Libsyn Directory

AF-1162: Postcards from the Past | The Municipal Opera in Forest Park, St. Louis

Release Date: 10/08/2025

AF-1186: The Indian Diaspora: Tracing Indentured Labor and Migration | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

The story of the Indian diaspora is one of both hardship and resilience. During British colonial rule, millions of Indians were sent abroad as indentured laborers, forming a global network that stretched from the Caribbean to Africa and the South Pacific. The movement of people wasn’t just a simple relocation; it was driven by economic needs, social changes, and political agendas that shaped Indian families for generations... Podcast notes: Ancestral Findings Podcast: This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: Genealogy Giveaway: Genealogy eBooks: Follow Along: Support Ancestral Findings: ...

AF-1185: Tracing Ancestry During British Rule in India | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

India’s colonial past under British rule is a significant chapter in its history and a treasure trove for those seeking to trace their ancestry. The British were meticulous record-keepers, and much of their documentation has survived, providing invaluable insights into Indian families during the 18th to mid-20th centuries. Whether your ancestors served in the militia, were part of the landowning class, or engaged in trade, there’s a strong chance that colonial records hold the key to unlocking your family’s history. These records offer more than just names and dates—they provide...

AF-1184: Understanding Caste and Community Records in Indian Genealogy | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

India’s social structure, particularly the caste system, has long shaped family histories and relationships. For genealogists, understanding how caste and community records were kept and where to find them can open up new paths for discovering ancestors. Let’s explore the role of the caste system, the different types of records available, and practical steps you can take to access these genealogical treasures... Podcast notes: Ancestral Findings Podcast: This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: Genealogy Giveaway: Genealogy eBooks: Follow Along: Support Ancestral Findings: ...

AF-1183: Introduction to Indian Genealogy | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

India, with its diverse cultures, ancient traditions, and rich historical background, offers an intriguing yet complex landscape for genealogical research. For anyone with roots in this vast nation, tracing family history can be an incredibly rewarding endeavor, but it comes with unique challenges. From the intricate caste system to various religious customs and languages, Indian genealogy requires a bit of extra detective work, patience, and a willingness to navigate many different sources. Understanding how to research your ancestry in India involves delving into both formal records and oral...

AF-1182: The Journey from France | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

Today, we travel back to seventeenth-century France — a land of craft, faith, and quiet ambition. This is the story of Luc and Élise Moreau, two ordinary people who crossed an ocean not to escape their lives, but to build something greater. Through their courage and learning, they helped shape a world that still bears their mark. This is The Journey from France... Podcast notes: Ancestral Findings Podcast: This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: Genealogy Giveaway: Genealogy eBooks: Follow Along: Support Ancestral Findings: #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips

AF-1181: Do You Have French Ancestry? | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

From the rolling countryside of France to the forests of Canada and the bayous of Louisiana, the story of French ancestry spans continents and centuries. Families carried their language, faith, and traditions across oceans, leaving a legacy that still shapes the modern world. If your family has roots in North America, especially in Canada, New England, or Louisiana, there’s a good chance some of those roots trace back to France. The French presence in the New World is older and broader than many realize — beginning in the early 1500s and continuing in waves right into the 19th century....

AF-1180: The Journey from Scotland | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

Morning began with mist that curled along the hill like breath. Ewan rose before the light had gathered in the glen, pulled on his woolen jacket, and crossed the yard to the byre. The cow turned its mild face at his step, warm air puffing from its nostrils in the cold. He set the pail, pressed his forehead to the flank, and listened to milk ring the tin. The sound was small and steady. On mornings like this, it steadied him. Inside the cottage, peat smoke climbed through the hole in the roof and drifted out into the white air. His mother, Mairi, crept around the hearth. She broke an oatcake in...

AF-1179: Tracing the Veterans in Your Family | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

Veterans Day calls us to remember, but for genealogists, it also opens a door to discovery. Behind every name in a family tree, there may be a record of service—one that shaped not only a life but an entire line of descendants. When we trace the veterans in our families, we do more than learn about wars and uniforms; we uncover courage, hardship, and the choices that built the generations that followed. Researching military ancestors is one of the most rewarding forms of family history. It connects individual lives to significant historical events and often reveals personal details found...

AF-1178: Do You Have Scottish Ancestry? | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

If you have ancestors who came to North America before the 20th century, there’s a strong possibility that part of your family story began in Scotland. From the rugged Highlands to the fertile Lowlands, from fishing villages on the coast to industrial Glasgow, Scotland has been sending its sons and daughters abroad for centuries. Scottish emigrants left behind misty glens, clan lands, and centuries of tradition — but they carried with them an education system admired throughout Europe, a fierce sense of independence, and a reputation for honesty, perseverance, and wit. Their descendants...

AF-1177: The Journey from England | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Ancestral Findings - Genealogy Podcast

Before there were colonies, before there was even a country called America, there were people who made a choice that would echo for centuries. They left behind stone cottages and hedgerows, trading the familiar bells of England for the uncertain silence of the sea. This is one family’s story told through the letters they left behind. The Clarkes were ordinary people—craftsmen, parents, believers—who joined thousands of others sailing westward in search of a life free from fear and full of promise. Their words, preserved across generations, reveal not just the hardships of their voyage...

More Episodes

Every postcard in my collection has a story to tell, and this one takes us to Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. On the front, you see a lively crowd gathered at the Municipal Opera, better known today as The Muny. The seats are packed, the stage is bright, and the performance is in full swing. Just looking at the card, you can almost hear the music floating through the summer night air.

On the back, the caption reads:

“The fame of St. Louis’s Municipal Opera has spread throughout the world, and visitors come thousands of miles to witness this glamorous spectacle. Night after night throughout the summer, distinguished stars present popular musical attractions in a beautiful al fresco theatre in the heart of Forest Park.”

Printed with space for a one-cent stamp, this postcard captures an era when people took great pride in local landmarks and mailed them across the country as souvenirs. The card itself was published by E.C. Kropp of Milwaukee and distributed by the Session Merchandise Company in St. Louis. It’s a classic linen card, likely dating from the 1930s or 1940s, when bold colors and textured printing were the style of choice.

For me, as a collector, this card stands out because it’s more than just a building—it’s an experience. It shows people gathered together outdoors, enjoying music, theater, and community. That’s exactly what The Muny was built for, and that’s why it has lasted more than a century...

Podcast notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/postcards-from-the-past-municipal-opera-st-louis/

Ancestral Findings Podcast:

https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast

This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups:

https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups

Genealogy Giveaway:

https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway

Genealogy eBooks:

https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks

Follow Along:

https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings

https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings