Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen

Let us know what you think!

The stories of our female ancestors are often stripped down to the simplest narratives – they were farm wives, mothers, teachers – but beneath these sanitized descriptions lie complex lives filled with surprising choices, passionate relationships, and occasionally scandalous secrets. Join Kathleen and John as they peel back the layers of family folklore to reveal the true stories of the women who came before us.
The women were secretive, the documents were not!

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

Join us with Glenn North, Director of Inclusive Learning and Creative Impact at the Museum of Kansas City, as we talk about the vital connection between art, history, and social justice. 

Visit Glenn's site at: 

https://www.glennnorthpoetry.com/

Lynch Family by Joseph Hirsch

https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/24036/lynch-family

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

Unlock the secrets of your ancestry with Sherri Camp, our featured genealogy librarian from the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. 

Join us as Sherri takes us on her remarkable journey through the world of genealogy and discover the invaluable resources available at the library, including the family history collections.

Resources Cited:
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
https://tscpl.org/

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
https://www.aahgs.org/

Kansas Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
http://www.kaahgs.org/

African American Topeka
by Sherrita Camp 
https://a.co/d/aY0j8sT

Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Alan Steinberg: 
https://a.co/d/6fqL0hE

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

Unlock the secrets of turning your family's rich history into a dynamic digital treasure trove with the help of Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. Discover how digital publishing not only facilitates easy distribution but also creates a lasting resource for family reunions.

1. Prepare Your Book for Publishing
2. Publish via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
3. Choose Distribution Settings
4. Set Your Pricing
5. Share the Book with Your Family
6. Gifting Copies

• order copies of your book at the author's cost (for print books) 
• send gift copies of the Kindle version

For Document conversions:
Website: https://calibre-ebook.com/

Related Blogs:
"Reads over Royalties"
"EPUB with InDesign, Page Breaks"
"Secrets with the Trees" by John A Brandt

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

In this genealogy podcast episode, we discuss the significance of presidential libraries for genealogical research as part of our 2025 Presidential Library series. These libraries are an underutilized resource for genealogical projects, and Kathleen has uncovered dozens of ancestral documents for clients using them.

Kathleen also shares tips and tools for tackling genealogy brick walls and researching common surnames. For one client, she navigated the challenges of researching the surnames North, Hams, and Heard.

As always, we’re excited to share a helpful genealogical tool. Have you tried the libcat.familysearch.org catalog? This powerful tool can fast-track your brick wall research and even help you bypass calls to the courthouse. Just sign in with your familysearch.org username/password.

If you’re unfamiliar with FamilySearch, signing up for free access is simple—no credit card required, just a username and password.

Let’s take a moment to thank FamilySearch for digitizing and freely sharing their invaluable resources!

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

Prepare to be inspired as we feature the illustrious genealogist Amy Johnson Crowe on "Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen." Discover how Amy's knack for uncovering family histories has influenced countless enthusiasts, including our host Kathleen herself. 

Embark on a journey through the innovative "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" program that champions genealogical exploration through weekly prompts. 

Website: https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-new/

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

Check out this Link: Eternal Veteran Network -What Impact Will This Donation Have?

What if the holiday season is just a lens into a richer, more complex history? Kathleen and I share heartfelt gratitude to all our listeners. We reminisce about the laughs, learning, and connections formed throughout our podcasting journey. This episode is not just about reflecting on what we've accomplished this year but also about looking forward to the exciting giveaways and surprises we have in store for you as a token of our appreciation.

We're also thrilled to introduce the Eternal Valor Network, an initiative by Tracing Ancestors dedicated to uniting community organizations that make it their mission to honor "forgotten veterans." Join us as we celebrate this passion project and the friendships we've cultivated along the way. 

As we wrap up this year, we look forward to the new adventures and stories that lie ahead in our journey.

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

Discover the hidden stories of African American history in Missouri with our passionate guests, Michelle Cook and Riley Sutherland from the Salus Populi Project. 

Michelle and Riley are on a mission to bring to light the overlooked narratives of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and unmarked African American burials in Missouri. With Michelle's storytelling prowess and Riley's academic insights from Harvard, they reveal the power of pension records in reconstructing entire communities and personal histories, all while bridging significant gaps in historical knowledge.

Join us as we explore the untapped potential of pension records and their role in uncovering rich historical narratives. By sharing these stories, we empower descendant researchers and shine a light on individual contributions during pivotal events like the Civil War. Michelle and Riley's work underscores the transformative impact of making these hidden documents available to the public, fostering a deeper understanding of the past.

Groups like Salus Populi and the Eternal Valor Network are making history an interactive experience, connecting past with present through genealogy and archival research. If you wish to participate in the Salus Populi Project contact Michelle or Riley: Salus Populi Project.   Oh..and follow them on social media!

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

The October Mailbag: Naval Veteran Research and Heritage Month
Journey through the National Archives with us as we highlight the distinctions between researching Navy records and other branches. 

Let's celebrate in October:  Family History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and  Naval Research. 

Family History Month Resources

1. Family Search 31 October celebrations ideas 
2. National Genealogical Society and Brain Health
3. Library of Congress

September / October Newsletter 

• Hispanic Heritage Month
• 8 Tips: Puerto Rican Research
• FamilySearch Wiki

This episode promises a blend of history, humor, and celebrations.

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
 

Let us know what you think!

Join us as we sit down with Sofia Stewart, a remarkable intern from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Sofia's journey began in a Russian orphanage and led her to Arkansas, where her deep-seated passion for sociology and understanding societal dynamics took root. Through her work at Tracing Ancestors, backed by the Mellon Grant program, Sofia channels her background into grant writing and creatively designing promotional content, all while unveiling the profound importance of genealogy in shaping our stories.

Ever wondered about the hidden narratives within your family tree? This episode promises a captivating exploration of Romani ancestry and the complexities of adoption. Sophia shares personal and historical insights, from the deportation of Romani people to Siberia to the traditional Russian naming patterns that link her to her roots. We dive into her family history, including the lives of her parents, Alex and Faina, and the significance of DNA in uncovering close relatives and piecing together her adoption story. Tune in for a rich tapestry of identity, history, and the power of storytelling in genealogy.

Support the show

Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. 

Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.