The Legacy Tree Podcast

In honor of Juneteenth, we are diving deep into the profound world of genetic genealogy. For many people of African descent, traditional paper-trail research hits a roadblock known as the "1870 wall." In this episode, we explore how groundbreaking DNA testing is tearing down that wall and providing a reliable space for people to reclaim their roots and family histories. We are joined by two incredible industry pioneers: Adrienne Abiodun, an advanced researcher at Legacy Tree Genealogists, and Dr. Gina Paige, the co-founder of African Ancestry, Inc. Together, they break down the science, the emotional weight, and the life-changing impact of finding out exactly where you come from. 🎧 What We Discuss in This Episode: The Significance of Juneteenth: Why honoring this holiday goes hand-in-hand with reclaiming your personal and familial history. Breaking Through the Wall: How genetic genealogy bridges the massive gaps left by historical archives and the transatlantic slave trade. The Tech Behind the Truth: A look into how specialized DNA testing (like maternal and paternal lineage tracing) differs from standard ancestry percentages. The Emotional Journey: The powerful, often healing impact of discovering specific ethnic groups and countries of origin. 🔗 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about maternal and paternal lineage tracing at African Ancestry Connect with professional researchers at Legacy Tree Genealogists Follow our guests on social media: https://www.instagram.com/africanancestry/

In today’s episode, “Heirloom Preservation: Capturing Legacy Beyond Objects,” we’re joined by Luke of MemoirGhostwriting.com, a specialist in memoir ghostwriting, alongside Heather Nickerson, Founder and CEO of Artifcts.com. Together, they explore how families can preserve legacy in deeply meaningful ways — from transforming life stories into memoirs to documenting the history and significance of cherished belongings. This conversation reveals how heirloom preservation goes far beyond physical items, connecting memory, storytelling, and identity across generations.

In this episode of The Legacy Tree Podcast, we’re joined by Richard Hill from DNA Favorites, who sits down with Sarah, an advanced researcher on Legacy Tree Genealogists’ DNA team, to explore the powerful — and sometimes unexpected — stories hidden in our DNA. Together, Richard and Sarah discuss Richard’s personal DNA journey and the discoveries that reshaped how he understands his own family history. They talk through what DNA can reveal beyond names and dates, how genetic genealogy can open new paths when traditional records fall short, and why DNA discoveries often carry deep emotional weight alongside the answers. This conversation isn’t about formulas or test comparisons — it’s about identity, connection, and the truths that can emerge when DNA fills in the gaps of the past. Learn more about Richard Hill and his work:👉 https://linktr.ee/RichardHill Explore professional genealogy research with Legacy Tree Genealogists:👉 https://legacytree.com

Have you gotten your DNA tested? Have you ever wondered what happens after your saliva or cheek swab sample is shipped off to a testing company until the day you get your results? Wonder no longer. In this week's episode we cover the five steps of DNA genetic genealogy testing so you have complete visibility into the process. Prepare for the insider view. If you like to read along, you can visit https://www.legacytree.com/blog/from-spit-to-screen-the-journey-of-a-dna-sample for the full transcript of this episode. Do you need help with your genealogy research? The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Newspapers hold a treasure trove of information on your family history! Not only can you find obituaries, but you can often find birth, marriage, and divorce notices; passenger lists; arrests and information on crimes; war heroes and casualties; tragedies and triumphs; historical context, and more. In this week's episode we discover the hidden treasures to be discovered within newspapers. Resources for newspaper research: Wikipedia List of Online Newspapers (international) Library of Congress Chronicling America Google Search for Newspapers GenealogyBank Newspapers.com Newspaperarchive.com LTG Google Search Newspaper Cheat Sheet Do you need help with your genealogy research? The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Finding biological parents is one of the most challenging, and rewards projects we get to work on at Legacy Tree Genealogists. In this week's episode, we hear from a Legacy Tree client as she shares her story about searching for her family in Puerto Rico. Listen in to see how her story took a few turns along to way but ended with her fully discovering her past. If you have biological family members you need help finding, Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to assist. Reach out for a free quote for your specific project. Learn more at https://www.legacytree.com/.

What untold immigration stories are waiting to be discovered in your family history? In today's episode we share the story of Japanese immigrant, Seito Saibara, and his impact on the Texas landscape. The history of America is an interlacing web of immigration stories from all over the world, many still untold. Every pioneer, either celebrated in life or silent to the grave, has a story worth telling—you just need to know how to go about telling it! Enjoy Seito's story of perseverance, economic opportunity, and determination. It just might remind you of a story from your own family tree. How did your ancestor contribute to the development of their community? Let Legacy Tree Genealogists and our team of researchers develop that story. No story is too small, and all ancestors mattered. Request your free quote today! Visit Legacy Tree Genealogists to learn more about hiring a professional genealogy researcher.

If you have ancestors who served in WWII, you might have found yourself at a loss due to a fire in the 1970's that destroyed 80% of records. But with creativity you may be able to discover more information than you thought possible. In this weeks episode we share a story that started with a photograph and ended with gathering enough information to file a Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records). Listen for tips that may help you in finding your military ancestors. Do you have your own family mysteries to discover and need some help? The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Have you ever needed a professional genealogist to help you with your family history research? Or do you wonder what it would be like to work with a professional? How do you choose a professional genealogist and what certifications and experience should they have? In this episode we discuss how to hire a genealogist as well as what to expect when working with a professional. We cover the different types of accreditations and what your role is in providing information about your family to the researcher. If you need help with your research, the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Are you wondering how or if you qualify for Irish dual citizenship? Have you received your DNA test ethnicity results and verified you have a little or quite a bit of Irish ancestry? Or perhaps you are one generation removed from gaining Irish citizenship through descent—in other words, through one of your ancestors? While Legacy Tree Genealogists cannot assist with the legal aspects of applying for dual citizenship, and we recommend you contact an attorney or consulate for your application, we are able to help you gather the vital records for your ancestors to help you prepare to apply. Resources in this episode: Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland's Citizen Information If you have Irish ancestors and need help gathering documentation and vital records, the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Want to learn more about hiring a professional genealogist to assist with your family history research? Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Genealogy research in Poland can be challenging and rewarding when you know where to search for Polish records. In this episode we share online record portals that can help to speed up your Polish genealogy efforts. We also discuss the 100 year privacy rule and share a few tips on finding Polish ancestors prior to the 1600s. Resources: Search the Archives Geneteka Polish State Archive of Przemyśl FamilySearch If you have Polish ancestors and have hit a brick wall in your research, the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Want to learn more about hiring a professional genealogist to assist with your family history research? Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Immigration has once again become a hot topic in the United States lately, but this isn’t the first time. In fact, it has been a common part of the historical and political discourse since the founding of the nation, largely because immigrants make up such an enormous part of our history and heritage as Americans. In this episode we share four tips and strategies you can use to find your immigrant ancestors, no matter what country they came from. Resources: Immigrant Ancestors Project http://immigrants.byu.edu/main_page MyHeritage.com Ancestry.com Google Books Want to learn more about hiring a professional genealogist to assist with your family history research? Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

When you are new to genealogy, knowing which family tree website to use can be a challenge. In this episode we share tips on choosing your platform and what to watch out for. We also share how to properly format your data for sharing and ease of use. Finally, we answer the question, "When should you hire a professional genealogist?" Want to learn more about hiring a professional genealogist to assist with your family history research? Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.