Ohio Roots

In this episode, we speak with Lauren Kuntzman of the Medina County District Library’s Family History & Learning Center and OGS Board Member about the upcoming 2026 Mavourneen Harshman OGS Librarian Day. With more than 25 years of genealogical research experience, Lauren shares insights into the vital role libraries and librarians continue to play in family history research, the importance of collaboration among genealogy organizations, and what attendees can expect from this special day of learning, networking, and discovery at the Ohio Genealogical Society Samuel D Isaly Library. 

In this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast, genealogist and Professional OGS Member Theresa Dandy joins the us to discuss her lifelong passion for family history, tracing her journey from a fourth-grade hobbyist to a professional researcher. Theresa shares her experiences uncovering her Italian roots, navigating the complexities of German records, and her specialized skill in mining census data for hidden details. 

This episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast explores the remarkable efforts of the Hagley Museum and Library in Delaware to preserve and share Ohio’s broadcasting and film history. We’re joined by Kevin Martin and Jim Culley for a fascinating conversation about the legendary “Ohio Story” radio and television series, Cleveland’s Cinecraft Productions, and newly digitized recordings and films that bring mid-20th century Ohio culture back to life for modern audiences. 

In this episode, Laurie Hermance-Moore, founder of Heritage Bridge, discusses her transition from a librarian and market researcher to a professional genealogist. She explains how her team specializes in "solving the problem" for family historians, utilizing a combination of DNA clusters and "deep document research", such as deeds, guardianship, and probate records, to break through brick walls that have stood for decades. We also explore the sensitive nature of biological family research for adoptees and how new AI search tools are revolutionizing access to court records.

In this episode, we sit down with Kim Jurkovic, the curator of the Tuscarawas County Historical Society and a 7th generation countian whose local roots stretch back to the 1830s. We explore the wealth of resources available at the Tusc Kent Archive Room, located in Founders Hall on the Kent State University Tuscarawas campus, which serves as a vital hub for regional genealogy and history.

In this episode, we sit down with genealogist Pamela Ellis to explore the challenges every family historian faces—those frustrating “brick walls” where progress seems to stop. Drawing from her new book, The Brick Wall – Breaking Genealogy Barriers with AI, Pamela shares practical strategies for rethinking research problems, uncovering overlooked sources, and approaching genealogy with a more analytical mindset. We also discuss how emerging AI tools can support (not replace) traditional research methods, helping genealogists break through barriers and make meaningful discoveries.

In this episode we sit down with Michael L. Strauss, a military historian and professional genealogist whose work spans archives, academia, and the courtroom. A featured speaker at the 2026 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, Michael shares insights from his upcoming sessions, including research on non-combatants in military history, the American Protective League, U.S. Patent Office records, West Virginia genealogy, the Mexican-American War, and Justice of the Peace records. Discover how these often-overlooked sources can reveal powerful new details about your ancestors and expand your research beyond the basics.

In this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we welcome Maureen Brady, a veteran genealogist with more than thirty years of research experience, to preview her sessions for the 2026 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference. Maureen shares insights on the Scots-Irish as America’s first frontiersmen, tracing the British diaspora, researching in Southern Illinois, and strengthening your ability to analyze evidence.

On this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we speak with genealogist and educator Robert Cameron Weir. He joins us to explore strategies for solving tough research problems—from probate records and colonial New England sources to DNA shared matches and emerging tools like AI and ChatGPT. A specialist in New Hampshire and Massachusetts research, Robert previews his sessions for the 2026 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference and shares practical insights genealogists can use at every experience level

On the latest episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we talk with author Dale R. Spaulding about Curious Cathy’s Quirky Questions and its companion My Family History Journal. He shares how a simple conversation between a curious child and her grandfather can spark a lifelong interest in family history, especially for kids and homeschool families. We explore why storytelling is such a powerful gateway to genealogy, how to engage younger generations in meaningful ways, and how families can begin preserving their stories together one question at a time.