Stories in Our Roots

Exploring Hungarian Roots | Linda Broenniman

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 02:00:00 -0700

Linda Broenniman knew little about her Hungarian heritage until a surprising revelation at the age of 27 changed everything. Discovering her Jewish roots and the heroic actions of her family members during the holocaust became a turning point in her quest to delve deeper into her family's past.

With warmth and authenticity, Linda reflects on the personal transformations that occurred as she delved into her family history, emphasizing the power of understanding one's roots and the blessings that can be derived from preserving and celebrating ancestral legacies. She encourages listeners to ask questions and pursue their family heritage with tenacity, as it reveals not only the stories of the past but also valuable insights into oneself.

About Linda:
Linda Ambrus Broenniman grew up in Buffalo, New York. She is the middle child of seven born to Hungarian physicians who survived World War II and started their new life in the US in 1949. Linda graduated from Swarthmore College with a BA in psychology. Several years after getting her MBA from Carnegie Mellon, she left mainstream corporate America to follow her path as an entrepreneur, building companies in technology and biotech. She let her passion for uncovering hidden potential in unexpected places guide her. And she allowed this passion to fuel her search for her hidden family. Linda lives in Great Falls, Virginia with her husband of 28 years and their dog, Juno.

Connect with Linda:
Website: politzersaga.com
Facebook: Linda Broenniman

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Connecting to Jewish Identity By Exploring Her Family Tree | Fayge Horesh

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 02:00:00 -0700

As a public historian, Fayge had always been interested in history. It wasn't until she moved to West Philadelphia, close to where her ancestors lived, that she began her search in earnest. Her exploration was also intertwined with her reconnection to Judaism, prompting a deeper desire to understand her family's story.

Fayge shares how delving into her family's history has deepened her sense of belonging and connection to her Jewish identity and community. She also discusses the challenges and triumphs of piecing together her family's narrative, offering insights into the process of unraveling ancestral stories and the lasting impact it can have on personal identity.

About Fayge:
Fayge Horesh is a public historian, tour guide, and freelance writer. Since her days as a six-year-old eager to infodump Benjamin Franklin Facts on anyone who would stand still long enough to listen, she has wanted to share her passion for history with others.

The creator and host of the podcast “D Listers of History,” Fayge brings her research skills, curiosity, and irreverence to discuss important but mostly forgotten historical figures. She joins her audience in exploring what these often colorful people can tell us about ourselves and our society today.

Fayge also teaches private music lessons in the greater Philadelphia area and only sometimes sneaks history in between etudes.

In all the work Fayge does, her primary goal is to make both historical stories and the study of history accessible to everyone. History is crucial to understanding where we are now and how we can build a better world in the future.

Connect with Fayge:
Website: www.dlistersofhistory.com
Facebook: D Listers of History
Instagram: @dlistersofhistory

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Exploring Multiple Truths Through Family History and Curiosity | Julie Pham

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 02:00:00 -0700

Julie Pham, a Vietnamese boat person, shares her family's journey as refugees fleeing communism and establishing a new life in the United States. Through Julie's experiences and insights as a historian, listeners will explore the power of multiple truths, the push and pull factors of immigration, and the dynamics of being an insider and an outsider in different communities. We delve into the significance of understanding family history and its impact on shaping individual perspectives and resilience. Join us as we uncover the importance of curiosity in fostering human connection, empathy, and inner peace while embracing the diverse stories that make up our shared history.

About Julie:

Dr. Julie Pham is the founder and CEO of CuriosityBased, an organizational development firm based in Seattle. She is the author of the Amazon best-seller, 7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work and a TEDx speaker. Dr. Pham has applied her award-winning community building approach to building strong, collaborative, and curious teams. Dr. Pham earned her Ph.D. in history at Cambridge University as a Gates Cambridge Scholar and she graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley as a Haas Scholar. She earned her real life MBA by running her family’s Vietnamese language newspaper during the Great Recession. She has worked as a journalist, historian, university lecturer, marketer, nonprofit executive, and management consultant.

Connect with Julie:
Website: www.curiositybased.com
Facebook@curiositybased
Instagram@juliephamphd
LinkedIn Julie Pham
TEDxTalk on "curiosity as a practice"

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Unraveling Their Family's Departure During Iran's Golden Age | Danielle and Galeet Dardashti

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0700

Join Danielle and Galeet Dardashti as they share their journey of discovery to learn why their father's family left Iran during the Golden Age for Jews. With limited access to records to answer their questions, the sisters relied on interviewing over 85 individuals, including family members, scholars, and unexpected acquaintances. They have reconstructed an engaging story that transcends cultural boundaries and challenges preconceived notions. What they learned sheds light not only on their familial roots, but also on universal themes of identity, belonging, and the intricate connections that tie us all together.

About Danielle and Galeet:

Danielle Dardashti is an Emmy award-winning documentary writer/producer, a former on-air TV news reporter, an author, and a Moth storySLAM champion who leads corporate storytelling workshops all over the world.

Dr. Galeet Dardashti is a vocalist, composer, and anthropologist of Middle Eastern Jewish culture. In her new album, Monajat, she sings with samples of her grandfather who was called The Nightingale of Iran. She's currently a Fellow at University of Pennsylvania’s Katz Center.

Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn
Connect with Galeet on Instagram @galeet.dardashti or Facebook @galeet

Head to nightingaleofiran.com to listen to their story and join their list for bonus materials.

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The Power of Anthropology in Unearthing Family History and Culture | Elizabeth Keating

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0700

In retrospect, Elizabeth Keating wishes she would have used her skills as an anthropologist when she interviewed her mother about family history. To help others avoid her mistakes, Elizabeth shares how we can use interviews with living family members to uncover the everyday experiences and cultural nuances of previous generations. Elizabeth encourages listeners to embrace the value of family stories and their priceless insights to help us understand not only what happened to our ancestors, but to envision what life was like from their perspective and experience.

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth Keating is a professor of anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s just written a book "The Essential Questions: Interview Your Family to Uncover Stories and Bridge Generations" that helps people find out more about their own family’s history. Her specialty in anthropology is Linguistic Anthropology, the study of language and culture.

Connect with Elizabeth:

Website: elizabeth-keating.com
Instagram: @elizabethkeating44
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Keating

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Vivien Sieber - How War Changed the Trajectory of Her Grandmother's Life

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Our conversation delves into the remarkable life of Vivien Sieber's Czech-born grandmother, who faced adversity and triumphs during World War II. From owning a cinema in Vienna to finding refuge in England and caring for girls who fled their families as part of the Kinder Transport, Vivien uncovers the intricacies of her family's history and shares the lessons she learned along the way.

About Vivien:
Dr. Vivien Sieber worked in biosciences research, education development, learning technology and information literacy at a range of UK universities. She lives in Oxford with her husband and dogs. Since retiring she is learning to make pots and has written Kino and Kinder.

Connect with Vivien:
Facebook: Kino and Kinder
Instagram: siebervivien
LinkedIn: Vivien Sieber

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How to Face Your Ancestors' Choices Even When It's Hard

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0700

All of your ancestors were perfect, right? Unfortunately, everyone has ancestors who disappoint us with their choices.

In this episode, I talk about four ways we respond when we discover an ancestor made choices that hurt others.

As we learn to be more open to putting our ancestors' choices into the context of their lives we can see them as real people, living with the effects of their environment, the choices of their family members and others around them, as well as their own choices.

An added bonus is that as we learn the skill of being observant of our ancestors, we can also use that skill in our interactions here and now.

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Genetic Genealogy Leads to Discoveries and Connections | Stephanie Renée

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0700

In Stephanie Renée's story, there's an exploration of identity and belonging that resonates deeply. She began her journey seeking to fill in the gaps left by the early loss of her mother. Her path took an unexpected turn when she discovered her mother was adopted, leading her into the world of genetic genealogy. Despite the hurdles she faced, Stephanie was driven to understand her roots and expand her familial network, bringing her closer to understanding her lineage and establishing a sense of belonging.

Connect with Stephanie on Instagram @TheDNAJourney or check out her website StephanieRenee.com

Want to support her video series, The DNA Journey? You can do that here.

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Using Genealogy to Tell the Truth About the People Her Ancestors Enslaved | Annie Hartnett

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0700

Annie Hartnett recently started exploring her family's connections to slave ownership, which took her on a transformative path of discovery. By doing so, Annie gained a deeper understanding of her roots, and as a result, developed an increasingly authentic relationship with herself, her country, and those around her. Fascinated by the forgotten stories of those enslaved, she now dedicates her time to researching and writing about them and hopes to inspire others to do the same.

"I want to write about the stories of those people whose lives were stolen from them and whose stories have been buried and lost."

We talk about:

Developing skills for safeguarding historical knowledge and promoting awareness among others.
Confronting the legacy of slave ownership and its enduring consequences in today's world.
Revealing the previously untold lives of the enslaved and honoring their perseverance.
Adopting a mindset of transparency and understanding to progress beyond historical injustices.
Gaining insights on maintaining our shared history and educating future generations about the past.

Annie Harnett began researching her family’s involvement in chattel slavery in the U.S. in the spring of 2021. Until that time, she knew very little about American history and nothing about genealogy. In addition to the essays and interviews published on Medium, Annie has published essays and op-eds in Salon, the Austin American Statesman, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, among others. Annie has an MFA in Creative Writing from Texas State University and lives in Austin, Texas.

Connect with Annie:
Website: https://anniehnet.medium.com/
Twitter: @AnnieHHartnett1
Facebook: @annie.hartnett.5
Instagram: @relationskinsfolk

Ancestry.com
Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.

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Exploring Family Tragedies with Compassion and Understanding with Jacqueline Jannotta

Wed, 31 May 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Jacqueline Jannotta's genealogy research uncovers a family history of mob ties and tragedy, revealing the ripple effects of trauma and the importance of understanding our shared humanity.

Through her genealogical research, Jacqueline gained a greater understanding and compassion for her ancestors, particularly her tough, outspoken grandmother. The trauma experienced by her family shaped their personalities and relationships, and it made her realize the importance of understanding one's roots to better comprehend oneself and others. Jacqueline's belief that we are all interconnected through our stories encourages her to approach communities and cultures with empathy and curiosity. By exploring the complexities of her own lineage, Jacqueline encourages others to look beyond the surface of their family's history, in order to uncover hidden layers that may lead to greater self-awareness and connection with the world around them.

About Jacqueline:

Jacqueline Jannotta is the award-winning author of the book Let’s Leave the Country! A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad, inspired by her family’s extraordinary year in Genoa, Italy. She’s a graduate of Northwestern University who spent the early part of her career working in television and sitcoms, followed by producing Internet content. After leaving the entertainment business and starting a family, Jacqueline continued writing and also devised a year abroad for her family. Her book was born out of that adventure, and she continues her work as a writer, avid genealogist, and forever optimist who is dedicated to building a better vision for the future.

Website: becomingbetterpeople.us
Medium: @JacquelineJannotta
Facebook and Instagram: @becomingbetterpeople.us
Mastodon: @JacquelineJannotta

You can purchase her book, "Let's Leave the Country!: A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad" through Amazon (affiliate link)

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The Power of Sibling Influence: Extraordinary Acts of a Family Hero

Thu, 18 May 2023 08:00:00 -0700

Amidst the shocking history of his family's escape from Austria during the Nazi invasion, Christopher Bock discovers the remarkable life of his great-uncle Paul Patek, a metal worker and artist who played a key role in their survival, inspiring Bock to write a book about him and uncovering hidden talents in his own family lineage.

"[Researching] really did make me understand my family a lot more in a lot of ways."

Key Points:

Traverse Christopher Bock's lineage, as we uncover the intricate details of his ancestry.
Learn about the gripping escape from Nazi-occupied Austria and the challenges of starting anew.
Comprehend the value of investigating family histories and the talents concealed within.
Discover the profound influence of family tales in shaping our self-awareness and identity.

About Christopher:

Everything Christopher Bock does is with passion and thoroughness fueled by curiosity. The list is diverse—photography, collecting baseball cards, keeping bees, and his own hardwood flooring business, Geronimo Floors. But he never thought of writing a book until he was handed his grandfather’s autobiography. That same curiosity and passion led him to the extraordinary story of his grandfather’s escape from Austria in 1938—and the key role a mischievous uncle played in the family’s survival.

Christopher's book, "An Ordinary Man: from Vienna to Japan and Back During World War II" is available on Amazon. (affiliate link)

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Shannon Peel - Hero vs Victim Language in Storytelling

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0700

Shannon Peel is an expert at stories, and while her usual audience is made up of business owners looking to improve their marketing, her discussion of hero vs victim language in storytelling is so valuable to those learning about the stories in their family tree. We started off talking about her deep roots in western Canada, delved into the "why" questions around emigration, and then found ourselves looking at the way we talk about our ancestors, women in particular.

Shannon Peel is the creative force behind the MarketAPeel Brand. She works from her home office overlooking life in Downtown Vancouver, BC Canada. She is passionate about stories and how to they connect people and exploring why people make the choices they make. People describe her as intelligent, quick witted, and creative, all things she takes pride in as she values intelligent thought and solution based productivity. MarketAPeel reflects her values and vision.

https://www.marketapeel.agency/speaker
LinkedIn: Shannon Peel
Facebook: @marketapeel
Twitter: @shannonpeel1
Instagram: @market_apeel

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This podcast is supported by Heather Murphy's TraceLine Success. Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbook

Connect with Heather on Instagram or Facebook @msheathermurphy

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How a Disastrous Therapy Session Transformed My Use of Family History

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Heather shares how she took elements from therapy, even after having a very negative experience, and used them to transform the ways in which she approaches family history. She explains the connection between the 8 C's of Internal Family Systems and the framework she built to unlock the power of family history research.

Join us for a new 12- week group program, Rooted Success, to learn how to use psychology and family history to help you live your version of a successful life.

You can find the details at https://programs.heathercmurphy.com
(You can get it for 40% off if you sign up by November 30, 2022!)

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David Alston | Discovering Purpose Through Your Ancestors

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0700

Oftentimes when people research in their family history they're looking for inspiration. They're looking for ancestors who did hard things, who were successful, and who can inspire them in their own struggles and what they want to achieve in life. That is what David Alston found.

David was adopted as an infant, though the story is complicated, as you will hear in this episode. But as he learned about his birth family he discovered he was related to Harriet Tubman. Knowing how she lived her life, and that he had a blood connection to her, inspired David to what his purpose in life could be and how he could move forward in helping other people live their own.

About David Alston:

David Alston has over thirty-five years of experience as an educator, motivational speaker and public figure. David is the 3rd cousin of Harriet Tubman. He has dedicated his life to helping others to live a free and better life. David is the host of The Underground Subway, which is a podcast that focuses on discussing the issues and strategies that will lead to freedom and a better way of life. David is the author of "Blood, Sweat and Cheers... The roadmap to success" and "Son of Another Mother... The Struggle of Adoption." David has a strong passion for motivating others to survive and achieve their purpose.

Connect with him on Facebook @BishopDavidAlston

This podcast is supported by Heather Murphy's TraceLine Success. Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbook

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Heather Smith | Family Conversations Using AI Technology

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0700

What if your grandchildren could have a video chat with your grandmother, even if they didn't live at the same time?

That is the vision behind StoryFile, a way to preserve and share personal experiences and stories in an interactive platform.

Heather Smith, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of StoryFile, shares why it was important to her to create a new way to have conversations and make connections across generations and experiences and how you can, and should, make a StoryFile for yourself and other family members.

StoryFile is revolutionizing the way we connect with each other by introducing conversational video with Audio Visual technology at the forefront of this generation. Through the click of a button, StoryFile magically turns video into a conversation. This next generation of technology uses artificial intelligence to support video conversations on any device. StoryFile transforms traditional one-way video into a two-way conversation. This is the biggest audio-visual evolution since video was first created.

Go to StoryFile.com to create an account and use the code STORIESINOURROOTS for 20% off (valid through November 26, 2022).

You can also follow StoryFile at:
Instagram @storyfile
Facebook @StoryFileApp
Twitter @storyfile
LinkedIn StoryFile

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Dave Combs | Music in His Appalachian Roots

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 14:00:00 -0700

Dave Combs shares stories of music and perseverance that carry through his family tree.

About Dave:
Dave Combs is a songwriter, entrepreneur, successful business executive, and best-selling author. Over the 40+ years he has written over 120 songs and created fifteen albums of soothing, relaxing instrumental piano music, including the popular standard, Rachel’s Song. He is the author of the bestselling book, Touched by the Music.

Connect with Dave
Website: CombsMusic.com
Facebook: @TouchedByTheMusic
LinkedIn: Dave Combs
YouTube: combsmusic

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Lisann Valentin | Generations Living Vibrantly

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0700

Lisann Valentin began her family history journey by exploring why her Puerto Rican great-great-grandmother was called La Irlandésa, or “The Irish One.” Along the way she discovered the things her ancestors were known for “had nothing to do with their careers, it had everything to do with how they showed up vibrantly in their life.” She uses the inspiration of their lives to support her own dreams and how she shows up in the world.

About Lisann:

Lisann Valentin is a professional actor, a best-selling author & 5th generation shaman.

Through every career change, this multi-hyphenate has leaned on the legacy of belief her family inspired within her. From Wall Street to red-carpets, her lineage led her to intuitive coaching where she seamlessly helps empathic leaders within the corporate world and entertainment industry.

You can see this film and television actor recurring on the Netflix series Manifest, or you can learn more about her coaching practice at LisannValentin.com

Website: www.LisannValentin.com
Instagram: @LisannValentin

Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbook

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Renee Harris | Entrepreneurship Across Generations

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0700

Renee Harris is the founder of an online skin care business selling soap and lotion for dry skin. Ironically, it was "soap-selling" that her grandfather used as a cover to hide dozens of Jews throughout World War 2 in his home in Holland. Having this special connection made Renee dig in deeper to uncover the stories of courage and hope left by her grandparents.

Learn more about the experiences of Renee’s grandparents at https://hardlotion.com/soap-how-it-helped-my-grandparents-survive-during-ww2/

Website parenttheirpassion.com

Facebook @parenttheirpassion and @hardlotion

Instagram @parenttheirpassion and @hardlotion

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Ann Hince | Birth Family Commonalities

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0700

Ann Hince shares the stories of how she came to meet her birth mother, learned about her birth father, and made other family connections. We talk about the parts of herself she recognized as she learned about her birth family, that not everyone gets an adoption reunion story, and how her father’s writing helped her get a small feeling of what it means to live during war.

About Ann:

When Ann was 19, she woke one morning to find her mother dead in her bathroom.
Twenty years later the tears from that trauma were still just under the surface. Ann has found that seeking out our truth, what we truly feel, and accepting those feelings, is the key to inner peace. She has written a book, A Pathway to Insight, available on Amazon.com.

Website: annhince.com
Facebook: @annhincewisdom
LinkedIn: Ann Hince

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Anika Chabra | Embracing Heritage Through Conversations

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0700

Anika shares her experiences as a second-generation immigrant and how she realized she didn’t need to choose between the cultures that made her who she is. Through learning the stories of her parents’ and ancestors she gained a deeper understanding of herself and sees the opportunity we have to celebrate ancestral greatness built out of hard experiences. Anika also adds some great tips about having conversations to preserve your own family heritage.

About Anika:

Anika Chabra is co-founder of the platform Root & Seed which helps others claim, honour, document and celebrate their unique family stories, traditions and culture and includes a mobile based web app that help inspire conversations with our elders. She is also the host of a podcast of the same name, The Root & Seed podcast.

Website: rootandseed.com
Facebook: @rootandseedco
Instagram: @rootandseedco
Twitter: @rootandseedco
LinkedIn: @rootandseedco

Connect with Heather:
heathercmurphy.com or Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @msheathermurphy

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Andrea Petrut | Inherited Generational Effects of War and Famine

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0700

Two World Wars and famine affected Andrea’s ancestors in Romania, but Andrea herself also experienced the effects from those events. One of the most apparent effects came through beliefs about wealth. One family branch says buy land so you always have a way to provide for your family. Another branch says saving is pointless, enjoy your money while you have it. Andrea shares how awareness and curiosity helped her identify those beliefs and choose what beliefs she would make part of her future.

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Mitch Lomazov | Knowing Family Heritage Provides Clarity and Purpose

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0700

Mitch Lomazov is a first-generation American with Russian Jewish roots. He shares how hearing his family stories gave him a different understanding of history than textbooks and how things that seem ordinary in our families in truth make us unique. We also discussed how learning about his heritage helps him be more purposeful and grateful for his present and how he strives to consciously choose what he makes part of his, and his family's, future.

More about Mitch:

Mitch is the Executive Director of Finance at EXCELLence Performance, a world-class business coaching and leadership seminar company. He is certified through a two-year coaching program specializing in young adult coaching and a trained public speaker sought after for topics including communication, behavioral finance, and personal development. Mitch also provides Fractional CFO work where he excels in creating financial vision and develops strategies to make businesses more efficient and profitable factoring in people and behavior and not just the balance sheet.

You can connect with him through LinkedIn or his website, epcoaching.com.

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Jill Phillips | Life on Lamlash Street in 1960's Post-War London

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0700

Jill Phillips is a family storyteller with a passion to inspire families to connect through the telling of their past. She started life on Lamlash Street in London, emigrated to Canada, where she obtained her master’s degree, and spent 30 years working as an Occupational Therapist and Hospital Manager. Motivated by her family’s experiences in 1960’s London, Jill shares their stories to celebrate a time of close family connections in difficult life situations and a way of life which is fondly remembered.

Learn more at www.jmphillipsauthor.com.

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Gabrielle Robinson | Api's Berlin Diaries

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0700

Born in Berlin, Gabrielle grew up in Germany and Austria. After a PhD from the University of London, she taught Literature and Writing at US universities and abroad. She is the author of seven nonfiction books. Our discussion for this episode focuses on her most recent book, Api's Berlin Diaries: My Quest to Understand My Grandfather's Nazi Past.

Gabrielle loves to tell stories about people in their social and historical context and loves to help others tell their stories. She encourages you to reach out to her with any questions or comments you may have through her website, www.gabriellerobinson.com.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Tova Levi | Memorializing the Lives of Her Ancestors

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0700

In this episode Tova shares:

How a wedding seating chart helped uncover a family name change
Why she feels it is time for her generation to start talking about her family’s past
Why it is important to focus on the lives of ancestors instead of their deaths

About Tova:

Tova Levi is a family history researcher who specializes in Jewish genealogy. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is a member of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Her particular areas of interest are the former Austro-Hungarian Empire as well as German and Holocaust research. She is the owner of My Family Lines and creates customized family tree wall décor.

Contact Tova and My Family Lines through Instagram to get started with your family tree wall decor.

Instagram @myfamilylines
Twitter @myfamilylines

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

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Lucy Liu | Chinese Culture of Remembering Ancestors

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 02:00:00 -0700

In this episode Lucy shares:

What burning paper money on Chinese New Year has to do with honoring ancestors
Why she is grateful for her grandmother
The tradition of praying to, or for, ancestors

About Lucy:

Lucy Liu is a business and life coach helping women in life transitions unstuck, kiss overwhelm bye, cultivate rockstar confidence, see clarity, reach new goals, and live a joyful fulfilling life! She is an unshakable optimist, wife, mother, easy-going entrepreneur, women empowerment workshop facilitator, motivational speaker, author and inspires as the host of her weekly podcast The Lucy Liu Show, She has been featured in Medium, VoyageLA, Elephant Journal, ThriveGlobal, FOX, CBS, NBC and dozens of podcasts.

Website www.lucyliucoaching.com
Facebook @mslucyliu
Instagram @mslucyliu
Twitter @mslucyliu
LinkedIn @mslucyliu

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Andrea Watson | Three Generations Evolving with the Family Business

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#53. In this episode Andrea shares:

The challenge her grandfather faced within the first weeks, and years, of purchasing a home heating business
The moments the business almost didn’t stay in the family
How her son’s school project led her to ask deeper questions about the history of her family

About Andrea:

Andrea currently lives in Mercer Island, Washington—about a mile from the house she grew up in—with her husband, and youngest son (two older sons are in college out of state).
She is the author of Twentieth Century Boys: How One Family Business Survived and Thrived, which published on October 26, 2021. The book is a narrative non-fiction which covers over 100 years and spans four generations. It's about a family business and how it was passed down through the generations given the cultural and economic trends and hardships that required the company to change in order to survive.

Connect with Andrea:

Website andreawatson.net
Facebook @andreaclarkwatson
Instagram @nanwat93
LinkedIn Andrea Watson

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Victoria MacGregor | The Woman With the Cameo

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#52. In this episode Victoria shares:

How an inherited cameo piqued her interest in her great-grandmother
Why moving across the world connected her to the women in her family
How sharing pictures has drawn her extended family closer together

About Victoria:

From family research, to family tree presentation, to sharing with family, Victoria’s journey with ancestry has been a creative outlet for a frustrated detective/artist. She dabbled with the idea of getting into family tree research for over 30 years. In the late 1980s her mother gave her a copy of a detailed family tree recording her father’s side of the family. Victoria was struck by the fact that no one had followed the women. So that is what she decided to do... follow the women.

Connect with Victoria:

Website www.victoriaspress.com
Facebook @victoriaspress
Instagram @victoriaspress

Also mentioned in this episode: Ponga, Canva

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Gratitude For Our Ancestors

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0700

#51. Gratitude helps us acknowledge the good in our lives and often that good comes from sources outside of ourselves.

Looking for the good that has come from the lives of our ancestors helps us see the good things in our own lives and recognize hardships that were overcome, generosity that was given, and so much more.

In this episode you will hear:

How gratitude, optimism, and family are connected
Two simple ways to show gratitude to your ancestors
Why it is important to find the 1% positive that can be found in a situation that seems all negative

Get the free workbook, 30 Days of Gratitude for 30 Ancestors!

About Heather:

Heather Murphy is a mindset coach, genealogist, and host of the Stories in Our Roots podcast. With an academic background in family history and twenty years experience helping people discover the stories of their ancestors, Heather knows the clarity and strength that comes from spending time in the branches of your family tree.

Her mission is to help women become empowered to create more peace in their lives, because most are struggling with the weight of the past, the stress of the present, and the uncertainty of the future. So she helps them understand today’s circumstances and struggles by learning the stories of their ancestors, empowering them to create an incredible future filled with clarity, connection and perspective.

When Heather is not exploring family trees, she’s knitting lace shawls, taking care of her three Welch Harlequin ducks, or trying to understand her teenage son as he discusses quantum mechanics.

Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com
Facebook: @MsHeatherMurphy
Instagram: @msheathermurphy
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Rob Cook | Inheriting Grandpa's Money Mindset (and What to Do if You Want to Change It)

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 03:00:00 -0700

#50. The way we view money and finances is one of the big beliefs we can inherit from the generations before us. Rob Cook’s view of money and wealth came from his Grandpa Schmidt, through both observation and moments of purposeful teaching. Not everyone has had such a positive money script to follow and Rob gives listeners ideas of what they can do to gently change that mindset.

In this episode Rob shares:

How his grandfather shifted away from the scarcity mindset of his immigrant father
Why a financial legacy is about more than money
Two things you can do to move from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance

About Rob:

Rob Cook is a CPA and CFP whose mission in life is to help families build real, meaningful legacies. By day he serves his clients families as a wealth advisor helping his clients grow and protect their financial legacies. By night he is the host of the Contenders Wanted podcast. A show dedicated to showing the world that you can have meaningful success without sacrificing what is most important in life. Through Contenders Wanted Rob strives to help listeners go from Contender to Champion in their own lives, and, by doing so, begin creating their own meaningful legacies.

Rob is above all a husband and father. He loves to compete in obstacle course races, volunteer at his church, learn something new or interesting, and enjoy movie nights with his family.

Connect with Rob:

Website contenderswanted.com
Facebook @ContendersWanted
LinkedIn Rob Cook

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Lisa Zawrotny | Choosing Family and How to Respond When It Changes

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#49. In this episode Lisa shares:

Why family relationships are more than genetics
Her experience as an adult learning about her birth families
How she chose to respond to new information about her family which shifted her identity

About Lisa:

Lisa Zawrotny is the founder of Positively Productive Systems, host of the Positively Living Podcast, and a Productivity + Organizing Coach certified in time and stress management. She uses simplicity, self-awareness, and systems to help multi passionate creatives boost productivity, balance business and family, and avoid burnout. When she’s not sharing the wonders of decluttering and habits, she’s playing music, drinking iced coffee, and watching movies with her husband and kiddos, or reading while trapped under a cat.

Connect with Lisa:

Website positivelyproductive.com
Facebook @positivelyproductive
Instagram @positively_lisa
Twitter @positively_lisa
LinkedIn Lisa Zawrotny

Listen to Lisa’s Positively Productive podcast at positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Barbara Tien | The Stories Within Photographs

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0700

#48. In this episode Barbara shares:

Her experience growing up overseas and in Hawaii and how that influenced her identity as an American
How our perspective of events in our past and of the actions of others change as we get older
Why the photo site Ponga is more like your living room and less like the town square of social media

About Barbara:

Barbara is a startup founder, passionate about visual communications and family stories. She traveled extensively as a child but had few opportunities to connect with her own extended family or get to know her home country here in the US. She loves culture and languages, is an avid networker and public speaker. She pays it forward in any way she can, actively supporting other startups — taking special care to support other women founders.

Connect with Barbara:

Website ponga.com
Facebook @pongapictures
Instagram @pongapictures
Twitter @ponga
LinkedIn Barbara Tien

If you're already a Ponga member, guest of a member, or just Ponga-curious, we'd love to have you join us for our monthly Zoomin' sessions. For the next event, check out ponga.com/zoomin or explore our channel on Youtube at youtube.com/ponga.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Ron Seckinger | Putting Together the Stories of Poor Ancestors

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0700

# 47. In this episode Ron shares:

Why he decided to document the lives of his grandmother and her siblings
What sources were invaluable to his research
How his family research turned into a social history of the time and place in which they lived

About Ron:

Ron Seckinger is a native of Emanuel County, Georgia. After attending Duke University, he earned a doctorate in history from the University of Florida and a master's in public administration from Harvard University. After working as a university professor, a government analysis and senior executive, and a private-sector contractor, he retired in Arlington, Virginia, where he resides with his wife.

You can find his book, Emanuel’s Children: Stories of a Southern Family, for sale at Amazon.com

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Sheena Browning | Filling and Bridging Gaps in Her Family Tree

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#46. In this episode Sheena shares:

Why learning about her paternal ancestors is important to her even though she does not have a good relationship with her father
How her family discovered they had indigenous roots
How she honors the memory of her ancestors

About Sheena:

Sheena’s ancestry on both sides was a mystery until she became an adult. She always wondered where her ancestors came from and was frequently asked what nationality she was. As the journey to discover her ancestors’ stories has progressed, their fascinating stories have come to life. Those stories have also given her a sense of her place in the world and has helped her have the courage to create her own destiny, in honor of them.

Connect with Sheena:

Facebook Page @SacredLotusAwakening
Facebook Group Goddess Soul Awakening

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Dana Humphrey | Connecting with Community and Herself by Knowing Her Roots

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0700

#45. Dana Humphrey shares how knowing her ancestry, both through the research her aunt has done and through DNA testing, has influenced how she feels in her neighborhood, helps her see where her love of freedom may have come from, and inspires her to pursue aspects that make her unique.

In this episode Dana also shares:

Why her grandparents chose to move from Denmark to Canada after World War II
How testing her DNA with 23andMe changed her perspective
Ways she feels a connection with different female ancestors

About Dana:

Dana Humphrey is a Life Coach and Death Doula at www.danahumphrey.com. She is also an advisory beachhead for NZTE, owner of Whitegate PR, partner at the NYC Retails and Sales Pet Expo and she is "The Pet Lady." Humphrey is also a marketing course instructor for entrepreneurs and professor and enjoys life as a cat mama to Chance and Sassy and lives in Rockaway Park, on the beach in Queens, NY.

Connect with Dana:

Website www.danahumphrey.com
Facebook @danahumphreylifecoach
Instagram @danakhumphrey
Twitter @danakhumphrey
LinkedIn Dana Humphrey

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Cassandra Lane | The Story Behind "We Are Bridges: A Memoir"

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#44. Cassandra Lane began writing the story of Mary McGee and Burt Bridges as part of her Masters in Fine Arts degree, but as her life changed, so did the meaning of this project in her life. She found that “even within pain and tragedy, there are lessons.”

In this episode Cassandra shares:

Why she felt compelled to research her family history
Why you shouldn’t feel reluctant to imagine the lives of your ancestors
How this project helped her find her voice

About Cassandra:

Cassandra Lane is the winner of the Louise Meriwether First Book Prize, author of "We Are Bridges: A Memoir," and Editor-in-Chief of L.A. Parent Magazine. She previously worked as a newspaper staff reporter and received an MFA in creative writing from Antioch University LA.

Connect with Cassandra:

Website www.cassandralane.net
Facebook @CassandraLaneAuthor
Instagram @CassandraLane71
Twitter @casslanewrites
LinkedIn Cassandra Lane

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Amanda Arthur | Family is Family, No Matter the Distance

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#43. What started as a collection of stale facts turned into an exploration that connected Amanda Arthur to herself, cousins, and aspects of history that otherwise would seem cold and distant. In so many ways researching her family history has helped Amanda gain a deeper sense of her own identity and anchored her to the people and world around her.

In this episode Amanda shares:

How she went to hating family history research to loving it
How her ancestors gave her a sense of belonging when she moved from Michigan to Tennessee
The ancestors who inspire her to be inventive in ways to improve life for herself and future generations

About Amanda:

Amanda Arthur is the founder of The Cool Girl’s Guide to Genealogy, a blog about the “cooler” side of genealogy. After starting her genealogy journey in high school, Amanda realized that she was younger than many of her colleagues and wanted to show others that history and research is not as stuffy as some might think. By using baking, traveling, and other interactive ideas, Amanda wants to show that researching is not just something to be done in libraries. Family history is a living, breathing adventure that can show we are all not that different and have much more in common than we might think.

Connect with Amanda:

Website www.coolgirlgenealogy.com
Facebook @CoolGenealogy
Instagram @coolgirlgenealogy
Twitter @CoolGenealogy

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Peter Sewell | Gratitude For Knowing the Stories of Our Ancestors

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0700

# 42. Times of upheaval in our lives can create an opportunity to gain a better understand our identity and place in the world. Peter shares how family history helped during a time of transition in his life, helps him be more curious about the places he visits, and gives him reasons to be grateful.

In this episode Peter shares:

How seeking a new sense of identity led him to his family history

The difference it makes when you visit parts of the world where your ancestors lived

How gratitude and family history work together

About Peter:

Peter is a public speaker and life coach who has travelled to 53 countries, climbed Kilimanjaro and has a passion for photographing wildlife around the world. He is also the author of Hunting Susan, a fast paced thriller that's based on his travels. He has spent the last 6 years exploring his family tree, including meeting many relatives for the first time.

Connect with Peter:

Website www.petersewell.com and www.huntingsusan.com
Facebook @peter.sewell.author
Instagram @empower90_goals
LinkedIn Peter Sewell

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Kael Sharman | His Place in the Greater Historical Narrative

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#41. Researching and connecting with his ancestors affected Kael Sharman’s life in more ways than he expected. Knowing those stories helped him feel grounded and connected him to the greater historical narrative of Canada.

In this episode Kael shares:

How researching his ancestors grounded him in a time of change
The impact of colonialism on people who wanted a better life for their family
Why he thinks studying family history has the power to heal nations

About Kael:

After 20 years of teaching, more than a decade of historical research, and several years of genealogical research, Kael Sharman has a message that is timely in the current context of growing social and political divisions: Know your family stories. Understand who you are, where you came from, and how you got here. in his Podcast Maple Family Treehouse, Kael shares his family stories, which include infidelity, heartbreak, love, violence, ethnic cleansing, religious miracles, and just plain survival. The driving force behind sharing his stories has been to understand how his family stories have changed how he walks around North America as an aging, white, working-class trans man. Understanding where he came from has brought a new complexity to his understanding of who he is, and his own privilege. Kael has also found pride and validation for those aspects of himself that have been traditionally aligned with marginalization or oppression. Kael claims, that kind of shift can happen if you frame your family stories in the larger narratives of settlement and colonization.

Connect with Kael:

Website maplefamilytreehouse.squarespace.com
Facebook @maplefamilytreehouse
Instagram @maplefamilytreehouse
Twitter @KaelSharman

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Angie Follensbee-Hall | Understanding Her Place Through Ancestry Work

Tue, 25 May 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#40. Researching her ancestry has helped Angie to feel like there is a purpose and a place for her story. Through her research she has been reminded of her part in our global story that spans oceans and continents.

In this episode Angie shares:

How she reconciled her connection to land taken from indigenous people generations ago
Why she tries to keep her culture intact in spite of living in a “melting pot”
How she incorporates the role of women in her mixed media art

About Angie:

Angie Follensbee-Hall is an artist and a teacher. Angie was born in Sicily, Italy, and has immersed herself in the study of myth and her-story as she reclaims her identity to women’s wisdom traditions. She creates mixed media and handmade paper tapestries inspired by nature, stories, and the deep mystery of the world. Angie has taught classes, workshops, and teacher training in art, yoga, and mindfulness for over 20 years. She holds a BFA degree in studio arts, a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration on creative practice.

Connect with Angie:

Website angiefollensbeehall.com
Facebook @angiefollensbeehall
Instagram @angiefollhall
Twitter @AngieFollHall

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Annette Gendler | Connecting Parallel Stories in Family History

Tue, 18 May 2021 09:00:00 -0700

Having common life experiences with an ancestor can draw you into learning more about what you have in common. Annette Gendler shares some of the stories within her family history which she learned in her efforts to research one individual.

In this episode Annette shares:

How learning of an ancestor with a similar love story inspired her to research her family history
Unexpected discoveries that lent credibility of family stories
Why she feels it is important to leave our own stories by writing them down

About Annette:

Annette Gendler is the author of the guide How to Write Compelling Stories from Family History as well as the memoir Jumping Over Shadows, the true story of a German-Jewish love that overcame the legacy of the Holocaust. Her writing and photography have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Family Tree Magazine, Tablet Magazine, Kveller, and Bella Grace, among others. In 2014-15, she served as the writer-in-residence at the Hemingway Birthplace Home in Oak Park, Illinois. She has been teaching memoir writing at StoryStudio Chicago since 2006 and has led workshops around the world on writing stories from family history. Born in New Jersey and raised in Germany, she lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.

Annette’s story The Flying Dutchman is an excerpt from her memoir and is based on a letter her grandfather wrote about her grandparents' deportation from Czechoslovakia after WWII. Listeners can find it here.

Connect with Annette:
Website annettegendler.com
Facebook @AnnetteGendlerAuthor
Instagram @annette.gendler
Twitter @AnnetteGendler

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Laura Roselle | The Power in Storytelling

Tue, 11 May 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Family stories are not passive, they shape us into who we are. Laura Roselle is an expert in storytelling and the psychology behind the stories we share. We have the power to choose how we interpret the stories of our ancestors and what we choose to convey to others, and even ourselves, through the stories we tell and the way we choose to tell them.

In this episode Laura shares:

How we can change the way we tell the story to give it a different meaning
Looking for generosity within our family stories can help us be more generous
Every story told passes on a meaning from the teller to the listener

About Laura:

After more than 20 years as a university professor and scholar studying narratives, Laura Roselle, PhD co-founded the Family Narrative Project, LLC with 3 family members. The Family Narrative Project offers online courses, books, and workshops to help people save and save their stories. Laura is particularly interested in how family storytelling can strengthen families and individuals, and in how stories shape the way we see the world. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, and is a mom to two daughters and Nana to a year-old grandson.

Connect with Laura:

Website www.familynarrativeproject.com
Facebook @FamilyNarrativeProject
Instagram @FamilyNarrative
Twitter Dr. Laura Roselle
LinkedIn Laura Roselle

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

You Don't Need to Keep All the Beliefs You Inherited | Heather Murphy

Tue, 04 May 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Beliefs that limit what you achieve in life are created by your experiences or passed down to you through your parents and the generations before you. Learn how to identify those beliefs and give yourself permission to let go of the ones that do not make your life better. Many of your beliefs were established as a young child, as an adult it is time you understand the sources of those beliefs and choose for yourself what to carry with you into your future.

Download the free workbook, Release Limiting Beliefs, which follows the content of this episode. Start today to understand yourself better and gain power to live life the way you want.

About Heather:

Heather Murphy is a resilience coach, genealogist, and host of the Stories in Our Roots podcast. Heather teaches people how to strengthen their resilience as they research and connect with the stories of their ancestors. As a teenager one of Heather’s role models was a 3rd-great-grandmother who exemplified service and perseverance. Heather’s love of family and history led to a bachelor’s degree in Family History - Genealogy.

After twenty years teaching people how to research their family history or completing research on their behalf, Heather saw in the lives of her clients the strength and understanding that comes from researching their own family history, and the missed opportunities when they paid her to research instead. Her signature program, Resilience in Your Roots teaches people how to use the process of researching their family trees to strengthen their resilience and improve how they adapt to the big and small challenges of life.

Heather lives in Washington State (the dry side) with her husband, son, three ducks and a rabbit.

Connect with Heather:

Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com
Facebook: @MsHeatherMurphy
Instagram: @msheathermurphy
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Carly Morgan | Choosing to Fully Embrace Her Chinese Heritage

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Carly Morgan’s family has lived in the United States for generations, but the two sides of her family are not equally represented in the records. Despite the difficulty, Carly has dug into her Chinese roots and pulls her ancestors, and the traditions of their culture, to the present.

In this episode Carly shares:

What she did when she thought her inadequacies were the reason she couldn’t find records for her maternal ancestors
The story of a Chinese ancestor who was not Chinese biologically
Why she insists on claiming her Chinese heritage

About Carly:

Carly Morgan is the writer and designer behind Family Tree Notebooks, a genealogy worksheet system designed to help you organize your family history page by page. She became interested in genealogy at an early age but, as a bi-racial person, was surprised at how difficult it was to research one side of her family versus the other. As a result, she is passionate about encouraging people to find and own their family stories, even if the research journey is challenging.

Connect with Carly:

Website familytreenotebooks.com
Facebook @familytreenotebooks
Instagram @familytreenotebooks

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Jessica Loayza | Improving the Present by Understanding the Past in Bolivia

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 02:00:00 -0700

With a Bolivian husband and biracial children, Jessica envisioned a trip to Bolivia as the perfect opportunity to visit churches and cemeteries to research her family’s history. While there she had to redefine what success meant. Because of her curiosity and persistence, she came home with stories and photos that will be treasured for generations.

In this episode Jessica shares:

The contrast between her research expectations and what was actually possible
How visiting Bolivia allowed her to feel her family history rather than only know it
That traveling thousands of miles, getting sick, driving in harrowing conditions was all worth it because of the stories and experiences she gets to pass to future generations

About Jessica:

Living in the space between, Jessica divides her time and attention between the rigors of motherhood, finishing a PhD program in Political Science, running a small business that assists small businesses and non-profits, and pretending her world still has time for 1950s homesteading values.

Connect with Jessica:

Website www.townopinions.com
Instagram @thatswhatshedidblog
LinkedIn Jessica (Pilling) Loayza

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Randy Freese | Looking to His Past Helped Him See His Future

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Randy knew since childhood he was adopted and in his late teens his parents helped him start the journey of finding his birth family. On the cusp of the internet as we know it and well before DNA testing was popular, Randy found who he was looking for.

In this episode Randy shares:

The point in his life when his parents thought he needed to know his birth family
What it meant to him to connect with family and culture
How knowing his past gave him an anchor and sense of belonging that gave him a sense of direction

About Randy:

Randy was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and was raised in and around Toronto, Ontario. Adopted at a young age, Randy started trying to discover where he came from fairly young, not very successfully. It wasn't until after finishing high school things started coming together and in 2000 Randy found his birth mother and her family. Ever since then Randy has been discovering bits and pieces of the family tree, and most recently completing a DNA Ancestry kit.

Connect with Randy:

Website www.freezeflameinc.com
Facebook REDBROWN4ever
Instagram M.A.R.B.L.E_whitecap
Twitter FreezeFlameinc
LinkedIn Randy Freese

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

How to Be More Self-Aware Using Family History Research | Heather Murphy

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0700

What does it mean to be self-aware and how can being self-aware improve your life? Learn the answers to these questions and three ways you can use your family history research to increase your self-awareness. Better understand your thoughts and feelings and the reasons behind them, whether they began with you or have their roots in generations past. Use your family history research to get to know yourself better, empowering you to change how you react to what life throws at you.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

About Heather:

Heather Murphy is a resilience coach, genealogist and host of the Stories in Our Roots podcast. Heather teaches people how to strengthen their resilience as they research and connect with the stories of their ancestors. As a teenager one of Heather’s role models was a 3rd-great-grandmother who exemplified service and perseverance. Heather’s love of family and history led to a bachelor’s degree in Family History - Genealogy.

Heather lives in Washington State (the dry side) with her husband, son, three ducks and a rabbit.

Connect with Heather:

Website: heathercmurphy.com
Facebook: @MsHeatherMurphy
Instagram: @msheathermurphy
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Know Your Mental Health Family History with Christy Walton

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0700

What do you know about your family’s mental health history? Christy Walton and I discuss the importance of knowing about mental health conditions within our families to help us better understand ourselves and those we love.

In this episode we talk about:

Christy’s relative who disappeared from family memory

The way our ancestors faced their challenges could result in generations of effects

How we can use the knowledge of our ancestors to help us through our own challenges

About Christy:

Christy Walton is a genealogist of 20 years, a small business owner at The Modern Genealogist and a former High School World History Teacher. She has solved numerous cases of unknown parentage using the latest genetic genealogy. She also writes family history narratives, develops innovative family history print decor, creates family history story reveals, and manages social media for the Texas State Genealogical Society. She was born and raised in Southern California and now resides in Dallas, Texas.

Connect with Christy:

Website www.TheModernGenealogist.com
Instagram @TheModernGenealogist

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Christy Walton | Making History Personal and Family History Real

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Christy, a former secondary school history teacher, looked for ways to make history personal for her students so they could connect with events of the past. She knows family history can not only help us understand the past, but also help us with our identities.

In this episode Christy shares:

The experiences she’s had through connecting with DNA cousin matches
Why she thinks family stories are more inspirational than movies
How knowing her family contributes to her identity

About Christy:

Connect with Christy:

Website www.TheModernGenealogist.com
Instagram @TheModernGenealogist

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Rachel Décoste | Connecting With Place and Culture in Africa

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Born in Canada to parents from Haiti, all Rachel Décoste knew of her family history was the names of her grandparents. Thanks to the gift of time, Rachel had the opportunity to spend six months in Africa visiting countries listed in the ethnicity results of a DNA test.

In this episode Rachel shares:

The stories of strength she learned about her grandparents’ lives in Haiti
Little things in her life that, unknown to her, had their roots in Africa
Her experience walking in the steps of her ancestors

About Rachel:

Rachel Décoste is an educator and immigration policy expert. Ms. Décoste was a member of both presidential election campaign for Barack Obama. Upon graduating with a Masters from The George Washington University, Ms. Décoste was appointed National Director of the Congressional App Challenge, a tech education initiative created recently by the United States Congress. Ms. Décoste was named to the Top 100 Accomplished Black Canadian women in 2018.

In "Year of Return: a Black Woman’s African Homecoming”, Ms. Décoste shares her impromptu encounters, her sense of wonder and keen observations with the audience. She offers insights that go beyond the tired tropes of the animal safari to focus on Africa’s most valuable yet underappreciated asset: its people.

The trip to Africa was also an opportunity to exorcize the demons of the peculiar institution that was the transatlantic slave trade. She ultimately comes out from the somber subject matter with a keen sense of pride and purpose. This book is a journey worth taking!

Connect with Rachel:

Website www.yearofreturnbook.com
Facebook Rachel Décoste
Twitter RachelDecoste

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Jennifer Keniston | Threads That Connect Past, Present, Future

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0700

As Jennifer learned more about her family she recognized the threads in her life that connect her to her ancestors.

In this episode Jennifer shares:

What it was like to connect with her grandfather as she retraced some of his steps during WWII
What happened when she dropped by the home of extended family she didn’t know in Germany
How understanding her past helps her consider her influence on future generations

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Keniston's genealogy hobby turned serious in 2018 when she enrolled in the Genealogical Principles course offered through Boston University. She completed BU's Genealogical Research certificate in 2019 and started Origin Story Genealogy. She recently launched an Etsy shop by the same name that offers printable PDF research tools for genealogists and family historians. Prior to her dive into her family history, Jennifer studied fine art and photography in London, where many of her projects centered on identity and place. Jennifer believes that genealogy is not only an exploration into our past, it's an exploration into ourselves.

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: originstorygenealogy.home.blog
Instagram: @originstorygenealogy
Etsy: originstorygenealogy

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Stories in Our Roots is 6 Months Old!

Fill out this feedback survey and receive my gift, “27 Lessons Learned Through Stories in Our Roots,” a PDF highlighting the many ways my guests have been impacted by researching and learning about their ancestors.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Heather Murphy | The Most Important Reason for Family History is You

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0700

At its core family history is about better understanding who we are. We learn about the past to give clarity to the present which gives us hope for the future. In this episode Heather covers:

Why ethnicity results are problematic when it comes to identity
The #1 thing you should add to your research to better understand yourself
Why you should rethink your reasons for researching family history

Stories in Our Roots is 6 Months Old!

About Heather:

Heather lives in Washington State (the dry side) with her husband, son, three ducks and a rabbit.

Connect with Heather:

Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com
Facebook: @MsHeatherMurphy
Instagram: @msheathermurphy
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Shenley Puterbaugh | Humor, Assumptions, and Inspiring Children

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Shenley has gained strength and perspective by learning her family’s story and helps her children in the same way by passing on those stories.

In this episode Shenley shares:

The post-high school trip she took when her plans to travel Europe fell through
How she learned to handle hard things through a cake mishap and a bombed train
Why we should be careful making assumptions about our ancestors
Three things to consider when choosing family history activities

About Shenley:

Shenley is the founder of InspireFamilyHistory.com. Her passion lies in helping people have the tools, ideas and resources they need to inspire children of ALL ages to love family history. Shenley will be a speaker at RootsTech Connect 2021 and will talk about the Studies that Prove the Benefits of Family History. She has also taught webinars and classes to people all over the world. While homeschooling their 3 children Shenley and her husband, Brett, incorporate family history as much as possible.

Inspire Family History provides webinars for groups and organizations. Topics include: How to Get Younger Generations Interested in Family History, Family History Activities for Kids, Virtual Family History Activities to Connect with Extended Family, and Studies that Prove the Benefits of Family History.

Connect with Shenley:

Website www.InspireFamilyHistory.com

Instagram @inspirefamilyhistory

Facebook @inspirefamilyhistory

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Lisa Coffey | Family History When Records Are Inaccessible

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 02:00:00 -0700

As a first-generation American Lisa struggled for decades to learn the story of her family history because accessing records in Mexico was difficult.

In this episode Lisa shares:

The immigration stories of her grandparents and parents
How losing everything in a hurricane as a child motivated her to keep memories close through journaling
How to make family history part of your life even if you can’t access records

About Lisa:

Lisa Coffey has pursued her family history for most of her life. After nearly forty years of searching, she began to find online records of her ancestors, which has been a great blessing to her entire family. Lisa is passionate about recording and sharing family stories and is studying how storytelling affects mental health with a narrative psychologist. Her own habit of journaling, which began at the age of 8, has reinforced to Lisa the need of keeping records, as well as using journaling as a tool for emotional and mental well-being. Lisa has been happily married for nearly 39 years and is the mother of four children and grandmother to one.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Taralyn Parker | Family History is a Team Sport

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Family history is a team sport, with each family member making their contribution to collective family memories. Stories have always held Taralyn’s attention, leading her to a career in journalism and a path that now focuses on sharing stories and making connections through social media.

In this episode Taralyn shares:

How sunshine and swimming pools evoke memories of storytelling
How a specific family history assignment introduced her to family history research
The connections she has made with distant cousins through social media

About Taralyn:

Taralyn Parker is a journalist turned family historian who runs the blog Keep Moving Forward With Me. During the covid-19 crisis, she helped create the 21-day Family Connections Experiment: a Family History Project. Whether she is teaching classes or traveling to ancestors’ hometowns, Taralyn is passionate about sharing family history and stories.

Working in the industry for 10+ years, Taralyn manages social media for various companies and organizations. She loves using her talents to help share goodness. Taralyn, her husband John, and their four children enjoy living the small town life.

Connect with Taralyn:

Website www.keepmovingforwardwithme.com
Instagram @keepmovingforwardwithme
Facebook @KeepMovingForwardWithMe
Twitter @KeepMovingTara
LinkedIn Taralyn Parker

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Heather Murphy | Questions We Don’t Ask

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0700

#24 What questions have you not asked family members about their lives or the lives of other family members? Sometimes we learn about our family history through time spent with them, but most often we need to take initiative and make the time to ask the questions that at some point we will wish we asked. In this episode Heather talks about:

One story from her grandmother that shows the power of small, but monumental, moments
Why we don’t ask family members questions
How to overcome the blocks that get in our way from learning what we really want to know
What to do when our opportunity to ask a certain person questions is gone

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

About Heather:

After twenty years teaching people how to research their family history or completing research on their behalf, Heather saw in the lives of her clients the strength and understanding that comes from researching their own family history, and the missed opportunities when they paid her to research instead. Her signature program, Resilience in Your Roots, teaches people how to use the process of researching their family trees to strengthen their resilience and improve how they adapt to the challenges of life.

Heather lives in Washington State (the dry side) with her husband, son, three ducks and a rabbit.

Connect with Heather:

Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com
Facebook: @HeatherMurphyGen
Instagram: @heathermurphygen
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Taneya Koonce | Stories Waiting to be Found

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 02:00:00 -0700

An avid blogger, Taneya has documented her family history journey, her evolution as a researcher is evident in the evolution of her blog articles. Beginning with lists of data collected, Taneya gravitated toward collecting the stories around the data.

In this episode Taneya shares:

Learning about her great-uncle’s military service and why he never talked about it
How the WPA Slave Narrative project added both information and context to her research
How a conversation with her grandmother led to a unique record with details of her grandfather’s death

About Taneya:

Taneya Koonce is an enthusiastic genealogist with a long-standing passion for exploring family history and more than 20 years of professional expertise in information science, research, and information organization. Taneya volunteers extensively in the genealogy community, with current leadership roles in the Nashville Chapter of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, the USGenWeb Project, and the National Genealogical Society. Taneya also runs a Facebook community for family history enthusiasts, the Academy of Legacy Leaders™, through which she aids in helping others implement strategic and systematic approaches for saving, organizing, and preserving family memories.

Connect with Taneya:

Website www.taneyakoonce.com
Instagram @taneyakoonce
Facebook Group Academy of Legacy Leaders
Twitter @taneya

Also Mentioned:

Library of Congress Collection

Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936 to 1938

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Olivia Jewell | The Power of Connections

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Hear Olivia tell her story how she accidently became involved in learning how to research her family history. The theme throughout her projects has been connection which led her to found the 21 Day Family Connections Experiment. Olivia shares what she has learned through her own experience about the power of connections.

In this episode Olivia shares:

How building a book about her grandparents helped her build relationships with living relatives
How the pandemic provided her family an opportunity to connect with family members who experienced pandemics
The story behind the creation of the 21 Day Family Connections Experiment

About Olivia:

Olivia is the founder of the Family Connections Experiment, a project focused on connecting families past and present and measuring the psychological benefits of increasing those connections. She’s also a professional presenter for genealogy and other educational conferences and the director of her local family history center. Amidst her busy schedule she has learned to use her technological savvy and experience to teach busy people of all ages simple ways they can incorporate family history into daily life using modern technology to make it easy and fun.

Connect with Olivia:

Website www.livstreehouse.blogspot.com
Facebook @livstreehouse
Instagram @livstreehouse
Twitter @livestreehouse
LinkedIn Olivia Jewell

Also Mentioned:

21-Day Family Connections Experiment

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Emily Aborn | Building a Family Tree in Reverse

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 02:00:00 -0700

#21 For over 20 years Emily wondered about the identity of her biological father, the person who made her different in appearance and mannerisms from the rest of her family. Emily experienced what it feels like to not know a part of her story and thanks to genetic genealogy was finally able to put all the pieces together.

In this episode Emily shares:

How she felt not knowing the identity of her biological father
Her thoughts on the nature vs nurture balance
The difference in her life knowing her biological roots

About Emily:

Emily Aborn is a Content Marketing Professional and the owner of She Built This, an entrepreneurship organization that helps women with resources and education to build and create whatever dream is inside of them.

She has over ten years of experience working with executives and entrepreneurs in marketing, administrative, and customer service positions. She has owned her own business since 2014 and loves helping others discover how to share their stories through compelling content, creative social media, and copy throughout their branding!

She lives in Temple, NH with her husband Jason and their dog, Clyde. When she is not working, she can be found outdoors hiking or walking. She loves cooking, reading, listening to music, and writing.

Connect with Emily:

Website www.shebuiltthis.org
Facebook @shebuiltthisnh
Instagram @shebuiltthisNH
LinkedIn EmilyAborn

Also Mentioned:

Ancestry.com

23andme.com

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Heather Murphy | Resilience in Your Roots

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0700

#20 In this episode Heather shares how to become more resilient as you research your family history. She discusses four areas of resilience that apply to family history and every day life.

Self-awareness and self-care
Purpose and goals
Relationships and connections
Perspective and optimism

Want to join Resilience in Your Roots, my 1:1 coaching program? Schedule a call with me!

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

About Heather:

Heather lives in Washington State (the dry side) with her husband, son, three ducks and a rabbit.

Connect with Heather:

Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com
Facebook: @HeatherMurphyGen
Instagram: @heathermurphygen
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Get a free guide, "7 Ways You (Unintentionally) Sabotage Your Family Tree" and have more success as you research your family history.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

John Molden | Stories Connecting to Name, Event and Place

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0700

It all started for John by being curious about the origin of his name and then learning about the man after whom he was named. Throughout his research John discovered an artifact that told the story of a World War I soldier and stories of an ancestor tangibly involved with the growth of Melbourne. Finding personal connections with world and regional events as helped the study of history be more meaningful.

In this episode John shares:

How his research journey began with an internet search of his name
The story of a journal that survived World War I even though its author did not
What it means to him to know one of his ancestors played role in Melbourne’s history

About John:

John has been a performer for nearly 20 years and has done a mixture of work both professional and amateur. He is also an avid historian and has done plenty of research into his own family tree. One of his favorite things about history is finding unique stories that on paper sound completely false but are actually true.

Connect with John:

Instagram: John_Molden
Facebook: John Molden
Twitter: John_Molden

Also Mentioned:

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Nancy Stratford | 50 Years and Still Learning About Family

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#18 Nancy Stratford has researched her family history for over 50 years and still has not reached the point of being “finished.” Nancy looks for ways to share what she learns with family and strangers alike, like writing a family cookbook or a local history of the Island Park, Idaho area. Through her dedication throughout her life she has learned about hundreds of people who are part of her family tree.

In this episode Nancy shares:

How features of FamilySearch and Ancestry.com help her learn new things about her relatives
The time a visit to a cemetery resulted in heaven-sent information
How tangible items sometimes help prove family stories
The book she wrote to share not only her family stories, but others in the community
The story of how a favorite family dessert with Pennsylvania Dutch roots didn’t receive a warm welcome in the West

About Nancy:

Nancy Stratford was born in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania as Nancy Lorraine Long. Her grandmother was the owner of the Bigg’s Family restaurant and she grew up waitressing in the Pocono Mountains. Nancy was the oldest of 3 girls and upon graduation went to Gettysburg College where she graduated in Biology with minors in Physics and Math. She started graduate school but became ill and soon married. Nancy had 3 children and moved frequently in her first marriage. She divorced and married her true sweetheart Ray Stratford who had 3 children of his own. Together they would become the “Brady Bunch family” and were married for 43 years.

Ray and Nancy met and lived in upstate New York for many years, Ray worked at General Electric as a Harmonics Engineering expert. Nancy ran a food co-op, and became a professional volunteer, writing newsletters, serving as the PTA president, and active church involvement including teaching 8 years of Early Morning seminary (6:00 am) to high school students. They retired in 1990 and moved to Island Park Idaho, where Ray had maintained family property. Here they built a second cabin near the families original Tie Hack Cabin. Ray and Nancy served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Johannesburg South Africa during the end of Apartheid. They traveled the world from Egypt to Sweden.

When living in Island Park, Idaho Nancy became the President of the local Historical Society. Nancy began writing weekly articles for the local newspaper on historical topics. One article series written on the Nez Perce Band was submitted for a National Award for Western writers. Nancy won first place. This prompted her to think about writing a full book on the History of Island Park. She had collected first-hand information, stories and knowledge. But she thought about the project with little progress for over 10 years.

When Ray was in his last year fighting cancer, Nancy promised him she would finish the book. With the help of her daughter, Nancy put down the information needed to write her first professionally printed book. Nancy has started and maintained several book groups over her lifetime and currently reads about 2 books a week. Being the oldest living member of her extended family, she claims nearly 100 close relatives. They all know of her love of people, place and reading.

Also Mentioned:

Gold, Bears & Fly Fishing: The History of Island Park, the book written by Nancy, is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Melanie Gardner | Surviving 2020 Through Family History Research

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#17 Melanie wasn’t expecting it but researching her family history this year helped her get through the really tough times. The time she chose to spend researching after the kids went to bed gave her mind space to recharge from the stress of the day. Melanie said, “Maybe I should look at meditation, but instead I found family history.” She came away from her research time with increased self-awareness, self-worth, accomplishment, and a feeling that what she did mattered.

In this episode Melanie shares:

How it all started with a dare to start indexing records
Why researching family history made all the difference in 2020
How getting closer to her family tree has given her more clarity in other areas of her life
That sometimes the answers you want are closer than you expect
Why you should let go of what family history “should be”

About Melanie:

Melanie Kirry Gardner has always loved to hear all the stories and see all the photos. This passion made for a perfect fit in her decade-long profession as a marketing professional and teacher in the scrapbooking and papercrafting industry where she connected with story keepers all over the world. These days she can be found endeavoring to balance caring for two aging parents, one husband, and a gaggle of kids. She moonlights as a family history sleuth and believes that letting go of expectations of what family history "should be" can open the door to a world of what family history really can be.

Connect with Melanie:

Instagram: twistedhistories

Also Mentioned:

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Resilience in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Sam Williams | Building a Family Forest

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#16 – Sam Williams | Building a Family Forest

Sam Williams focuses on building his family forest, not only his family tree. Researching his family has strengthened his connection with family close and distant, given him a greater sense of patriotism and allowed him to sink his roots deeply into his home county. Learn from Sam what it means to encounter your ancestors, not just identify them.

In this episode Sam shares:

What he thinks looking back on himself as a beginning researcher [3:59]
How his connection to place, local and national, has grown [6:32]
What it takes to really get to know your ancestors [14:29]
How knowing about his ancestors strengthened relationships with living family [17:24]
The difference between encountering versus identifying your ancestors [21:08]

About Sam:

Sam Williams is a professional genealogist with a focus on Central Virginia, African American, and Greek American research. He has finished the National Genealogical Society's American Genealogical Studies courses and is currently in ProGen Study Group 50. Sam loves presenting on genealogy and his most recent lecture is part of Virtual Genealogical Association's upcoming November 13-15 virtual conference. He received a BA in International Affairs and Spanish from James Madison University, and a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

Connect with Sam:

Website: The Orthodox Genealogist
Instagram: Sam Williams
Facebook: The Orthodox Genealogist
Twitter: Sam Williams

Also Mentioned:

General Society of Mayflower Descendants

Sons of the American Revolution

Jamestowne Society

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Stories in Your Roots.

Get a free guide, "7 Ways You (Unintentionally) Sabotage Your Family Tree" and have more success as you research your family history.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Heather Murphy | My 2020 Family History Gratitude List

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#15 In this episode Heather shares Top 5 Gratitude List related to family history for 2020.

#1 An opportunity to gain better clarity on her passion [1:00]
#2 Making memories with living family members [4:02]
#3 Understanding ancestral patterns contribute to, but do not define, who she is [6:22]
#4 Learning to be grateful for small discoveries on difficult family lines [9:20]
#5 Lessons learned when people are willing to share their stories [13:42]

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

About Heather:

Heather Murphy is a family history coach and educator and host of the Stories in Our Roots podcast. Her family history journey began at age 11 and through high school and college she learned to love history through the lens of family. She holds a bachelors degree in Family History and Genealogy from Brigham Young University. Heather offers a 1:1 coaching program to help people increase their resilience and manage stress by researching and learning the stories of their ancestors.

Connect with Heather:

Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com
Facebook: @HeatherMurphyGen
Instagram: @heathermurphygen
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Also mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for RootsTech Connect, the 100% free, 100% online family history conference 25-27 February 2021.

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Stories in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Laura Hedgecock | Sharing Stories Big and Small

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -0700

Laura shares the stark difference between one grandmother who kept a notebook with memories and family information and another grandmother who fabricated the story of her childhood and said she grew up in an orphanage. We talk about visiting ancestral homes, interests that resurface after several generations, and how all stories are great stories to pass on.

In this episode Laura shares:

The story behind her maternal grandmother’s treasure chest of memories [2:02]
When she found out her paternal grandmother hadn’t told the truth about her father [4:09]
Her family’s love of animals goes back at least four generations [8:18]
How she processed her feelings about her paternal grandmother’s lies about her family [10:00]
One way Laura connects with ancestors that have been researched by other family members [15:20]
How some ancestral occupations are revisited in recent generations [20:35]

About Laura:

Laura Hedgecock is an author, storyteller, speaker, and GeneaBlogger, passionate about helping others tell personal, family, and ancestor stories. She’s a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Speakers Guild, and serves as Secretary of Detroit Working Writers and President of the 3400+ member GeneaBloggers Organization.

Her book, MEMORIES OF ME: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TELLING AND SHARING THE STORIES OF YOUR LIFE, guides and empowers memory collectors with down-to-earth, practical advice and creative ideas. Her website, TreasureChestofMemories.com, provides practical advice on preserving and sharing memories and family stories.

Connect with Laura:

Website: TreasureChestofMemories.com
Instagram: laura_hedgecock
LinkedIn: Laura Hedgecock
Facebook: AuthorLauraHedgecock
Twitter: LauraLHedgecock
YouTube: Laura Hedgecock

Also Mentioned:

Ancestry.com

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Melanie McComb | Connecting With Cousins to Learn More of the Story

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -0700

Melanie shares her official and unofficial stories of how she became interested in researching her family tree. Over the years she has connected with cousins by using multiple platforms like FamilySearch and Facebook, adding more dimension to what she knew about her family. Melanie encourages us to record stories, even if they seem untrue, because you never know what kernel of truth they hold.

In this episode Melanie shares:

The cryptic message that led to uncovering family on her paternal side [6:30]
How her family’s reaction to her family history research has changed over time [16:45]
She was able to tell her grandmother the names of her paternal grandparents [17:53]
How you can appreciate your ancestors even when their lives were not perfect [20:15]

About Melanie:

Melanie, a staff genealogist at American Ancestors & New England Historic Genealogical Society, assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She also provides lectures on a variety of genealogical topics. Melanie holds a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. Her areas of research interests include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Kansas, Prince Edward Island, Ireland, and she is experienced in DNA, genealogical technology and social media, Jewish genealogy, and military records. Melanie is also a blogger known as The Shamrock Genealogist (theshamrockgenealogist.com).

Also Mentioned:

American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society

Ancestry.com

FamilySearch.com

Archive.org

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Julie Adamcin | The Ancestor Who Voted for Lincoln

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -0700

Thanks to Aunt Sadie and the passing on of family heirlooms, Julie Adamcin has learned many stories about her ancestors. In today’s episode she shares the story behind bullet holes in a marble top table and the ancestor who lived in Missouri and voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Julie also shares how finding a newspaper article about her grandfather’s death helped her better understand the experiences of her mother’s family.

In this episode Julie shares:

The story of the Camp family silver [3:15]
Mahlon Ashbrook, voting for Lincoln, and the oak and marble table [7:49]
How her perspective of her grandfather’s death changed after finding a newspaper article [17:07]
The benefits she’s gotten from researching her family history [21:05]

About Julie:

Julie Camp Adamcin has been doing family research since she was in high school. Julie received a Ph.D. in Education and worked for nearly 40 years as a 4-H in Pima County Arizona. After her retirement in 2007, she has been able to connect with other family members who share her interests.

Also Mentioned:

Mahlon Ashbrook's obituary at Newspapers.com (affiliate link - no subscription needed to view clipping)

Click here to go to the website and see a photograph of one of Julie's cousin's family history quilts.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Heather Murphy | Balancing Our Family Narratives

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#11 It's very common for people who research their family history to have a favorite branch of their tree, ancestors to whom they feel especially connected. For others, one part of the family may be hard to connect to because of more recent family dynamics. This episode explores the concept of balancing our family narratives and remembering all of our ancestors.

In this episode Heather shares:

Her experience this month realizing a third-great-grandmother wanted to be remembered
Different situations that create an imbalanced family narrative
Why we should make an effort to remember all our ancestors, even in little ways
How we can recognize our own biases when looking at our family tree

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

About Heather:

Heather Murphy is a family history coach and educator and host of the Stories in Our Roots podcast. Her family history journey began at age 11 and through high school and college she learned to love history through the lens of family. She holds a bachelors degree in Family History and Genealogy from Brigham Young University. Heather focuses on teaching people how they can improve their mental health by connecting with their ancestors in a mindful and organized process.

Connect with Heather:

Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com
Facebook: @HeatherMurphyGen
Instagram: @heathermurphygen
LinkedIn: Heather Murphy

Episode Sponsor:

Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Stories in Your Roots.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Iris Alicea Flores | The Healing Gift of Knowing Her Family Stories

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#10 Iris began researching her family history when she was an adult to discover the story of her Abuela (Grandmother) Faustina, whom she never met. Iris’ story is about the gift she received by learning the story of Abuela Faustina and other relatives. But the gift wasn’t just for her. She saw firsthand how much what she learned was a gift to other family members.

In this episode Iris shares:

She knew so little about her father’s family that she didn’t know the woman she called Abuela (Grandmother) wasn’t related through blood [5:21]
She started researching family to know Abuela Faustina and as Iris did Faustina became real [6:13]
The experience with her grandfather when she realized the true gift of sharing family stories [10:26]
How learning about her father’s childhood helped her better understand him [13:48]
Her advice for those beginning their research, especially those who are afraid of what they may find [21:59]

About Iris:

Iris, originally from Puerto Rico, has lived in Massachusetts since she was 8 years old. She is the oldest of six children and is now married with two amazing kids, who literally were her inspiration to finally follow her dream. Iris always loved history and research, but life took her in a different direction. Six years ago she made the decision to start finding her story and really explore her love for history. In this journey Iris discovered the gift of giving someone a piece of their story. She discovered the healing that can come from knowing more of your family story and how important it is for Latinos, Latinas, LatinX to know more about their history. Iris knows how empowered you can feel from knowing your history and that is how she knew her purpose and her mission came to fruition, Descubre Tu Historia was born.

Connect with Iris:

Website: descubretuhistoriablog.wordpress.org
Instagram: @descubretuhistoria

Also Mentioned:

Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía - Website and Facebook page

Tips:

Searching for “Puerto Rico Genealogy Society” will not bring up their website as a top result. If not using the link provided, search for “Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía.”
There is a bar at the top of their website with flags, click on the flags to change the language of the website.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Tamara Hallo | Inspirational Maternal Ancestors and Imbalanced Family Narratives

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#9 Today’s episode features the story of Tamara Hallo, a native of Miami, Florida. Hear how a box of inherited family information grew her interest in learning about her family and also strengthened her relationship with her mother. Tamara’s family has a strong matriarch on her maternal line that inspired generations of her family. We also discuss the imbalance some families have between their maternal and paternal lines and how the stories we pass down influence how connected future generations will feel with certain ancestors.

In this episode Tamara shares:

How her family history journey began with an inherited box of family information [6:52]
The ways researching brought her closer to her mother [9:12]
The story of her Swedish great-grandmother who continues to inspire generations [11:01]
Not everyone in the family wants to know right now about their history [19:09]
The stories passed down to her affected how connected she felt to her maternal family in comparison to her paternal side [21:58]

About Tamara:

Tamara Hallo is an educator, librarian and professional genealogist. She has over 25 years of experience as an educator and holds a Master in Library Science degree. She has earned a certificate of genealogical research from Boston University and has completed ProGen, an 18-month professional genealogy study program. Genealogy is her passion and a perfect complement to her repertoire.

Connect with Tamara:

Website: www.hallogenealogyservices.com
Instagram: @hallogenealogyservices
LinkedIn: Tamara Hallo
Facebook: hallogenealogyservices

Also Mentioned:

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Amy Harris | Genealogical Consciousness and What It Means

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#8 Amy Harris explains the concept of genealogical consciousness, which goes beyond information and instead influences the way we see not only our ancestors, but people in our world now. Genealogy has evolved over the decades and Amy sees a need for it to evolve even more in order to help make our world a better place as we are less judgmental and more forgiving. Coming to know the stories of our ancestors and thinking of them as real people instead of names and dates can change how we see people we meet everyday.

In this episode Amy shares:

The difference between genealogical consciousness and genealogical knowledge [7:25]
How genealogy has evolved from a British and American perspective [11:48]
Why we need to be careful when looking at ethnicity results [14:54]
A student’s experience deciding she didn’t know a relative’s whole story [ 21:06]
Not judging an ancestor’s sister from a modern perspective [23:51]
Her simple advice for those beginning their family history journey [28:22]

About Amy:

Amy Harris, PhD, AG®, is the current Family History Program Coordinator at BYU. A native of Ogden, Utah, she was lucky enough to be raised by spectacularly good parents and particularly stellar siblings. Her research focuses on families, women, and gender in eighteenth-century Britain, though she has also written on the history of genealogy and Mormon history. She is particularly interested in the way family and social relationships inform one another. Her first book, Siblinghood and Social Relations in Georgian England (2012) explored sibling relationships and their connections to political and social ideas of equality. Recently her article “Early Mormonism’s Expansive Family and the Browett Women” received the 2018 Mormon History Association Best Article Award. She is in the early stages of a book, There is Only Us, which explores genealogical consciousness. Amy is a tenured professor in the BYU Department of History where she teaches history, genealogy, and women’s studies courses.

Connect with Amy:

Instagram: @familyhistoryprof
LinkedIn: Amy Harris

Also Mentioned:

2017 Speech – Of Dead Cats and Dead People: How Family History Can Save the World

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Heather Murphy | Mindfulness in Family History and Genealogy

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#7 The way you approach your family history research matters. Heather advocates for moving away from the traditional genealogy that focuses on data collection. Instead, she encourages mindful research to open your mind and heart to understanding your ancestors, and yourself, as completely as possible.

In this episode Heather shares:

What matters most to people researching their family history [1:39]
What happens when you do “slot machine” genealogy [6:22]
How making a plan changes your research experience [8:17]
How to be more mindful in your research [12:36]

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

About Heather:

Heather Murphy is a family history coach and educator and host of the Stories in Our Roots podcast. Her family history journey began at age 11 and through high school and college she learned to love history through the lens of family. She holds a bachelors degree in Family History and Genealogy from Brigham Young University. Heather focuses on teaching researchers at the beginning of their journey how to connect with their ancestors in a mindful and organized way that decreases frustration and increases understanding of self, family, and community.

Connect with Heather:

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Katherine Willson | Knowing Our Family History Changes Our Perspective of the Present

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#6 Katherine Willson knows that learning about your family history gives you a different perspective of family members and events that happen in the world beyond family. Hear how she started her genealogy journey as a Junior Girl Scout, how knowing the stories of her immigrant ancestors helps her be more resilient, and her unusual tip for those beginning to explore their family roots that is important for researchers at any level to remember.

In this episode Katherine shares:

How a Junior Girl Scout badge led to a life-long love of discovering family [4:02]
Researching as an adult helped her to see the situations and patterns in her family that contributed to difficulties later generations of her family faced [8:13]
Seeing her ancestors weaknesses gives her strength as she sees they were doing the best they could [11:30]
Her ancestors’ immigration experience in the 1850s [15;16]
How knowing those stories helps her to have a different perspective of immigrants today who are looking for a better life for their families [21:41]
Her unexpected advise for someone beginning their genealogy journey [26:41]

About Katherine:

Katherine R. Willson of Dexter, Michigan, is an engaging & dynamic genealogy lecturer at local, regional, and national events; an educator teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced genealogy classes in Michigan since 2001; the author of The Genealogist’s Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan (published in 2018 by The In-Depth Genealogist), and a professional researcher for private clients. Her genealogy interests began as an 8-year-old Junior Girl Scout working towards the now-retired “My Heritage” badge, and her passion was fueled when, after college, both her mother’s and father’s relatives gave her binders containing generations’ worth of family information. Read more about Katherine's roles as an Army wife and volunteer for the Department of Defense, and as an artist/owner of MoonSwings Studio at SocialMediaGenealogy.com

Connect with Katherine:

Website: SocialMediaGenealogy.com
Facebook: @moonswings
Instagram: @katherine.r.willson
Twitter: @moonswings
LinkedIn: Katherine R. Willson

Also Mentioned:

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Schuyler Carter | Community Builders Through Generations

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#5: Schuyler Carter is a PhD candidate in Urban and Regional Science who began researching her genealogy when she was eighteen years old. What began as a search for scholarships evolved into a way has she connected not only with her ancestors, but also her living family as she shares what she learns and with her community as she strives to honor the legacy of her ancestors.

In this episode Schuyler shares:

Looking for ways to fund her college education got her started researching her family tree [2:43]
Why she considers herself a millennial kin keeper [5:17]
The story of her great-grandfather, Reverend L. W. Thomas, who founded the community of Summit, Oklahoma, and why she particularly connects with him [8:55]
What she did that combined preserving a community’s heritage as well as preserving her great-grandfather’s story and how that continued his legacy [15:29]
Her family’s long-standing relationship with African American fraternities and sororities and their mission of community building [18:13]
Her advice for those beginning their genealogy journey [22:34]

About Schuyler:

Schuyler S. Carter is a native of Muskogee, Oklahoma. She holds a Masters degree in Urban Planning from Alabama A&M University. There she completed her thesis which focused on planning process engagement of Historically Black Towns within Eastern Oklahoma. She is currently a first year student pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Science at Texas A&M University. Her major research interests include historically black settlements, museum curation and heritage/place preservation specifically related to the historic communities settled by former slaves, black indigeneity and Afro-Native American culture, rural/unincorporated area planning, museum curation, archive management, grassroots archives, black placemaking, museum curation, African American museum curation and advocacy. She has been acknowledged on multiple occasions for her ongoing preservation projects in Oklahoma related to historically black communities.

Despite her young age, Schuyler has been doing family research since 2009. Prior to entering into her doctoral program, Schuyler has dedicated a significant amount of time researching her family history and was able to successfully nominate her great grandfather, Rev. L.W. Thomas’ home in Summit, Oklahoma to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In effort to expand the narrative of African Americans in America, Schuyler established the online Millennial Archivist brand. This platform is aimed at acknowledging the diversity in African American heritage as well as encouraging younger generations to take interest in researching their own histories to see how they impact their own lives.

Also Mentioned:

Connect with Schuyler:

Facebook: @themillennialarchivist
Instagram: @themillennialarchivist
YouTube: The Millennial Archivist

Episode Sponsor:
Get the free guide, "7 Ways You (Unintentionally) Sabotage Your Family Tree" and have more success as you research

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Melissa Knapp | Our Ancestors Want to Help Us and How We Can Help Them

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0700

#4: Melissa Knapp didn’t think researching her family history was something she would do until her kids were grown and she needed a hobby to fill her time. Life doesn’t always go as planned and she is currently working toward two university degrees in Genealogy with several of her children still at home. In this interview Melissa shares the moment her journey started, the love her great-grandfather has for her and her family (even though they never met), and why she is so thankful she followed through on the thought to learn about her ancestors.

In this episode Melissa shares:

Deciding to follow up on a thought to learn more of her great-grandfather led to a special message from him [5:40]
How researching family history became a form of self-care during her son’s illness [11:33]
Finding a single photograph was evidence that God was aware of her and her family [14:32]
She felt a closeness to a great-grandmother and later discovered they shared the same medical condition [21:53]
Her great-grandfather may not have felt his life amounted to much, but she has the benefit of seeing how much his life and example meant to future generations [25:32]
The simple advice (2 words!) she shares with those beginning their journey of family history discoveries [29:33]

About Melissa:

Melissa Knapp is a family historian currently completing an undergraduate degree in family history research from BYU-I and a Master's degree in Genealogy, Paleography, and Heraldry from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. She loves to solve genealogical mysteries and help others discover the fun and joy in family history. Her dream is to travel to Scotland and Ireland to explore her ancestral homelands. Melissa was born and raised in Mississippi but currently lives in Utah with her husband and five children, where southern food, manners, stories, and music are still a big part of her family's lives and heritage.

Connect with Melissa:

Website: www.KindredGrove.com
Facebook: @TheKindredGrove
Instagram: @kindredgrove
YouTube: Kindred Grove

Also Mentioned:

Episode Sponsor:
Get the free guide, "7 Ways You (Unintentionally) Sabotage Your Family Tree" and have more success as you research your family history. Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy Genealogy.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Cheri Hudson Passey | Looking to Ancestors for Strength and Choosing to Make a Difference

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 03:00:00 -0700

#3: This week I talked with Cheri Hudson Passey about family history in her life, which started playing a role when she was about 10 years old. She shares with us the ancestor she looked back on to gain strength when she faced a difficult time in her life. We also talk about choices her ancestors made that weren’t positive and the project she started to help the descendants of persons who were enslaved find their ancestors.

Cheri Hudson Passey is a Professional Genealogist, Instructor, Writer, and Speaker and the owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC. Cheri is the host of the genealogy chat show GenFriends on YouTube and is a genealogical researcher, subcontracted by Eagle Investigative Services, Inc., for the US Army Past Conflict Repatriations Branch.

Also mentioned:
MAAGI: Midwest African American Genealogy Institute www.maagiinstitute.org

Connect with Cheri:
Website: carolinagirlgenealogy.com
Facebook: @CarolinaGirlGenealogy
Instagram: @carolinagirlgenealogy
YouTube: GenFriends on Carolina Girl Genealogy

Episode Sponsor:
Get the free guide, "7 Ways You (Unintentionally) Sabotage Your Family Tree" and have more success as you research your family history. Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy Genealogy.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Miyamoto Jensen | How Family History Helped in Healing and Set a Course for Her Future

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 03:00:00 -0700

#2: In this episode Miya Jensen shares how learning about her ancestors, especially those who had hard lives, helped her through a difficult time in her early 20's. She's learned first-hand that not everything we learn in our family history is positive and tells us her strategies for processing those things. Miya also shares what she is doing to help others learn their family stories, especially those with Oceania heritage.

Miyamoto Loretta Jensen of Laie, HI is a young professional genealogist pioneering Polynesian genealogy. She was the first to graduate with her BA in Polynesian family history from Brigham Young University. Along with learning, Miya enjoys teaching others how to research their Polynesian ancestors and performing client research. Her biggest dream is to create research methodologies for all Oceania cultures and peoples. Miya’s ancestral background includes Samoan, Tongan, Hawaiian, Japanese, German, English, and French.

Instagram @thepolynesiangenealogist
Facebook @thepolynesiangenealogist
Find Miya at www.thepolynesiangenealogist.com

Episode Sponsor:
Get the free guide, "7 Ways You (Unintentionally) Sabotage Your Family Tree" and have more success as you research your family history. Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy Genealogy.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Looking at Family History Differently Has Power to Change Our Lives

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 03:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the premier episode of Stories in Our Roots.

In this episode I introduce myself, Heather Murphy, and share how looking at my family history differently, even after 25 years, led to a breakthrough in my business and the creation of this podcast. Hear my story of how looking at my family tree in a different, yet simple, way allowed me to uncover my limiting beliefs about what I could accomplish and instead move forward in my purpose.

Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to chose your beliefs moving forward.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Episode 0: Trailer

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 14:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Stories in Our Roots. I look forward to exploring how knowing the stories of our ancestors can make an impact on our lives today.

Launching August 25, 2020.

Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy