Finding Grandpa Charlie

Finding Grandpa Charlie

One man disappeared. A century later, his great-grandson is chasing the truth. Finding Grandpa Charlie is a true-crime family mystery from host Erv Lenzy. In 1912 Texas gunslinger, gambler, and scoundrel Charlie Henderson vanished, sparking rumors of a staged train death and a secret life out West. Erv sifts through census pages, dusty ledgers, and porch-swing stories to uncover the truth. Part history lesson, part road trip, all heart. New episodes every week.

Episodes

August 4, 2025 17 mins

In this special episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', host Erv Lenzy reviews the significant discoveries from season one, focusing on the life of his great grandfather, Charlie Henderson, who faked his death in 1912. The episode explores Charlie's early life, the tragedies that led to his disappearance, the unraveling of the family story, and the lives of his second family. It also hints at future explorations into New ...

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This conversation explores the mysterious life and disappearance of Charlie Henderson, a man who lived a life of evasion and ultimately vanished without a trace. Through the narrative, Irv Lenzy delves into the circumstances surrounding Charlie's last days, the fatal crash that claimed his life, and the enigmatic hitchhiker who was with him. The story unfolds to reveal family secrets, unanswered questions, and the search for cl...

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June 6, 2025 29 mins

Summary

In this episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', Erv Lenzy delves into the complex family history surrounding Charlie Henderson and Henrietta Waters. Through a mix of personal anecdotes and genealogical research, Irv uncovers the silence and loss that permeated their lives, revealing the struggles of tracing family roots amidst a backdrop of abandonment and erasure. The narrative explores the power of DNA in resurrecting forgot...

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Visit the website for this podcast for more information, or to catch up on mew episodes:

Summary: This conversation explores the intertwined lives of Marie Josephine Ruponer and her children, focusing on their struggles during the Great Depression, the choices they made, and the legacies they left behind. It highlights the contrasting paths of Marie's daughters Mary Louise, and Bobby May, as well as her son Mike, and how their liv...

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This conversation explores the life of R.A. Henderson, a man shaped by the land and the hardships of frontier life in Texas. Through the lens of his experiences, we delve into themes of grief, resilience, and the search for stability amidst constant movement. The narrative highlights the connection between the land and its inhabitants, emphasizing how history and memory are intertwined in the soil.

Takeaways

  • The land holds memori...
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May 21, 2025 16 mins

https://www.podpage.com/finding-grandpa-charlie/

In this episode, Erv Lenzy discusses the evolution of his podcast, emphasizing the importance of listening to previous episodes to understand the ongoing narrative. He shares insights from his genealogy research, revealing discoveries about his family history, particularly focusing on Charlie's disappearance and the generational impact of family decisions. The conversation highlig...

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May 16, 2025 25 mins

This episode explores the life of Henrietta Waters, an indigenous woman who migrated to Texas in the late 19th century. It delves into her journey, the challenges she faced as a young mother, and the complexities of her relationships, particularly with Charlie, the father of her child. The narrative highlights the broader context of indigenous migration during this period and the silent struggles of women like Henrietta, who naviga...

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May 10, 2025 25 mins

https://www.podpage.com/finding-grandpa-charlie/

In this episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', Erv Lenzy delves into the mysterious life of Charlie Henderson, and the history of timber industry in Ratcliffe. The narrative unfolds through census records and personal anecdotes, revealing Charlie's dual life and the emotional toll on those he left behind. The episode highlights the complexities of family history and the challenges of u...

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https://www.podpage.com/finding-grandpa-charlie/

In this episode of Finding Grandpa Charlie, Erv Lenzy embarks on a journey to uncover the life and mysterious disappearance of his great grandfather, Charlie. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and historical context, Erv explores Charlie's roots in Bonham, Texas, the family legacy of the Hendersons, and the complexities of Charlie's life, including his double existence and...

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April 28, 2025 19 mins

https://www.podpage.com/finding-grandpa-charlie/

In this episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', Erv Lenzy delves into the mysterious life of his great grandfather, Charlie a gambler who vanished under enigmatic circumstances. Through family stories and genealogy research, Irv uncovers layers of myth and reality surrounding Charlie's life, exploring themes of memory, family lore, and the quest for truth in personal history...

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April 20, 2025 1 min

One man disappeared. A century later, his great-grandson is chasing the truth.

Finding Grandpa Charlie is a true crime-style family history podcast that investigates the mysterious disappearance of Charles Newton Henderson — a gambler, gunslinger, husband, father, and possibly a man who faked his death.

Was it a tragic accident or a carefully staged vanishing act? Using old census records, family recordings, DNA, and dusty legal doc...

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