Best Ancestrydna Podcasts (2024)

1
Their Stories in Their Words | Episode 13 36:24

2d ago36:24

36:24

Imagine uncovering a letter from the 1800s that brings your ancestors’ harrowing Civil War experiences to life, in their own words. Finding a story written about someone in our family tree is a treasure. Finding a firsthand historical account—especially from a woman—is priceless. Martha Mills Brown and my great-granny Kerr were second cousins. In t…

1
We're Doing This Together (with Steve Cowan) | Episode 12 42:16

8d ago42:16

42:16

Have you ever wondered how family stories shape who we are today? I would like to introduce you to my dad. The storyteller who shaped my own journey into storytelling. Growing up immersed in his tales, it was inevitable that I would follow in his narrative footsteps. Now, as he enjoys his retirement years diving back into family history, our bond h…

1
Continue to Say His Name (with Kelley Dixon-Tealer and Alva Marie Jenkins) | Episode 11 36:03

15d ago36:03

36:03

Hawkins Wilson, a Texas freedman, was sold away from Virginia as a young boy. Time and distance did not dim his memories of childhood family and friends nor his emotional connection to them. Twenty-four years later, he wrote to his "dearest relatives" through the Freedman's Bureau, introducing himself to them, not as the boy they had known but as t…

1
We'll Always Keep Searching (with Emily Paulson) | Episode 10 41:13

27d ago41:13

41:13

We commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day sharing the deeply moving story of Second Lieutenant William Joseph McGowan. The life of this young pilot ended on D-Day. In 2019, his remains were located in a field in France by a team from Nova Scotia and then delivered to a lab in Omaha where he was finally identified after 75 years, missing in actio…

1
One Person's Trash | Episode 9 18:13

29d ago18:13

18:13

When an unexpected email unearthed irreplaceable family heirlooms, it reminded me that people—including our own relatives—are often not quite what they seem. My grandpa’s youngest sister, Aunt Madeleine, was always a bit of an enigma within our family—emotionally distant and reserved. More than once she said things that left us all a little stunned…

1
L'dor V'dor - From Generation to Generation (with Howard Hochhauser) | Episode 8 23:52

1M ago23:52

23:52

Serena never spoke of her life before she married into the Hochhauser family. They knew she was from Eastern Europe and based on her age and the timing of her immigration, they knew she had suffered through the events of the Holocaust and survived. But, how she did so was a story that was never told. Nearly two decades after Serena’s death a set of…

1
And Then I Heard A Meadowlark Sing (with Sunny Morton) | Episode 7 27:05

1M ago27:05

27:05

Genealogist Sunny Morton didn’t even know someone was missing from her family tree until a single mention in an obituary led her to a Nun. Sister Mary Bertilla. This single name sparked a long search that culminated in the discovery of a remarkable, yet nearly forgotten, woman who dedicated herself to faith and service. Her story, encapsulated in a…

1
This Gathering Place (with Shelly Cowan) | Episode 6 30:06

2M ago30:06

30:06

Imagine sitting down at a family dinner where every bite is seasoned with laughter, love, and connection. You're invited to a conversation with my sister-in-law, Shelly Cowan, about an overly large family table and the powerful traditions it supports. The mother of five boys, Shelly didn't just build a table with her dad, she crafted a space of pro…

1
The Story That Lives In Me | Episode 1 34:44

2M ago34:44

34:44

From a childhood rooted in family stories to a long-standing family mystery that required solving, follow me on my journey into family history. Be reminded of the painstaking efforts once required to climb a family tree —from county by county searches in Ohio courthouses to scrolling through microfilms in Salt Lake City's vast library. And rejoice …

1
Out of Obscurity (with Kevin Giddins and Camlyn Giddins) | Episode 5 25:21

2M ago25:21

25:21

Raised in the New York foster care system, Kevin Giddins knew his biological mother's name but not much else. But, an AncestryDNA test led him to her doorstep and an extraordinary reunion. His daughter Camlyn, caught the whole thing on film. The three of us have a meaningful conversation about the essence of these family relationships and the roles…

1
The Whole Tree (with Sunny Mahe) | Episode 4 23:54

2M ago23:54

23:54

Cultural nuances, defining moments, and raw honesty. My conversation with my dear friend, Sunny Mahe has all of these things. We also dive deep into the power of faith and family. From her Tongan heritage to her ten children, I am so inspired by the way that resilience and friendship flourish within the walls of her home. The stories that live ther…

1
Bliss It Was In That Dawn To Be Alive (with Eric Allen) | Episode 3 37:22

2M ago37:22

37:22

Have you ever wondered about the faces in those old family photos tucked away in grandma's attic? Join me as Eric Allen (Vice President of Marketing at Ancestry) and I explore the power of pictures in helping us to discover, preserve, and share our family stories. Whether it's a box of grandpa's slides from the 1940s or mom's photo album from the 1…

1
Grandma's Love for the Theater (with Lisa Elzey and Will Swenson) | Episode 2 36:29

2M ago36:29

36:29

Ruth Hale, an icon in Utah's theater world, always knew she was adopted. But, it wasn't until her grandson, actor Will Swenson, decided to take a DNA test at the urging of my producer, Lisa Elzey, that the mystery of her parentage had a hope of being solved. And, you won't believe what we uncovered! Listen in as Lisa and I share the story of sealed…

1
Stories That Live In Us | Trailer 1:25

2M ago1:25

1:25

I created this podcast to inspire you to form deeper connections with your family - past, present, and future. All families are messy and life is constantly changing but we don’t have to allow that to disconnect us. I’ve spent my whole life discovering the power of family history and I know that sharing the stories that live in you can change every…

1
Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors 35:07

9y ago35:07

35:07

Still looking for that elusive ancestor who "crossed the pond?" Join Crista Cowan for a look at immigration into the United States throughout history and where the best places are to look for information regarding their immigration.By Ancestry.com

1
What's New at Ancestry: May 2015 Edition 27:10

9y ago27:10

27:10

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at the upcoming genealogy events she'll be attending. You'll also get a look at new features and tools available to make your family history easier and more fun. Then she will review the databases full of new content r eleased in the past month and show you how best to search them to find the stories of your ances…

1
What's New at Ancestry: April 2015 Edition 22:58

9y ago22:58

22:58

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at the upcoming genealogy events around the world. You'll also get a look at new features and tools available to help make your family history easier and more fun. Then she will review some of the databases full of new content released in the past month and show you how best to search them to find the stories of y…

1
AncestryDNA FAQ: Revisited 17:00

9y ago17:00

17:00

It's been three years since we launched AncestryDNA. Now, with more than 800,000 people in our database, and new cousins connections being made every day, there are lots of questions about how to get the most out of your AncestryDNA experience. Join Cri sta Cowan and Anna Swayne as they revisit some AncestryDNA frequently asked questions. In this e…

1
Basics of a Genealogy Source Citation 14:14

9+ y ago14:14

14:14

When you attach a record directly from Ancestry into your online family tree, the source citation is created for you. But, what about those records that you upload yourself? Join Crista Cowan as she reviews the basics of crafting a genealogy source cita tion in your online tree or in Family Tree Maker.…

1
Genealogy on a Budget 34:26

9+ y ago34:26

34:26

Like all hobbies, there are some expenses involved in family history. Order a couple of birth certificates from a state vital records office or make one trip to an archive and your Ancestry subscription may look like the most inexpensive tool you use for genealogy research. Join Crista Cowan as she shares some of her favorite tips for getting the m…

1
What's New at Ancestry: March 2015 Edition 31:06

9+ y ago31:06

31:06

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at upcoming events, new features and tools to help make your family history easier and more fun, and databases full of new content released in the past month. She'll give you her best tips for using all of these things t o find and share the stories of your ancestors' lives.…

1
Smarter Searching: Look for Records Not People 23:11

9+ y ago23:11

23:11

With more than 15 billion records now online at Ancestry.com, doing a global search might not be the most effective way to locate records about your ancestors. Join Crista Cowan for a look at some smarter searching tips and tricks, including one little s hift in your perspective that could open up a whole new worlds of records.…

1
Family Tree Maker: Exploring Locations to Enhance Your Research 32:25

9+ y ago32:25

32:25

One of the great things about Family Tree Maker is the ability to explore your tree by location. Join Crista Cowan for a look at HOW to enter locations so you can get the most out of them later, WHY you want to do this and WHERE you can access features t hat allow you use locations to accelerate your family history research.…

1
Index Only Records 30:02

9+ y ago30:02

30:02

There are millions of new records being put online every single week. Some of these records are what we call, "Index Only." Join Crista Cowan for a discussion about what exactly these records are, what they do and do not tell you and what to do next to continue climbing your family tree.By Ancestry.com

1
What's New at Ancestry: February 2015 Edition 28:46

9+ y ago28:46

28:46

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at upcoming events, new features and tools to help make your family history easier and more fun, and databases full of new content released in the past month. She'll give you her best tips for using all of these things to find and share the stories of your ancestors' lives.…

1
Introduction to Fold3 26:03

9+ y ago26:03

26:03

If you have the World Explorer Plus subscription to Ancestry, then you also have access to Fold3. Join Crista Cowan for an introductory look at the great resources available on this website, particularly for U.S. military research.By Ancestry.com

1
Missing Records 26:26

9+ y ago26:26

26:26

You might know that the 1890 U.S. Federal Census was destroyed. But, did you know that there are other missing records due to fires, floods, time and a plain old lack of record keeping. Join Crista Cowan for a look at some of the missing records that af fect many genealogists and how to get around some of those losses.…

1
Genealogy Goals for the New Year 32:12

9+ y ago32:12

32:12

Join Crista Cowan for a review of the new records and tools that came online in 2014. Then she will walk you through some great ideas for genealogy goals that will carry you into the new year.By Ancestry.com

1
What's New at Ancestry.com: January 2015 Edition 30:58

9+ y ago30:58

30:58

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at the new features and tools available to help make your family history easier and more fun. She'll also review the databases full of new content released in the past month and show you how best to search them to find the stories of your ancestors' lives.By Ancestry.com

1
Find A Grave: Linking Families 17:34

9+ y ago17:34

17:34

FindAGrave.com is an amazing resource for genealogists. It is made even more useful when you can link the memorials for family members together. Join Crista Cowan for a look at how you can contribute to making this FREE resource even more valuable.By Ancestry.com

1
Life Events: Telling the Stories of Their Lives 28:09

9+ y ago28:09

28:09

In your online tree at Ancestry and in Family Tree Maker there are dozens of life events that you can choose from to document the lives of your family members. Join Crista Cowan as she walks through the options and circumstances under which you might use them. You'll have a whole new appreciation for the way you can share the stories of your ancest…

1
Genealogy Estate Planning 25:47

9+ y ago25:47

25:47

You've spent thousands of hours researching your family tree. You've collected documents and scanned old photographs. What happens to all of your hard work after you die? What happens to your Ancestry account? Join Crista Cowan for a look at some opti ons for genealogy estate planning. You're never too young to think about it.…

1
What's New at Ancestry.com: December 2014 Edition 32:12

9+ y ago32:12

32:12

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at the new features and tools available to help make your family history easier and more fun. She'll also review the databases full of new content released in the past month and show you how best to search them to find the stories of your ancestors' lives.By Ancestry.com

1
Genealogy Source Checklists 32:51

9+ y ago32:51

32:51

You get those shaky leaf hints and then you do a few searches. But, with more than 15 billion records now available online at Ancestry.com and billions more available at archives, libraries and courthouses around the world, how do you know when you've do ne a "reasonably exhaustive search?" How do you even know what records you should be looking fo…

1
AncestryDNA: Cousin Matches and DNA Circles 27:54

9+ y ago27:54

27:54

AncestryDNA just released version two of cousin matches and new DNA Circles. Join Crista Cowan for a look at the changes and new features. Learn where to find the help materials and scientific white papers that explain the changes. Then spend some time exploring your own DNA matches and discovering more of your story.…

1
Can Anyone Read This? Basic Paleography for Genealogists 19:23

9+ y ago19:23

19:23

Almost daily someone posts an image snippet in a genealogy group or message board asking for some assistance reading a record. They can't tell what the surname is or what occupation their grandfather was engaged in. They can't read the cause of death or the city their immigrant ancestor came from. Join Crista Cowan for a look at some basic tips and…

1
Genealogical Proof Standard: Soundly Reasoned, Coherently Written Conclusion 25:31

9+ y ago25:31

25:31

Join Crista Cowan for the sixth video in our series on the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). Step five is creating a "soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion." You will learn both WHY this is such an important step in your family history resear ch process and HOW to do it.By Ancestry.com

1
Pennsylvania Family History Research 31:55

9+ y ago31:55

31:55

This year Ancestry has added more than 7 million new genealogical records that will be of inters to those of you with ancestors in Pennsylvania. Join Crista Cowan for a look at some best practices for location based research, focusing on Pennsylvania.By Ancestry.com

1
Updated Search Forms on Ancestry.com 37:19

9+ y ago37:19

37:19

With more than 15 billion records now available for searching on Ancestry.com, we want to provide you with as many ways to discover your ancestors and their stories as we can. Shaky leaf hints. Suggested records. And several different ways to search. Join Crista Cowan for a sneak peek at the updated search forms you will soon have available to you …

1
Top Tips for Beginning Mexico Family History Research 23:54

9+ y ago23:54

23:54

Do you have Mexican ancestry? Join Crista Cowan as she shares some of the top tools and record collections that will help you find success in tracing your Mexican ancestors.By Ancestry.com

1
What's New at Ancestry.com: November 2014 Edition 24:19

9+ y ago24:19

24:19

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at the new features and tools available to help make your family history easier and more fun. She'll also review the databases full of new content released in the past month and show you how best to search them to find the stories of your ancestors lives.By Ancestry.com

1
Lesser Known Ports of Immigration 27:11

9+ y ago27:11

27:11

Have you looked for your ancestor coming into the Port of New York/Ellis Island and come up empty? What about Boston? Philadelphia? Baltimore? Join Crista Cowan for a look at the "lesser known" ports of immigration that your ancestor might have used on their journey into the United States.By Ancestry.com

1
Joining A Hereditary Society 17:04

9+ y ago17:04

17:04

SAR. DAR. DUP. ADEAW. What do all of these acronyms have in common These are just a few of the 100 (or more) hereditary societies you can join once you find a person in your family tree who qualifies. Join Crista Cowan for a look at some of the diff erent societies that are available for you to join, what the membership benefits are to you, and how…

1
Navigating The Ancestry YouTube Channel 21:24

9+ y ago21:24

21:24

It's the 3rd anniversary of The Barefoot Genealogist. Join Crista Cowan for a look at some of her favorite videos from the past three years. She'll even throw in some tips for navigating YouTube using the playlist and search features.By Ancestry.com

1
Five Reasons You Are Not Finding Your Ancestor 29:23

9+ y ago29:23

29:23

You have searched and searched and searched and are still coming up empty when looking for information about a particular family line. Join Crista Cowan for a look at five possible reasons why you might not be finding your ancestor. Even one of them cou ld provide you with the spark of an idea you need to bust right through that #genealogy brick wa…

1
Genealogical Proof Standard: Resolution of Conflicting Evidence 37:23

9+ y ago37:23

37:23

Join Crista Cowan for the fifth in our series on the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). Step four is "resolution of conflicting evidence." You will learn both WHY this is such an important step in your research process and HOW to do it.By Ancestry.com

1
Ten Things You Can Do To Celebrate Family History Month 25:36

9+ y ago25:36

25:36

October is National Family History Month here in the United States. Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at ten things you can do to celebrate family history month over the coming weeks. Share your ideas in the comments below.By Ancestry.com

1
Top Tips for Beginning Swedish Family History Research 35:44

10y ago35:44

35:44

Do you have Swedish ancestry? Join Crista Cowan as she shares some of the top methods and record collections that will help you find success in tracing your ancestors through their time in the United States back to Sweden. She will then give a high leve l review of the Swedish records available on Ancestry.com.…

1
What's New at Ancestry.com: October 2014 Edition 17:27

10y ago17:27

17:27

Join Crista Cowan for a quick look at the new features and tools available to help make your family history easier and more fun She'll also review databases full of new content released in the past month and let you know what conferences and events are c oming up where you can learn even more in person.…

1
Genealogical Proof Standard: Analysis and Correlation of the Collected Information 31:57

10y ago31:57

31:57

Join Crista Cowan for the fourth in our series on the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). Step three is "analysis and correlation of the collected information." You will learn both WHY this is such an important step in your research process and HOW to do it.By Ancestry.com

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