He is a true unsung hero of the Civil War who was born into slavery, he gained his freedom with support from his former masters, became a businessman and leader of his community, married, had children, and was one of the first African-American soldiers killed in battle in the Civil War. His story of heroism was well-known for decades, but now largely forgotten. Tune in today to learn more about his remarkable story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/andre-cailloux-unsung-heroes-of-the-ci...
Sep 25, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 287
Finnish surnames are interesting. The Finnish language is unique, and the country itself has an intriguing and varied history that ties it closely to both Sweden and Russia. If you have a Finnish surname, or there is one in your family tree, tune in today to learn about the origin and meaning of Finnish surnames. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-origin-and-meaning-of-finnish-surnames/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Givea...
Sep 20, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 286
He was an African-American Civil War soldier, politician, businessman, and humanitarian who rescued his family from slavery in one of the most daring escapes of the Civil War. A respected man of his time, he was a hero and a leader in many different ways, both in the war and after it. Tune in for this incredible story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war-robert-smalls/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Week...
Sep 18, 2019•10 min•Season 5Ep. 285
If you are looking for something historic, educational, and just plain fun for the whole family, consider a day out at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. This park is centered around the historic Marblehead Lighthouse, but there is so much more to do and see there. Here is what you need to know about the park, as well as its storied history. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/marblehead-lighthouse-state-park/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/yo...
Sep 13, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 284
This is an unsung hero of the Civil War because he was present for all of it, a leader in most of it, and commander of the whole Army of the Potomac for a brief part of it. Yet, his work and bravery are not well-remembered today. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast to learn more about his remarkable story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/john-parke-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly G...
Sep 11, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 283
If you have a Scandinavian surname or have one or more of them in your family tree, you will be interested in knowing the history of these surnames, as they tell an interesting part of the story of your ancestors. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll talk about the origins and meanings of the most common surnames in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-meaning-of-your-scandinavian-surname Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes h...
Sep 04, 2019•10 min•Season 5Ep. 282
Prickett's Fort State Park is a wonderful historical resource to the state of West Virginia. It not only shows how life was like for English settlers on the West Virginian frontier in the 1700s, but it also provides wonderful and ample opportunities for fun-filled outdoor family recreation and even cultural entertainment. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll give you what you need to know to enjoy your visit to this beautiful and important historical park. Show Notes: https:/...
Sep 02, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 281
She is well-known as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, but not as well-known for her exemplary Civil War service as a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast for her remarkable and amazing story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/harriet-tubman-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Giveaways: https://ancestralfindings.com/drawing Free eBooks: https:/...
Aug 28, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 280
Do you have Dutch surnames in your family tree, or is your own surname of Dutch origin? Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll show you that knowing the meaning and origin of Dutch surnames can tell you more about your ancestors than you may imagine. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-origin-and-meaning-of-your-dutch-surname Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Giveaways: https://ancestralfindings.com/drawing F...
Aug 23, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 279
She is one of the best-known country music entertainers of our time. However, she is much more than just a country music singer. From her humble beginnings, she has become a singer, songwriter, actress, and successful businessperson. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast as I share some facts about this incredible and inspirational woman. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/dolly-parton-the-definitive-guide/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindin...
Aug 21, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 278
This fascinating person was an African-American, formerly enslaved by the Van Lew family in Virginia, who went on to be freed, and to work closely with the abolitionist daughter of that family as a spy for the Union in the Civil War. Join me today to learn more about this extraordinary story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/mary-elizabeth-bowser-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Giveaways: https...
Aug 16, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 277
Do you have a Polish surname in your family tree? If you do, you will almost certainly recognize it, as Polish surnames look unlike any other surnames in the world. Knowing their meaning can tell you much about your Medieval Polish ancestors. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll talk about Polish surnames. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/your-polish-surname-and-its-meaning/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly...
Aug 14, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 276
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is a beautifully restored and maintained house museum dedicated to celebrating the 23rd US President. There is much to enjoy at this 1870’s-era home. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll give you what you need to know about the history of the house, as well as the museum and what it offers. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/benjamin-harrison-presidential-site/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfin...
Aug 09, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 275
Russian surnames started being used relatively recently in history as was common in other parts of Europe. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll talk about the history of Russian surnames and their meanings. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/russian-surnames-and-their-meanings Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Giveaways: https://ancestralfindings.com/drawing Free eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Ha...
Aug 07, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 274
A number of women disguised themselves as men to serve in the American Revolution and the Civil War. However, few of them were well known to the public after the war. While her story was a popular one into the early twentieth century, it has been lost with time. It is time to bring it to light once more. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast as I share with you her remarkable story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/sarah-emma-edmonds-the-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen ...
Aug 02, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 273
Do you have a Jewish surname in your family tree? If so, you will want to know its origin and meaning. Knowing this allows you to know the story of this branch of your family tree. Join me next time on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll talk about what you need to know about your ancestral Jewish surnames. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/do-you-have-a-jewish-surname-in-your-family-tree-here-are-some-meanings/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindin...
Jul 31, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 272
While there were plenty of very young and very old people to be soldiers during the Civil War, only one has the distinction of being the oldest verified mustered soldier. He was eighty years old when he enlisted. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll talk more about his amazing story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/curtis-king-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Giveaways: http...
Jul 26, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 271
Have you ever used muster rolls in your genealogical research? If you are like most people, you have at least one ancestor who served in the military or war. If they served prior to WWI, muster rolls can be an excellent source of genealogical information. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and we’ll see what you will find in them. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/how-to-use-muster-rolls-to-your-advantage-in-genealogy-research/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itune...
Jul 24, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 270
He was a renowned Civil War cavalry commander with the Union Army. He fought in numerous battles, and proved himself time and again to be an expert horseman. While he led no decisive victories, his service was distinguished, if often overlooked one. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll talk more about his story. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/david-mcmurtrie-gregg-the-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestral...
Jul 19, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 269
German surnames have histories going back to the Middle Ages, and each one tells a story about the original medieval person who bore it. Knowing the history of these names can tell you things about your ancient ancestors the written records cannot. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll talk about what you need to know about your German surname and what it can tell you about your ancestors. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/what-your-german-surname-says-about-your-ances...
Jul 17, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 268
He was the youngest soldier to serve in the Union during the Civil War, becoming a drummer boy at only ten years old. He was also the youngest noncommissioned officer in US military history. He made a lifelong career out of the Army. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast to learn more about this remarkable young boy. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/john-clem-the-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/yout...
Jul 12, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 267
Do you have an Italian surname in your family tree? Then, you’ll want to join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast to learn more about the history and meaning of Italian surnames. This information will help your family history research be more meaningful, vibrant, and interesting to you and your descendants. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/italian-surnames-their-history-and-meaning/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Give...
Jul 10, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 266
There have been nearly three and a half thousand military service members in the United States who have been awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor. Of these, only eighty-eight of them have been African Americans. Civil War hero William Harvey Carney was one of them... Show Notes and Photos: https://ancestralfindings.com/william-harvey-carney-the-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube Weekly Giveaways: https://ancest...
Jul 05, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 265
If you have Spanish ancestry, you will almost certainly come across one or more Spanish surnames during the course of your genealogy research. These surnames are very common in Europe, North America, Central America, and South America, and have a varied and storied history behind them. Knowing how they were formed, and their meanings, can give you clues to your Spanish ancestry that may help you further your research, and take those lines back farther in time. Since most Spanish surnames can be ...
Jul 03, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 264
She is best known today as the founder and first president of the American Red Cross. However, she was also a genuine Civil War heroine. Her accomplishments and heroism in the Civil War are often forgotten amid her Red Cross tale. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast to learn more about this Civil War hero... Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-unsung-heroes-of-the-civil-war-clara-barton/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://ancestralfindings.com/youtube ...
Jun 28, 2019•9 min•Season 5Ep. 263
If you have French ancestry, you are in good company. Hundreds of millions of people around the world can claim descent from this ancient nation. Like most countries in Europe, the French people did not start using surnames until the Middle Ages. Before that, the villages were small, and most everyone in one knew everyone else. There was not much mobility, either. People tended to live in the same village for their entire lives, and it was that way for generations. Surnames only began to be used...
Jun 26, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 262
If you have Irish heritage, there is probably at least one Irish surname in your family. As Irish families can be challenging to trace, Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast where we’ll about Irish surnames and their origins and meanings. This will help you learn the beginnings of your Irish family tree branch. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/do-you-have-irish-genealogy-use-this-handy-surname-guide-to-trace-your-heritage/ Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https...
Jun 21, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 261
The Freedmen’s Bureau records are an invaluable resource for the descendants of formerly enslaved people in the United States. They provide information that isn’t found anywhere else and can bring people long lost to history back into the light. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast as we talk about where to find them and how to use them. Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/using-freedmens-records-in-genealogical-research Listen via: https://ancestralfindings.com/itunes https://a...
Jun 19, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 260
Do you have an ancestor with an incredibly common surname or a surname that is a place, verb, or noun? These people can be tricky to identify in old records. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll give you some tips for searching for them, and finding them, in old newspaper records. All you need are some fancy search tricks to reveal your ancestors... Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/tips-to-find-ancestors-with-frustratingly-common-surnames/ Listen via: https://ancestr...
Jun 14, 2019•8 min•Season 5Ep. 259
I recently had the opportunity to visit the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati — a fascinating experience, let me tell you. I spent a good amount of time taking photographs and I’d like to share with you everything that I learned. First, however, because these signs are so interesting, and because there is a lot of history behind them, I’d like to share that history with you. Perhaps this will help you with inspiration should you ever find yourself photographing neon signs... Show Notes: https:/...
Jun 12, 2019•7 min•Season 5Ep. 258
