DiscoverKnow Your AncestorsHow to Spot Trauma & Resilience in Your Ancestors’ Lives
How to Spot Trauma & Resilience in Your Ancestors’ Lives

How to Spot Trauma & Resilience in Your Ancestors’ Lives

Update: 2025-11-19
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Description

Ep 51: Most people think genealogy is just names and dates. But when you slow down and look closely at the records, you can start to see clues about what your ancestors actually lived through — the trauma and the resilience that shaped your family line.


In this episode, we talk about:


What to look for

  • Signs of trauma: early death, loss of children, divorce, separation, poverty, institutionalization, court cases, forced migration, war, epidemics.
  • Signs of resilience: remarriage after loss, stable work or housing, strong family ties, community or church service, entrepreneurship, education.


Where to find the clues

  • Census records
  • Newspapers
  • Vital & church records
  • Court, probate, military, and migration records
  • Historical context (what was happening around them)


You’ll learn how to piece these clues together to understand not just your ancestors, but the patterns you’ve inherited — and the strengths you can claim.


Links

Rooted & Rising Bundle — Learn how to research your family tree and interpret the stories you find - get 2 self-guided courses for $297 - deal ends Nov 30.


Your Origin Story — I have two discounted spots left (payment plans available).

Book a free 15-min call


Custom Genealogy Research — $75/hr for ancestral trips, brick walls, or general research help.

Book a free 15-min call


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How to Spot Trauma & Resilience in Your Ancestors’ Lives

How to Spot Trauma & Resilience in Your Ancestors’ Lives

Megan Hillyer