Extreme Genes - America's Family History And Genealogy Radio Show & Podcast

Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org.  In "Family Histoire" news Fisher and David talk about two women, working the same shift at a Florida hospital, who have made a remarkable DNA discovery.  Hear what it is in the opening segment.  David then shares the recent discovery of an ancient settlement found beneath the remains of the one destroyed at Pompeii in 79 AD.  Listen to the podcast for the amazing details! David also talks about how your military ancestors are eligible for military tombstones from the government... both US and Canadian. Learn how to obtain one.  David also has a new "Tech Tip" and another free database from NEHGS!Fisher then visits with Alice and Jessica, two ladies who used DNA to solve a most remarkable mystery.  Were Alice's father and Jessica's grandfather really switched at birth?  Hear how the story developed over three years and how the breakthrough finally occurred.Fisher then v

Fisher opens the show with the announcement that the first Extreme Genes cruise will take place in September of 2016!  (See our Facebook page or ExtremeGenes.com for details.)  David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist for the New England Historical Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org, joins the conversation with a story about a 16th century shipwreck that is causing concern in Ireland.  He also talks about the new archaeological dig in New York City covering the area of the old New York Seaport.  David also has another free NEHGS database to share and his weekly Tech Tip.Fisher next visits with Brenda Sullivan of the "Gravestone Girls." (See GraveStoneGirls.com)  Brenda is an artist who can make a mold and perfect duplicate of your ancestor's grave stone!  She'll tell you all about rubbing grave stones, and some of how she creates duplicate stones... but not all.  Might she help you obtain the most unique family heirloom ever invented?Then, photo expert Ron Fox returns to the show to talk about how h

Leigh Ann Walker Young, daughter of the late Chicago Cubs coach, Verlon "Rube" Walker, lost her dad when she was three years old, in 1971.  Three years ago, she recognized the hole his absence left in her life and decided to reach out to her father's former associates, looking for stories and just maybe... the sound of his voice.  Leigh Ann shares her journey this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!Fisher and David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.org, cover several "Family Histoire" news stories that people are talking about this week.  They include one woman's efforts to locate and then wear a wedding dress that has been used in family weddings since 1895. Listen to the show to hear just how many relatives have worn that dress!  Then, it's an update on the progress being made on the remains of a woman believed to be the model for DaVinci's "Mona Lisa."  Next, could your fingerprints reveal something about your ancestry

Fisher opens this week's show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.  David shares a great way to get kids interested in family research... the very fun lineage of Harry Potter!  He'll tell you what that is all about.  FamilySearch releases another great new database.  Learn what it is and if it relates to your research.  Then listen to David's awesome "Tech Tip" concerning Facebook, and NEHGS has another free database for you to check out.In the second segment, Fisher visits again with Thomas MacEntee of High-Definition Genealogy in Chicago.  Thomas is ramping up for another "Genealogy Do Over."  It's an on line opportunity for you to fix mistakes you made when you were just starting out, or to begin your efforts on the right foot.  You can participate on line from anywhere.  Thomas will tell you what it's all about.Then, Fisher visits with Crystal Johnson, a woman who stumbled on a record that told her that her husband's grandpare

When when captured Southern soldiers were forced to fight for the North, they generally didn't want to talk about it.  But this guy took it one step further.  Ken Alford shares a great story he uncovered while writing a book.  And who ever thought there would be a "Center For Home Movies?"  But there is!Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist for the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.  David talks about the remarkable discovery of a young man whose remains were found hanging from the roots of a downed tree in Ireland... almost 1,000 years after his death!  Fisher and David also talk about the challenge awaiting young people in their research when they are unable to read cursive writing.  The problem has already begun.  David has a Tech Tip of the Week, and a brand new NEHGS Free Database.  You'll have to listen to hear what it is!Fisher then visits with Dwight Swanson with the Center for Home Movies.  What do they do and how can your old home movies be

Every month, an expert from our sponsor 23andMe.com answers your questions about genealogy DNA.  This week, Dr. Joanna Mountain takes on a challenging listener question.  And Sarah O'Connor of GeneArtistry.com talks about her research into a century old jailbreak involving a great great uncle!Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.  David talks about a new milestone recently achieved by Queen Elizabeth, new finds in the area of Stonehenge, and the discovery of 2.5 million year old remains in South Africa.  David also provides a "Low Tech Tip of the Week," a "poor man's GPS" for use in cemeteries!  He also has a review of an app called PhotoMyne, and another free database from NEHGS.Then, Dr. Joanna Mountain from 23andMe.com answers an amazing listener question about genealogy DNA, and offers other insights for you to understand as you consider your DNA test.  Everybody's talking DNA these days, and you won't wan

Not many genies are passionate enough to buy their own cemetery, but Roy Schreffler of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania did!  Also, expert Karen Clifford gives us an overview on what it takes to research your southern ancestors.   Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors, who talks about the latest scientific analysis of an ancient 9 foot idol found in Siberia in 1890.  You will not believe how old it is!  Midwesterners will be interested to hear the latest on the upgrade to Indiana's iconic Allen County Genealogy Library.  David also shares his plans to test what we hope to be an awesome new app for photos, and he gives us another free database to check out.   Fisher then visits with Karen Clifford, President of Genealogy Research Associates, who shares her ideas on researching ancestors in the challenging 19th century southern states.  Yes, she says, it can be done!   Roy Schreffler, a passionate genie from Bethlehem, Pe

This week on Extreme Genes... more gems from newly released War of 1812 pension applications, AND talk with a woman who just learned she descends from a Cortez crew member and Jamestown!   Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.  David has a story about a couple and their 60 years of wedding cake sharing... with a twist!  Also, Big Ben, now 156 years old, is having trouble keeping accurate time.  Hear what's happening to correct it!  Plus, David has your tech tip and info on where he will be in September to talk genealogy with you in person!   Fisher then visits with Fran Jensen, who, along with some colleagues, are reading nearly every new War of 1812 pension record as it comes out on Fold3.  You'll be amazed at the gems they have found, and you'll benefit from Fran's insight on what to expect when you dig in to this awesome National Archives collection.   Danielle Torres from NEHGS talks about her recent exper

If you enjoyed the recent Perseid Meteor Shower, you would have really enjoyed what happened in 1833... likely the most spectacular meteor shower ever!  Linda Emlee, of Ray County, Missouri tells us all about it this week on Extreme Genes!   Fisher and David Allen Lambert from the New England Historic Genealogical Society open the show talking about a volunteer effort to restore a 19th century African-American cemetery.  David also tells us about ancient English records that are now being made available on line, including wills from the 15th century through the 19th century.  David's Tech Tips includes an incredibly doable idea for involving your kids in family history.  It's unlike anything you've ever heard of before!  David also has another free database for you from NEHGS!   Fisher then shares one of his favorite interviews from the first 100 Extreme Genes episodes.  It's a visit with the founder of Find-A-Grave, Jim Tipton.  Hear about how this iconic site practically invented itself.   Linda Emlee of Ra

It's one of the most remarkable family history stories we've ever had on the show!  Hear what one man's family had to face after an accident, family interviews, the removal of hair from a corpse at a funeral home, and DNA tests!   Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert with news about a reunion of a daughter and mother, separated by the Nazis in World War II.  They'll have the details.  Then David talks about a new discovery that may shed light on the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, Virginia in the 16th century.  Also, might President Warren Harding have had a "love child?"  DNA has solved that long time mystery.  Hear the results.  Plus, David's Tech Tip of the Week, and your free NEHGS database!   Then Steve Anderson, a Minnesota native, shares his incredible story of discovery concerning himself and his eight siblings.  No one could have imagined what he and a brother learned... information that has rocked his family.  And it's not over yet!   Fisher then shares an encore interview from his first

Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist with the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.  David has an assignment for everyone concerning one story in their history.  Listen to hear what it is.  He also shares a fascinating tip about pages of information that likely exist for your immigrant ancestor, held by the government beginning in 1940.  What is this record and how can you get it?  David explains.  He also shares his Tech Tip of the Week and another free database from NEHGS and American Ancestors.   Then, Dr. Kasia Bryc of 23andMe.com visits with Fisher about DNA genealogy.  It can reveal so much information now... but where is it going in the future?  Dr. Bryc will give you some insight.  In the second segment with Dr. Bryc, she answers some of the most common questions about the use of DNA in your research.  23andMe will now be regularly supplying experts to answer your questions in this growing and exciting field!  If you have a question... or a DNA

Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors talking about naming patterns, and how they can often reveal the names of the parents' ancestors.  Are clues to your ancestor's ancestors sitting right under your nose?  Fisher and David will tell you how to break the code.  David then talks about the revealing of the identities of remains from the old Jamestown settlement.  Might one of them be your ancestor?  David then reports on the controversial reduction of assets at the genealogy library in Phoenix, and shares another Tech Tip of the Week, and NEHGS free database!In segment two, Ancestry's Jennifer Utley, lead researcher for "Who Do You Think You Are?" talks about the celebrities in this season's episodes.  Who was most interesting to work with, and where did they film?  Jennifer will provide the inside story.Then, Stan Lindaas of HeritageConsulting.com returns to talk about criminal ancestors and why they shouldn't

Fisher opens the show with Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors, David Allen Lambert.  David talks about using Find-A-Grave and Billion Graves to create a burial lineage chart.  He also talks about the NASA "New Horizon" mission to Pluto and how a significant individual's human remains are on it.  Listen to the show to find out whose!  Plus, David tells you how you can go to Europe without leaving North America.  (Honest!)  Then, David shares with you another free database and Fisher fills you in on what's happening with "Who Do You Think You Are?" "Turn: Washington's Spies," and Henry Louis Gates' "Finding Your Roots."  (Hint: It's all good news!)   Fisher then shares part one of his interview with genealogy visionary Gilad Japhet, founder of MyHeritage.  He talks about his passion for genealogy, his idea for a technology based company that makes it easier than ever to research, and the founding of MyHeritage.  He then begins to explain MyHeritage's new ga

This week on Extreme Genes- America's Family History Show, Fisher opens with David Allen Lambert of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.  David talks about FamilySearch.org's upcoming "Fuel the Find," an effort to get 100,000 volunteers indexing records for one week in August.  David shares his experience with a direct descendant of a very important figure in American and French history, and has another awesome Tech Tip of the Week.  Plus... if you'd like a FREE house in Italy, perhaps where your ancestors lived, David tells you how you might get one!   Fisher then visits with NEHGS genealogist, Christopher Child who, as a teen, began researching the confusing maternal ancestry of Abraham Lincoln.  (What were YOU doing as a teen?!)  Hear what Christopher learned and all about the journey his research took him on.   Janet Hovorka from FamilyChartMasters.com returns with some unique and fun ideas for getting family of all ages involved in the heritage side of family reunions.  It's that time of year,

Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors.  They share unbelievable news from MyHeritage.  Wait until you hear what they've done for you!  Also, big news from Ireland that could change everything in your Catholic research.  David explains why they've done it.  (It's a good thing!)  Plus, David's Tech Tip of the Week, and another free database from NEHGS.   Thomas MacEntee of High Definition Genealogy joins Fisher to talk about some of the astounding technology that's likely to be coming down the road in the next five years or so.  Would you use it?  Would you want to use it?  Thomas will give you some things to think about!  He also teases his fall on-line class on genealogy do-overs.  He'll explain just what that is and why it is important.   Massachusetts listener Catherine Jackson then shares her incredible journey to learn about the life of her mother who died when she was eight.  It took her to multiple contin

Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of NEHGS and American Ancestors.  Fisher talks about how liquor consumption increased during and after the Revolution to absurd amounts in the 1830s.  Exactly how much per person?  Fisher will tell you.  Then David talks about various heritage organizations you may be eligible for because of your ancestor's contributions to the cause of liberty.  There are more than you think!  David also shares another terrific Technical Tip of the Week.   Then, Fisher visits with Sarah Hermans, Regent for Daughters of the American Revolution in Rhinebeck, New York.  Sarah explains how many ways your ancestor can qualify for "patriot" status, aside from carrying a rifle.  Fisher was surprised to learn that one of the ancestors he previous hadn't considered could make his female family members eligible for DAR, and him eligible for SAR.  (His fifth patriot.)  Who have you not considered?   Rhonda McClure, Genealogist for the New England Historic Genealogical So

Fisher and David Allen Lambert open the show with great news about FamilySearch's announcement about the new indexing project for the Freedmen's Bureau records... the largest collection of records of freed slaves.  What does this mean and how many records are involved?   Listen and find out!  Then David shares exciting Independence Day news... free access to some of NEHGS' earliest records from the Great Migration.  How can you look for your ancestors in this great database for free?  David will fill you in.  David also has another great Tech Tip of the week for indexing your own personal records, making it easy even for those of us who aren't very "tech savvy."   In the second segment, Fisher visits with Gene Williams who, at age 19, was informed he had been switched at birth with another boy!  But it wasn't until decades later that Gene went to work to find out how real this information was.  Hear about Gene's journey and how he learned the truth.   Ron Arons of "Mind Maps for Genealogy" then joins Fisher t

Fisher and David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors, talk about some of the historic anniversaries happening right now.  One involved one of David's ancestors and a pitchfork!  Plus David has made a new "tech" find that is sure to make you both excited and uncomfortable!  It's called Periscope.  Hear what it's all about in the opening segment.   Then, Fisher visits with well known blogger, "Dear Myrtle."  Myrtle's been thinking hard about what's going to happen to all the papers, documents, and photos she's collected over the years when she's gone. It's a topic you need to be thinking about.  It's a conversation you need to be a part of.   Dan Vanderkam, creator of OldNYC.org and OldSF.org, then talks with Fisher about his masterful interactive map creations and how they can help you locate ancestral homes.  Fisher says he has lost more golf time going through these maps and looking at the thousands of old photos associated with each block.

Fisher opens the show talking about his time in New York City emceeing at AJ Jacobs' Global Family Reunion, as well as his visit to the NYC Municipal Archives researching 19th century firemen records.  He then announces that David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and American Ancestors, is joining the show to co-host the opening segment with his insights on Family Histoire News and what is happening in the ever changing world of genealogy.     David continues with Fisher in Segment 2 talking about the Global Family Reunion experience, and Fisher talks family history with TV and Broadway star Marilu Henner.   In Segment 3, Fisher welcomes back Shelley Smith, whom he recently helped with identifying her birth mother and birth father.  Shelley's recently discovered half-brother, Larry Pond, joins in talking about the moment he learned he had a sister, and what his experience has been like from the birth family perspective.  It's great listening for people seeking

Fisher opens the show talking about the huge response to last week's program about DNA triangulation used to assist listener Shelley Smith identify her birth father, after more traditional means, including DNA, helped her identify her birth mother.  Fisher provides an update on what has since happened to Shelley, who has contacted both a half-sister (from the birth mother's side) and a half-brother (from the birth father's side.)  Interestingly, another listener has come along to talk about using the same technique to identify ancestors born in the late 1700s.  Jeanne Nicholson talks about her experience later in the show.  In Family Histoire News, Flooding in Oklahoma has reveal the body of a 40-year-old man.  Fisher will tell you what makes him so unusual.  Fisher then reveals that yet another British monarch may be hidden beneath yet another parking lot!  Who is it, and what is the likelihood we'll have another Richard III on our hands? Fisher will tell you about it.   Bill Harten, creator of Puzzilla then