Episode 360 - Author Russell Shorto On His Mobster Grandfather / Sunny Morton On Mapping Out Your Research Year/ Dr. Gates On Finding Your Roots

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. David shares his remarkable find in reverse genealogy, pulling forward from his War of 1812 ancestor to family ties to the "X-Men" franchise! Then, hear about the shoes people are finding behind walls in Canada and why they're there. David also talks about the dead cats behind walls in Scotland he learned about years ago. What was that all about?! He'll tell you. Then, it's another major archaeological find in Egypt. The guys wrap up the segment, in the wake of the recent inauguration, talking presidents, particularly David's connection to one of the greats.

Fisher then visits with well known researcher, speaker, and blogger Sunny Morton. Sunny has written a great article for Family Tree Magazine on how to plan out your research year, based largely on weather, holidays, and traditions. There's no doubt an idea or two waiting for you.

Next, Russell Shorto, a renowned author talks about his new book coming out on February 2nd that discusses the history of the Mafia in small town America. His grandfather was part of the illegal activities that proliferated from coast to coast.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates returns to fill us in on the next episode of Finding Your Roots on PBS. Season Seven is underway with some fascinating celebrity guests and discoveries.

David then returns to wrap up the show with Ask Us Anything. He answers a question about sources for railroad workers.

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