Episode 167 - Robert Charles Anderson on Puritans, Pilgrims, and the Winthrop Fleet

This week on Extreme Genes: America's Family History Show, host Scott Fisher talks Pilgrims and Puritans with "Great Migration" legend Robert Charles Anderson. The two talk about the beginnings of the European settlement of North America, and our Thanksgiving tradition.

The show opens with Fisher and David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys discuss the apparent discovery of the site of the original Pilgrim settlement in Plymouth, Massachusetts. You'll want to hear about it. David then shares the news about the possible IDing of lost crew members of a World War II warship that blew up in New York over 70 years ago. David then shares his discoveries through DNA concerning the similarities and differences he found between himself and his half sister. Next, Fisher and David talk about the recent digitization of a "book of witches" from Scotland in the 17th century. Might your ancestors be among the names? David then shares another tip and NEHGS free guest member database.

Next, Fisher shares his 2015 visit with Robert Charles Anderson, who created the "Great Migration" series of reference books beginning in 1988. In the first segment, they'll talk about what inspired Robert to devote his life to this great work, and how his research has allowed him to debunk some Pilgrim myths. What were they? Listen to the podcast.

Fisher and Robert continue their conversation with an explanation of the Winthrop Fleet and how it changed the course of the European settlement of North America in the 1630s. You'll also learn exactly when and why it ended. Robert also talks about what information is yet to be found concerning the immigrants of 1620 to 1640.

Then it's preservation time with Preservation Authority Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com. Tom answers a pair of listener emails, one (that was more than a little surprising) about transferring a Blu-Ray disk to VHS! (Honest!)

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