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The Family Histories Podcast

The Family Histories Podcast

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The Family Histories Podcast is a show that celebrates those of us sat in archives, libraries, and spare bedrooms all around the world, tirelessly piecing together our collective social and family history.

Join author and family historian Andrew Martin as he interviews a fellow genealogy addict about how they got hooked; listen to his guest tell the life story of their most fascinatingly good, bad, or plain ugly relative; and then it's time to face 'The Brick Wall' - where it's over to the listeners to see if they can help solve their family history puzzle.

As a parting gift, Andrew offers each guest a surprise that no family history fan could possibly turn down.... a trip in his secret time machine.


Find out more at: familyhistoriespodcast.com 
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Instagram: @FamilyHistPod
Facebook: TheFamilyHistoriesPodcast
Twitter: @FamilyHistPod 

74 Episodes
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Series One Trailer

2021-03-2900:55

Series One of The Family Histories Podcast is coming! If you make sense of the census, go potty for parish registers, or gaga over gravestones, then this is the show for you. Our host - author and family historian Andrew Martin - will be meeting the quiet army of family historians who are tirelessly breathing life back into our collective family and social history. Each episode we'll meet a genealogy addict, find out how they got hooked, hear about one of their most fascinating relat...
In this first episode of Series One of The Family Histories Podcast sees host Andrew Martin talks to his guest Daniel Smith-Ramos - a genealogist with Spanish, English, and Italian-American ancestry. Daniel explains how he got hooked on researching his family history, the challenges of researching in Spain and the Spanish language, and we'll find out about how his new venture Revista Descendientes hopes to help make it easier. THE LIFE STORY - ALONSO MARTÍNEZ Daniel chooses to share ...
In this episode, host Andrew Martin talks to UK genealogist Jane Hough about how she got hooked on researching her family tree in the 1980s, and her impressive DNA deciphering tactics that is getting her closer to solving an illegitimacy mystery. Relatively Speaking - Mary Stone Jane chooses her 5x Great Grandmother, Mary Stone, as the life story to share with us - detailing her life in Stourton, Gloucestershire as a laundry worker, through to an error of judgement that saw her being trans...
In this episode, host Andrew meets George Hall - a fairly recent convert to researching family history, who will talk about how he got into researching as a Generation Z genealogist. He'll explain what it's like to be a younger researcher, the tools he uses, and the work of The Hidden Branch, and his One-Place study. Note: There is a background sound throughout this episode that was not detected whilst recording. Unfortunately despite our best efforts, we've not been able to remove it,...
In this episode, host Andrew is joined by family historian, author, lecturer, and podcaster Lisa Louise Cooke (Genealogy Gems). She talks about how she got hooked on researching her own family history as a child. Relatively Speaking Lisa chooses her husband's entrepreneurial grandfather Harry Cooke as her life story. We follow him from his beginnings in mid-19th century rural Huntingdonshire, to Kent in England, before a double family tragedy sends the family off for a brand new life in Ca...
In this episode, host Andrew Martin meets genealogist Valmay Young to find out how she got into researching her far-flung family tree. We'll also hear about what it's like to work for a county archives, and her work with the Families In British India Society (FIBIS). Relatively Speaking Valmay chooses her 3x Gt Grandfather, Richard Sheridan Wardley. As you'll hear, he sounds like a complicated man, with regular vanishing acts, trips to the USA, his attempt to publish someone else's work, and...
Host Andrew Martin is joined by David Ryan, an Irish family historian who discovered his passion for genealogy after studying for his MA in Medieval History. He'll be telling us how he made this transition, the challenges of researching family history in Ireland, and what it's like to work for Ancestry as one of their team of professional genealogists. Relatively Speaking: David has chosen to tell the life story of his Great Great Grandfather John Hyland. He'll explain the hardship that Jo...
In the seventh and final episode of this series (sorry folks!), host Andrew Martin meets Pam Smith, a family historian who went from hobbyist, to professional genealogist, and then to local historian. We'll find out how she made those moves, how she ended up co-founding the research site NameAndPlace.com, and her dual loves of North Yorkshire and heraldry. Relatively Speaking: Pam's choice of life story is that of her Great Great Uncle, Albert 'Ginger' Goodwin. Ginger left the collieries of...
In this little bonus Series One episode - The Epilogue, we rejoin Episode 7 guest Pam Smith, and 19th century Hungarian revolutionary and poet Sándor Petőfi, just as an explosion leaves them both in danger in the garage, and Andrew has suddenly vanished.... - - - Episode credits: Series One, Episode Eight Andrew Martin - Host and ProducerPam Smith - GuestJohn Spike - Sándor PetőfiShow notes and more at: familyhistoriespodcast.com Thank you for listening! You can sign up to our email ...

Series Two Trailer

2021-10-2600:55

The trailer for Series Two of The Family Histories Podcast is here! That means only one thing - Series Two is imminent. Subscribe for free now to receive the first episode of the series as soon as it is released on 2nd November 2021. Find out more about Series Two, and keep up with the latest news at: familyhistoriespodcast.com. Thank you for listening! You can sign up to our email newsletter for the latest and behind the scenes news. You can find us on Twitter @FamilyHistPod, Facebook, ...
In this first episode of Series Two - The Tailor, host Andrew Martin talks to genealogist and former-colleague Ruth Bramley about how she got hooked on tracing her Jewish family history, her passion for re-creating history, and how she traced the history of an object known as 'Alice'. Relatively Speaking: Woolf Bernstock Ruth tells the story of her 2x Great Grandfather Woolf Bernstock who was born in Warsaw, Poland in about 1844. By 1876, working as a tailor, he, his wife and family moved to...
In this second episode - The Granddaddy - Andrew meets genealogist True Lewis and discovers how she got hooked on researching her family tree, what challenges she faces when researching her enslaved African-American ancestors, her work to research her American Revolutionary ancestor, and she talks about her co-host role on the Black Pro Gen Live show. Relatively Speaking - Ike Ivery True has chosen her 2x Great Grandfather Isaac 'Ike' Ivery for her life story. Ike was born into slave...
In this third episode, host Andrew Martin meets genealogical crime mystery author, Nathan Dylan Goodwin to find out how he got into family history, how he keeps his ancestral reality separate from his fantasy worlds of Morton Farrier, Mrs McDougall, and the Venator Cold Case Team, and we'll get some teasers from the brand new Morton Farrier book. Relatively Speaking - Silas Thomas Nathan has chosen his ancestor Silas Thomas, of Sussex, England, and it's an unusual story featuri...
In this fourth episode, The Pimp, host Andrew Martin is joined by writer and Mafia genealogist Justin Cascio. We'll be finding out about how he got into researching his Sicilian family history, and the challenges of researching there, He'll also tell us about how his ancestors lived as immigrants in the US. Relatively Speaking - Giuseppe Longo Justin has chosen his Gt Grandfather Giuseppe Longo (sometimes 'Joseph') for his life story, and we're straight into a life of crime and...
In this fifth episode, The Noble, host Andrew Martin is joined by professional genealogist Marina Brizhatova. She'll be explaining what it's like to research ancestry in Russia, what kind of records are available, and how she got into genealogy. Relatively Speaking - Vladimir Udovenko Marina chose her step-mother's great grandfather Vladimir Udovenko as her Life Story to tell, and this is a story of a secret identity, but not a voluntary one. It wasn't until many years after Vl...
In this sixth episode, host Andrew Martin meets family historian Steve Jackson, who not only traces his family tree, but also undertakes a One-Name Study for the Atcherley surname, and a One-Place Study too. We'll be finding out how he got into genealogy, and the challenges he's faced whilst researching. Relatively Speaking - Captain James Atcherley We're all at sea, as Steve tells us about his 2nd Cousin, 7x Removed, Captain James Atcherley. Captain James fought as part of Adm...
In this seventh and final episode of Series Two (sorry folks!), host Andrew meets professional genealogist and author, Emma Jolly. He'll be finding out how she got into family history, what it was like to work on TV shows Who Do You Think You Are? and Mancs In Mumbai, and ideas on how to encourage children to become interested in family history. Relatively Speaking - William Jolly Emma has chosen her paternal Great Great Grandfather, William Jolly born in 1842 in Montrose, Forfarshire...
In this Series Two short bonus episode, we join host Andrew Martin in the garage, as he explains to Sándor Petőfi, why his gift has to be returned to 18th century London. However, they're interrupted by a long overdue guest returning to the present day, and she has clearly been having a wonderful time... --- Episode Credits: Series Two, Episode Eight (Bonus) Andrew Martin - Host and ProducerJohn Spike - Sándor PetőfiRuby - HodgeRuth Bramley - GuestShow notes and more: familyhistoriespodcast...

Series Three Trailer

2022-04-2601:27

We're excited to announce that Series Three of The Family Histories Podcast is ready, and once again host and family historian Andrew Martin will be meeting 7 more genealogy-addicted guests, will be hearing about the lives of 7 more fascinating relatives, and there's 7 more annoying research brick walls that we'll be asking for your help to solve. We're also excited to announce the guests too - Chris Paton, Helen Parker-Drabble, David Mendoza, Jill Ball, Yetunde Abiola, and Sheldon K. Goodma...
In this first episode of Series Three, host Andrew Martin meets genealogist and fellow podcaster Denise Geelhart. He'll find out how she got hooked on family history, how she researches her American and German roots, and balances that with researching the family history of the perpetrators and victims of true crime for her Murderous Roots podcast. Life Story: Joseph Haberstroh Denise has chosen her German 3x Gt Grandfather, Joseph Haberstroh, who was born near Frieberg im Breisgau, in Baden...
In this second episode of Series Three, host Andrew Martin meets professional genealogist, author, and genealogy tutor - Chris Paton, and finds out how he got hooked on family history, and what it's like to research family history in Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. He asks Chris about his tutoring work with genealogy course provider Pharos, and his former television producer career with the BBC. Life Story - Jessie MacFarlane Chris has chosen his Great Grandmother Jessie Paton (bo...
In this third episode of Series Three, host Andrew Martin meets author, genealogist, and counsellor Helen Parker-Drabble to find out how she got hooked on family history, what exactly is a 'geneatherapist', and how she uses this skill within her research to help understand her ancestors' psychological inheritance. Life Story: Walter Parker Helen has chosen to tell the life story of her Grandfather Walter Parker, who was born in the village of Upwell in Norfolk, England in 1885. Walte...
In this fourth episode of Series Three - THE DEFIANT, host Andrew meets with the President of the Sephardic Genealogical Society, David Mendoza to find out how he got into tracing his family's history, and what it's like to trace Sephardic roots. Life Story - Miguel de Mendonça Valladolid David has chosen his ancestor's nephew Miguel de Mendonça Valladolid as the life story to share, and this is a remarkable story about a man's defiance against religious persecution, and his strength of mi...
NOTE: This episode names and discusses the life of a First Nations Indigenous Australian who has died. If you wish to skip this section, you can do so from the 6m 15s mark, until the 7m 44s minute mark. In this fifth episode of Series Three - THE PRIEST, host Andrew Martin meets Australian former-librarian now genealogy addict, Jill Ball. He'll find out about how she got into family history, how she found her convict ancestors, her work as President of The Lake Macquarie Family History Group...
In this sixth episode of Series Three - THE MATRIARCH, Andrew meets genealogist and RootsTech Ambassador Yetunde Abiola to find out how she researches her family history in Jamaica and Nigeria, and what kind of records are available in two countries involved in the slave trade in seemingly different ways. Life Story: Agnes Ancita Chambers Yetunde has chosen her 2x Great Grandmother Agnes Ancita Chambers for her Life Story. After being shown a photograph of Agnes dressed in her finery, Yet...
In this seventh and final episode of Series Three, host Andrew Martin meets public historian and tour guide, Sheldon K. Goodman, to find out about how he became obsessed with family history, why he co-founded the Cemetery Club, and how he researches and shares the often hidden lives of LGBTQ+ people. Life Story: John Traynor Sheldon has chosen his Great Grandfather's life story to share with us, but it's one that's filled with pain and trauma. When Sheldon's Grandfather was just 4 years ol...
In this short Series Three bonus episode, we return right back to the ending of Episode Seven, where guest Sheldon K. Goodman and host Andrew Martin are facing a perilous fate where a bearded stranger has them both held at sword-point. Who is this stranger, where did he come from, and what does he want? - - - Episode Credits Series Three, Episode Eight (Bonus) Andrew Martin - Host and ProducerSheldon K. Goodman - GuestPrince Sterling - CharlemagneYetunde Abiola - GuestShow notes and more a...

Series Four Trailer

2022-10-2803:04

Series Four of The Family Histories Podcast is ready! It's time for the brand new Series Four of The Family Histories Podcast with seven more brilliant family historians, seven fascinating life stories, and seven more of those pesky research brick walls for you to help solve. For a list of our list of Series Four guests and all the latest updates about the podcast, visit familyhistoriespodcast.com It all begins on 1st November 2022 ..... assuming host Andrew Martin can get ho...
In this first episode of Series Four- 'The Undead', host Andrew Martin meets Swedish genealogist Linda Kvist to find out about her love of family history, how she became a DNA coach, how she uses archives and Arkiv Digital to trace her Swedish ancestors, and how she DNA tested a non-human family member! Life Story - Nils Peter Bengtsson Linda tells the life story of her partner's ancestor Nils Peter Bengtsson, a man who was born in 1858 and emigrated to the USA. In about 1900, and now wido...
In this second episode of Series Four, host Andrew Martin meets with Else Churchill, who has spent 40 years working in the genealogy community, and is the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists in London. She also regularly teaches, lectures, and has played a pivotal role in organising conferences, and representing the family history community at national and governmental level. Life Story - Else's Mother and Father After decades of research into the Churchill ...
In this third episode of Series Four, host Andrew Martin meets with historian, author, TEDx speaker, and family historian, Shaquan McDowell to find out how he got hooked on researching his family, his adventures with DNA, and how he got involved in the New York Times' 1619 Project. Life Story - Elizabeth Scott Shaquan has chosen to tell the story of his 5x Great Grandmother, Elizabeth Scott - a Free Person of Colour born in 1810 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Whilst her country was going...
In this fourth episode of Series Four, host Andrew Martin meets Canadian professional genealogist and author, Janice Nickerson, who specialises her research into the families and history of Upper Canada, the Hudson Bay Company, and crime and punishment. Andrew will be finding out how she got hooked on family history, the value of court records, the challenges of researching in Canada, and the how she gets non-genealogists and children interested in family history. Life Story - Emma Bell Chan...
In this episode from Series Four, host Andrew Martin meets author and former journalist Paul Roberts to find out how he got hooked on researching his family's history. He'll find out how Paul's early research skills helped his work as a journalist, and how he managed to write a book about 30 men who fought in the First World War. Life Story - Sam Roberts Paul has chosen to share the life story of his 1st Cousin, 2x Removed, Sam Roberts. Sam was born in 1895 in Teignmouth, Devon, Eng...
In this sixth episode of Series Four, Andrew meets Irish professional genealogist Claire Bradley. He'll be finding out how she got hooked on family history, the impact of the Irish Civil War on her family history research, how she's teaching genealogists, and her time as a genealogist in control of the national @Ireland twitter account. The Life Story - Michael Joyce Claire has chosen her 2x Great Grandfather, Michael Joyce who was born in Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland, in 1851. Michae...
In this final episode of Series Four, host Andrew meets professional genealogist and author Simon Last. Andrew will find out about Simon's love of War Memorials, his work with the Western Front Association and the Commonwealth Graves War Commission, why he turned professional, and his love for collecting postcards. The Life Story - Tadeusz Bialosiewicz Simon tells the story of his grandfather, Tadeusz Bialosiewicz of Poland, whom he discovered over 20 years ago, after Simon was researching...
Previously.... on The Family Histories Podcast: Computer has given host Andrew and guest Simon Last a stark warning and now they find themselves in immediate danger... but from what, and who can save them? This is the Series Four bonus episode, following on from the cliff-hanger of episode seven - 'The Reunited'. - - - Episode Credits Series Four, Episode Eight (Bonus) Andrew Martin - Host and ProducerSimon Last - GuestCourtney Dunn - ComputerJohn Spike - Sándor PetőfiShow notes and more...

Series Five Trailer

2023-04-2502:49

The Family Histories Podcast returns for its fifth series on 2nd May 2023, but before episode one arrives, there's just enough time for a spot of tea... in 1811... with Jane Austen! Host Andrew Martin returns for Series Five, along with seven more genealogy addicted guests, seven more fascinating life stories, and seven more annoying family history research brick walls that will need your help to demolish them. Of course, there's also a secret time machine in the garage, but we k...
In this first episode of Series Five of The Family Histories Podcast, host Andrew Martin meets genealogist Jenni Phillips, and finds out how she got hooked on family history, why she can't get enough of studying genealogy, her love of family and local history societies, and the lengths she goes to to research house history. The Life Story - John Spring Jenni has chosen to tell the life story of her 7x Gt Grandfather John Spring of West Cholderton in Wiltshire, England. John was a carpente...
In this second episode of Series Five - The Righteous - host Andrew meets Slovak professional genealogist, and host of the Slovak Ancestry Podcast, Michal Razus. Andrew finds out how Michal got into researching family history, the challenges of researching in Slovakia, and finds out about his work to assist people with citizenship. The Life Story - Michal Razus Michal has chosen his 2x Great Grandfather also named Michal Razus as his relative to tell the life story of. This Michal was born ...
In this third episode of Series Five - The Missionary - host Andrew meets family historian Kim Brengle and hears how she got hooked on tracing her family history, and how she manages to trace her nomadic relatives. The Life Story - Daniel and Emily Oliver Kim has chosen to share the life story of her Great Grandparents Daniel and Emily Oliver, and this is one that sees Daniel leave his agricultural labouring life in Caithness, Scotland, and Emily leaving her Quaker family in Yorkshire, to bo...
In this fourth episode of Series Five, host Andrew meets family historian, blogger, and Family Tree Magazine columnist Paul Chiddicks. He tells Andrew how he got into family history, about his Old Palace School Bombing project, and shares his ideas for some genealogy-themed Lego sets. The Life Story - William Wootton Paul has chosen to tell the life story of his maternal Great Grandfather William Tom Wootton, who was born in 1863 in Kentish Town, London. Paul describes him as an 'entreprene...
Andrew is joined by professional genealogist Fiona Brooker for this fifth episode of Series Five. Andrew finds out how she researches family history in Scotland and England from New Zealand, as well as the challenges of researching within New Zealand and its privacy laws. She reveals how she got hooked on family history, and also shares her thoughts on how our modern lives will be researched in future. THE LIFE STORY - THOMAS URQUHART Fiona has decided to tell the life story of her Great Gr...
NOTE: This episode contains discussion on the topics of eugenics, suicide, and abuse. Please consider others when listening aloud. In this sixth episode of Series Five - The Cousin, host Andrew meets Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, and now family history author John Erickson. Andrew will be finding out about how John's 30 years in journalism has helped him with researching his family, how his mother surprised him with news of her younger brother, and how the life of his Grandmother has a...
In this final episode of Series Five, host Andrew Martin meets professional genealogist Kelly Cornwell and hears about her love of researching family history, and how that led on to her going professional, as well as her work on an extremely niche One-Place Study. The Life Story - Rebecca Monksfield Kelly has chosen to tell the life story of her 5x Great Aunt Rebecca Monksfield of Shoreditch, London, who, like her mother, worked for a shoe factory. However, a chance search in newspapers f...
Previously on The Family Histories Podcast.... Whilst trying to send the previous episode's guest Kelly Cornwell back in time, Andrew makes a mistake and suddenly finds himself in an alternate dimension where things are the same but also a little bit different. In this reality, the host of The Family Histories Podcast is author and historian Dr. Wanda Wyporska who has been waiting for her guest - Andrew! In this Series Five bonus episode, Wanda hears how family historian Andrew Marti...

Series Six Trailer

2023-10-3103:44

Series Six is ready! However, before we join our first guest, Andrew thinks there's just enough time to go out for some celebratory drinks... or perhaps shots - assuming no-one gets bard... Our first episode arrives on 7th November 2023 - see the full list of our forthcoming Series Six guests and episode schedule by checking out our Series Six page. - - - Episode Credits: Andrew Martin - Host and ProducerRobert Neumark Jones - William ShakespeareJohn Spike - Sándor Petőfi Thank you for l...
Series Six of The Family Histories Podcast begins with host Andrew Martin meeting family historian, storyteller, and author of 'Quilt Of Souls: A Memoir' - Phyllis Biffle Elmore. She explains what got her hooked on researching family history, the value of listening to our elders, and collecting oral histories. THE LIFE STORY - LULA HORN Phyllis has chosen to tell the life story of her grandmother Lula Horn, born in 1883 in Sandersville, Mississippi, USA, whom she met for the first time aged...
In this second episode of Series Six, host Andrew Martin meets Rick Glanvill - a family historian, author, and tour guide, who is also the official historian of Chelsea Football Club. Andrew will be finding out how Rick got hooked on researching his family tree, how his work as a tour guide is affected by this, and how he ended up being the expert of a football club's history. THE LIFE STORY - WILLIAM URMSTON SEARLE GLANVILLE RICHARDS Rick has chosen to tell the life story of his third cous...
Our third episode of Series Six sees host Andrew Martin meet professional genealogist Clare Kirk, and he'll be finding out how she got hooked on researching her family history, why she does it for other people, what she does for Friends of Friendless Churches, and her hopes for an unusual 18th Century record in Buckinghamshire that reveals who the local cake man, rat man, and pig poker were! THE LIFE STORY - HARRIET READ Clare has chosen her husband's relative Harriet Read - a 'cousin' of hi...
In this fourth episode of Series Six, host Andrew meets family historian Sven Grewel, who has been tracing his German ancestry for many years and has since become a professional genealogist. He explains how he got hooked on researching his family history, and the challenges of researching in Germany - a country that has frequently changed its borders through history. THE LIFE STORY - JOHANN CARL MAX SABEL Sven has chosen to tell the life story of his 2x Great Grandfather Johan Carl Max Sabe...
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