The Legacy Tree Podcast

In honor of Juneteenth, we are diving deep into the profound world of genetic genealogy. For many people of African descent, traditional paper-trail research hits a roadblock known as the "1870 wall." In this episode, we explore how groundbreaking DNA testing is tearing down that wall and providing a reliable space for people to reclaim their roots and family histories. We are joined by two incred...

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Explained: Tracing Your Maternal Line, Haplogroups & “Mitochondrial Eve” In this episode of the Legacy Tree Podcast, the team at Legacy Tree Genealogists features their expert DNA researcher Caleb Anderson to explain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and how it can trace a direct maternal line back thousands of years. Caleb breaks down how mtDNA differs from autosomal DNA, Y-...

In today’s episode, “Heirloom Preservation: Capturing Legacy Beyond Objects,” we’re joined by Luke of MemoirGhostwriting.com, a specialist in memoir ghostwriting, alongside Heather Nickerson, Founder and CEO of Artifcts.com. Together, they explore how families can preserve legacy in deeply meaningful ways — from transforming life stories into memoirs to documenting the history and significance of...

Episode Summary: Is AI a genealogy best friend or a "hallucinating" hazard? This week, we explore how AI tools are helping professional researchers and hobbyists alike process data at lightning speed. From transcribing messy records to identifying migration patterns that used to take weeks to uncover, Lisa and Kristin share their "boots on the ground" experience with the latest technology. Key Top...

In this episode of The Legacy Tree Podcast, we’re joined by Richard Hill from DNA Favorites, who sits down with Sarah, an advanced researcher on Legacy Tree Genealogists’ DNA team, to explore the powerful — and sometimes unexpected — stories hidden in our DNA. Together, Richard and Sarah discuss Richard’s personal DNA journey and the discoveries that reshaped how he understands his own family hist...

When you get your DNA test results, there's a good chance your DNA matches aren't as straight-forward as you had hoped, and there's a lot of room for misinterpretation. In this week's episode we share helpful things to consider as you begin your journey into the world of genetic genealogy!   Resources: How to Determine Genetically Equivalent Relationships DNA Painter Shared cM Project Learn more a...

Have you gotten your DNA tested? Have you ever wondered what happens after your saliva or cheek swab sample is shipped off to a testing company until the day you get your results? Wonder no longer.    In this week's episode we cover the five steps of DNA genetic genealogy testing so you have complete visibility into the process. Prepare for the insider view. If you like to read along, you can visi...

Story telling is a way to pass on memories and preserve these for generations to come. When your relatives and ancestors tell stories, they are sharing a piece of themselves and their history. Are you ready to capture these stories?   In this week's episode we share 9 tips for interviewing family members to ensure you don't miss out on that priceless retelling of a classic family experience.    In...

Newspapers hold a treasure trove of information on your family history! Not only can you find obituaries, but you can often find birth, marriage, and divorce notices; passenger lists; arrests and information on crimes; war heroes and casualties; tragedies and triumphs; historical context, and more.   In this week's episode we discover the hidden treasures to be discovered within newspapers.    Res...

Do you have Scottish ancestors? We sat down to learn more about finding Scottish ancestors with one of our professional genealogists, Jamie Kay. In this episode, we share 5 keys to finding Scottish ancestors.    Resources and Websites for Scottish Research: Scotland's People  FamilySearch FindMyPast Ancestry   If you have Scottish ancestors you need help finding, Legacy Tree Genealogists are here...

Finding biological parents is one of the most challenging, and rewards projects we get to work on at Legacy Tree Genealogists.    In this week's episode, we hear from a Legacy Tree client as she shares her story about searching for her family in Puerto Rico.    Listen in to see how her story took a few turns along to way but ended with her fully discovering her past.    If you have biological fami...

  As genealogists, finding ancestors is a daily practice in joy, gratitude, and patience. The month of September in the United States is National Hispanic Heritage Month and in this week's episode we share four pro-tips to help you find your Mexican ancestors and accurately fill in your family tree.   If you are ready to learn more about finding your ancestors in Mexico, or other countries around...

What untold immigration stories are waiting to be discovered in your family history? In today's episode we share the story of Japanese immigrant, Seito Saibara, and his impact on the Texas landscape. The history of America is an interlacing web of immigration stories from all over the world, many still untold. Every pioneer, either celebrated in life or silent to the grave, has a story worth telli...

We get asked this question often and the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.    In this week's podcast we explain what a coat of arms is, and share eight tips for your heraldic research for your coat of arms.    For more information, see: England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand Court of the Lord Lyon (Scotland) Republic of Ireland France U.S. Heraldic Reg...

If you have ancestors who served in WWII, you might have found yourself at a loss due to a fire in the 1970's that destroyed 80% of records.  But with creativity you may be able to discover more information than you thought possible.  In this weeks episode we share a story that started with a photograph and ended with gathering enough information to file a Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military...

Have you ever found out something shocking about your family? Something that was kept secret for decades? In this weeks episode we share a story of murder and intrigue discovered in the history one of our own researchers family trees. And you won't believe the plot twist.  Do you have your own family mysteries to discover and need some help?   The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to he...

Have you ever needed a professional genealogist to help you with your family history research? Or do you wonder what it would be like to work with a professional? How do you choose a professional genealogist and what certifications and experience should they have? In this episode we discuss how to hire a genealogist as well as what to expect when working with a professional. We cover the different...

Are you part of the large group of Americans who trace their ancestry across the pond? In this episode we help you understand the geography of the area and key records and sources to help search on your mission to discover your English ancestors.  Resources: Free BMD FamilySearch MyHeritage FindMyPast Ancestry If you have English ancestors and need help gathering documentation and vital records, t...

Are you wondering how or if you qualify for Irish dual citizenship? Have you received your DNA test ethnicity results and verified you have a little or quite a bit of Irish ancestry? Or perhaps you are one generation removed from gaining Irish citizenship through descent—in other words, through one of your ancestors? While Legacy Tree Genealogists cannot assist with the legal aspects of applying f...

ThruLines is an AncestryDNA technology that utilizes your DNA matches and the trees of those matches to identify your common ancestors. It will give you hints to help you connect to cousins and relatives in other trees through a common ancestor. In this episode we explore the best practices when using ThruLines and some things to be cautious about to avoid adding members to your tree who are not a...

Genealogy research in Poland can be challenging and rewarding when you know where to search for Polish records. In this episode we share online record portals that can help to speed up your Polish genealogy efforts.  We also discuss the 100 year privacy rule and share a few tips on finding Polish ancestors prior to the 1600s.  Resources: Search the Archives  Geneteka Polish State Archive of Przemy...

Do you have family from the Netherlands? Have you ever been baffled by the surnames and tried to make sense of why some family members have different surnames? Or why there might be so many common surnames in a specific village or community? And how did Napolean impact the surnames for Dutch ancestors? In this weeks episode we cover all of this and more.  A few surname tips to have on hand during...

Immigration has once again become a hot topic in the United States lately, but this isn’t the first time. In fact, it has been a common part of the historical and political discourse since the founding of the nation, largely because immigrants make up such an enormous part of our history and heritage as Americans. In this episode we share four tips and strategies you can use to find your immigrant...

Finding family in Germany can be challenging, as you need to first find the specific town or city where your family lived, and also usually  the parish they attended . To help you with this goal, in this episode we share the three essential websites you can access from home to help with your German research.  1. Meyers or Meyer's Gazetteer of the German Empires: MeyersGaz.org 2. Kartenmeister 3. G...

When you are new to genealogy, knowing which family tree website to use can be a challenge. In this episode we share tips on choosing your platform and what to watch out for. We also share how to properly format your data for sharing and ease of use.  Finally, we answer the question, "When should you hire a professional genealogist?" Want to learn more about hiring a professional genealogist to as...