About this episode
It’s a shorter, swear-free version of the wonderful Genealogy episode with author Stephen Hanks -- who teaches genealogy classes in Portland, Oregon and has contributed to PBS genealogy documentaries. We chat histories, mysteries, memories and families, plus what ignited his passion for learning about his own history. Also: how to find your family through census records, county archives, and death certificates; which DNA tests he’s taken; our most recent common ancestor; and whether or not he wears a detective cape. Stephen Hanks’ books: " The Line of Shem & The Seed of Judah ,” “ Three Brothers — 1626 ,” “ 1619 -- Twenty Africans ,” and “ Akee Tree ” A donation went to BlackPast.org Full-length (*not* G-rated) Genealogy episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes! Follow @Ologies on Bluesky and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on X and Instagram Sound editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions , Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Jacob Chaffee, Kelly R. Dwyer, Emily White, & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.