Ohio Roots

Ohio Roots

Ohio Roots is the official podcast of the Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS). Join us as we embark on a captivating journey through Ohio’s rich genealogy, history, and abundant resources. Hosted by OGS Executive Director Noel Poirier, this podcast brings you insightful conversations with a diverse array of guests. From OGS members, OGS chapter leaders, and OGS staff, to renowned genealogists, historians, and influential figures within the genealogical community, each episode delves into fascinating topics and captivating stories. Grab your headphones or unmute your speaker, hit that play button, and join us on our enthralling journeys through Ohio’s Roots. Edited by: Luc Poirier Produced by: The Ohio Genealogical Society

Episodes

October 13, 2025 28 mins

Join us for this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast where we speak with Kenneth Marks of The Ancestor Hunt website. Kenneth shares his personal story along with the development and production of the Ancestor Hunt website, the site's Newspaper Research Academy, and much more.

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In this episode, we talk with author and genealogist Willis Smiley about his new Substack novel, God-Haunted: The Possible Story of Thomas Ewart. Blending meticulous genealogical research with imaginative storytelling, Willis brings to life the mysterious 1879–1880 arson attacks on his 5x great-grandfather’s Marietta, Ohio home. We explore the role of the temperance movement, the challenges of weaving fact and fiction, and how fami...

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September 15, 2025 27 mins

This episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast is an interview with Christine Bowman, Local History & Genealogy Specialist at the Massillon Public Library in Massillon, Ohio. Christine shares with us her background, the Massillon Library's many family history resources and programs, and much more.

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September 1, 2025 26 mins

We speak with forensic genealogist Katharine O’Connell of North Coast Genealogy about the nature of her work as a forensic genealogist, what it means to conduct forensic genealogy, and some of the challenges inherent in it. 

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August 18, 2025 17 mins

On this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we speak with Angela O'Neal, the Manager of Local History & Genealogy at Columbus Metropolitan Library's Main Library. Angela discusses the resources available to genealogists and family historians, how to access those resources, and much more.

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August 4, 2025 22 mins

For this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we talked to Jeff Mathew of the Adelphi Community Band from Ross County, Ohio about their 140 year history, their efforts to preserve and share the band's history, and what the band is up to today.

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July 21, 2025 31 mins

We speak with Paul Zuros, Director of the Fort Steuben Museum in Steubenville, Ohio on this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast about the history of the fort, its impact on early settlement in Ohio, and the important role of the land office located in Steubenville.

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July 7, 2025 38 mins

It's our 50th episode of the Ohio Roots Podcast! We celebrate by speaking with Drew Smith—genealogist, librarian, author, and co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast—to explore his lifelong passion for family history and the intersection of genealogy and technology. Drew shares stories from his early days in online genealogy forums, insights from his books, and advice for researchers at all levels.

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June 23, 2025 22 mins

On this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we speak with Dante Weisend, Site Manager of Fort Laurens. Dante shares the history of Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort, the upcoming archaeological excavations, and their acquisition of the Patricia Hinkle Shemanski Fort Laurens Research Collection. The collection documents all of the men who served at Fort Laurens. 

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June 9, 2025 27 mins

On this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we speak with Steve Lake about how his interest in the 1782 massacre at Gnadenhutten, Ohio was sparked while researching his own ancestor's involvement. It led to the creation of Wikitree project to document the men who took part in the massacre. We discuss the project, its status, and the what it means to those with ancestors who may have been involved.

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May 26, 2025 22 mins

We spoke to Brian Rhinehart of CivilWarRecords.com while attending the 2025 OGS Conference and he shared with us how he got his start in genealogy, the interesting things he discovers in the course of his research, and how he helps people learn more about their American Civil War ancestors. 

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May 12, 2025 23 mins

Join us for this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast as we speak with Jen Narramore, meteorologist and host of the podcast Tornado Talk, about the Virtual Tornado Memorial Project and how your family’s history could aid them in documenting historical tornados and their impacts. 

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It’s OGS Conference week as a treat we have a special DOUBLE episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast! Join us as we discuss genealogy and the conference with presenters Maureen Brady and Michael John Neill. Discover their starts in genealogy and what they have planned for us at the conference.

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April 14, 2025 23 mins

We speak with Aimee Rose-Haynes, genealogist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, about her start in genealogy, DNA analysis, and what she will present at the 2025 OGS Conference this year.

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March 31, 2025 26 mins

You don't want to miss this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast! We speak with Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage about what inspired his interest in genealogy and what he has planned for us at the upcoming 2025 OGS Conference. 

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March 17, 2025 27 mins

Join us as we speak with genealogist and military historian Michael Strauss on the latest episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast. Michael shares with us what he has planned for his presentations at the 2025 OGS Conference and much more. 

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March 3, 2025 26 mins

Join us for a discussion with 2025 OGS Conference presenter and genealogist Denyse Allen. Denise shares with us how she got her start in genealogy, previews her presentations for the conference and much more!

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February 17, 2025 22 mins

Continuing our discussions with 2025 OGS Conference presenters this week with a conversation with genealogist Kate Penney Howard. We discuss her own start in genealogy and what she’ll be presenting at the conference.

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February 3, 2025 21 mins

This episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast is an interview with the 2025 OGS Conference keynote speaker Judy Russell. Don't miss this conversation with "The Legal Genealogist" about her own start in genealogy and the challenges of researching courthouse records. 

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January 20, 2025 21 mins

Our preview of the 2025 OGS Conference continues on the OGS Ohio Roots podcast. This episode we hear from presenter Kelli Jo Bergheimer about where her interest in genealogy came from and the presentations she will be giving at the 2025 OGS Conference.

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