GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Genealogy Genie AI with Kelly Bennett

 

This week on GenFriends, Melissa Barker,  Mary Kircher Roddy, and I welcomed Kelly Bennett, creator of Genealogy Genie AI, for a conversation about his tool and how it can become your research companion.

Watch as Kelly walks us through what Genealogy Genie AI can do for you!

Don't forget to use the coupon code below to purchase Genealogy Genie AI and let it help you find things you didn't know you could find!

What can you see this doing for you?

We'd love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

Web:

https://www.aigroup.digital/

Discount Code (valid until the end of 2026):

GENIE2026

Social (also linked at the bottom of the site):

https://www.youtube.com/@AIGroup.digital

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574982356650

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aigroup-digital

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar- Remembering Two Births and Two Deaths

 

May 17~
   Elizabeth Emily (Vaughn) Bradford (1797-1865), my paternal 4th great-grandmother, died 161 years ago in Sumter County, South Carolina, and may have been buried there in the Dargan Cemetery. Many of the graves have been relocated, and at this time, there is no record of her burial.

  

May 18~ 

  My maternal 4th great-grandfather, Philip Roberts, III (1798-1852), was born in Kershaw County, South Carolina, 228 years ago.  His parents were Philip Roberts II (1763-1854) and Sarah (Kirtley) Roberts (1765-1838).

May 20~
 George Philip Roberts (1856-1930), my maternal great-great-grandfather, was born in Richland County, South Carolina, 1704 years ago. He was the fourth child of Thomas Philip Roberts (1830-1893)  and Eliza Atiza (Brazell) Roberts (1836-1890).

May 22~
  This day marks what would have been the 138th birthday of my paternal great-grandfather, Jubal Ransom Early (1888-1964). Jubal was born in Statesville, Iredell, North Carolina, to Ransom Taylor Early (1829-1888) and Ellen Caroline (Martin) Early (1850-1926).

Who are you remembering this week?

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

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Paying the Lunatic Asylum

 

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.

"Richland, South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-V1BK-G?view=explore : May 17, 2026), image 941 of 1592; South Carolina. County Court (Richland County). Image Group Number: 004753577

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

Taking a new look at a document I found years ago led me to a shocking discovery. 

My maternal third great-grandfather, Thomas Philip Roberts, died in Richland County, SC, on 2 May, 1893. His will provided for his children, and probate records include an inventory and an annual return in May of 1894.  I have seen the will but must confess that I hadn't really taken the time to look at the rest of the probate papers. What a mistake! Why? Because I found a shocking payment his estate made that year. $52.12 to the Lunatic Asylum. 

 The South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, now known as the South Carolina State Hospital, was established in Columbia in 1821. It is located on Bull Street in Columbia. 

Doing a little research on the hospital to see if any records are available, I discovered that the South Carolina Department of Archives and History has them. Intake books, record files, and other items. There is a project that collects and tells the stories of those who were hospitalized there. Who was the bill for that Thomas was paying? The probate records do not say, but I am hoping to get to the archives and see if I can discover who was there and why.

The moral of the story? Go back over the records you have and see what you may have missed! It may be a story that needs to be told.

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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Journey Through the Generations Podcast with Phillip and Trisha

 

This week on GenFriends, the panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran,  Laura Hedgecock,  and I sit down with the hosts of Journey Through the Generations, Phillip and Trisha, to talk genealogy, family stories, and the passion behind their podcast. Join us for a fun conversation about preserving the past, connecting generations, and why these stories matter.

Watch and hear how they got started and the purpose of their podcast and blog.

Then go like and subscribe to their channel and follow Tricia's blog!

Links in this episode:

Blog

https://journeythroughthegenerations.com/

Christmas Movie Post:

ttps://journeythroughthegenerations.com/2025/12/01/my-genealogy-christmas-movie-night/#more-10342

Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-through-the-generations/id1247333259

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUfYxx-5pBo

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Celebrating Mothers Plus Tips for Researching Females

Celebrate the women in your family tree this Mother’s Day! 💐

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran,  Mary Kircher Roddy, and I share photos and stories of the mothers in their lives and give practical tips to help you find maiden names and other information to uncover the stories of the women who came before you.

Watch and then share yours! We would love to hear your stories and tips!

Links in this Episode:

Melissa's presentation on finding female ancestors. 

https://www.tngs.org/event-6631859

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar-Remembering Mimi

 

May 3~
   This day marks the 112th anniversary of the marriage of my paternal great-grandparents, John McSwain Hudson (1880-1961) and Louvinia Blanche (Thames) Hudson (1886-1918). John was 34 and Blanche 28 when they married in Manning, Clarendon, South Carolina. 

Marriage Announcement
John and Blanche Hudson
Manning Times (Manning, SC)
9 May 1914 

May 5~
   My paternal grandmother, Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010), was born 106 years ago in Columbia, Richland, South Carolina. Mary was raised by her maternal grandparents and learned later in life that she was the biological daughter of Jubal Ransom Early (1888-1964) and Emma Ruth (Baker) Early (1901-1993). She never legally used the surname Early.  

Happy Birthday, Mimi! You are missed. 

Mary (Baker) Hudson
1920-2010

May 9~
 Thomas Phillip Roberts (1830-1883), my maternal 3rd great-grandfather, died 133 years ago on this day in Richland County, South Carolina. He was buried in Brown's Chapel Cemetery.

Thomas Phillip Roberts
Headstone
Brown's Chapel Cemetery
Richland County, South Carolina
photo credit: Jim Hepler

Who are you remembering this week?

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

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance!- Finding Jainey

 

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:

This photo was in a scrapbook owned by my maternal grandmother's sister. She let me take photos of the images. Under this photo, she had written, Jainey, Etta, Amos, Thomas, and Charles.  I knew Etta, my maternal great-grandmother, and the boys. The names are those of her brother George's sons. But I had no idea who Jainey was.  When I asked my great aunt, she told me Jainey was another of the children that her grandfather, William A. McManus, took into his home.  The only reference I could find was a letter that William wrote to his daughter, Etta, in 1914. In it, he mentioned Jainey. Other than that, that is all I knew about her.

Until this week, when documents through Full Text Search led me to her identity and how she fit into the family. Janiey was Jane (McRady) McManus. A double cousin. Her parents died when she was young, so it is likely that the story of her coming to live with William at some point is most likely true. 

One mystery solved, but there is another in this photo. Those boys? Are they the three boys of George McManus? Amos died in 1902, and Charles was born in 1903. Perhaps Charles's birth date is off, but all his records state he was born in 1903. As for Amos? His death in 1902 is recorded in a newspaper announcement. How could they be in a photo together? Hoping to solve this one day!

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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Talking DNA

DNA can change everything. In this episode of GenFriends, the panel, Jenny Hawran, Shelley Murphy,  Mary Kircher Roddy,  and I share the DNA projects we’re working on, Jenny’s continuing journey after discovering an unexpected NPE, and the honest realities of taking a DNA test.

Watch our conversation and let us know which DNA projects you are working on.

Links in this Episode:

PANEL: DNA Surprises and Family Identity: A Guide to Preparation, Processing, and Family Storytelling

https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/panel-dna-surprises-and-family-identity-a-guide-to-preparation-processing-and-family-storytelling

The Day My DNA Test Changed Everything: An NPE Story -interview with Amie Cross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J48NMVlZgQk

 Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Searching for Sisters with Special Guest Sunny Jane Morton

 

The panel, Jenny Hawran,  Mary Kircher Roddy, and I welcome special guest Sunny Jane Morton, discuss her book Searching for Sisters and how to research Catholic nuns in family history. Learn strategies for finding convent records, tracing women in religious life, and uncovering stories often missing from traditional records.

Watch as we get advice for finding connections for our research and get tips for finding yours!

Do you have Sisters in your family tree?

We'd love to hear from you.

Links in this episode:

Buy the Book:

https://genealogical.com/store/searching-for-sisters-a-guide-to-researching-catholic-nuns-in-the-united-states/

15 % off PROMO CODE:

Church26

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Learning Something New!

 

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 link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

1940 Columbia, Richland County Census

My happy dance moment for the week:

Genealogy education is something that I really love. There's always something new to learn and ways to look at records differently to find information about your family.

The last couple of months, I have been taking Michael Strauss' SLIG course 

Navigating Federal Records Collections: A Researcher's Guide to Historical Discovery. This past week Micheal taught his session, The New Deal: Putting Your Ancestors to Work.

This section taught us about the ways the government put people back to work after the Great Depression. One of the programs we talked about was the Works Progress Administration, or WPA, as it became widely known. I knew from my paternal great-grandmother's Social Security Application that she worked for the WPA, but I had never done much about looking into what that meant for her.

Michael suggested that we take a look at the 1940 census to see what occupations were listed for our people and what type of work they were doing. If GW was listed, then they were doing government work. In other words, they were participating in one of the New Deal programs. 

Remembering my great-grandmother and her SS application, I wondered what the 1940s census recorded about her occupation. Sure enough, she was listed as a Cutter, working for the WPA. GW for government work is in the box.

Looking above her to her husband, my paternal grandfather, Jubal, is also listed as doing government work. That was brand new information to me. See, it says that he was a Timber Estimator for Santee Cooper. But I had never noticed that GW next to it, Jubal had worked in the logging business for years, so I didn't pay close enough attention when I first read this record. I did not know that the Santee Cooper, one of the largest electric companies in the State of SC, was participating in a government program to help put people back to work. 

Thanks to Michael and his course, I now have a new direction for finding records for my great-grandparents.  And I got a reminder to go back over your documents. You never know what you have learned that helps you to discover new things!

What were you celebrating?

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: Let’s Talk AI: What’s Working in Our Genealogy Research

AI is becoming part of many genealogists’ workflows, but everyone is using it a little differently. In this GenFriends Cheri and the panel,  Melissa  Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, and Mary  Kircher Roddy share how AI is fitting into our current genealogy projects, from analyzing and transcribing records to exploring historical context. We’ll also talk about where human judgment still matters most and how to use these tools responsibly.

Watch and hear our thoughts and experiences.

How are you using AI in your research?

We'd love to hear from you!

 

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show The British Institute with Todd Knowles and Megan Heyl

 

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock,  Shelley Murphy, and I welcome Todd Knowles and Megan Heyl to talk to us about the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH).

Watch as we learn the many ways the British Institute can help you learn about and discover your British ancestors. Don't miss out on the special coupon code just for GenFriends viewers!

From webinars to day and week-long courses, there's something for everyone!

Thanks to Shelley for inviting Todd and Megan to join us.

Links in this episode:

International Society for

British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH).

https://isbgfh.com/

Link to Special Code:

https://isbgfh.com/product/special

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance!-A Second Trip to Salt Lake!

 

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 link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

A week after returning home from RootsTech, I flew back to Salt Lake City to spend an extra day in the FamilySearch Library and attend a family event.

Although it was fun being back at the library, wow, was it quiet after the masses who took time to research before, during, and after RootsTech!

I learned more about the book scanners and got a book onto a thumb drive for a friend.  So happy to be able to help! 

An extra day at the library, helping a friend, and then heading out to see family was an extra special happy dance moment!

What were you celebrating?

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,