Stories in Our Roots

As a public historian, Fayge had always been interested in history.  It wasn't until she moved to West Philadelphia, close to where her ancestors lived, that she began her search in earnest. Her exploration was also intertwined with her reconnection to Judaism, prompting a deeper desire to understand her family's story.

Fayge shares how delving into her family's history has deepened her sense of belonging and connecti...

Julie Pham, a Vietnamese boat person, shares her family's journey as refugees fleeing communism and establishing a new life in the United States. Through Julie's experiences and insights as a historian, listeners will explore the power of multiple truths, the push and pull factors of immigration, and the dynamics of being an insider and an outsider in different communities. We delve into the significance of understanding ...

Join Danielle and Galeet Dardashti as they share their journey of discovery  to learn why their father's family left Iran during the Golden Age for Jews. With limited access to records to answer their questions, the sisters relied on interviewing over 85 individuals, including family members, scholars, and unexpected acquaintances.  They have reconstructed an engaging story that transcends cultural boundaries and challenges pr...

In retrospect, Elizabeth Keating wishes she would have used her skills as an anthropologist when she interviewed her mother about family history.  To help others avoid her mistakes, Elizabeth shares how we can use interviews with living family members to uncover the everyday experiences and cultural nuances of previous generations.  Elizabeth encourages listeners to embrace the value of family stories and their priceless insights t...

Our conversation delves into the remarkable life of Vivien Sieber's Czech-born grandmother, who faced adversity and triumphs during World War II. From owning a cinema in Vienna to finding refuge in England and caring for girls who fled their families as part of the Kinder Transport, Vivien uncovers the intricacies of her family's history and shares the lessons she learned along the way.

About Vivien:
Dr. Vivi...

All of your ancestors were perfect, right? Unfortunately, everyone has ancestors who disappoint us with their choices.

In this episode, I talk about four ways we respond when we discover an ancestor made choices that hurt others.

As we learn to be more open to putting our ancestors' choices into the context of their lives we can see them as real people, living with the effects of their environment, the choice...

In Stephanie Renée's story, there's an exploration of identity and belonging that resonates deeply. She began her journey seeking to fill in the gaps left by the early loss of her mother. Her path took an unexpected turn when she discovered her mother was adopted, leading her into the world of genetic genealogy. Despite the hurdles she faced, Stephanie was driven to understand her roots and expand her familial network, br...

Annie Hartnett recently started exploring her family's connections to slave ownership, which took her on a transformative path of discovery. By doing so, Annie gained a deeper understanding of her roots, and as a result, developed an increasingly authentic relationship with herself, her country, and those around her. Fascinated by the forgotten stories of those enslaved, she now dedicates her time to researching and writing ab...

Jacqueline Jannotta's genealogy research uncovers a family history of mob ties and tragedy, revealing the ripple effects of trauma and the importance of understanding our shared humanity.

Through her genealogical research, Jacqueline gained a greater understanding and compassion for her ancestors, particularly her tough, outspoken grandmother. The trauma experienced by her family shaped their personalities and relatio...

Amidst the shocking history of his family's escape from Austria during the Nazi invasion, Christopher Bock discovers the remarkable life of his great-uncle Paul Patek, a metal worker and artist who played a key role in their survival, inspiring Bock to write a book about him and uncovering hidden talents in his own family lineage.

"[Researching] really did make me understand my family a lot more in a lot of ways."

Shannon Peel is an expert at stories, and while her usual audience is made up of business owners looking to improve their marketing, her discussion of hero vs victim language in storytelling is so valuable to those learning about the stories in their family tree.  We started off talking about her deep roots in western Canada, delved into the "why" questions around emigration, and then found ourselves looking at the way we...