Best Genealogy Podcasts (2025)

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AF-1129: Prohibition, Moonshine, and the Law: Tracing Bootleggers in the Family Tree 8:51

2d ago8:51

8:51

During the 1920s and early 1930s, a jug of illegal whiskey could change a family’s fortune—or tear it apart. Whether your ancestors ran stills deep in the woods or simply served homemade brew at a quiet kitchen table, Prohibition touched nearly every community in America. The records left behind by this period—if you know where to look—reveal a tim…

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The Genealogy Guys Podcast #435 52:03

3d ago52:03

52:03

The Guys are back after an extended health crisis. News You Can Use and Share! MyHeritage added 540 million historical records in May and 1.25 billion records in June! Among these are 731 million records from French newspapers, part of a push to expand its vast collections of new records from non-English language resources. Vivid-Pix has partnered …

1
AF-1128: Courthouse Clues: Civil Cases That Tell Family Stories | Ancestral Findings Podcast 9:21

4d ago9:21

9:21

When most people think about court records in genealogy, they imagine criminal charges, jail time, or dramatic trials. But there’s a quieter, more common type of legal record that can be just as revealing: civil cases. These aren’t about crimes—they’re about everyday disputes, debts, business problems, and personal grievances. And they can open a w…

1
AF-1127: The Family Felon: Finding Criminal Records in Your Tree | Ancestral Findings Podcast 8:47

7d ago8:47

8:47

Not every ancestor was a pillar of virtue. Some were drunks, swindlers, thieves—or worse. You may have been told stories about them, or maybe you found hints in old letters or whispered rumors passed down through generations. But whether the stories were hushed or never told at all, the paper trail doesn’t lie. Court records, prison files, and arre…

1
AF-1126: Snow White’s Dance with the Dwarfs | Postcards from the Past 6:35

8d ago6:35

6:35

I remember watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on VHS with my parents when I was very young. That memory is still fresh. The soft hum of the tape rewinding, the old Disney clamshell case with the artwork, and the joy of seeing the dwarfs move across the screen—it all left a mark. This postcard brings that moment rushing back, showing one of th…

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AF-1125: Thomas A. Hendricks: The Vice President Who Died Before He Could Lead 12:15

10d ago12:15

12:15

As we continue The Forgotten Seconds series — exploring the lives of U.S. vice presidents who never became president — we arrive at a man whose political career spanned decades and whose life ended just as he reached one of the highest peaks of national office. Thomas Andrews Hendricks, vice president under Grover Cleveland, served only a few short…

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AF-1124: William A. Wheeler: The Honest Man in a Compromised Age 9:11

12d ago9:11

9:11

As we continue our "The Forgotten Seconds" series, tracing the lives of vice presidents who never became president, few offer a more profound story of transformation than Henry Wilson. Born into poverty under a different name, Wilson rose from a boy bound out to farm labor to a man who held one of the highest offices in the land. Along the way, he …

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AF-1123: Henry Wilson: The Shoemaker Who Rose to the Vice Presidency 11:34

14d ago11:34

11:34

As we continue our "The Forgotten Seconds" series, tracing the lives of vice presidents who never became president, few offer a more profound story of transformation than Henry Wilson. Born into poverty under a different name, Wilson rose from a boy bound out to farm labor to a man who held one of the highest offices in the land. Along the way, he …

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AF-1122: A Night at Churchill’s, Broadway and Forty-Ninth Street, New York | Postcards from the Past 5:30

16d ago5:30

5:30

This postcard captures more than just a location. It holds a slice of New York City’s vibrant nightlife in the early 1900s, frozen in time. Dozens of sharply dressed men and women fill every inch of the dining hall at Churchill’s, a legendary supper club at the corner of Broadway and 49th Street. Their expressions vary—some smiling, some thoughtful…

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Episode 111 - Family Reunions Done Right: How to Prep, Pack, and Participate Like a Pro 28:18

20d ago28:18

28:18

Discussion about preparing for and performing genealogical research at a family reunion.By The Two Blondes

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AF-1121: The Gravedigger’s Path | Ancestral Findings Podcast 8:24

24d ago8:24

8:24

Of all the jobs people avoided, feared, or whispered about, the gravedigger stood near the top of the list. Working in quiet corners of churchyards, behind iron fences, or in the shadows of city cemeteries, the gravedigger did work no one else wanted—making room for the dead and handling what came after. But for centuries, this job was a critical p…

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AF-1120: Ashes, Bones, and Grease: The Rag-and-Bone Collector | Ancestral Findings Podcast 6:31

26d ago6:31

6:31

Long before cities had garbage trucks and recycling centers, there were the rag-and-bone collectors—wandering figures with pushcarts, sacks, and sharp eyes trained on the gutters and alleys of the industrial world. These scavengers were among the earliest forms of organized waste management, turning trash into treasure in a time when nearly everyth…

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AF-1119: The Tanner’s Trade: Skin, Stink, and Skill | Ancestral FIndings Podcast 7:59

28d ago7:59

7:59

Of all the historical occupations that could be found in a family tree, few were more pungent, more physically difficult, or more socially isolating than tanning. While farmers, blacksmiths, and even coal miners occupied central places in their communities, the tanner often worked on the outskirts—literally and figuratively. Tanning was essential t…

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AF-1118: The Founders Still Speak: Lessons in Liberty, Courage, and Conscience 6:12

1M ago6:12

6:12

As the United States marks its 249th year of independence, it’s a fitting time to pause and reflect—not just on fireworks and parades, but on the remarkable clarity of vision held by those who signed their names to the cause of liberty. These were men who risked everything—their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor—not for gain, but for the enduring h…

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AF-1117: Coal Dust and Danger: Life as a Miner in the Family Tree | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:48

1M ago7:48

7:48

Coal built the modern world. It powered trains, lit homes, fueled factories, and kept furnaces burning during the coldest winters. But that power came at a steep cost. For every train that ran and every hearth that glowed, miners were working deep underground, chipping away at rock, swallowing dust, and risking their lives with every shift. Mining …

1
AF-1116: The Night Soil Man: Digging into the World of Human Waste 5:40

1M ago5:40

5:40

Before the comforts of indoor plumbing and municipal sewage systems, someone had to do the dirty work. And by dirty, we mean truly revolting. The Night Soil Man was the one tasked with removing human waste from privy pits, outhouses, and cesspools—usually under cover of darkness when the smell might be slightly less offensive and when the public ey…

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AF-1115: Schuyler Colfax: Speaker, Scandal, and the Shadow of What Might Have Been 6:52

1M ago6:52

6:52

As we continue our journey through The Forgotten Seconds, we pause to examine the life of Schuyler Colfax—a name once associated with optimism, eloquence, and the future of the Republican Party. He was Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant, a former Speaker of the House, and one of the most prominent political figures of his time. But Colfax’s care…

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AF-1114: Hannibal Hamlin: Lincoln’s Overlooked Right Hand | Ancestral Findings Podcast 9:08

1M ago9:08

9:08

As we continue our series, The Forgotten Seconds, we take a closer look at those vice presidents who, despite standing one heartbeat away from the highest office, never became president themselves. Today’s spotlight is on Hannibal Hamlin, Abraham Lincoln’s first vice president—a name that once carried national significance but has since faded from …

1
AF-1113: The Pirate’s Den | Greenwich Village, New York City | Postcards from the Past 5:06

1M ago5:06

5:06

I found this old postcard the other day, and something about it pulled me right in. It shows a dimly lit room, heavy with shadow and curiosity. There’s a man standing with a bird—maybe a parrot—perched on his arm. A woman leans against the back bar. You can just make out a bartender. There’s a large wooden chest in the corner, chains hanging from t…

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AF-1112: Showgirls and Spotlight: The Hollywood Cabaret on Broadway | Postcards from the Past 5:29

1M ago5:29

5:29

This one caught my eye for a completely different reason than most of the postcards I’ve written about. It’s not a quiet street scene or a charming old building—it’s people. A whole lineup of them. Dancers, performers, maybe a few singers too, all standing in formation in front of a dramatic backdrop. They’re dressed in full costume—fringe, sequins…

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AF-1111: The Little Church Around the Corner, New York City | Postcards from the Past 5:24

1M ago5:24

5:24

Some postcards you flip past quickly. Others make you stop. This one made me stop. It’s not flashy—there’s no massive landmark or postcard-perfect sunset. Just a simple church nestled among a few trees, with a neat little gatehouse and a quiet street. What caught my eye was the caption: The Little Church Around the Corner. That name alone makes you…

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Episode 110 - Heirloom Histories 18:26

2M ago18:26

18:26

Discussion of archiving heirloom objects and using heirloom objects with genealogy research.By The Two Blondes

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AF-1110: The Real History of Father’s Day: From 1910 to Today | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:47

2M ago7:47

7:47

Every June, many of us pause to honor the fathers in our lives—the ones who taught us how to change a tire, tied our fishing lines, and maybe even showed us how to be brave in the quietest of ways. But for all the neckties and backyard barbecues, few people know the full story of how Father’s Day came to be. The holiday didn’t spring up as easily a…

1
AF-1109: 1925 New York State Census: A Final Glimpse Between the Federal Counts 7:38

2M ago7:38

7:38

The 1925 New York State census holds a prominent place in the lineup of state enumerations. This is not only because it was the last one conducted by the state but also because of the historical moment it captured. Taken just five years before the 1930 federal census, the 1925 enumeration offers researchers a final glimpse of New York families as t…

1
AF-1108: 1915 New York State Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 6:53

2M ago6:53

6:53

By the time New York took its 1915 state census, the state was in the midst of dramatic social, political, and demographic shifts. The five years since the 1910 federal census had brought even more industrial growth, continued waves of immigration, and the rise of new housing, labor, and reform movements. Capturing all of this change in the middle …

1
AF-1107: Exploring the 1905 New York State Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 8:03

2M ago8:03

8:03

The 1905 New York State census is a cornerstone resource for anyone researching individuals or families who lived in New York at the beginning of the 20th century. Coming just five years after the 1900 federal census and five years before the 1910 federal count, this state census captures a critical snapshot of life during a dynamic and rapidly cha…

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AF-1106: 1892 New York Census Records: Filling the Gap Left by 1890 7:01

2M ago7:01

7:01

The 1892 New York census is an essential source for family history researchers working in the late 19th century. With the destruction of the 1890 U.S. federal census, the 1892 state count offers one of the only large-scale snapshots of life during that decade. For anyone tracing New York families through immigration, urbanization, or internal migra…

1
AF-1105: Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle and the Lost Point Bridge | Postcards from the Past 5:24

2M ago5:24

5:24

This postcard brought it all back. The steel-gray tones, the Point Bridge stretching across the Monongahela, and Pittsburgh’s unmistakable skyline—narrow, bold, and rising up from the meeting of three rivers. I remember the first time I ever drove through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. You’re surrounded by mountain, nothing but concrete—then suddenly, you b…

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AF-1104: Iowa’s 1925 State Census: A Genealogist’s Goldmine | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:32

2M ago7:32

7:32

Among the many state censuses conducted across the United States, Iowa’s 1925 enumeration stands apart. Genealogists frequently cite it as one of the most detailed and valuable non-federal census records available. What sets it apart is not just the volume of information collected but the nature of that information—specifically, its emphasis on lin…

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AF-1103: The Value of New York State Census Records for Genealogy 8:26

2M ago8:26

8:26

While most genealogists rely on the federal census as a foundational tool, those researching ancestors in New York State have a distinct advantage. In addition to appearing in the federal census every ten years, New Yorkers were also counted in a robust series of state censuses. These records, taken at regular intervals between federal censuses, of…

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AF-1102: Lost in Between: The Missing Pieces of the Census Puzzle | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:13

2M ago7:13

7:13

If you’ve spent any time researching your family history, you’ve probably developed a familiar rhythm. You track your ancestors through the federal censuses, taken every ten years like clockwork. It’s a comforting structure: 1850, 1860, 1870… they show up like old friends, giving you names, ages, occupations, and places of birth. For many researche…

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AF-1101: 10 "Must-Do" Genealogy Projects for June 2025 | Ancestral Findings Podcast 6:33

2M ago6:33

6:33

In this episode, we’re talking about ten meaningful genealogy projects you can take on during June. This time of year brings a lot of opportunities—warmer weather, Father’s Day, family gatherings—and all of it pairs perfectly with digging deeper into your family history. Whether it’s researching summer traditions, hosting a vintage-style picnic, or…

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AF-1100: The Dueling Oaks of New Orleans | Postcards from the Past 3:41

2M ago3:41

3:41

I pulled this one from the stack and couldn’t look away. Moss hangs low in the scene, soft and heavy like it’s weighed down by memory. A quiet glade in City Park, dappled in sunlight—until you notice the duel. Two men, swords drawn, captured mid-motion. The postcard tells us it’s the De Lissau–Le Bouisque duel of 1841. But that’s only the beginning…

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AF-1099: William Rufus DeVane King: The Shortest Tenure, the Deepest Roots 7:37

2M ago7:37

7:37

William Rufus DeVane King was born on April 7, 1786, in Sampson County, North Carolina. His ancestry reached back to some of the earliest European settlers in the Southern colonies. His father, William King, was of Irish descent, with ancestors believed to have emigrated from Ulster to the American colonies in the early 1700s. The King family settl…

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AF-1098: George Mifflin Dallas: The Unheralded Statesman from Philadelphia 7:24

2M ago7:24

7:24

George Mifflin Dallas, who served as the 11th Vice President of the United States from 1845 to 1849 under President James K. Polk, is one of the quieter figures in American history. Though the city of Dallas, Texas, may or may not be named after him, his influence was far greater in his own time than the legacy we associate with his name today. He …

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AF-1097: Memorial Day Stories Behind the Sacrifice 8:47

2M ago8:47

8:47

This time of year always stirs up reflection, and not just because summer is starting to peek around the corner. Memorial Day is here—a day that means different things to different people. For some, it’s a long weekend. For others, it’s deeply personal. But beyond the cookouts and parades, there’s a story to tell. A history worth remembering. A rem…

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AF-1096: Early Whaling Days | Nantucket, Massachusetts | Postcards from the Past 4:38

2M ago4:38

4:38

I pulled this card from the stack and instantly felt the spray of seawater and the tension of a harpoon rope straining against the power of something far too large to control. This is no tourist snapshot. It’s a painting—an artist’s concept of a whaling scene, likely imagined from stories passed down, museum displays, or old journal entries. The me…

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AF-1095: Inside the 1960 U.S. Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 5:52

2M ago5:52

5:52

The 1960 U.S. Census sits just over the horizon, scheduled to be released to the public on April 1, 2032. It’s a highly anticipated snapshot of American life during a time of rapid change: the rise of suburbia, the baby boom cresting, the Cold War in full effect, and the Civil Rights Movement gaining national attention. For genealogists, it promise…

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AF-1094: Inside the 1950 U.S. Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 9:04

2M ago9:04

9:04

The 1950 U.S. Census is the most recent one released to the public, and it marks the end of an era and the beginning of another. Taken just five years after the end of World War II, it captures a nation in transition—from wartime sacrifice to peacetime prosperity. Suburbs were growing, baby carriages were rolling down sidewalks, and television sets…

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AF-1093: Inside the 1940 U.S. Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 6:46

2M ago6:46

6:46

The 1940 U.S. Census gives us a remarkably detailed portrait of America just before everything changed. In a few short years, the United States would enter World War II, and millions of lives would be transformed. But in 1940, Americans were still in recovery mode. The Great Depression had taken its toll, but new programs like the New Deal had star…

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AF-1092: A Day on the Sidewalks of Greenwich Village | Postcards from the Past 5:57

3M ago5:57

5:57

I pulled this one from the box the other day—a postcard that’s more than just a snapshot. It’s a whole afternoon, frozen in place. I’ve looked at it a dozen times now, and I keep finding new things. The light on the red brick, the ivy climbing the walls, the quiet blur of someone mid-stride. It’s not a staged photo. It feels lived in, like if I sto…

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AF-1091: Inside the 1930 U.S. Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:51

3M ago7:51

7:51

The 1930 U.S. Census captures America in an unsettled moment. The Roaring Twenties were winding down, but the Great Depression was just beginning to take hold. It’s a census taken in the calm before the storm fully broke. A generation that had just emerged from the trauma of World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic found itself navigating economic boo…

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AF-1090: Inside the 1920 U.S. Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:31

3M ago7:31

7:31

We’ve now arrived at the 1920 U.S. Census—the first one taken after the end of World War I. This moment in history holds a lot beneath the surface. If your ancestors were alive during this time, they had just come through a pandemic (the 1918 flu), experienced wartime hardship, and were witnessing a country beginning to shift from rural traditions …

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AF-1089: Inside the 1910 U.S. Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:24

3M ago7:24

7:24

We’ve made it to the 1910 census, and I have to say, this one feels like a bit of a turning point. If you’ve been following along through each census with me, you’ve probably noticed how much the country has been changing—and how those changes show up in the records. The 1900 census gave us a lot, but the 1910 one steps things up in a way that’s ea…

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Episode 109 - Tracking Your Family Through Ship Manifests 23:55

3M ago23:55

23:55

familyBy The Two Blondes

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AF-1088: Why I Went Back to Paper for Genealogy—and Why You Might Want to Do the Same 6:25

3M ago6:25

6:25

There’s a certain charm to scrolling through digital records at midnight, coffee in hand, uncovering new ancestors with the click of a button. But once you’ve collected a few dozen census pages, probate files, and handwritten family notes, you might start to feel a little… buried. Tabs multiply, download folders fill up, and suddenly, you’re not su…

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AF-1087: The Story Behind Mother’s Day: Where It Came From and What It Was Meant to Be 7:41

3M ago7:41

7:41

Mother’s Day. For most of us, it’s a Sunday in May marked by greeting cards, flowers, long-distance phone calls, and maybe a brunch reservation you made weeks ago to avoid the rush. It’s a sweet, sentimental holiday—a time to pause and show appreciation for the women who raised us, loved us, and often kept the whole family running quietly behind th…

1
AF-1086: Frozen in Time: Last Eskimo Girl | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:37

3M ago7:37

7:37

Few things capture the feeling of summer like a stop at Dairy Queen. Whether it’s a soft-serve cone after a ballgame or a burger on the way home from church, DQ has been stitched into the fabric of American family life for generations. But like so many beloved things from the mid-20th century, the Dairy Queen we grew up with has changed—and one of …

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AF-1085: The La Choza Huts | Postcards from the Past 6:37

3M ago6:37

6:37

I’m holding a postcard today that feels different from most of the others in my collection. It doesn’t show a grand hotel, a busy beach, or a flashy tourist attraction. No, this one shows something quieter—two hand-built huts sitting in the dirt beneath a wide Texas sky. They’re simple. The one on the left looks to be made of thick mud with a thick…

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AF-1084: Inside the 1900 U.S. Census | Ancestral Findings Podcast 7:16

3M ago7:16

7:16

The 1900 U.S. Census marks the beginning of a new era. It was the first census of the 20th century—and it knew it. By 1900, America had changed dramatically. Cities were growing faster than ever. Immigrants from Italy, Poland, Russia, and other parts of Eastern Europe were arriving in record numbers. The American frontier was nearly closed. Familie…

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