GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Season 15, Days 5 & 6- Another Relative Race First!

The panel—Melissa Barker, Bernice Bennett, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I—continues our coverage of Relative Race Season 15 by sharing thoughts about the unexpected events of Days 5 and 6. 

Watch as we discuss Gabby's health, David's future in the race, and the emotional family meetings for all the teams.

We love that they are all getting long-awaited answers!

What was your favorite part of days 5 & 6?

 Photos used with permission from Relative Race

 RootsTech Interview with Dan:

https://youtu.be/u1ryFqgMTL8?si=B9l7zj2DPBUqY_ge

Relative Race-BYUtv

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

Relative Race-Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RelativeRace

Fans of Relative Race

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

Relative Race Live

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

 Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.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!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Recreating Memories in Bermuda!

 

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

When I was 6-9 my father was stationed at the U.S. Air Force Base in Bermuda.

This past week, I had the opportunity to return and recreate some of those memories. 

The weather was a little chilly and windy,  but my husband and I enjoyed every moment of our three days in Bermuda!

Here are a few of the places on my list to visit and remember.

    

Using this photo and Google Earth, I  located a home we lived in in Bermuda.

The house was split into two parts, and we lived in the top portion. From the backyard, we could see Harrington Sound.  

The house next door is now blue instead of pink.

Sitting on the wall at the back of the yard was very surreal.

The Unfinished Church in St. George's 

Fort St. Catherine's wasn't open the day my husband and I were there,  but we could get a photo with a cannon in the background!

Tobacco Bay looks a lot different today! 

St. Peter's Church in St. George's

Front St. in Hamilton

Warwick Long Bay

The stocks look a little different and are in a new location since I was a little girl, but a fun part of visiting St George's.

Three days of memories and feeling a connection to my parents, who have both passed away.

What fun we had while living on the island for three years.

A blessing to be able to visit so many years later. 

A big thank you to Eric Erksine, who discovered his biological father was from Bermuda on Relative Race season 13.  His help connecting me with a tour guide who provided transportation to specific sites was invaluable!

If you ever visit Bermuda and need someone to take you to see all the beauty of this magical place, I suggest you contact Eric's cousin, Ronue "Heads" Cann, Sr.

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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Relative Race Season 15 Day 4 : Talking about Trip & Meeting Family with Eric!

 

 The panel, which includes Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, Mary Kircher Roddy, and me, welcomes Eric from Team Blue, the winners of Season 13. 

Watch as Eric shares his feelings about Dan meeting his mother on Day 2 and the emotions it brought back for him, helping us unpack the events of Day 4.

Another great day on the race.

Trip should be the RR mascot!

What was your favorite part of Day 4?

We'd love to hear from you!

Photos used with permission from Relative Race

 RootsTech Interview with Dan:

https://youtu.be/u1ryFqgMTL8?si=B9l7zj2DPBUqY_ge

Relative Race-BYUtv

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

Relative Race-Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RelativeRace

Fans of Relative Race

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

Relative Race Live

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

 Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.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!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Relative Race Season 15, Day 3: Another Emotion Filled Day!

 

The panel, Melissa Barker, Bernice Bennett, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Shelly Murphy, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I gather to discuss the emotional reunions and the discoveries made by the four teams on Day 3 of Relative Race Season 15. 

What a season, and it's only day 3!

Watch and hear our thoughts, then share yours.

We'd love to hear from you!

We are saddened to learn about the passing of Gabby's grandmother only days after their emotional reunion.

Photos used with permission from Relative Race

 RootsTech Interview with Dan:

https://youtu.be/u1ryFqgMTL8?si=B9l7zj2DPBUqY_ge

Relative Race-BYUtv

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

Relative Race-Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RelativeRace

Fans of Relative Race

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

Relative Race Live

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

 Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.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!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Season 15, Day 2 with Ashlee!

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I, welcome Ashleigh from Season 13 to share her thoughts about Day 2 of Season 15,  talk about Team Red's connection to her, and why her giant head is along for the ride!

Watch as we hear Ashlee's perspective on the race.

What did you like the most about Day 2?

Photos used with permission from Relative Race

 RootsTech Interview with Dan:

https://youtu.be/u1ryFqgMTL8?si=B9l7zj2DPBUqY_ge

Relative Race-BYUtv

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

Relative Race-Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RelativeRace

Fans of Relative Race

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

Relative Race Live

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

 Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.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!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Relative Race is Back!

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I gather to begin their Relative Race Season 15 coverage! 

New Teams, new rules, and new family connections. 

Watch as we share what we thought about the start of the race for all four teams.

Did you see Day 1? What was your favorite part?

How do you feel about the changes for this season?

We'd love to hear from you!

Photos used by permission from Relative Race

RootsTech Interview with Dan:

https://youtu.be/u1ryFqgMTL8?si=B9l7zj2DPBUqY_ge

Relative Race-BYUtv

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

Relative Race-Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RelativeRace

Fans of Relative Race

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

Relative Race Live

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

 Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.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!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: From the Expo Hall-RootsTech 2025

Cheri, Jenny, and Laura record from the Expo Hall at RootsTech 2025.

Watch as we discuss the event and welcome special guests Kirby Heyborne, Thom Reed, and Annie Lincoln lopucci!

Thanks to Jenny for overcoming the tech issues with the recording. 

You are amazing!

Did you attend RootsTech 2025? Live or Virtually?

What was your favorite part?

Please remember that the keynotes and recorded classes are available on the website.

Learning is available 365!

Links in this episode:

RootsTech

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/

FamilySearch African American Resources

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/African_American_Resources

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/African_American_Online_Genealogy_Records

10 Million Names Project

https://10millionnames.org/research-help/resources-from-familysearch

Melissa Barker

A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.bernicebennett.com

Dan Earl-Family History Guy

https://www.familyhistoryguy.net/

Jenny Hawran -Like Herding Cats Genealogy

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

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Shelley Murphey-The Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Cheri Hudson Passey-Carolina Girl Genealogy

https: www.CarolinaGirlGenealogy.com/

   Thank you so much for watching!

                     Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar-Missing My Dad

Dad
John Allen Hudson
(17 March 1941-18 May 2019)

March 17

John Allen Hudson 

 This day would have been my dad's 84th birthday. He was born in Sumter, South Carolina to Benjamin Allen Hudson (1918-1976) and Mary Baker Hudson (1920-2010)

Happy Birthday, Dad.
You are now and always will be missed terribly. 


March 19~
    Eliza (Brazell) Roberts (1836-1890), my maternal 3rd great-grandmother, died 135 years ago in Richland County, South Carolina. She was buried in Brown's Chapel Cemetery, Richland County, South Carolina. 

Elisa Brazell Headstone
photo credit: Jim Hepler

March 22~

 This day would have been the 131st  birthday of my paternal great-grandfather, William Treadford Roberts (1894-1959).
 He was the son of George Phillip Roberts (1856-1930) and Hattie (Brazell) Roberts (1870-1927) and was born in Richland County, South Carolina. 

 Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday : Genealogy Happy Dance-RootsTech 2025!

 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 enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

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

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

How can I choose one moment from my week in Salt Lake City?

The week was packed with researching in the Family History Library, giving and listening to presentations, attending special events, interviewing keynote speakers and members of the genealogy community, and, the absolute best, meeting up with old friends and making new ones.

It's all one big celebration with memories that will last forever.

Did you attend RootsTech 2025? 

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,