family histories

It’s a shorter, swear-free version of the wonderful Genealogy episode with author Stephen Hanks -- who teaches genealogy classes in Portland, Oregon and has contributed to PBS genealogy documentaries. We chat histories, mysteries, memories and families, plus what ignited his passion for learning about his own history. Also: how to find your family through census records, county archives, and death certificates; which DNA tests he’s taken; our most recent common ancestor; and whether or not he wears a detective cape. 

Stephen Hanks books: “Three Brothers — 1626,” “1619 -- Twenty Africans,” and “Akee Tree”

Publisher: Inkwater Press

A donation went to BlackPast.org

More Smologies episodes

Full length Genealogy (FAMILY HISTORY) episode + links here

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Sound editing by Steven Ray Morris,  Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions, and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media

Extra help from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly Dwyer, Emily White, & Erin Talbert

Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Our worlds have contracted; once expansive, our orbits are now measured by rooms and street blocks. But there are still ways to travel. Today, escape to the worlds contained in three letters — one about the summer of 1910, another describing an upended misconception and a third about how superstitions can offer release. We hope they can offer you some meaning — or at least a distraction.

This story was recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publishers like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.