Ep 17: Illegitimate Ancestors: Why We Hate a Horizontal Black Line on a Birth Certificate!

Unearth the Past: A family history & genealogy podcast

Are you curious about your ancestors and their stories? Would you be surprised if your past held secrets you never imagined? Join me, Michala and my guest, Paul McNeil, as we uncover hidden truths from our pasts and learn that things aren't always as they appear. We share eerie tales of our personal experiences, including a chilling story of a piano playing by itself, possibly a sign from the beyond.
The journey to the past can be challenging but rewarding. In our quest to unravel our roots, we grapple with historical documents like Bastardy records, birth certificates, and baptism records. We share insights on reading the subtle clues in these records, especially when it comes to tracing a child's father. Little hints like the use of 'natural child of' in Parish records or a middle name bearing the father's surname can lead us to hidden truths.
Our conversation doesn't stop at historical records and their cryptic language. We dive into the world of DNA testing, exploring its potential in tracing our roots and unearthing family secrets. Paul shares his personal journey of using DNA testing to uncover the identity of his biological father, and we discuss how these tests can cluster related family members. So, buckle up and join us as we venture into genealogy, history, and some ghostly tales. You're in for a spooky ride!
To contact Michala, you can do so via her website www.michalahulme.com

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Chapters

1. Ep 17: Illegitimate Ancestors: Why We Hate a Horizontal Black Line on a Birth Certificate! (00:00:00)

2. Genealogy, Lifeboat Donations, and Ghostly Encounters (00:00:02)

3. Finding Clues in Historical Records (00:10:07)

4. Discovering Hidden Family Secrets (00:19:24)

5. Uncovering Illegitimate Ancestors With DNA (00:27:09)