Extreme Genes

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 this week is really one huge story in the family history world… the story about FamilyTreeDNA. The company is said to be "working with" law enforcement. The guys share the story along with founder Bennett Greenspan's rebuttal to the report. The report is resulting in mixed response by those supportive of the use of public DNA bases to solve criminal cases, and those concerned about privacy. Fisher then visits with Jenny Hawran of Connecticut for two segments. Jenny describes her DNA surprise results which revealed to her that her late father was not her biological father. She explains how she sought possible explanations for her results other than the one she knew was most likely. She talks about her emotional challenges since the revelation, and gives advice to people who may struggle to know what to say to someone like herself who receives a surprise DNA result. Then, Tom Perry reveals a great new audio software to help you with your old cassette recordings. Tom says the best outcome begins with a proper digitization. He explains what that means and what you should demand from whomever digitizes your old cassette recordings. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

We all have family secrets. And if you're concerned about how to handle those secrets in a history, Fisher has some thoughts.

Over 40 years before photography became a thing, a printing process paved the way for the publication of numerous images, some of which may help tell your family story.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Fisher begins the segment reviewing David's recent honor… a genealogical library in Brockton, Massachusetts is naming their genealogical section the "David Allen Lambert Library." (And David isn't even dead yet!) Hear David's reaction to the news. David then shares news from RootsTech and their Virtual Pass. Listen for how you can get a 10% Extreme Genes discount. Next, David reports disturbing news about cobblestone streets in Prague, when it seems that the stones are actually the remains of tombstones from Jewish cemeteries that were destroyed during World War II. The Maryland Assembly is taking a look at DNA sites being used in police cases. The guys explain what the legislation might look like. Then, a pair of twins… who didn't even know they were twins… have found each other. The guys talk about the television show that inspired one of the twin women to take a DNA test. David's Blogger Spotlight this week shines on "Dear Myrt" and Myrt's Musings. Go to DearMyrtle.com/blog2. Myrt has been blogging for over a decade and is herself a shining light in the field. Next, The Legal Genealogist, Judy Russell, visits with Fisher for two segments. Judy explains the new copyright laws that benefit all of us in terms of what we can and cannot freely use, especially in the context of publishing family histories. Judy explains how "fair use" can keep you out of trouble, and talks about complications of getting photos of tombstones. Then, it's Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com who answers more of your preservation questions. Tom chats about using various software to restore writing on documents, even bring back documents that have bled through from the other side. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Your old home movies may be a treasure trove of photographs you didn't even know you had. Here's how to get to them!

Have you ever been told that you are a cousin one or more times removed? What that means is simpler than you may think.

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 their Family Histoire News with word that our Neanderthal DNA is not reducing over time. David explains what science is telling us. Then, they share the wonderful story of how a baby was found in an ash can in Korea in the early 1950s by some US Navy men and what has happened to his life since. David then talks about a couple of identical twins that got some consistently odd ethnicity results with their DNA tests. Then David talks about a remarkable find he made in the divorce records of his maternal grandfather and reviews Peter Jackson's World War I documentary "They Shall Not Grow Old." David's Blogger Spotlight this week shines on a blogger simply known as "Zoe." Zestyz.wordpress.com is something of a new blog which talks about ancestors and early Hollywood. Next, Fisher visits with Tyler Stahle of RootsTech. Tyler fills you in on this year's speakers, features and highlights of RootsTech 2019, February 27-March 2, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tyler also has a special discount for Extreme Genes listeners! Then, Fisher talks to Lucy Mimna Goodwin of San Diego. Lucy was not a fan of her middle name. But when her research told the story of the Mimna branch of the family, it changed everything. Hear what Lucy learned about her family ties to automobile pioneers. Then Tom Perry, the Preservation Authority from TMCPlace.com, talks about a wowy new camera that might rock your world as you prepare your family histories. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Have you been hesitant to write your own history? Everyone has a story to tell! Don't deprive your descendants of the lessons and events of your life.

Are you considering writing an ancestral history, but feel their life story is "spotty?" Here is how historical context can help you fill in the gaps.

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 their "Family Histoire News" with the story of a family that has been in the same unique business for 400 years! Hear what they make and how many generations this covers. Then, it's DNA again that reveals some unexpected ancestry in an entire people in Latin America. The guys will tell you what has been confirmed. Germany is now sharing more and more records from that country's most shameful times… World War II and the Holocaust. One family has taken advantage of these records to learn many of the specifics of their family members' final days. Then, David talks about an Irish woman who found a 19th century photo album on eBay. As a passionate researcher of such pieces, even she was shocked to learn who was portrayed in it. David's Blogger Spotlight this week shines on MissingRoots.com, managed by Michael Lee Stills. Michael has been tackling Amy Johnson Crowe's "52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge." Next, Fisher visits with Robert Charles Anderson, the man behind thirty years of the "Great Migration" Project. In two parts, Robert talks to Fisher about the Project as well as his new book, Puritan Pedigrees: The Deep Roots of the Great Migration to New England. The book explains why so many of America's New England ancestors took the risky voyage across the ocean to settle here. Then, Tom Perry is back with a great suggestion for a family history Valentines Day gift. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Most people have records, photos, or heirlooms in their homes. But other relatives almost certainly do as well. And often the things they have are different than what you've had passed down. Perhaps it's time for an inventory of all the Family Archive "Branch Offices!"

Imagine a library that stores billions of webpages from sites that no longer exist, and digitized texts of millions of books and other assets. It's not in Greece, and it costs you nothing to visit.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. In the first new show of 2019, Fisher shares with David his first big find of the new year… a treasure trove of family newspaper stories from the 1920s and 1930s. David has also already had a major discovery. Hear what it is. David then shares a hilarious post he recently found… a parody of an ancestor from 1852 and his resolutions meant to keep any descendant from ever finding him. The guys then acknowledge the recent passing of the oldest living World War II vet, a Texas man. Next, David talks about a man who recently bought a building and discovered history newsreel footage in the basement. Hear the remarkable events they documented. David's Blogger Spotlight this week shines on Chris Paton of BritishGenes.blogspot.com. The Genes Blog covers a lot about the release of recent Scottish Records. Next up… Fisher visits with Chris Harry of Gainesville, Florida. Chris recently wrote an article about a Facebook message his family recently received from a stranger sharing a video of his father on a 1952 game show. Chris still doesn't know the stranger's identity. Fisher then visits with Brenda Johnson of Legacy Tree Genealogists. Brenda recently blogged about digitized newspapers… "her passion"… and how to make the most of a journey to a digitized newspaper site. She and Fisher talk about various tricks to ensure you find all the articles that might be relevant to your family on the site. Rick Voight is back this week from show sponsor Vivid-Pix. Fisher chats with him about a project he undertook over the holidays to upgrade some of his favorite family photos. He really put the RESTORE software through the paces. Hear what Rick has to say about how it works. Then, Tom Perry, the Preservation Authority from TMCPlace.com, is amped up over the recent CES in Las Vegas. What new tech might be in store for us? Tom will surely have some ideas. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

There's a time for collecting and a time for distributing. While you're still here, it's time you figure out how that's going to happen. Fisher shares some thoughts on protecting your life's family history work.

Genealogy and family history, believe it or not, are actually defined very differently. Hear why the two terms are not the same.

(Show first aired in April 2018.) Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Fisher begins with his personal story of another brick wall coming down thanks to a pair of family DNA kits. And this one goes back quite a ways! David then shares the story of a woman who took a DNA test and learned, in her 30s, that Dad was not her father! You'll be as shocked as she and her parents were to learn who he really was. (Yes, you CAN get REALLY unexpected results!) Then, David has suggestions for creating a tree tracking physical traits. It could be a fascinating new element to your family story. David next talks about a remarkable artist who is colorizing historic photos. The man's work changes everything about how you perceive the subject. Finally, a couple who was married in 1955 and divorced in 1968 is getting married again! Catch up with their story a half century later. David then spotlights blogger Elizabeth Handler on her blog FromMaineToKentucky.blogspot.com. Elizabeth is picking up on Amy Johnson Crow's idea of blogging about 52 ancestors in 52 weeks. Next, in two parts, Fisher visits with Rishi Sharma. Rishi is twenty-one years old and spends every day interviewing World War II combat veterans. All of those that are left are now in their 90s. Find out how Rishi started down this path as a high school boy and what spurred on his interest. He'll also share some of the compelling first hand stories he has learned. Then, Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com, the Preservation Authority, talks about the recent National Association of Broadcasters convention and new ideas demonstrated there that could make a major impact on your preservation efforts just a few years from now. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show.

Wondering why you can't always find articles you believe should be there in a digitized newspaper? Here are some tricks for squeezing it all out of digitized newspapers!

If you've ever dug into Swedish ancestry, you know the issue. Tons of people have the same name and live in the same places. Well, Swedish Church records can at least help a little in sorting out which Hans Olsen might be yours. Fisher explains.

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 Family Histoire News with the story of a remarkable new find… a type of xray that can reveal the image beneath the damage on a daguerreotype photo. (See ExtremeGenes.com.) Then, the guys tell the story of a DNA match that led a 79-year-old adoptee to her 100-year-old mother! Next, David tells about an 8,000-year-old iron age village that has been found, including dozens of intact homes. Get the details. And lastly, footage of a walking FDR has been found. Hear how it was obtained and who shot the footage which dates back to 1935! David's Blogger Spotlight this week shines on Amanda Knapper's sillymummyfamilytree.blogspot.com. Amanda's British ancestry is a constant source of blogging goodness! Fisher then visits with two Wisconsin women who have come to call themselves "The Driveway Sisters." One moved in just last year and shares a driveway with the other. What they didn't know is that they are sisters! Hear the odd way they learned the truth about their close relationship. And it didn't involve DNA! Next up, Fisher visits with Bob Call from Legacy Tree Genealogists. Bob shares some great tips about using land records for connecting ancestors. For pre-1850, it's essential! Finally, Fisher visits with Tom Perry about those ridiculous 1970s-era photo albums. They called them "magnetic," but they were nothing short of sticky and destructive. Hear what you can do to save your four-decade-old material from these nightmare photo albums. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Two key census record sets were destroyed in Ireland in 1922, but some of that information was preserved in another way. Fisher explains why your ancestors' data from those census records may still be available.

Within the United States, it was not uncommon for churches to give a "letter of transfer" to a member of their congregation who is moving to a new location. But sometimes they came with immigrants from across the ocean. What can this mean to you? Fisher explains.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David begins with an all too brief accounting of his recent astounding genealogical find in an archive. (We'll get into detail in January!) Then the guys kick around (pun intended) the story of the 500-year-old skeleton found with his boots intact! Where was it and why was he there? The guys explain. Then, a new Holocaust Museum will soon be opening in Poland. Find out the historic anniversary the opening will be tied to. Then, a judge in Arizona, who had been adopted, took a DNA test and learned something about the meaning of family. David's Blogger spotlight this week shines on Vera Miller and her site, LostRussianFamily.wordpress.com. Vera writes about recently declassified Russian documents that reveal her unknown family… and many others. Next, Fisher visits with Dick Eastman, long known for Eastman's On Line Genealogy Newsletter. Dick and Fisher discuss the year's top story… DNA and privacy, and police work. Dick shares his insight from his background in security. In a second segment with guest Dick Eastman, Dick asks an interesting question… what if we were all like Iceland? There, everyone is related, fairly recently, several times over, and ALL records of Iceland are complete going back to the 1200s, and almost complete going back to the 800s! Hear what Dick has to say about his visit to Iceland and how Icelanders feel about genealogy. Then Rick Voight of Vivid-Pix talks about how you can create a phenomenal last minute Christmas gift… for free! He'll have step-by-step instructions. Then, Tom Perry, the Preservation Authority talks about useful apps for capturing family history over the holidays. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Obituaries often reveal connections to the Free Masons. If you have an ancestor that belonged to this organization, his membership application may provide great information on him. Fisher has more.

Slave research is hard enough, and this little nugget, unfortunately, might make it harder. Not all slave names come from the most recent slaveholder. Fisher shares some other possibilities.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Fisher speaks briefly about a recent breakthrough he has made through DNA, opening a previously unknown descent line from an immigrant ancestor. David opens Family Histoire News with word of special markers being places on the graves of participants in the Boston Tea Party which celebrates its 245th anniversary December 16th. David then points listeners to a great article about five things a 23andMe test can give you. Then, it's a unique opportunity for high school kids to learn "cursive" writing, and help index old records. David describes a special program happening now in the Northeast. David then salutes actor Kirk Douglas who just turned 102 years old! David's Blogger Spotlight then shines on Roberta Estes and her site dna-explained.com. David notes, in particular, her recent blog "Connect With Your Inner Viking." Then, Fisher talks with renowned presidential and royal researcher Gary Boyd Roberts about the late President George H.W. Bush. Gary shares fascinating stories about other presidents that Bush (and son G.W.) relate to and how you may very well be related to them yourself! Next, Curt Witcher of the renowned Allen County Public Library Special Collections Department in Fort Wayne, Indiana, talks about a gold mine of a genealogical site… the Internet Archive. Curt outlines its beginnings, what's in it and where it's headed. He also talks about the famed Allen County Public Library, its online assets, and the gem of a research place it is, especially for those in the Midwest. You'll be as enthused as Curt when you hear him talk about it! Then, Tom Perry returns to talk preservation for the holiday run up. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

The settling of the west wasn't much unlike the settling of colonial America a century or two earlier. And as people came, more and more lines were drawn. Fisher shares just a few so you know what to look for as you consider your research strategy.

War, population growth and shifting can all contribute to boundary changes. And boundary changes mean that, even if your ancestors stayed in the same place, their records could be hiding in many places.

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 talk of the recent passing of former President George H. W. Bush, and the math that suggests he was related to a large part of the American population. Next, David talks about two half sisters who discovered each other in their 50s… and without DNA! Speaking of which, when it comes to identifying you, the day may soon come by which you can be identified even if you have not taken a DNA test! The guys will explain. David then talks about the recent ceremony recognizing the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. This year's event marked a sad first. David maps it out. David's Blogger Spotlight this week shines on Elizabeth Handler, who is blogging on Hanukkah. Her site is jewishgenealogyjourney.blogspot.com. Next Fisher visits with Ali Stocker, a passionate geni who led a remarkable effort that has changed the last 300 years of the recorded history of the Sanderson family of Massachusetts. (And some descendants are not happy about it!) Hear the story of the family, what she learned, and how she did it. Then, Legacy Tree Genealogist's Jamie Kay shares some thoughts on how to best deal with aliases and name changes in your research. It's a tough nut to crack, but in some cases it can be done. Jamie shares some great examples. Tom Perry then talks about screen capture software. If you're looking to interview far away relatives over the holidays, or anytime, this could be a great solution to capturing and preserving your peoples' stories. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Fisher had given up on finding the parents of an elusive ancestor when he took one last step before closing the book on the case. And it made all the difference in the world!

Females ancestors are sometimes difficult to find. Fisher shares a few thoughts on other ways to look for them.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David begins the segment talking about how you can preserve the history of your Christmas ornaments. David recently observed that he still has ornaments from his mother's childhood in the 1930s, and several from his own youth, and notes, what happens when they are lost or broken? The guys then kick off Family Histoire News talking about a recent story where an African-American woman was shocked to receive DNA results indicating she was not African-American. Then, facial recognition technology is being used to help identify unidentified Civil War photos. The guys explain how the tech may help you in other areas in the future. Who would have ever thought a toy monkey could reunite a family separated by the Holocaust? It has happened! Hear the details. David's Blogger Spotlight this week shines on Claire Santry of Irishgenealogynews.com. Claire is constantly keeping Irish researchers up to speed on Ireland's ongoing efforts to share records for free on line. Next, Fisher visits with renowned DNA specialist Blaine Bettinger. Blaine is excited about new DNA technology that may be able to reveal to you the full profile of your long deceased ancestors through the analysis of old, licked envelopes. Hear what Blaine has to say about the benefits to your research and the potential costs. In a second segment, Fisher and Blaine talk about the ethics issues involved in the use of DNA on GEDMatch for solving horrific cold cases. Tom Perry comes on next to talk preservation. Fisher has discovered some ancient equipment in his home… an old reel-to-reel tape recorder and a movie projector and screen. Hear what Tom says Fisher should do with these items and similar old equipment. Tom then talks about proper storage for the materials you're still waiting to have transferred. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Struggling to figure out where your ancestor's Social Security records went? They might not have been there at all because things were different before 1951!

Ever notice familiar repeating family names in a single family group? It could be the parents were following a classic pattern. And that pattern can tell you some very important truths about the previous generation.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society & AmericanAncestors.org. The guys begin with the story of a Massachusetts couple that have been married to each other twice. In the same year. Wait til you hear why! Then, it was an American that saved the theft of a copy of the Magna Carta in the UK. David explains. David then talks about how the US government is refusing DNA tests on found remains of Civil War soldiers. If you ever wondered what buildings your ancestors lived in in New York City, you may be in luck! In 1940, photos of every building were taking as part of the tax assessment process. Over 700,000 of these images are now on line. Find out where you can browse them. And finally, tombstones that have not seen the light of day for decades have been found in a shed. Might your ancestors' be among them? David will tell you all about them. David then shines his spotlight on ConferenceKeeper.org. It's a great site for tracking genealogy conferences big and small wherever they may be. Next, Fisher visits with genealogist Janet Hovorka of FamilyChartMasters.com who shares some of her secrets for integrating family history into your holiday experience. She talks about everything from gifts and recipes to "tales from long, long ago!" Then, Fisher has scored an exclusive interview with the winners of BYUtv's "Relative Race." Team Red, consisting of father/daughter team Michael Brown and Austen Williams, shares their experiences in getting answers to questions they never thought could be answered, as well as what it took to score the $50,000 grand prize! Then, of course, it's Tom Perry with more important things you need to know about preservation of your records, photos, videos, and home movie films by refreshing the disks you may already have them on. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Back in 1752, England enacted a law that changed our calendars forever. But did that law ever make a genealogist's life complicated!

Ancestors love to play tricks on us as we trace them down… sometimes by disappearing from where we think they should be. Fisher explains where you might want to look next.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys kick it off with word about some new World War I souvenirs David was recently gifted. Then, they open Family Histoire News with the story of an article in which English family members write about loved ones who were killed in World War I. Then, it's another cold case solved by genetic genealogy. Hear the details on this most recent case. Speaking of DNA, how much does heredity have to do with longevity? A new study reveals the reality. David explains. Then, some 73 years after the end of World War II, a pair of Russian sisters, one in the US and the other in Finland have finally found each other. Their story is fit for a movie! David's Blogger Spotlight shines this week on John Grenham of Ireland. John's blog, johngrenham.com/blog covers all things Irish. If you have Irish ancestors, he'd be a great one to follow. Then, Fisher visits with genealogist Jim Beidler of Legacy Tree Genealogists. Jim recently blogged about the challenges of having ancestors with common names, or an ancestor who shares the same name with someone else in the same area. Jim talks about how you can be sure that you're looking at the records of the right person. Next, it's another "ordinary person with an extraordinary find." It's Kathy Hudson of Salt Lake City, Utah, who uncovered the fact that her ancestor was New York State's first hired killer! Kathy explains the man's story, how she found it, and her family's reaction. Tom Perry, the Preservation Authority, returns this week talking about the importance of password protection even on photo preservation sites. In his second segment, Tom shares some thoughts on storage as your databases grow. That's all this week on ExtremeGenes.com, America's Family History Show!

Fisher worked to break open one ancestral line for fifteen years. It wasn't until he was closing the book on the case by creating a timeline that he saw the answer!

Just the way not every record is digitized, many records are digitized but not indexed! Can't find what you're looking for? It's time to check those massive unindexed records!

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.com. The guys start by talking about the strange way in which David received his names. Then, the guys talk about the controversy of using DNA to help solve cold cases, and a great article on genetic genealogy from Bloomberg. How many different types of discoveries have been made from DNA? David maps out a diverse hodgepodge of discoveries. DNA testing is now moving on to animals and plants. David has the details. David then shares great news for Irish researchers. David's Blogger Spotlight shines on the UK's Caryn Cummings at ProfessionalFamilyHistory.co.uk/blog. Karen blogs about "demystifying DNA." Next, Fisher catches up with Kenyatta Berry, well known for her time on "Genealogy Roadshow" on PBS. Kenyatta is one of America's foremost experts on African-American and slave research. She has just come out with a new book, though, for everyone. It's called "The FamilyTree Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide To Uncovering Your Ancestry And Researching Genealogy." Kenyatta shares her genealogical journey and explains some of the concepts you'll find in her book that you won't find anywhere else. Then, the director of the Family History Center in Phoenix, Arizona, visits with Fisher about a certain suitcase that made itself known to the staff at the Center. And what was in that suitcase led them on quite a genealogical adventure. Tom Perry takes the week off this week as we talk preservation. Filling in is Randy Fredlund from Vivid-Pix. Randy is a long standing photo expert and former employee of Kodak. He explains some of the reasons your photos change colors, fade, or lose contrast. And some of those things you can actually do something about. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Immigration records really can be tricky, especially when you're looking for someone with a common name, or just trying to learn where they came from. Fisher has a simple technique that could really help you out!

Fisher's long been an advocate of creating ancestral timelines. But if you really want to know more about your people you need to make more than one timeline.

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 begin talking about those men who, through DNA, learn their child is not their child, and the support that is available to them. Then, it's a fascinating story about loved ones' ashes and how many, as the urban legend says, actually do end up all over the place… at Disney resorts! Hear how the Disney folks deal with the problem, and where more remains end up at the parks than any other attraction. Next, David reveals the story of a truly ancient shipwreck that has been found at the bottom of the Black Sea. It's fully intact, and you won't believe how old it is! Speaking of old, a weapons cache has been found in Texas. And it predates the shipwreck by a long, long way! David has the details. David's Blogger Spotlight, this week, shines on ifamilyhistory.blogspot.com. David says this mystery blogger shares some great insight on, well, blogging! Next, Fisher visits with Bobbi Briggs, 95, a World War II era Marine! Bobbi describes how she wound up in the Corps and what her duties were at the time. She also shares her father's reaction to the news of her enlistment. Then, Fisher visits with Zoe Krainik, a passionate genie, who finds time for her pursuit after dealing with her young children. Recently, she went "cousin fishing" and brought in a big one… from Italy! Hear about her great connection and how she made it. Then, Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com, our Preservation Authority, talks about old audio recordings, including wire recordings, and how you can digitize them. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Genealogical "brick walls" can last a short time or a lifetime. But have you ever thought of exchanging a brick wall with a research friend? There could be benefits in it for both of you!

As if genealogy isn't complicated enough, imagine what it's like when you find ancestors with more than one surname? It happens more than you think, especially with French Canadian ancestors.

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 talking first about genetic genealogist CeCe Moore's recent appearance on 60 Minutes. Then, speaking of DNA, the guys chat about a woman who recently learned that it wasn't her father who abandoned her as a child, it was her kidnapper! Then, a Revolutionary War diary, which gives a firsthand account of an important battle, has been found. Hear about the significance of this record. Next, Reclaim the Records is stirring things up again. This non-profit, that often sues record agencies to get copies of public records in order to digitize them and make them available free to the public, is going after another organization. Hear who is in their sites this time and why. David then shines his Blogger Spotlight on Jamie Gates. Her site is applegategenealogy.wordpress.com. Jamie talks about getting your family stories out there in the hopes of finding new cousins. Then, Fisher spends two segments with Kim Weitkamp. (Go to KimIsFunny.com.) Kim is a nationally renowned storyteller who is a leading player in the national storytelling festival circuit. Fisher was astounded at her "telling" skills while watching her recount how she found her birth family. Kim talks about how she puts her stories together and some techniques for becoming a better storyteller. Then, speaking of stories, Tom Perry, our Preservation Authority, shares some of his "Stories from the Store." From behind the counter of his digitization firm, Tom has truly watched some miracles happen. Hear about what he has seen through the decades. That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!

Recently, Fisher discovered something he hadn't come upon before… a marriage bond for his name line immigrant ancestors in London. What can marriage bonds tell you? Here's where to find out!

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. The guys start off with a great find for the family of Muhammad Ali. Through DNA, a third cousin learned that "The Champ" was a 3rd great grandson of a freed slave whose likeness was used for a very special statue. Find out what it is. Then, a different kind of DNA story. This is the kind where a woman learns she has a half-sister… and that they were born five months apart! Catch some more of the details. Then, is it really true? Archaeologists have discovered what is believed to be a 3,500 year old prosthesis! Who was using it and why? David has some insight. Another early find goes back 1,500 years where a child was apparently buried in a vampire ritual to prevent him from coming back to life. There's lots to catch in Family Histoire News this week. David's Blogger Spotlight shines on a woman named Marlee who hosts Loganalogy.com. In a recent post, Marlee shares her insight on using Facebook to grow your family history. Next, well known genealogist, Amy Johnson Crow, visits with Fisher. Recognizing that many beginning genealogists focus mainly on their direct ancestors, she recommends "getting sideways" with your family. Hear what she means by that and why it's so important. David Allen Lambert then returns to talk about collecting stories of your ancestors' ocean crossings. From the Mayflower to Ellis Island, there are ways to find out what happened as your people came to "the Promised Land." Then, it's Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com, the Preservation Authority. Tom notes that many people are starting to get back to the idea of "physical" or "analogue" gifts. Those can include physical calendars with family images and QR codes linked to special sites. And think of what you could do with recipe books?! Tom shares his ideas. 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!