Fisher’s Top Tips #050

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.

Episode 473 - New York Born Texas Man on his Decades-long Journey in Search of his Freedom Fighting Birth Father

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 ...

Fisher’s Top Tips #049

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.

Fisher’s Top Tips #048

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!

Episode 472 - “Photo Angel” Finds And Gifts Antique Pics To Descendants / Researching Cuban Records

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. D...

Fisher’s Top Tips #047

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