Carolina Girl Genealogy

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Relative Race Season 17 Day 1-Stories, Surprises and Second Chances

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I gather to share our thoughts on the first day of Relative Race Season 17. We talk about the teams, what led them to be on the show, and who they hope to find during the 10-day race.

Watch as we share our thoughts about the challenge and the relatives waiting for them as the season gets underway. It's going to be another incredible, emotional race.

What are your thoughts about Day 1 and the teams?

We'd love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

BYU TV:

https://www.byutv.org/relative-race

Fans of Relative Race:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/143169609836546/

Relative Race Live:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1508501929286298

Relative Race Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/RelativeRace

Relative Race Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/relativerace/

Contact the Panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

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Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Relative Race Season 17!

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.

Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries.

This weekly series lets everyone share their Genealogy Happy Dance moment.

Share by scrolling

Leave a comment and add your story to the comments section, or you may also include a link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

Relative Race is back with season 17!

We've been waiting a long time!

Four teams are looking for family connections and to win the money prize at the end. Can't wait to get to know the team members, their stories, and who will be waiting for them at the end of each day. And the challenges? Always something unexpected.

You can watch Relative Race 17 on BYUTV or on the app.

Join in the fun of community on Relative Race Live and Fans of Relative Race Facebook pages.

Good luck, teams!

What was your happy dance moment?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: A Conversation with Special Guest Nathan Dylan Goodwin, Author of The Dover Trunk Murder

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I welcome special guest Nathan Dylan Goodwin to talk about the first book in his new Fortress Dover Series: The Dover Trunk Murders.

Watch as Nathan shares why he wrote a new series, his research process, and how he comes up with names for his characters. Some are real people who lived in the area and worked at the police station.

We also get a scoop on what Nathan is working on next!