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

Fisher opens the show with a fascinating story about how World War II bombs still have the potential to kill people in both Britain and Germany.  Wait until you hear what happened in both countries recently and the statistics of how often live Allied bombs are found in Germany every day!  He then talks about a New York realtor who recently had the unusual experience of being randomly chosen to sell a property and business that had been started by his great grandmother 110 years ago.   Fisher then visits with Shelley Smith, who recently worked with Fisher to use a DNA test along with other information to identify both her birth mother AND birth father!  While both are deceased, she has also learned of living birth siblings from both sides of her birth parents' lines.  In identifying the birth father, Fisher used a technique known as "triangulation" to zero in on the family and the correct individual.  Triangulation can also work in traditional genealogy research to identify ancestors.  Under the right circumst

Fisher opens the show with comments received about his mother's 1947 (mis?)adventure, stowing away on a luxury liner to Hawaii.  Then, he'll have a remarkable tale out of St. Louis about a man who has allegedly hijacked a family's heritage for attention and profit.  Who is this man, what has he been doing, and how has his story been falling apart?  Fisher will explain.   Guest Kenyatta Berry, one of the hosts of the PBS Series "Genealogy Road Show" joins Fisher in segment 2, talking about the upcoming revamp of "Roots."  She explains how she wound up on "Genealogy Road Show" almost by accident, how it has changed her life, and her favorite experience with the show so far.   Kenyatta then speaks to the great misconception that African-American records begin with the census of 1870, the first after the Civil War and Emancipation.  She talks about records that often date back long before that involve both the slaves and the slaveholders, and how slaveholder descendants are often helpful in the search for black a

Fisher opens the show with a bit of his own family history.  In 1947, his mother, Marquita Olsen, was one of four young women who stowed away on a luxury liner to Hawaii!  The newspapers reported they had attended a send off party on ship and while walking around touring the ship, the next thing they knew, they were on their way to Honolulu!  But Fisher's mother told a very different version, suggesting they were very much "intentional" stowaways.  Fisher's mother passed five years ago, but he decided to see if he could locate one of the remaining three, even though they would be very elderly, to see if they could clarify the details.  Of course, he did!  He recorded his visit with Terry Chaffee, age 90, initially for his own purposes, but decided it was plenty juicy enough to share with his Extreme Genes family.   One time stowaway, Terry Chaffee, then visits with Fisher about the details of who the girls went to see off from the wharf at San Francisco and how they wound up out at sea, while another stowaway

Fisher opens the show with more family history memorabilia discovered on eBay.  The 1887 ribbons of the Veteran Firemen's Association, a group to which his great-grandfather belonged, have arrived, and now he has found DVDs of old movies from the 1940s in which his mother appeared an an extra!  Fisher also answers a listeners question about doing DNA tests on bits of hair left between the pages of a family Bible.  Can it be done?  Fisher has the answer!  In Family Histoire News, Fisher informs us that the 1977 mini-series "Roots" may be making a comeback in a whole new form.  Also, Springfield, Illinois has honored hometown hero Abraham Lincoln with a recreation of his funeral, featuring pallbearers who are descendants of the originals!   Then, Jill Kirby, a native of Southampton, England, shares with us what she has learned about her great uncle, a crewman on the Titanic!  Alfred Albert White survived the disaster, but not by taking the place of a passenger.  Hear his remarkable tale of survival.   Nick Baum

Fisher is at it again!  He opens the show with his latest case... identifying a birth mother through "triangulation" with DNA tests.  Sounds tricky.  How does it work?  Fisher will explain.  Then on Family Histoire News, an English couple will soon become the newlyweds with the oldest combined age ever!  Just how old are we talking?  Wait til you hear.  Then, a woman has been reunited with the mother that never gave her up 49 years ago.  How did they become separated and how did they reconnect?  It's a touching story.  Plus a 97-year-old woman has received a 125-year-old letter from her grandfather!  Fisher will explain how it turned up, what it said, and what it means to the writer's granddaughter.     Then Jim Bratt joins the show from the Family History Research Group, Probate Genealogy Specialists.  Jim has helped tons of people inherit money, often from strangers.  His work has led him to research Nazi death camp records and other remarkable archives.  His stories will amaze you.   Stan Lindaas from Heri

Fisher opens the show with the sad news that this week is the final week of Who Do You Think You Are for this season.  But also the exciting news that Turn: Washington's Spy Ring has returned to AMC... a great program set in occupied Long Island and New York during the Revolution.  And in "Family Histoire News," Julia Bell of Plymouth, England has found her grandfather.  You'll be amazed at how much she put into locating him and his family!  Fisher also shares his latest family history relic find from eBay.     Then, nationally-recognized "genealogy adventurer" Megan Smolenyak talks about her discovery that EVERYONE has a wrong grandparent for Hillary Clinton in on-line trees.  She explains the reason for this and the implications to ALL of us concerning how we post our research results.  You won't want to miss this segment.   Then, Ancestry ProGenealogists.com researcher Gordon Remington visits to talk about those pesky "lines" to Adam and Eve.  A lot of people have them, but what should we make of them?  Sh

Fisher opens the show with some fascinating "Family Histoire" news.  First, Spain is embracing its Sephardic Jewish heritage which was driven out by the Spanish Inquisition in 1492.  They are opening doors to all who can prove their Sephardic lineage, resulting in Jews around the world researching their Spanish heritage.  Then, it was an amazing discovery, just in time for the 150th anniversary of the conclusion of the Civil War.  A Virginia minister made the find after being asked to memorialize a slave, the only civilian killed at the last big battle of the Civil War at Appomattox Court House.  Wait until you hear what he learned about her!   Then, super-blogger Randy Seaver of Geneamusings joins the show to talk about crowdsourcing your research.  It's an idea he learned can bring free research assistance from anywhere in the world.  As usual, Randy has a great story to go along with it.  Listen in for the details.   Then, Fisher visits with Cathy Greaves Spurgeon, cousin of the late Theresa Rose Greaves.

Fisher opens the show with an overview of the murder case he never imagined he would become a part of.  He sets up his conversation later in the show with a New Jersey woman who was his feet on the ground on the victim's hometown.  They would attempt to locate living family members thirty-two years after Theresa Rose Greaves went missing in Utah.  In family histoire news, Fisher reviews the strange similarities of the remains of a soldier found in Europe, who was killed in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and King Richard III.  And he talks about the recent passing of a 116-year-old woman who twice voted for President Obama.     In segments two and three Fisher and Debbie Veerers, a former classmate of murder victim Theresa Greaves, talk about the hunt for Theresa's family, and the efforts of the Collingswood High (NJ) School Class of '77 to fundraise for a memorial and/or scholarship fund in her name.   Afterwords, Tom Perry shares some great ideas from the National Archives on the handling of old boxes of fa

Fisher opens the show with the story of a woman whose personal research got sidetracked by documents that told her the sad story of an English housekeeper who was sacked because she became pregnant.  By her husband!  Tesse Boase went to work to find out what happened to the woman after losing her job.  Then, the DNA study of the "closed" population of Iceland is over, and some interesting discoveries have been made that could affect our futures, and the futures of our descendants.  Fisher then talks about the great find of a Minnesota woman who kept running into a piece of metal in her garden.  That piece led to quite an adventure, and ultimate connection with the people she knew had to have it.  What was it and what happened?  Fisher will tell you.   Then, it's a rare interview with FamilySearch International CEO and President Dennis Brimhall, in two segments.  Dennis is one of the great leaders in family history research, being instrumental in creating partnerships with MyHeritage.com, Ancestry, and FindMyP

Fisher opens this week's show with Family Histoire News and a fond farewell to King Richard III.  Buried only a few days ago, the King gave Extreme Genes more than its fair share of stories over the past three years.  No five hundred year old body could have done more.  Fisher then shares the story of a slave who escaped to freedom in a more than unique way 166 years ago this weekend.  Wait until you hear this one!  Then... think all Celts are alike?  Apparently not!  DNA is revealing some very interesting things about these early Brits.  And finally... a wooly mammoth may be in the works!  They call it de-extinction.  Fisher will tell you how they're doing it.  Could a Neanderthal be far behind?   HeritageConsulting.com's Stan Lindaas is back with the most amazing revolutionary soldier pension record you've ever heard of.  The soldier's story goes into great depth, with twists, turns, captures, escapes... you'll want to see this in movie form!  Stan will also tell you how to find these great records.   Then

Fisher opens the show with an explanation of his electrolysis experiment with two family daguerreotypes.  He reveals how it went and how to do it... if you dare!  He also reveals the name and age of a man from Brazil that just might make him the oldest man on the planet... perhaps ever!   David Allen Lambert of the New England Historic Genealogical Society joins the show to talk about the "Colonial Wars," those conflicts that happened on this continent in the 150 years before the Revolution.  He also tells you what sources are out there to help you learn whether your ancestors were involved.  There were a lot of wars!  Chances are, if you have early American ancestry, your people were in the thick of things.   Joy Shiver joins us from North Carolina to talk about her amazing creation... a site called JustAJoy.com.  It's the place you can go to find original family artifacts, such as family Bibles, and letters written by your ancestors.  It's crazy cheap, but has already brought many unique pieces back to thei

In Fisher's opening segment, Fisher gives you a tip on searching for your ancestors using only first names.  When your people aren't where they're supposed to be, this technique may solve your problem.  Then, he shares a terrific story of the funniest Victorian era Christian names found by a genealogy firm in London.  You'll be glad your parents didn't name you any of these things!  Fisher will give you the top ten.  Then, it's the "risky" business of the "banished" Irish adoptees who were sent to America after being born to single mothers in Catholic run homes.  Those trying to find their birth families are having mixed experiences.  Hear the full story.   Fisher's first guest is Hank Jones, writer of the series of books called "Psychic Roots- Serendipity and Intuition in Genealogy."  Hank has collected these stories for decades, and he'll share a couple of them and why he thinks they're happening.  And by the way, if you're new to family history research, just wait... you're more than likely to have one of

Fisher opens the show with the story of his third great grandfather.  He was a substitute soldier in the War of 1812.  Or was he?  Listen to the unusual find from the National Archives and you decide.  In "Family Histoire News," Fisher talks about the couple that has probably been married longer than anyone ever.  How long was that?  Wait til you hear the couple's ages.  A new free site is now available that searches only family history books, county histories, and genealogical newsletters.  Fisher will tell you his experience with it and tell you where to get it.  A rare photo of Helen Keller is making news, and, in Illinois, if you want to visit a grave on private property, we've got good news for you.  Be sure to catch the first segment of the show to find out what's happening in "Family Histoire News!"   In the next segment Jennifer Utley, Research Manager for "Who Do You Think You Are?" visits with Fisher about the new season that starts this weekend on TLC!  Jennifer shares some inside info on the show

Fisher opens the show with information about the Preserve the Pensions program which is seeking private funding to digitize and make available for free all War of 1812 pension files.  In Family Histoire news, Fisher tells of a woman who just turned 106, and you won’t believe her diet staples!  Also, blood from Winston Churchill is up for auction.  Catch the whole story of where it came from.  And, the Danish government and MyHeritage.com are releasing all kinds of “new” old records from Denmark.   In segment two, Lindsay Fulton, Genealogist from the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston talks about the challenges of navigating the application process of major genealogical societies like the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society.  Want to celebrate your ancestors in this way, or simply have your research validated by independent eyes?  Lindsay has some great tips.   Fisher then visits with Isabella Prete, who only started her research journey in the last couple y

Fisher opens the show with a quick overview of his Roots Tech experience, where over 22,000 people attended in three days.  (Roots Tech is the world's largest family history conference.)  In Family Histoire News, King Richard III is back in the headlines.  What has he "told" researchers now?  Fisher will tell you.  And... it's probably the most amazing DNA story you ever will have heard, or ever will hear.  Catch Fisher's summary and then read the entire article at ExtremeGenes.com   Guest Dick Eastman, of Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, perhaps genealogy's best known blogger, shares his post- Roots Tech thoughts.  Where is the business of family history taking us, and what are some of the best new products... perhaps even some we didn't know we needed?!  No one knows better than Dick Eastman.   Fisher then talks to            who used DNA to identify a great-great grandfather who had changed his name and never revealed his secret.  You'll be amazed at how his original identity was uncovered.   Tom Per

Fisher opens the show talking about the upcoming Roots Tech convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.  First Lady Laura Bush headlines the speakers.  Fisher then discusses the loss of over a million records in a fire.  Where was it and what happened?  He'll fill you in.  The families of Hatfield and McCoy still have a lot to do with each other, but now... it's a business!  What are they doing?  It'll make perfect sense when you hear.  Also, inmates at county jails in at least three states are indexing family history records.  Fisher will tell you where and what's behind it all.   Dr. Timothy Tackett of UC Irvine then joins the show to talk about his discovery of a document on cloth that records the history of an Indian tribe!  Wait till you hear how far back the records go, and just how Dr. Tackett happened to come upon it!  It's a fascinating story.   Sigrid Olsen from Salem, Oregon then joins Fisher to talk about the Albany, Oregon party at which a horrible accident wiped out three families and made national head

  Fisher opens the show with the story of a man who the government refuses to allow to pay his taxes.  Why?  It has everything to do with a record family historians are more than a little familiar with.  Listen to the first segment to hear what it is.  Fisher then reviews a list recently published by MyHeritage.com about surnames that have or are going extinct!  Is one of your family names on the list?   Stan Lindaas of HeritageConsulting.com then joins the show with a remarkable illustration of how knowledge of an ancestor's occupation can change your entire perception of what his or her life was like.  It will take your breath away.  Stan then goes through a remarkable list of now-extinct occupations.  His runs Fisher through the wringer seeing what he knows of these things.  What do you know?  Give it a listen!  And by the way, this is the website he refers to:  http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/   Fisher then visits with North Carolina's Connie Fowler.  Connie recently played detective to track down a remarkable fa

  Fisher opens the show with the latest on the strange case of Paul Fronczak, who grew up believing he had been kidnapped as a baby and then returned to his parents in Chicago.  But, a 2012 DNA test revealed that Paul was not his parents' natural child.  Two years later, Paul's advocates are coming close to identifying at least one of his birth families.  That in itself is a strange tale!  Here all about it with Fisher's Family Histoire News!   Fisher then keeps his promise to a listener who was wanting information on researching Swedish ancestors by bringing on professional researcher Kim Melchior.  Kim talks about the various records available, getting your ancestors "across the pond," and historic information on points such as why so many Swedes immigrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Kim will give you some great insight.   Then Fisher visits with a couple from North Carolina, Clarence and Carolyn Jennings.  The Jennings recently discovered a 150 year old letter that revealed the fate of a f

  Fisher opens the show with word of the discovery of photos of third great grandparents of an American president?  Who were they and is he?  Fisher will tell you.  Across the pond, 41 million wills dating back to 1858 are going on line!  What government is making this available to you?  Find out here!   Jen Allen of FamilySearch.org joins the show next to fill us in on what to expect at this year's combined Roots Tech and Federation of Genealogical Societies conventions!  There's a lot happening in Salt Lake City, Utah in February, and you can participate from wherever you are, as Jen will explain.  Whatever your level of experience, Jen will rev up your engines talking about classes, speakers, and demonstrations of new technologies.   Fisher then talks to Missouris Glenna Johnson about the quilt she found dating back almost seventy years, following the passing of her mother.  It's turned into quite a project researching the names connected to it.  Hear all about it.  Then Fisher answers a listener question

  Fisher opens the show with fascinating news out of Boston where a box, hidden in the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House by Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, was opened.  What was in it?  And what will be done with the contents?  Hear all about it!  Plus, funeral homes are now offering a service that could benefit survivors of deceased loved ones for generations.  Find out what it is.   Then, Fisher visits with Heather Livergood of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, who has sought her birth family for generations.  One interesting twist... Heather was born in a hotel and SOLD as a baby!  What did she cost her adoptive parents and how did she ultimate find her mother's birth family?  Heather has the answers.   Then listener Diane Dyatt joins Fisher to talk about what DNA and digitized newspapers revealed to her about her great grandfather.  He was apparently known around town for his unique invention.  Diane will tell you what it is.   Then, Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com will share with you an idea for instanting pres