Family Tree Magazine Podcast

Exploring JewishGen – An Interview with Caitlin Hollander Waas

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, genealogist Caitlin Hollander Waas talks with Lisa about Jewish genealogy and the tools at JewishGen that can help w...

Reflecting on the World of Genealogy in 2025 – An Interview with Andrew Koch

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Andrew Koch and Lisa Louise Cooke look back on all that has happened in the world of genealogy in...

Finding Church Registers with Matricula – An Interview with Katherine Schober

15 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Katherine Schober highlights how Matricula Online can help you locate church registers.

Organizing Family History Writing Projects – An Interview with Rhonda Lauritzen

02 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Rhonda Lauritzen offers practical tips for organizing your family history writing projects.

Using Find a Grave Ethically and Efficiently – An Interview with Daniel Loftus

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Daniel Loftus offers some valuable tips for using Find a Grave with more efficiency and respect for others in mind.

Perfecting the Cemetery Transcription – An Interview with Robbie Gorr

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Robbie Gorr provides tips for the mastering the cemetery transcription.

Exploring Historical Newspaper Pages with Veridian with Lisa Louise Cooke

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke highlights some of the most valuable features of Veridian, an excellent resource for finding histo...

Learning About Ancestors Through Homestead Records – An Interview with Katie Merkley

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Lisa Louise Cooke speaks to Katie Merkley about homestead records and what they can tell us about...

Generating Citations with Cite-Builder.com – An Interview with Jenny Joyce

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Website founder Jenny Joyce of Cite-Builder.com shows the value of a proper citation and how Cite-Builder makes citation more manageable.

Celebrating the 101 Best Websites of 2025 – An Interview with David Fryxell

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, host Lisa Louise Cooke interviews David Fryxell about the best online tools for genealogy research.

Exploring the National Archives with Lisa Louise Cooke

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke walks through the National Archives and all there is to discover. Best Genealogy Websites: The Nat...

Researching Ancestors in Any State – An Interview with Andrew Koch

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Andrew Koch offers tips for researching ancestors across the United States.

Tools for Translating Records – An Interview with Rick Crume

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Rick Crume highlights some translation tools for making sense of foreign-language records.

Handling Sensitive Subject Matter in Family Interviews – An Interview with Rhonda Lauritzen

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Lisa talks with Rhonda Lauritzen about to approach sensitive topics when interviewing relatives.

Using Google Earth for Genealogy with Lisa Louise Cooke

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke offers tips for using Google Earth for genealogy.

Exploring Divorce Records – An Interview with Judy Russell

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Judy Russell tells us what genealogists can expect to find in divorce records.

What’s New with AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA – An Interview with Diahan Southard

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Diahan Southard walks through some of the most recent updates to AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA.

Finding Female Ancestors – An Interview with Gena Philibert-Ortega

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Listen for expert advice on overcoming common obstacles in learning about the women in your family tree.

Discovering Your Irish Heritage with RootsIreland.ie – An Interview with Dr. Brendan Scott

15 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Brendan Scott, manager of RootsIreland, discusses the importance of the RootsIreland.ie website for Irish family history research...

Comparing the Top Three Genealogy Websites – An Interview with Sunny Morton

01 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sunny Morton takes a look at three popular genealogy websites (Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org and MyHeritage) and compares them and their features.

Exploring WorldCat.org – An Interview with Sunny Jane Morton

15 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sunny Jane Morton introduces us to WorldCat, a site that allows users to search libraries across the country in just a couple of clicks.

Preserving and Organizing Family Photos – An Interview With Maureen Taylor

01 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, photo expert Maureen Taylor offers tips for preserving cherished family photos for years to come.

Best Websites – Study the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries with Lisa Louise Cooke

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Newberry Library’s Atlas of Historical County Boundaries is a free website that helps you identify changing county boundaries throughout history...

Celebrating 25 Years of Family Tree Magazine – An Interview with Andrew Koch

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Editor-in-Chief Andrew Koch reflects on 25 years of Family Tree Magazine and discusses what the f...

Best Websites – Explore One-Step Pages – An Interview with Stephen Morse

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Lisa Louise Cooke’s guest is Stephen Morse, the founder of the One-Step Webpages website. Since 2001 genealogists have been using t...

Understanding Cousinhood – An Interview With Lisa Lisson

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine monthly podcast, YouTuber Lisa Lisson explains what makes a person a cousin and offers tips for determinin...

Best Websites – Finding Ancestors Who Fought in Major Conflicts with the ABMC – An Interview with Benjamin Brands

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Staff historian for the American Battle Monuments Commission shares tips for successfully searching online for information about burials overseas and...

Writing About the Places Your Ancestors Lived – An Interview With Laura Hedgecock

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, author Laura Hedgecock explains how to write about places as you tell stories about your ancestors. Also, an interview with Jenny Ash...

Best Websites – Genealogical Research Meets DNA Testing – An Interview with Katherine Borges

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Louise Cooke speaks with Katherine Borges of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG) about using DNA test results to inform your g...

Understanding Death Heirlooms – An Interview With Robbie Gorr

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Robbie Gorr introduces us to the fascinating world of death heirlooms, explaining what they are and what we can learn from them.

Best Websites – Having Fun With Genealogy With Genea-Musings – An Interview With Randy Seaver

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke chats with Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings, a long-running genealogy blog packed with genealogy tips...

Exploring Pre-1850 Censuses – An Interview With Lindsey Harner

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine Podcast, Lindsey Harner offers tips for navigating census records before 1850.

Best Websites: Diving Into Reclaim the Records – An Interview With Brooke Schreier Ganz

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke talks with Brooke Schreier Ganz from Reclaim the Records, a group that aims to make genealogical r...

How to Bring Your Ancestors to Life in Writing – An Interview With Rhonda Lauritzen

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Author Rhonda Lauritzen offers tips for writing your ancestors in an engaging, unique way.

Best Websites: Celebrating 101 Best Websites – An Interview with David Fryxell

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Louise Cooke chats with David Fryxell about some of the highlights from Family Tree Magazine's 2024 list of 101 Best Websites.

Planning Your Summer Heritage Trip – An Interview with Sunny Morton

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sunny Morton shares some tips for finding the best tour companies, libraries and more for your next genealogy trip.

Best Websites: Highlighting Google’s Best Tools for Genealogy

15 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, genealogist and writer Rick Crume highlights some of the best Google tools for genealogists to use.

Mastering ChatGPT for Genealogy – An Interview with Steve Little

01 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Steve Little of the National Genealogical Society talks about new tools like ChatGPT and how to use them for genealogy research.

Best Websites: Exploring Full-Text Search at FamilySearch with Andrew Koch

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Family Tree Magazine editor Andrew Koch walks us through FamilySearch’s full-text library.

Understanding the 10 Million Names Project – An Interview with Lindsay Fulton

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Lindsay Fulton from American Ancestors speaks with us about the 10 Million Names Project, its purpose and how you can get involved.

Making the Most of GEDmatch – An Interview with Kitty Munson Cooper

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

DNA Expert Kitty Munson Cooper offer tips for using GEDmatch to better understand your DNA test results.

Handling Inherited Research and Objects – An Interview with Lahni Carney

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rachel Christian interviews Professional Organizer Lahni Carney about handling research and inherited items.

Mastering Ancestry Pro Tools – An Interview with Gena Philibert-Ortega

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gena Philibert-Ortega offers some tips for using Ancestry Pro Tools to improve the accuracy of your family tree.

Overcoming Brick Walls in Your Irish Genealogy Research – An Interview with Eliza Watson

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Eliza Watson provides some valuable tips for researchers looking to overcome obstacles in their Irish genealogy research.

Introducing BanyanDNA – An Interview with Leah Larkin

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, New Media Editor and Guest Host Rachel Christian interviews Leah Larkin about an exciting new genealogy tool called BanyanDNA.

Preparing for RootsTech 2024 – An Interview with Sunny Morton

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Family Tree Magazine Editor Andrew Koch interviews Sunny Morton about RootsTech and how to make the most of the event.

Best Websites – Explore FamilyTreeMagazine.com with Lisa Louise Cooke

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This month, we are taking a look at our very own website, FamilyTreeMagazine.com. Find valuable free downloadable forms, eBooks and more.

Celebrating 15 Years of the Family Tree Magazine Podcast

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode celebrates 15 years of the podcast with three past interviews from Rich Venezia, Denise May Levenick and Diahan Southard.

Best Websites – Revisiting Ellis Island Passenger Search Portal with Kathryn Marks

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode revisits the April walk-through of the Passenger Search database for finding ancestors who arrived through Ellis Island.

December Podcast – Podcast Interview Highlights from 2023

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode highlights the best interviews from 2023: Lisa Alzo shares her research plan, and Denise May Levenick offers tips for recipe preservation...

Best Websites – FamilySearch Image Portal – A Discussion with Ryan Roughan and Chris McConkie

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ryan and Chris from FamilySearch walk us through the FamilySearch Image Portal and how to use it effectively to find images.

When AI and Genealogy Unite – An Interview with Thomas MacEntee

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Thomas MacEntee shares how AI has been shaping the world of genealogy. Also, find some excellent tips for writing your family history...

Best Websites – Virtual Genealogical Association – An Interview with Jeanette Sheliga

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

VGA president Jeanette Sheliga talks about the VGA, its offerings and the benefits of getting involved with a virtual community devoted to genealogy.

Spotting Inconsistencies in Census Records – An Interview with Robyn Smith

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Robyn Smith explains how census records can be misleading. Also, Gena Philibert-Ortega offers tips for preserving family recipes.

Best Websites – Meyers Gazetteer – An Interview with James Beidler

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, James Beidler highlights Meyers Gazetteer and how it can best guide your German genealogy research.

Strategizing Your Italian Genealogy Research – Tips from an Article by Melanie D. Holtz

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa reviews an article on Italian genealogy written by Melanie D. Holtz. Also, learn how to read difficult handwriting in documents with Colleen Stut...

Best Websites – Cyndi’s List – An Interview with Cyndi Ingle

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Cyndi Ingle shares some of the resources found on her website and how visitors can make the most of these resources.

Picking the Perfect DNA Test – An Interview with Shannon Combs-Bennett

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Shannon Combs-Bennett highlights the top DNA tests and their benefits. Plus, Charlotte Barnes tells us how to get kids interested in ...

Best Websites – Historypin.org – An Interview with Sunny Jane Morton

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sunny Jane Morton highlights some of the key features of the free tool Historypin, which allows users to share images, online photos ...

Finding Your U.S. Colonial Ancestors – An Interview with David Fryxell

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, David Fryxell explains how to research U.S. colonial ancestors. Plus, learn how to preserve heirloom American flags.

Best Websites: Family Tree Magazine’s 2023 Best Websites – An Interview with Rick Crume

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rick Crume highlights some of the websites that made Family Tree Magazine's lists of 101 Best Genealogy Websites and 75 Best State We...

Navigating the 1931 Census of Canada – An Interview with Kathryn Lake Hogan

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kathryn Lake Hogan talks about the 1931 Census of Canada and how to search it. Plus, learn how to plan a memorable family reunion.

Best Websites: AncientFaces.com – An Interview with Daniel Pinna

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Daniel Pinna talks about AncientFaces and what the platform has to offer as a community and as a tool for sharing ph...

Exploring the History Behind Post-Mortem Photography – An Interview with Robbie Gorr

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Robbie Gorr shares the history behind Victorian post-mortem photography. Plus, learn how to preserve photo prints with Photo Detective Maureen Taylor.

Best Websites: Ellis Island Passenger Search Portal – An Interview with Kathryn Marks

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kathryn Marks explains how to use the Passenger Search database to find ancestors who arrived in America via the Port of New York.

Piecing Together Your Ancestor’s Life with Newspapers – An Interview with Stephen Wendt

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stephen Wendt shows us how to use newspapers to learn more about our ancestors. Also, learn how to craft a family history outline.

Best Websites: RootsTech.org – Enjoy Conference Video Content at Home

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Genealogists from all over gathered in Salt Lake City for RootsTech 2023. Here's how to access RootsTech website features throughout the year, from ho...

Finding the Maiden Names of Female Ancestors – An Interview with Shelley Bishop

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Shelley Bishop offers some strategies for finding the maiden names of female ancestors. Also, learn how to handle odorous family ph...

Best Websites: Enslaved.org – An In-Depth Look with Shamele Jordon

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Shamele Jordon tells us about the many resources available for those looking for enslaved ancestors at Enslaved.org.

Researching Your Family History at Your Local Library – An Interview with Anna Rose Johnson

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Anna Rose Johnson tells us how to use local libraries for genealogy research. Also, learn how to preserve heirloom kitchenware.

Best Websites: Ancestry.com Card Catalog Walk-Through with Lisa Louise Cooke

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke walks us through Ancestry.com's card catalog and shows us how to access valuable records for free.

How to Make the Perfect Genealogy Research Plan – An Interview with Lisa Alzo

01 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Alzo offers tips for creating a genealogy research plan. Plus, learn how to better organize your genealogy research.

How Witness Records Can Guide Your Genealogy Research – An Interview with Robyn Smith

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Robyn Smith tells us how you can use witness records to guide your genealogy research. Plus: learn what to do with photo negatives an...

Build Your Family Tree with DNA – An Interview with Diahan Southard

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Diahan Southard talks about building your family tree with just your DNA. Also, learn about DNAPainter.com and storytelling tools.

Find Your Ancestor’s Old World Town of Origin – An Interview with Rich Venezia

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rich Venezia shows you how to find your ancestor's Old World town of origin. Plus: learn how to clean tombstones and how to use DeadF...

Crafting Your Genealogy Will — An Interview with Denise May Levenick

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Denise May Levenick talks about genealogy wills. Also: learn about Sanborn Fire Insurance maps and how to study what your ancestors a...

Tips for Filipino Genealogy — An Interview with Todd Lucero Sales

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, Todd Lucero Sales talks about Filipino genealogy. Plus: discover the capabilities of RootsMagic, and Lisa Alzo advises on wha...

Solving Mysteries Behind Conflicting Birthdates — An Interview with Lindsey Harner

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Lindsey Harner shares 5 questions to ask when records turn up conflicting birthdates. Also learn how to share photos online and use P...

Exploring the Freedmen’s Bureau – An Interview with Shelley Viola Murphy

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

genealogical research. Also: find out what resources made the 2022 Best Genealogy Websites list and learn how one TikTok user is using the platform to...

Find German-Speaking Ancestors Outside Germany – An Interview with James Beidler

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, James Beidler offers practical tips for tracking down German-speaking ancestors who lived outside Germany.

Become a 20th Century Census Expert — An Interview with Gena Philibert-Ortega

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Gena Philibert-Ortega joins us to discuss the importance of understanding 20th century census records as genealogists. Plus: we explo...

Preparing for the 1950 Census Release

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we're getting ready for the release of the 1950 census by learning how to research ancestors through the 1940s, as well as how to find...

Overcoming Challenges in African American Genealogy Research — An Interview with Shamele Jordon

19 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Family Tree University instructor Shamele Jordon joins us to discuss challenges in African American genealogy research and how family...

Becoming a Forensic Genetic Genealogist — An Interview with Dr. Claire Glynn

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what it would take to become a forensic genealogist? In this episode, Dr. Claire Glynn joins us to discuss a new program that t...

Preserve Your Family History in the New Year

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our host Lisa Louise Cooke and her guests discuss what archival supplies you need to safely protect and preserve your family history....

Researching Ancestors Among the Five Tribes — An Interview with Judy Muhn

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, genealogist and author Judy Nimer Muhn discusses how to research ancestors who who belonged to one of the United States’ five large...

The History of Obituaries and Where to Find Them: Episode 154

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this spooky episode of the Family Tree Podcast, we learn how to locate and use historical obituaries for genealogy research. We'll also compare the...

Genealogy and Spirituality — An Interview with Author Lori Erickson: Episode 153

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel a spiritual connection to your ancestors? In this episode, our host Lisa Louise Cooke interviews author Lori Erickson about the connection...

Our Ancestors’ Psychology: An Interview with Author Helen Parker-Drabble: Episode 152

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Family Tree Podcast, Lisa interviews author Helen Parker-Drabble about how so-called "modern" mental health problems like anxie...

Shining a Spotlight on Marriage Records: Episode 151

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At Family Tree Magazine we like to shine a light on the most important sources for your genealogical research, and marriage records rank right up ther...

Overcoming Scanning Challenges: Episode 150

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Scanning documents and photos is an important step in preserving family history – but what about those items that are hard to scan (like slides and ...

Researching Indentured Servant Ancestors: Episode 149

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, join our host Lisa Louise Cooke and her guests as they discuss strategies for researching indentured servants, websites for Jewish ge...

Explore Your Family History at the Allen County Library Genealogy Center: Episode 148

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This month's podcast features an in-depth look at the vast genealogy resources available at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Li...

How to Research Your Irish Ancestry: Episode 147

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Lisa and her guests explore records and resources for tracing Irish ancestry. Plus, our DNA expert explains how to interpret your eth...

RootsTech Goes Virtual – An Interview with Jen Allen on RootsTech Connect: Episode 146

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The biggest genealogy event of the year has gone virtual! Lisa talks with RootsTech’s Jen Allen to see what participants can expect from RootsTech C...

Free Genealogy Resources and Money-Saving Tips: Episode 145

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're bringing you some of our favorite free genealogy resources and money-saving tips so you can start your year off strong (without...

How to Handle Difficult or Uncomfortable Facts When Writing Family History: Episode 144

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa interviews author Annette Gendler about how to address difficult or uncomfortable information when writing your family's history. Plus, tips from...

Researching Mayflower Connections – An Interview with Chris Child: Episode 143

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author Chris Child joins Lisa to discuss strategies for discovering Mayflower ancestors. Plus, our DNA expert is back to talk about how to understand ...

Decoding Grave Symbols – An Interview with Joy Neighbors: Episode 142

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author Joy Neighbors joins Lisa to talk about cemetery research and how you can use gravestone symbols to discover more about your ancestors. Plus, ou...

What Will Genealogy Look Like Post COVID-19?: Episode 141

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this month’s episode, Lisa talks with genealogist and librarian Daniel Klein about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected genealogy research and ...