Getting started with DNA with Michelle Leonard
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
Release Date: 08/06/2024
Orders and Medals Research Society
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
Do you have family medals or are you interested in collecting them? Andrew Mann and Graham Grist from the Orders and Medals Research Society explain about British military medals, who was entitled to receive them (including some surprising recipients), where to find out about medals and the pitfalls to beware. Also included is a a resources sheet available via
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Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society with Scott Fairie
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
The Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society has a wealth of resources and local knowledge for anyone with ancestors from the Glasgow and wider west of Scotland area. Scott Fairie and I discuss what the society has available, Scottish records in general, burying grounds, shipbuilding, railways, weaving, memorial inscriptions and lots more. A transcript and resources sheet is available on .
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Pre 19th century records with Sarah Pettyfer
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
Sarah Pettyfer and I discuss how manorial, court and other records can be used to trace your ancestors back well beyond the 19th century including the court baron, court leet, copyhold and freehold land, yeomen and husbandmen and where to find the records as not many of them have been digitised. There is a second interview on Spittleditch on and transcripts for both interviews.
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North of Ireland Family History Society with Martin McDowell and Linda Kilby
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
Join me to find out more about researching your Northern Irish ancestors with Martin McDowell and Linda Kilby of the North of Ireland Family History Society. We discuss the resources available within the society and elsewhere (many more than you may think), events they run including an annual DNA summer school and a roadshow plus the services they offer for members and enquiries. A transcript of this interview is available on Substack: plus a second interview with Martin about the North of Ireland DNA project and a resources sheet full of useful links.
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NARA with Claire Kluskens
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
NARA, or to give it its full name "National Archives and Records Adminstration", is the primary source for federal records in the USA. Claire Kluskens explains how genealogists and family historians can make the best use of these records, where they are located and how to access them. Including what they do host (military records, 19th and 20th century censuses, immigration, naturalisation, land records and more) and what they don't (birth, marriage and death records) and some other sources including the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. With some staggering statistics about the...
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Londonist with Matt Brown
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
Join Matt Brown and I as we discuss London and Londonist, lots of maps, the River Fleet, hidden waterways and street names plus much more. The transcript is available on Substack together with a second short interview about the John Rocque map of 1746.
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Bermondsey with Geoff Fairbairn
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
Geoff talks about the long history of Bermondsey, London from Bermondsey Abbey in medieval times, through tanneries, the start of canning, famous food factories such as Peak Frean's and the development of "Biscuit Town" and where to find local records. An interview transcript is available on together with a short second interview on fame and infamy in Bermondsey.
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RootsTech 2025 with Ariel McDonald-Smith
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
RootsTech 2025 is nearly here. Ariel McDonald-Smith of Family Search is sharing some of what's in store for us and how to make the most of the show which runs from 6-8 March 2025. The transcript (available on Substack) contains links to keynote speakers, famous relatives and how to sign up for the event itself.
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Celebrating 4 years and 100 episodes of Journeys into Genealogy plus what's in store for 2025
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
A short episode with the roundup of 2024 with what's ahead for 2025...
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The Prize Papers with Anne Ramon
Journeys into Genealogy podcast
The Prize Papers is a treasure trove of documents captured by English naval ships and privateers in the 1700s. Anne Ramon talks about the project and some of the papers captured during the American War of Independence. From crew lists to poetry and the letters which never reached their intended destinations, it's a fascinating insight into 18th century life. The image of Mrs John Deas is used with permission of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Museum Purchase. Mark and Loretta Roman and The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund.
info_outlineDNA expert Michelle Leonard shares the do's and don'ts for anyone who is considering doing a DNA test and what to do once you have your results. She explains what information you receive when you test and how far back you can reliably trace your ancestors. With advice on how to organize matches, the definition of a 'genetic community', how reliable Ancestry's ThruLines and Origins are, whether you should upload your results to more than one company and if books and courses are helpful and much more.
There is a separate Journeys into Genealogy on Substack interview on the new Ancestry Pro Tools and whether it is worth signing up for (hint: we both think it is!).