Journeys into Genealogy podcast

Kathy Chater takes us through a discussion about mental health and disability in the late 18th and 19th centuries and how to find ancestors who may have had these issues. We talk about the differences between private and public asylums, how and where ancestors may have been treated, where to find records and how the poor were treated as well as those who could afford to pay for treatment. There is a transcript of this interview on Substack together with a list of the resources mentioned.

NARA, or to give it its full name "National Archives and Records Adminstration", is the primary source for federal records in the USA. Claire Kluskens explains how genealogists and family historians can make the best use of these records, where they are located and how to access them. Including what they do host (military records, 19th and 20th century censuses, immigration, naturalisation, land records and more) and what they don't (birth, marriage and death records) and some other sources including the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. With some staggering statistics about the numbers of records held and details of the free annual Genealogy Fairs. There is an interview transcript on Journeys into Genealogy on Substack together with a resources sheet.

Natasha Houseman shares stories of her ancestors who grew up in 3 valleys in Yorkshire - Nidderdale, Wharfdale and Washburn. Talking about farming, names, female ancestors, inheritances, local history and more with tips for making ancestors feel alive and looking for 'ordinary' people.

Steph Wood is the co-curator of the Mary Quant exhibition setup at the V&A Museum in London and now travelling around the world. We discuss clothes, fashion, styling, how clothes can help date a photograph and how clothes reflect trends and empower people. Steph shares some of the personal stories from the Mary Quant exhibition.

Plus tips on how to look after inherited garments including freezing garments and using paper sausages.

Ruth Graham, chair of the Society of Australian Genealogists, talks about the history of Australia, how the states are organized (it's changed quite a bit over the years!) where to find records, what records are available, including burial registers, newspapers, national and local archives, Trove, electoral rolls, Australian cemeteries, the services provided by the Society and much, much more. Ruth has provided a resource guide which is available on Substack alongside an interview transcript. This is the first of two interviews with Ruth about Australia, the second one will be focussed on migration.