Podcast Summary: The Genealogy Guys Podcast #434
Date: April 23, 2025
Hosts: Drew Smith & George G. Morgan

Episode Overview

Episode 434 of "The Genealogy Guys Podcast" marks the hosts' return after a brief hiatus, with both Drew and George recovering from recent illness. This extended episode features a comprehensive roundup of genealogy news, listener emails tackling practical research challenges, and updates from industry events. The tone is friendly, knowledgeable, and supportive as always, aiming to inform, help, and connect with the genealogy community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Return from Hiatus & Personal Updates

• Both hosts suffered from Covid picked up at RootsTech, leading to a several-week absence.
  • George: “Covid really hit me hard to the point where it’s...been a little over four weeks now, and I’m finally just now getting back to order.” (02:14)

2. Genealogy News Roundup

Major Database & Collection Updates

• MyHeritage

  • February & March 2025 Additions:
    • “In February of 2025, they added 235 million new records... In March 2025, MyHeritage added a whopping 794 million records.” (03:08, 09:55)
    • Notable new records include: Canadian censuses (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba 1926), French baptisms and marriages, German marriage records (North Rhine-Westphalia), old newspapers from New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, UK, Switzerland, and recent records like NY ship arrivals (1957–1963).
    • March: Passenger lists and border entries (Canada 1925–1935, Quebec 1865–1922), Paris vital records (1700–1859), German soldiers (WWI), British Jewry Book of Honor, OCR-indexed British newspapers (1665+).

• MyHeritage DNA: Ancient Origins & Cousin Finder (15:12)

  • "They have added most recently is called Ancient Origins...investigating how they fit ancient populations, back possibly 10,000 years ago." (09:55)
  • Drew shares his ancient percentages (e.g., “49.8% European Farmer, 42% Western Steppe...Roman era, 60% Roman Gaul, 22.2% Germanic”).
  • Cousin Finder: Matches family trees without requiring DNA; “matches your family tree against other MyHeritage users’ family trees.”

• MyHeritage U.S. WWII Draft Registrations (15:12)

  • 42 million new records, indexed with advanced AI for improved accuracy.
  • George: “This collection was indexed using cutting edge AI technology...automatically and accurately extract handwritten information from the draft cards.”

• FamilySearch Catalog Overhaul (17:21)

  • Major backend software upgrade. Robert Raymond’s “car analogy” explains why upgrades were necessary despite things appearing to run fine.
  • More up-to-date catalog now deployed, includes backlog since 2022.
  • Improved search interface, more standard place enhancements, ongoing expansion.
  • Drew: “The point of the catalog is to provide that entry point to find what’s there...They are quite committed to providing a stable, up-to-date catalog for many, many years.”

• American Ancestors' Family Heritage Experience Opening (23:00)

  • Permanent, interactive exhibit in Boston opening April 25, 2025, exploring ancestry connections.

• New FamilySearch Records Update (24:45)

  • "This is the most recent update...from April 1 and 32 countries and that's 47 million new records."
  • Highlights: Colombia, France, Philippines, Zambia, U.S. (Ohio, Virginia), Ireland, Norway, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Uruguay, Papua New Guinea, and 1M more Find a Grave records.

3. Listener Q&A & Research Solutions

National Personnel Records Center: Requesting Files

• Tom’s difficulty getting full OMPF files.
  • Tip: Always write “please send complete copies of all file contents” on requests. (30:02)
  • On rapid WWII marriages: Social context, no prominent literature known—listeners invited to suggest sources. (34:53)

Naming Genealogy Computer Files for Women

• Nancy: Maiden or married name for files?
  • Drew: Uses birth name for folder and files, underscores for separation, then event year, event type, and document type.
  • "By doing it this way...everything sorts in your folder chronologically according to the timeline of this person’s life." (38:25)

Family Tree Poster Tool

• Listener Michael Fagan built a free tool for creating large family posters: https://faganm.com/diagram/ (40:46)

French Spoliation Claims (41:44)

• Laura highlights these underused records; Drew gives historical background and urges exploring probate resources.
  • "These are claims...for vessels and cargo taken by privateers prior to September 30, 1800...Most of these were captured during the Quasi War..."
  • Useful National Archives article cited.

Flip-Pal Scanner, Software, & Stitching

• Julie asks if she can use other software for stitching.
  • George: "The Flip PAL scanner also had an SD card...Flip PAL's Stitcher software [may be necessary]."
  • Tips: Google for the Stitcher software, check genealogy technology Facebook groups, and see flip-pal.com/support.

Evernote Alternatives

• Karen thought Evernote was unsupported.
  • Drew: "Evernote is very well supported..." (55:13)
  • Clarifies recent pricing changes, but says it remains powerful for genealogists.

1880 North Carolina Agricultural Census

• Ashley tips George off to holdings at UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University for sought-after schedules.
  • Also mentions Archive.org as a digitized resource. (55:57)

Opening Old Family Tree Maker Files (FTW)

• Gonzalo has an old file, wants a GEDCOM.
  • Solution: RootsMagic Essentials (free) can import FTW and export GEDCOM; or use Family Tree Maker 2019 (paid). (62:07)

Possible Lost Twin—Conflicting Records

• Nancy wonders about a "single birth" certificate vs. twins in a census (1909/1910 PA).
  • George: Census likely enumerator error; birth cert more accurate. (64:32)

Tennessee Research—Missing Deaths & Family Changes

• Donna stumped by Susan & Stephen Godfrey’s missing death dates; also wonders about a marriage gap in the late 1800s.
  • Drew: Divorce is less likely; first wife probably died between census and remarriage. Suggests searching FamilySearch Wiki, county newspapers, and adjacent counties for clues. Invites further listener suggestions. (66:34)

4. Event & Conference Updates

• RootsTech 2025 Recap

  • Drew describes highlights—AI was a big focus, though his experience was cut short by illness.
  • Encourages listeners to view recorded RootsTech sessions online. (74:33)

• Upcoming: Ohio Genealogical Society Conference

  • Drew will teach multiple sessions, especially workshops on AI (April 2025, Sandusky, Ohio).
  • Encourages listeners in-region to attend. (76:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Covid really hit me hard to the point where...I’m finally just now getting back to order.“ — George (02:14)
• “[MyHeritage]...between February and March added almost 1 billion records. Wow, Drew.” — George (09:55)
• “The thing is, there’s a timeline...that’s what you can expect with Ancient Origins.” — Drew, discussing MyHeritage’s new DNA feature (09:55–15:12)
• “Please send complete copies of all file contents.” — George’s tip for record requests (30:02)
• “Everything sorts in your folder chronologically according to the timeline of this person’s life, and it keeps it all together.” — Drew, about file naming (38:25)
• “If you Google French spoliation claims...the probate case lists 29 heirs...a fascinating topic that might be of interest.” — Laura’s listener email (41:44)
• “Evernote is very well supported, very popular, still is...sometimes free is really not reasonable.” — Drew (55:13)
• “No one ever heard of a twin...My gut feel is that when the 1910 census was taken, the enumerator made some sort of an error and duplicated information.” — George (64:32)
• “Tennessee seems to be a state that is hard to locate information...Any help you two can afford me would be wonderful and helpful.” — Donna’s listener challenge (66:34)
• “Keep putting out podcasts. We’re in good health now, so there’s no reason to believe we won’t.” — Drew, concluding (78:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:08: Episode and illness update
• 03:08: MyHeritage Feb/Mar 2025 record additions
• 09:55: MyHeritage DNA “Ancient Origins” & “Cousin Finder”
• 15:12: MyHeritage WWII Draft Registrations
• 17:21: FamilySearch catalog overhaul
• 23:00: American Ancestors Family Heritage Experience exhibit
• 24:45: FamilySearch new records (April 2025)
• 30:02: Listener email: National Personnel Records Center & WWII marriages
• 34:53: Literature on quick wartime marriages
• 38:25: Naming genealogy files for women
• 40:46: Tool for family tree posters (Michael Fagan)
• 41:44: French Spoliation Claims (Laura)
• 47:40: Flip-Pal scanner software question
• 51:33: Evernote organization discussion
• 55:57: North Carolina Ag Census search
• 62:07: Opening old Family Tree Maker files
• 64:32: Mystery of possible lost twin
• 66:34: Tennessee research help
• 74:33: RootsTech recap
• 76:41: Ohio Genealogical Society conference preview

Episode Flow

• Welcome & health update → Major news segments → Detailed listener Q&A (with practical, often step-by-step advice) → Event wrap-up and conference previews → Conclusion and warm invitation to stay in touch and submit more questions.

This summary provides a complete, engaging view of The Genealogy Guys Podcast #434 for anyone who missed the episode, including clear attributions, direct quotes, segment highlights, and practical insights relevant to genealogists at all levels.