Ancestral Findings

Nov 20 2024 1028 ep. 7 mins 469

Ancestral Findings Podcast artwork

These brief historical and informational snippets about genealogy and history should encourage and help you advance your family tree.

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AF-988: Harry S. Truman: A Leader’s Unexpected Call to Power | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 20 2024 10 mins

As we continue our Pillars of Power series, exploring the lives and legacies of America’s presidents, we turn to Harry S. Truman—a man who never expected to lead the nation. When Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away in April 1945, the weight of the presidency fell onto Truman’s shoulders. Suddenly, this unassuming man from Missouri was thrust into leadership at one of the most c

AF-997: Capturing America: The Birth of Modern Photography During the Depression and World War II

Nov 17 2024 8 mins

In the 1930s and 1940s, as America faced the Great Depression and then World War II, photography emerged as a powerful tool for documenting the struggles and resilience of everyday people. Through the lenses of pioneering photographers, the era’s challenges and triumphs were preserved in images that still resonate today. This was the beginning of modern documentary photography—

AF-996: Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Legacy of Resilience and Transformation | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 16 2024 9 mins

In 1933, as Herbert Hoover’s presidency concluded, Americans found themselves searching for a leader who could bring hope to a nation facing unprecedented hardship. That leader was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a man whose personal resilience, family legacy, and transformative vision would steer the United States through the Great Depression and World War II. Understanding FDR’s j

AF:995: Ancient Lights: Uncovering the Forgotten Right to Sunlight | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 15 2024 7 mins

Imagine walking through a bustling medieval city with buildings crowded together and narrow streets lined with houses. In this dense urban landscape, the sunlight streaming through a window might be the only natural light available inside. But what if a neighbor built a taller structure, blocking that precious light? This scenario, once a common occurrence, led to the creation of a

AF-994: Americas New Voice in an Era of Change | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 14 2024 5 mins

Imagine it’s the early 1930s, and you’re gathered with family or neighbors around a small wooden box that fills the room with voices, music, and stories from far beyond your hometown. This is radio, and it’s transforming how people connect to the world around them. Just like today’s smartphones and social media, radio was a groundbreaking tool that brought the outside world

AF-993: Herbert Hoover: The Great Humanitarian | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 13 2024 7 mins

Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, stands as a figure of resilience and complexity in American history. Known primarily for leading the nation during the onset of the Great Depression, Hoover’s life story is deeply rooted in his early experiences, family background, and the values of self-reliance and service that shaped his leadership. Born on August 10, 18

AF-992: Calvin Coolidge: The Silent President | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 12 2024 12 mins

Born John Calvin Coolidge Jr. on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Calvin Coolidge grew up in a small, rural town that profoundly shaped his values and personality. Life in Plymouth was simple and quiet, a fitting backdrop for the boy who would one day be known as “Silent Cal.” His ancestry traces back to the earliest American settlers, giving him deep New England roots

AF-991: Do You Know the History of Veterans Day? | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 11 2024 8 mins

Today, we’re exploring the story behind Veterans Day—a day that holds a special place in the heart of America. Whether or not you have veterans in your family tree, Veterans Day is a meaningful time to reflect on service and sacrifice. For family historians, it’s a chance to think about those in our families who served, honor their legacy, and understand the origins of this s

AF-990: Ringing True: The Spirit of a Nation | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 10 2024 8 mins

It wasn’t meant to be extraordinary—a simple casting of metal forged to mark time and announce gatherings. Yet, it seemed destined for something far greater from the moment it arrived. Shipped across the ocean, cracked, recast, and ultimately silenced, this humble creation would witness the birth of a nation and become a silent voice for freedom. It endured through wars, protes

AF-989: Warren G. Harding: A Return to Normalcy | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Nov 08 2024 12 mins

Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States, came into office during a time of great transition. Following the tumultuous years of World War I and the progressive reforms of Woodrow Wilson, the country was yearning for stability. Harding’s campaign message of a “Return to Normalcy” resonated deeply with Americans who were eager for less international engagemen