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

Fisher visits with David Rencher, the CGO (that’s Chief Genealogical Officer… honest!) of FamilySearch.org. David fills you in on what’s to come in 2018 at FamilySearch, new records that may soon be on line, and why you are required to log in now when you go to FamilySearch, even though it is and always will be a free site. David also brings us up to speed on what’s happening with the tricky merging feature.

Fisher visits with LegacyTree.com DNA specialist Candace Camillo, who shares her recent adventure with a client who was hoping DNA would help her identify her grandfather. Indeed it did. But something else happened along the way.   Candace, tells about how she had to handle some delicate information.

Fisher catches up with a guy he first came to know in the early 1980s… 49ers and NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young. Fisher and Steve talk about Steve’s renowned ancestor, Brigham Young. Fisher also fills in Steve on the names of numerous historical figures Steve is related to. (Plus a certain genealogical broadcaster!)

Fisher visits with Robert Charles Anderson, who created the “Great Migration” series of reference books beginning in 1988. They’ll talk about what inspired Robert to devote his life to this great work, and how his research has allowed him to debunk some Pilgrim myths. What were they? Listen to the podcast!

Fisher visits with recent past Governor General of the Mayflower Society, Lea Sinclair Filson. Fisher joined the Society four years ago and talks about the experience while Lea shares some interesting insight into the Pilgrims and their impact on the world as we know it.

Renowned genealogist Megan Smolenyak talks about Army Repatriation. As an “army brat,” Megan’s pride in the military has turned into a passion as she assists the government in verifying descendants of military people lost overseas. Some of her cases go all the way back to World War I. Megan explains all that’s involved in her very fulfilling work, and how a pair of her cases resulted in the awarding of the Medal of Honor.

Fisher wades into deeper DNA waters with DNA specialist Kitty Munson Cooper. Kitty explains a developing DNA technique called Chromosome Mapping. Why would you want to do this? And how would you even begin? Pay close attention.

New York Times bestselling author, A.J. Jacobs visits with Fisher for two segments. A.J.’s new book is called “It’s All Relative, Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree.” A.J. talks about what started him into researching his family, the fun finds, the horrifying finds, and his efforts to achieve world peace… (yes, world peace!) ...  with his 2015 “Global Family Reunion.”

Fisher talks with LegacyTree.com’s Michelle Chubenko, a resident of New Jersey who researches Eastern Europe. Michelle takes us through the problems of Eastern European records… the border changes, moving jurisdictions, records lost in war… and gives sound advice on how the determined genie can make headway in tracing their tough Eastern European ancestors.

Episode 211 - Ordinary Person Makes Extraordinary Find / The Archive Lady Returns With More New Finds

Fisher visits with Ken Nelson of FamilySearch.org. Ken has been following his grandfather’s journey through the battlefields of World War I. With the United States in the centennial year of our entry into that war, Ken has a lot of great suggestions for anyone looking to research their World War I “Dough Boy.”

Fisher visits with writer Jeff Mudgett who learned that his second great grandfather was a man known to the world as H.H. Holmes, America’s first serial killer. Hear what Jeff has to say and why he believes that H. H. Holmes was also “Jack The Ripper!”

Fisher visits with Jim Power from the NEHGS. Jim learned some time ago that his family is apparently connected to the notorious Dalton Gang! Jim’s been researching this for some time now. Hear the puzzle pieces he has picked up and you decide!

Fisher chats with DNA pro Paul Woodbury from LegacyTree.com.  Fisher has been helping a friend try to identify his birth father. When a female match showed, according to shared centiMorgans, she was a first cousin, but was twenty years older Fisher’s friend, he called Paul. And Paul had a very different read on the match. Hear why and what you can learn about centiMorgans and segments when analyzing your DNA matches.

Fisher visits with Lt. Col. Enoch Woodhouse, a vet of World War II and a former Tuskegee Airman. Col. Woodhouse shares some of his stories from the beginning of his lengthy military career. He describes life as a black soldier, his time with the Airmen, and his later years as a JAG attorney for the Air Force. Col. Woodhouse also talks about his family history and its impact on his life.