Moby and Herman: Part Three - The Chase
The Genealogy Detective
We bring our investigation to a close, tracing Moby's tree back to Scotland and talk through all of Herman Melville's own family's ancestral hopes. Background on Herman Melville’s genealogy and Thomas and Allan Melvill’s attempt to prove their relation to General Robert Melvill comes several sources, including: “Data on the Melvill Family,” the research put together by Allan Melvill, courtesy of the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts , (Hennig Cohen and Donald Yannella, 1992) “,” (ed. Cuyler Reynolds, 1911) Jean F. Melvill, “Melvill...
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Moby and Herman: Part Two - Cutting In
The Genealogy Detective
Our research into Moby's ancestry begins in earnest and leads to a Melville ancestor. Notes: Moby discussing Moby-Dick from a video made for Read if you dare Moby discussing family from a video made for Moby talking about his grandmother from (2016) Music by Blue Dot Sessions, closing theme Breakmaster Cylinder.
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Moby and Herman: Part One - Loomings
The Genealogy Detective
My friend Adam brings a question to me: is Moby (aka Richard Melville Hall) really related to Moby-Dick author Herman Melville. Notes: A screenshot of Moby’s , taken May 2023 Excerpt from the Afterword of Moby’s 2016 memoir, (2016) Tweet from Moby (): “On this day in 1851…” Tweet from Moby (): “Happy Birthday Uncle Herman…” Background on Moby’s career was compiled from several sources including: Moby’s memoirs (2016) and (2019); Grayson Haver Currin, “,” NPR, May 22, 2020 Rob Gordon Bralver documentary, (2021) Clip from “Rave...
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Boris and Hannah
The Genealogy Detective
Hannah's grandfather always said their family was related to Boris Pasternak. The Genealogy Detective digs for proof, and teaches herself the Cyrillic alphabet.
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Mariel and Ilona
The Genealogy Detective
Mariel never knew her grandmother Ilona, a Holocaust survivor, or about Ilona's parents, siblings, and extended family. But she's in a place in her life where questions about her family and their history have begun to take on new importance. In this episode we find some answers.
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Introducing The Genealogy Detective
The Genealogy Detective
Mary Duffy is the Genealogy Detective, solving your family's mysteries and telling your stories. Each episode we'll solve a new case: unearthing family secrets, finding long-lost cousins, uncovering origins with research or DNA, and proving whether the legends your grandmother handed down are true. No case is too small.
info_outlineOur research into Moby's ancestry begins in earnest and leads to a Melville ancestor.
Notes:
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LA Times article about the LA Library Foundation event from September 2013
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Moby discussing Moby-Dick from a video made for LA Library Foundation
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Read Moby-Dick if you dare
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Moby discussing family from a video made for LA Library Foundation
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Moby talking about his grandmother from Porcelain (2016)
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Page from New Jersey marriage Index recording marriage of Alice B. Albridge and John M. Gardner
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Page from Massachusetts marriage index recording 1935 marriage of Alice Beverly Albridge
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Marriage record of Alice Beverly Albridge to John William Hall in April 1935
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Obituary of John William Hall, San Bernardino County Sun, June 4, 1980
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Family tree of Herman Melville’s siblings and immediate descendants
Music by Blue Dot Sessions, closing theme Breakmaster Cylinder.