Extreme Genes - America's Family History and Genealogy Radio Show & Podcast

Those Tricky Immigration Records

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 how old Roman roads throughout Europe can now be digitally tracked through omnesviae.org. Dave has the story. Then, the last “witch” executed in the Salem Witch Trials has been officially exonerated. Hear who it is and why her status has been adjusted after over 300 years. Utah’s and Arizona’s Lake Powell is going through a challenging water level drop. But a historical benefit is being seen. Find out what it is. Oldest man? Oldest woman? Yes, we keep track of those, but Guinness has now named the world’s oldest dog! Dave will tell you how old this frisky pooch is, along with some other great stories. Next, in two parts, Fisher visits with Nadia Rupniak. Nadia never thought her late father accomplished much in his life, but as the result of discovering an old letter, she learned otherwise. Hear about the family history adventure she was launched into after going through her mother’s effects in England 14 years ago. David then returns for more of Ask Us Anything, answering your questions. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Historic Time Lines and What They Can Reveal

The Potential Benefit of Swapping Brick Walls

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 talking about a unique experience he had with some well hidden documents at an archive. In Family Histoire News, the first story is perhaps the saddest we’ve ever had. It involves a grandfather’s trunk and a hand grenade. Then, a metal detectorist in Italy has made a remarkable find and flew all the way to Boston on a special mission concerning it. Next… the Connecticut House of Reps has passed a bill to exonerate all 17 century accused Connecticut “witches.” It still has to go through the Senate. An 1875 shipwreck off the coast of Washington state is getting a good looking over. David describes what was aboard and what the researchers are looking for. Lastly… Russia has finally agreed to share a scan of some ancient stolen documents related to Spain that is in their possession. David explains. Next, Sunny Morton, author of “How To Find Your Family History In US Church Records,” returns to the show. For months she has been working on “The Case of the Missing Nun.” Hear the details, what’s she’s discovered, and how she did it. Then, Dr. David Wood from Brigham Young University discusses their recent study connecting family history research with reduced anxiety and a better sense of well being. He’ll explain the conclusions and methodology they used. David then returns for another round of “Ask Us Anything.” That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

“Dit Names”… What the Heck Are Those?

Marriage Bonds and What They Can Reveal

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. In Family Histoire News, David updates us on the long-running War of 1812 Pension digitization project. Then, hear about how authorities finally figured out what happened to the man who, when he was 16, murdered his parents in 1958 and later escaped from prison. The story involves DNA… and has a twist! The guys then talk about a World War 2 vet who just started having nightmares from his experiences… at age 99! Smithsonian is carrying an interesting story about steamboat racing in the 19 century. The guys explain. Then, David talks about a strange place that is (essentially) named Hill Hill Hill Hill. He’ll tell you where it is and why it is called that. Next, Crista Cowan joins the show from Ancestry.com. Crista and Fisher talk about artificial intelligence, how she’s using it, the possibilities she envisions, and (surprise!) the fact you’ve likely already been using it. Ryan Rockwood then joins the show. He is a Project Manager for sponsor Legacy Tree Genealogists, specializing in Asian research. Hear Ryan’s remarkable story of a Japanese man that settled in Texas over a hundred years ago that tied all his studies together back in college, and how he researched him. David then returns for Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

What’s Going to Happen to Your Records and Heirlooms When You’re Gone?

Can’t Find Your Key Record on Line? Try the Old-Fashioned Way

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 a big reveal from Fisher about a photo he has sought for 38 years. Next, the guys talk about a DNA result the brought about the breakup of an engaged couple… and not because they are related. Then… anyone want to try to do what the genetic genealogists do in crime fighting? One organization did. Hear who and what they were trying to show. Fisher and David then talk bad news/ good news surrounding the burning of a courthouse in Tennessee. Next, it’s the story of a woman who is graduating from Georgetown University whose ancestry is well connected to her educational journey. Find out why. David then shines his Blogger Spotlight on Claire Santry of IrishGenealogyNews.com. Claire is passionate in her work and shares a lot of information to help the Irish genealogical researcher. Fisher then visits with Amy Johnson Crow, a nationally known genealogist, about why we should all have hope that the next generation really will want your papers, photo collections, and stories. It’s an encouraging conversation! Then, Tammy and Kyle Mullen join Fisher to talk about the project that fell into their laps concerning their New York town’s World War I soldiers. It’s the type of project anyone could take on for their town and on any subject. Find out what they’ve done. Fisher wraps up the show with another Ask Us Anything conversation (in two parts), this time on DNA. Paul Woodbury, DNA specialist with Legacy Tree Genealogists, handles the queries. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!

Got an Ancestor Who Served? Look to Military Records as a Source for Incredible Family Stories.

Got DNA Skills? Become A Search Angel for Others!

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 Family Histoire News with word that the last survivor of the Hindenburg disaster (1937) has died. Hear the details. Then, it turns out that a world famous movie star is actually related to the person he’s portraying! Find out who it is. That search for a missing cemetery on a Florida high school campus is complete. And the findings will astound you! DNA has revealed the unexpected when it comes to illegitimacies from the Middle Ages. Find out what’s been learned. Next, Fisher visits with a California artist named Morgan Weistling. His father, Howard, was also an artist… a fledgling one when he was a POW in World War II. Morgan was most familiar with his Dad’s stories of creating a camp comic strip to give his comrades something to distract them through the harsh conditions. And now those original strips have been found and returned to Morgan and the family. Hear Howard’s incredible story and the miracle of the find and return of these precious family heirlooms in two parts. Finally, David Allen Lambert wraps things up with another couple of rounds of Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show.

Tracing Forward Can Yield Family History Gold!

Once you’ve gone from the land of the researcher to the land of the researched, you no longer control what happens to your heirlooms and research records. Here’s what you can do now!

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!

Have you become reliant on online sites for your key records? If so, you’re missing out on the thrill of the hunt the old-fashioned way!

Who deserves to have their history recorded more than our veterans? Fisher shares some great places for finding military records and often the stories that can be uncovered through them.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David opens with the story of the closing of his local church and what he did to commemorate it. Then, in Family Histoire News, an old scoreboard has been found. REAL old! It dates back 1,000 years! Hear where it is from. Then, some 390,000 women signed a petition for world peace a century ago. Now, this document is heading back to Wales, where it came from. David has more. Then, exciting news for a Michigan family. They had a girl. Hear what makes this one so extra special. A doctor is celebrating his 100 birthday… and is still practicing! Hear more about this special man. And, another masterpiece has been found in someone’s home in France. You won’t believe what it sold for. The first guest up this week is Kelly Thomas of the Historic Burying Ground Initiative of Boston. These are the burial sites of such people as John Hancock and Paul Revere. Kelly explains how the sites are maintained, and, aside from the four in downtown Boston, how many others she oversees. And not one of them is a church yard. She will explain why. Next, Don Milne returns to the show from Stories Behind the Stars, the organization seeking to create 500 word stories for every killed-in-action soldier from World War II. Hear where they are in the project, and what their latest focus is. Then, Tami Mize joins the show to talk about her site ConferenceKeeper.org. Tami started this site in 2016 so you and I can find out where to learn more about family history research. It tracks conferences, online meetings, lectures… you name it. And best of all… it’s free! Then, David returns for Ask Us Anything. That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!