Colleen Jousma and PJ Elias

Their Voices Podcast

History EN ↓ 19 episodes

We talk about family history, genealogy, and history related to our own and other people's ancestors.

Author

Colleen Jousma and PJ Elias

Category

History

Latest episode

Apr 3, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 19 - The Hekman Family 03.04.2026

Colleen continues sharing her research on her One Place Study of the Roosevelt Park neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this episode she shares about the Hekman family who had a baking company in the neighborhood. https://rooseveltparkneighborhood.wordpress.com/2024/09/18/the-hekman-family-1380-cesar-e-chavez/

Episode 18 - PJ's Trip to Poland 12.08.2025

In this episode PJ shares about his trip to Poland. He visited Wałbrzych and Warsaw. During his trip he visited a few castles, hiked the Carpathians, went to cemeteries, and went to a few museums.

Episode 17 - Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery 26.05.2025

In today's episode Colleen interviews Aisha Woods a community volunteer at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Carson, California. The next volunteer cleanup day is Saturday June 14 from 8am to 1pm. The cemetery tour is happening on June 22. To learn more about how you can support Lincoln check out the volunteer website. Aisha Wood's email and phone number on on the site: https://www.lincoln...

Episode 16 - The Brice Family 20.07.2024

In this episode Colleen continues her research on the Roosevelt Neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this episode she shares her research on the Brice family. Caleb Brice and his wife were the first people in the written record that we've found who were not of Native American or European descent. The Brice's were African Americans from Pennsylvania who immigrated to Michigan from Can...

Episode 15 - Peppertown 09.07.2023

In this episode PJ and Colleen talk about a former neighborhood of St Petersburg, Florida called Peppertown. It was a predominantly African American neighborhood. In this episode PJ talks about Stewart's Memorial Chapel as well as a minister from Africa named Pela Penick. You can follow us on Twitter @TheirVoices_Pod, Instagram @theirvoicespod, and Facebook.

Episode 14 - Roosevelt Park One Place Study 19.06.2023

On this episode we discuss Colleen's One Place Study about the neighborhood she grew up in. Our special guest in this episode is Colleen's brother, Tim. The neighborhood they grew up in was the Roosevelt Park neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Learn more about the One Place Study here: https://rooseveltparkneighborhood.wordpress.com/ Learn about the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Associa...

Episode 13 - Robert Smalls 10.01.2023

In this episode we talk about the life of the Civil War Hero, politician, and education advocate Robert Smalls. We tell the story of his daring escape from slavery during the Civil War, his public service in South Carolina and federal legislatures, and more. Yearning to Breathe Free - Dr Andrew Billingsly https://www.google.com/books/edition/Yearning_to_Breathe_Free/1RgfEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&a...

Episode 12 - Project Infant 28.09.2022

In this episode we speak to Daniel Loftus, creator of an important website called Project Infant. This site is creating a database of all the victims of the Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland to ensure that their memory lives on. To learn more about Project Infant check out the following links. Website: https://projectinfant.ie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Project_Infant Facebook: https://www.faceb...

Episode 11 - Conference Debrief 03.08.2022

We sat down and discussed PJ's experience at the Midwestern Roots conference that happened in July. We discuss how the panel he was on went and how his stand alone presentation on Eastern European genealogy went as well. Spoiler - PJ had a great time and highly recommends everyone attend a conference if they get a chance.

Episode 10 - Not a FAN 10.07.2022

In this episode PJ talks about what a FAN is in genealogical research and what things FANs can help you with.

Episode 9 - Colleen's Mothers Line 08.05.2022

Happy Mothers Day! In this episode Colleen talks about her Mothers Line. This is the line going from her to her 3x great grandmother, Susan Tea. Be sure to follow our podcast @TheirVoices_Pod. And we will begin posting on soon on our Instagram @theirvoicespod. Learn more about the Friends Talking Nerdy Podcast Network here. https://friendstalkingnerdy.com/ If you are interested in signing up as a...

Episode 8 - Port Richmond part 2 12.03.2022

In this episode we go into more detail about the neighborhood of Philadelphia called Port Richmond. We focus our episode on life in the area from pre-contact to about 1920. Be sure to follow our podcast @TheirVoices_Pod. And we will begin posting on soon on our Instagram @theirvoicespod. Learn more about the Friends Talking Nerdy Podcast Network here. https://friendstalkingnerdy.com/ If you are in...

Episode 7 - William Dale 17.09.2021

Learn more about our guest George at his website genealogywithgeorge.com. You can also connect with him on Twitter @_george_hall_. Be sure to follow our podcast @TheirVoices_Pod. Learn more about the Friends Talking Nerdy Podcast Network here. https://friendstalkingnerdy.com/ See you next time!

Episode 6 - Tips for Eastern European Genetic Genealogy 12.07.2021

Check out PJ's blog Slavic Genealogy to learn more. https://slavicgenealogy.wordpress.com/ And be sure to follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheirVoices_Pod

Episode 5 - Dutch Diaspora 08.04.2021

In this episode we talk about the Dutch Diaspora through history. Follow us on Twitter @TheirVoices_Pod

Episode 4 - Polonia 17.03.2021

This episode PJ talks about the Polish diaspora, also known as Polonia. Also, enjoy the back and forth between PJ and Colleen as they discuss PJ's talk and the fact that Colleen has never had a Paczki. Follow us on Twitter at @TheirVoices_Pod.

Episode 3 - Port Richmond 03.03.2021

Join us as PJ talks about crime in Philadelphia and specifically the neighborhood of Port Richmond where some of his ancestors lived.

Episode 2 - Attempted Murder 17.02.2021

This week's episode Colleen shares a true story about her 3rd great grandparents. Don't let the title scare you away from listening to this episode. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. Special thanks goes out to the Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections for the court records from this case and the Kalamazoo Gazette for the newspaper articles.

Ep 1 - Who We Are 03.02.2021

Our introductory episode where we discuss a little bit about ourselves, how we came to be interested in genealogy, and also mention how much we still have to learn about history. Follow us on Twitter @TheirVoices_Pod.

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