Ep. 131 - Advances in Irish Ancestry for St. Patrick's Day & The Freedom Bureau Project Advances African American Research

Fisher opens this week's show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org, talking about the genealogy of the fictional Crawley family of "Downton" Abbey fame. It's received a lot of attention on the Extreme Genes Facebook page. David then talks about another incredible discovery, by a tourist no less, of a coin dating back to the early second century AD. Who found it and where is it now? David explains. David then gives the history of St. Patrick's Day. (Bet you didn't know St. Patrick wasn't even Irish!) Hear David's quick summary on the man for whom the holiday is named. David's Tech Tip is an ancestral "longevity chart." What is it and how does it work? Listen to the podcast to find out. David also shares this week's guest user free database from AmericanAncestors.org.

Next up is guest Judy Lucey, also of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Judy and an NEHGS colleague are currently working on a handbook for Irish research. The good news is (as we learned from Ireland Senator Jillian Van Turnhout last week) Irish records are hitting the internet in record numbers right now. So while Irish research in the past has been very difficult, things are dramatically improving. Judy will have some specifics and stories from the "Old Country" in this segment of the show.

The good news keeps coming in the next segment, with Thom Reed of FamilySearch.org. Thom is immersed in the Freedman Bureau Project which began last June. These records give the first extensive account of the freed slaves in the years immediately following emancipation. (And because the destruction of the South was so overwhelming, many poor whites sought services from the government and are included as well.) Thom explains how these records are breaking down the walls in African-American research and fills us in on the present status of the indexing project. Where can you find these records and how can you help the project? Thom has the answers.

Then, Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com talks preservation. This week, Tom does some myth busting. For instance "disks are going away." Not so, says Tom! Hear his explanation. He'll also explain how salvageable many disks really are. (You won't believe the damage he's seen!) He then takes aim at the myth that thumb drives are a great permanent storage solution. Tom tells you why, when it comes to thumb drives, you should be afraid... VERY afraid!

That's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!