Extreme Genes

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.org. David shares what’s in the 19th century Bible of his great grandparents after obtaining it this week. Fisher then shares some 1895 instructions on “how to use a telephone.” David then tips his hat to a 12-year-old listener who is VERY into Extreme Genes! The guys open Family Histoire News talking about a light up cane that saved over two dozen people on the Titanic. It was recently auctioned off. Hear what it sold for. Then it’s a new adventure for the man who found the Titanic in the 1980s, Robert Ballard. Find out what he’s looking for now. Then David shares news of a new database of people paying the Hearth Tax in the UK from the 17th century.

Next, Fisher visits with Dr. Mark Hanna, a professor at UC-San Diego. Mark is an experts in colonial pirates and talks about “the pirate next door,” and how they were accepted back in the colonies despite their brutal adventures on the high seas. Hear why that was and how Fisher’s ancestor pirate story fits what Mark describes.

Then, Fisher visits with Jen Rickards, a genie from the St. Louis area, who learned that her husband’s great grandfather had a run in with Jesse James! Hear the story and how she found it.

In Ask Us Anything, Melanie McComb of NEHGS takes questions on obtaining World War II records and metals.

That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show.

We all love to show off family photos and documents, but it puts them at risk. Here’s a better way.

Many families have long running oral traditions. But just how accurate are they?

(Show first aired in April 2018.) Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. Fisher begins with his personal story of another brick wall coming down thanks to a pair of family DNA kits. And this one goes back quite a ways! David then shares the story of a woman who took a DNA test and learned, in her 30s, that Dad was not her father! You’ll be as shocked as she and her parents were to learn who he really was. (Yes, you CAN get REALLY unexpected results!) Then, David has suggestions for creating a tree tracking physical traits. It could be a fascinating new element to your family story. David next talks about a remarkable artist who is colorizing historic photos. The man’s work changes everything about how you perceive the subject. Finally, a couple who was married in 1955 and divorced in 1968 is getting married again! Catch up with their story a half century later. David then spotlights blogger Elizabeth Handler on her blog FromMaineToKentucky.blogspot.com. Elizabeth is picking up on Amy Johnson Crow’s idea of blogging about 52 ancestors in 52 weeks.

Next, in two parts, Fisher visits with Rishi Sharma. Rishi is twenty-one years old and spends every day interviewing World War II combat veterans. All of those that are left are now in their 90s. Find out how Rishi started down this path as a high school boy and what spurred on his interest. He’ll also share some of the compelling first hand stories he has learned.

Then, Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com, the Preservation Authority, talks about the recent National Association of Broadcasters convention and new ideas demonstrated there that could make a major impact on your preservation efforts just a few years from now.

That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show.

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David first shares a fascinating find... he and a distant cousin share DNA from one of his more historic ancestors. Hear how he plans to take advantage of the find. Then, in Family Histoire News, the guys talk about how baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Jim Palmer, recently discovered a lot about himself through a DNA test. Find out what he now knows. Next, it’s an odd claim for anyone who knows anything about George Washington. A “descendant” is suing President Trump, and several past presidents for “past due” rent for their time in the White House. David and Fisher then salivate over an exciting cultural event coming to the east coast this summer. Find out what it is. David then directs us to another spotlighted blogger, Cynthia Shenette at heritagezen.blogspot.com.

Fisher then visits with Paul Woodbury, DNA specialist from Legacy Tree Genealogists. Paul has some very strong opinions about what recently happened in the Golden State Killer case and what we should be concerned about using GEDMatch moving forward. It may be one of the most important Extreme Genes segments we air this year.

Then, it’s an explosion perhaps more powerful than a Hawaiian volcano... the recent creation of the Virtual Genealogical Society! It has attracted over 1,000 members in just the first couple of weeks. Katherine Willson of Ann Arbor, Michigan is the founder and has a lot to say about why this is an important step in drawing younger genealogists into the mix.

Then, it’s Tom Perry, the Preservation Authority, talking about the much talked about “demise” of the CD. (He has a totally different view.) In the final segment, Tom takes on what’s possible in restoring old videos.

That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!