Family Tree Magazine Podcast

By Family Tree EditorsEducation How To

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Family Tree Magazine Podcast episodes

October 01Making the Most of Family History Month – An Interview with Kate Smith
In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Andrew Koch interviews Kate Smith, Associate Director for Communications and Organizations at the National Genealogical Society, or NGS. She offers tips for getting involved during Family History Month in October.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/FTM-10-2026.mp3
Feature: Observing Family History Month
October is Family History Month, making the next several weeks an excellent opportunity to celebrate your family history, reengage in research projects you’ve set aside, and get involved with the genealogy community. In this episode of the podcast, Andrew Koch speaks with Kate Smith of the National Genealogical Society who offers tips for making the most of your own local genealogical societies this month.
Mentioned in this episode:
Why family history and family stories are important
Genealogical resources and tips
Connecting with local and regional genealogical organizations
Why it’s worth supporting genealogical organizations and societies
Challenges faced by local genealogical societies and how to help overcome them
Why to take part in Family History Month
Resources:
NGS — Family History Month

How to Celebrate Family History Month in October

Family History Month has been celebrated every October since 2001. Discover all the ways you can join in on the fun and honor your own family history.
Family Tree Magazine

The Family History Month Handbook

October is Family History Month, the perfect time to organize your research materials. In this free eBook, our experts offer tools to keep you on track.
Family Tree Magazine
Visit Our Sponsor
The Mayflower Society
This episode is brought to you by the Mayflower Society.
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Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
38 min
September 01Preserving Diplomas and School Memories – An Interview with Denise May Levenick
In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Denise May Levenick shares some valuable tips for preserving the keepsakes that matter most to you, including diplomas, artwork, and photos.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/09-2026.mp3
Feature: Preserving Diplomas, Photos and Other Keepsakes
Time can take a toll on the documents, photos and other heirlooms you hold dear–items that tell a story about you or your family history. In this interview, Denise May Levenick shares some tips and tricks for keeping those valuable artifacts in good shape.
Mentioned in this episode:
Displaying diplomas and certificates
Combating environmental wear and tear
Storing family heirlooms in your home
Dealing with water damage
Determining what to keep and what to toss
Balancing preservation and use of family items

What Not to Preserve in Your Family History Collection

When it comes to family history, our instinct is to preserve everything. But, knowing what not to keep is just as important as knowing what to save.
Family Tree Magazine
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Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
37 min
August 01Breaking Brick Walls in Genealogy – An Overview with Andrew Koch
In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, editor Andrew Koch offers strategies for breaking through brick walls as you conduct genealogy research.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/FTM-08-2026.mp3
Feature: Breaking Through Brick Walls
Brick walls can disrupt any genealogist’s research plans. The good news? There may be a way through them. Family Tree Magazine Editor Andrew Koch addresses some common brick walls that genealogists encounters and offers some tips for overcoming them.
Mentioned in this episode:
Identifying brick walls and the problems they present
Understanding research challenges
Search tips and how to expand search parameters
Collateral research strategies
Social history and why it is important
Making the most of timelines and maps

6 Steps for Breaking Down Genealogy Brick Walls

Find your footing and scale your highest research brick walls: missing ancestors, burned records, same-named people, and more.
Family Tree Magazine
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Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
15 min
July 15Exploring ArkivDigital – An Interview with Kathy Meade
In this episode of Best Websites, Kathy Meade walks us through ArkivDigital, an extensive site that offers many valuable materials for genealogists to explore.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/07-15-2026-BW.mp3
Feature: Making Use of ArkivDigital for Genealogy Research
ArkivDigital is a Swedish gnealogy website that boasts a robust collection of aerial photos, digitized church books, and more. In this interview, Swedish Genealogy Expert and North American Representative Kathy Meade offers a behind-the-scenes look at the website and shares what genealogists can gain from taking advantage of its resources.
Also mentioned in this episode:
Coverage of Records from 1600s to 1990s
Resources for Swedish-American Genealogy
How ArkivDigital Makes Use of AI
Major Collections of Swedish Records
How to Access for Free
Subscription Information
Stay in the Know
Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
21 min
July 01Understanding the American Revolution as a Genealogist – An Interview with Michael Strauss
In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Michael Strauss talks about the American Revolution and what genealogists should know as they research their ancestors.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/FTM-07-01-2026.mp3
Feature: Understanding the American Revolution
America’s 250th birthday is on the horizon. With that in mind, some genealogists may be curious about their ancestors who lived through or fought during the American Revolution. Michael Strauss offers an overview of the American Revolution and provides resources that may prove valuable.
Also mentioned in this episode:
Common misconceptions about the American Revolution and researching those who fought in it
The value of pension files
Tips for those seeking records from the National Archives
Everyday life for those living through the American Revolution—plus historic events and contemporary destinations for celebrating American independence
How to learn more about Loyalist ancestors
Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
25 min
June 15All About the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) – An Interview with Katharine Andrew
In this episode of Family Tree Magazine’s Best Website, Katharine Korte Andrew explains what the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is and the resources it offers genealogists who are researching American Revolutionary-era ancestors.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/BW06-15-2026.mp3
Feature: Using the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Databases
Though it’s created from application documents, DAR’s “Genealogical Research System” (GRS) isn’t just for active members. The collections there can provide valuable details about family members from a few generations ago back to the American Revolution—whether or not you or a qualifying ancestor actually joined the DAR. This interview with DAR member (and Family Tree digital editor) Katharine Andrew gives an overview of the free-to-search GRS portal and the records you can find there.
Also mentioned in this episode:
An overview of the Genealogical Research System’s various databases, which cover Patriot ancestors, their descendants, past DAR members and more
Examples of the records in these databases, used over the decades by women applying to the DAR
A detailed tutorial for searching the GRS, plus tips for finding ancestors there and requesting original copies of records
Other resources for researching Revolutionary-era ancestors—both those who fought and those who were simply witnesses
Stay in the Know
Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
29 min
June 01Progress on the 10 Million Names Project – An Interview with Lindsay Fulton
In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine, Andrew Koch interviews Lindsay Fulton about the 10 Million Names Project, its mission, and its current progress.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/FTM-06-2026.mp3
Feature: 10 Million Names Project
American Ancestors, also known as the New England Historic Genealogical Society is proud to announce the 10 Million Names Project, a central database that includes all 10 million people who were enslaved in what is now the United States. American Ancestors Chief Research Officer and head of the 10 Million Names research project offers some insight into the project and its current development.
Mentioned in this episode:
Why Names Matter in Genealogy
Collaborative Efforts and Partnerships
Tips for Effective Searching
Stay in the Know
Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Your Host
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
23 min
May 19Understanding ScribeAI – An Interview with Alon Ehrenfeld
In this interview, MyHeritage’s senior product manager Alon Ehrenfeld gives a behind-the scenes look at how ScribeAI was developed and what it can do for your research.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/BW-04-15-26.mp3
Best Websites Episode 38: ScribeAI
One of the most exciting announcements from RootsTech 2026 was ScribeAI, MyHeritage’s new tool for transcribing and analyzing user-uploaded photos and documents.
Mentioned in this episode:
An overview of ScribeAI and the details it provides as part of its analysis: a transcription of any text, context about the time and place a document was made or a photo was taken, and the reasoning behind each data point
Real-life examples of how ScribeAI suggests areas of further research
A step-by-step tutorial by Digital Editor Katharine Andrew
How AI tools like ScribeAI and MyHeritage’s PhotoDater are generally trained, and what makes ScribeAI stand out
A unique summary of how MyHeritage comes up with new ideas for tools
MyHeritage features that are still in development, including some hinted in CEO Gilad Japhet’s latest presentation at RootsTech (watch a recording here)
The MyHeritage Blog, where users can about more new and updated website features
Stay in the Know
Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Your Host
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
21 min
May 15Exploring Historical Newspapers with Newspaper Finder – An Interview with Mitchell Lewis and Matt Wheeler
In this episode of Best Websites, Andrew Koch speaks to Mitchell Lewis and Matt Wheeler about using newspapers for genealogy research using the tool Newspaper Finder.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/BW-05-2026.mp3
Newspaper Finder
Newspapers are excellent resources for genealogists searching for clues about their ancestors. Newspaper Finder makes discovering historical newspapers easier.
Mentioned in this episode:
Challenges in Newspapers Research
The Role of Advantage Archives
User Feedback and Launch Experience

Newspaper Finder: A New Tool for Searching Old Newspapers (Review and Tutorial)

Locate online newspapers relevant to your genealogy with this tool for searching Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank and more.
Family Tree Magazine
Stay in the Know
Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Your Host
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
29 min
May 01Understanding Reclaim the Records – An Interview with Brooke Schreier-Ganz and Alec Ferretti
In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine Podcast, Brook Schreier-Ganz and Alec Ferretti explain how Reclaim the Records fights for record releases and what that means for genealogists.
https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/FTM-05-2026.mp3
Feature: Reclaim the Records and Record Releases
Most records of interest to genealogists in the United States are created by government agencies; however, not all government agencies are cooperative about releasing these records. Non-profit organization Reclaim the Records that advocates for these records to be released, sometimes with legal action.
Mentioned in this episode:
The mission and focus of Reclaim the Records
Challenges that arise when accessing public records
Record access laws and trends affecting them
The issue of privacy when accessing public records
Current and upcoming projects at Reclaim the Records
How to advocate for open records
Websites created by Reclaim the Records, like newyorkdeathindex.com
Stay in the Know
Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:
Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
Exclusive offers on new tools and resources
Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!
Your Host
Andrew Koch is the Editor of Family Tree Magazine.
44 min