Stories That Live In Us

Not everyone stumbles on a photo of a relative hanging in a hotel bathroom, but Nicka Sewell-Smith isn’t just anyone. And, that’s not even the most interesting story she has to tell.  From family reunions to battles for tribal citizenship, Nicka reveals an American tale that challenges common narratives about Native American and African American history.  Her persistence and use of modern technology helped her document more than 4,000 descendants of formerly enslaved ancestors and uncover her family’s deep ties to the Cherokee Nation.  Join us as she shares these extraordinary discoveries.

Follow Nicka:
On Instagram @NeekSmith

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Have you ever thought about how deeply you can trace your roots with just a simple DNA test?

Listen in on my conversation with Diahan Southard, a trailblazer in consumer genomics and the founder of Your DNA Guide.  She takes us through her story, starting as a microbiology student at Brigham Young University, continuing to her work with Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, leading to her pioneering role in the field of genetic genealogy education.  Sparked by the advice of a high school English teacher and a fascination with archaeogenetics, Diahan has not only played a role in advancing the field, she has also experienced the personal and emotional impact of DNA discoveries in her own family.  In this episode, she shares her journey and invites us to discover the unexpected stories hidden within our own DNA.

Follow Diahan:
YourDNAGuide.com
Instagram

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Becky Ellis takes us on an emotional journey through her intricate family dynamics shaped by her father's World War II experiences. Raised in a complex environment in 1970s California, Becky paints a vivid picture of navigating a childhood marked by her father's dual roles as a respected surgeon and unpredictable alcoholic. Her story is a powerful exploration of seeking paternal love and understanding amidst a fractured family, reflecting on the deep bonds formed in the face of adversity.

Our conversation traverses Becky's relentless quest to uncover her father's untold war stories, including a poignant visit to Dachau that sparked a deeper understanding of his past. By delving into the harsh realities he faced as a staff sergeant, Becky uncovers the profound impact of wartime dehumanization on his civilian life. This transformative process not only allowed her father to share his experiences but also enabled Becky to find clarity and reconciliation with her own upbringing.

The magic of storytelling emerges as a central theme, enabling Becky to bridge gaps within her family and connect with her own children. Through documenting her father's journey in a memoir, she confronts her past and acknowledges inherited traits, fostering deeper connections. This episode underscores the healing potential of sharing stories and recognizing parents as individuals with their own histories, offering a pathway to understanding and peace for families and communities alike.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Does anyone else feel like the veil between life and death, this world and the next, thins around this time of year?

Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Dia de los Muertos mark the beginning of the holiday season—a time for family, nostalgia, and deep connection. This week also happens to be my birthday.

From my early childhood, my birthday celebrations often mingled with Halloween themes. But it was on my 18th birthday, while cleaning up a vandalized cemetery, that I found a profound connection to my life’s passion: family history.

For more than 30 years, my experiences have continually revealed the powerful links between life’s celebrations and the remembrance of the deceased. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for cultural traditions that honor those who have passed. It’s not just about looking back—it’s about forging deep connections with our roots and our family, regardless of which side of the veil they are on.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Does your family history include run-ins with the mafia, witches, and sea monsters?

Suzanne Russo Adams always cherished her lively Italian family gatherings but wasn’t initially drawn to genealogy. It took tearful Latin lessons and storytelling at Sunday dinners to spark her passion for family history.

After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in family history, Suzanne began her career at Ancestry. She later moved to FamilySearch, where her work led her to ancestral parish churches in Sicily and over 100 archives worldwide. Today, she's shaping future genealogists as an associate professor and director of the Center for Family History and Genealogy at her alma mater.

Listen in as Suzanne and I discuss how exploring where we come from can deeply connect us to who we are and help define who we want to become.

Learn more about Suzanne and the Center for Family History and Genealogy:  

https://history.byu.edu/directory/suzanne-adams

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

What if uncovering a family story you never knew could change the way you see yourself and the world? I believe family history has the power to do just that.

Back in 2019, Ancestry and SundanceTV premiered a documentary short at the Sundance Film Festival called Railroad Ties. This film explores the legacy of the Underground Railroad and its lasting impact on the descendants of both those who were enslaved and those who fought for their freedom.

Before you listen to this episode, I encourage you to watch the film. You can find it here: Watch Railroad Ties on YouTube

After watching, join me for an insightful interview with Gayle George. She shares how discovering this story not only connected her with ancestors she never knew but also inspired her to preserve and honor their legacies. From emotional revelations in old court records to the powerful act of marking unremembered graves, Gayle’s journey illustrates how knowing our roots can deepen our sense of identity and belonging.

Discover more about Gayle's work and the legacy of her ancestors at WeemsThePeople.org and Awakeningho.me.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

 When someone asks where you're from, do you think of a place or the people? Is 'home' just a word, or does it evoke something more?

In this episode, join me as I explore the notion of 'home' through stories from the life of my 3x great-grandfather, Samuel Mulliner. From the Scottish Highlands to the valleys of Utah, discover how the places he walked and the descendants he left behind shape my sense of home. His story, and the connections I've forged through rediscovering his legacy, underscore why family history holds such a significant place in my life. And, highlight ways we all can explore what it means to "come home." 

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Do we have a family motto? Not officially. But if we did, it might be "Cowans Show Up For Each Other!" As for my personal creed as an aunt? It's simple: Love each of them for exactly who they are and help them discover who they want to become.

In this episode, freshly returned from a week-long cruise to Alaska and recorded just eight hours after our arrival, you'll hear me chat with all seven of my niblings. We laugh, they respond in the monosyllabic style only teenagers have mastered, but through it all, you'll catch a real glimpse of how we turn family chaos into cherished memories.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

What do Lake Como, Italy, a Jewish genealogy conference, and a surprise discovery in Chicago all have in common?  They are all elements of a story I shared in front of a live audience in Philadelphia just a few weeks ago.

Listen in as I recount the story of one of the most impactful experiences in my career in family history.  Discover how the events leading up to this experience prepared my mind and heart to receive the lessons it had to teach me.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Imagine tackling a 5000-piece jigsaw puzzle without ever seeing the picture it’s supposed to form. Sometimes, you might spend hours focused on fitting just one section together, while at other times, you might simply add a piece or two as you pass by. This metaphor beautifully mirrors the process of uncovering family stories — a journey of patience, persistence, and unexpected discoveries.

Todd Godfrey, Vice President of Global Content at Ancestry®, leads the efforts to acquire, digitize, index, and publish tens of billions of historical records — each one a puzzle piece in its own right. On his personal quest to piece together his family tree, Todd has delved deep into these records, learning more about his ancestors and the lives they led.

But Todd’s story adds another layer to the complex picture of family history. As an adoptee, he embarked on a carefully measured exploration through AncestryDNA®, to unveil the identity of his biological family. This journey expanded his family tree and opened up a new world of possibilities and connections.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.