In this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta - Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Dr. Manisha Sinha, who shares her journey from India to the United States to study and teach US  history.

This interview delves into Dr. Sinha's perspective on slavery, enslaved individuals, and talks about her latest book, published in March 2024 - The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920.

Dr. Sinah also discusses the challenges she faces as a woman of color in historiography, as well as her work exploring Reconstruction, enslaved narratives, and her groundbreaking work on abolition as well as a profound exploration of America's historical injustices.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry author of The Family Tree Toolkit  and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Victor Luckerson, an author and journalist.

Victor and Kenyatta talk about his love of research and his new book Built from the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa's Greenwood District, America's Black Wall Street. He also talks about his work as a journalist, including his time at the University of Alabama and calling out racial disparity in his school newspaper. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

On this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow, and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Rachel J. Webster, a professor of creative writing, and author of Benjamin Banneker and Us: Eleven Generations of an American Family. 

The two discuss what it means to find that you descend from a famous individual in history, what it means to discover Black ancestry in your lineage when you've thought to have a predominately white lineage, and just who the extraordinary man Benjamin Banneker was, and what we should learn about him. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

In this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Pulitzer Prize Winner, author, and historian, Dr. Jefferson Cowie.

The two discuss his latest book Freedom's Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power, which won the Pulitzer Prize in History, his research, and so much more.


ABOUT DR. JEFFERSON COWIE (as taken from Vanderbilt.edu)

Jefferson Cowie's work in social and political history focuses on how class, race, and labor shape American politics and culture. His latest book, Freedom's Dominion, won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2023.

Based on one county’s history, Freedom’s Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power tells the dramatic tale of generations of local fights against the federal government that prop up a particular version of American freedom: the freedom to oppress others. Advance praise calls it "magisterial," written with "eloquence and with brilliance," and Cowie's "most extraordinary book yet."

The Great Exception: The New Deal and the Limits of American Politics was released in early 2016 and attempts to reinterpret a wide swath of American political history in the twentieth century. The Washington Post‘s E.J. Dionne Jr. called it “one of the year’s most important political books."

Stayin’ Alive: The 1970s and the Last Days of the Working Class, draws together labor, politics, and popular culture into a vibrant narrative about the decline of class in American political culture. It received a number of “best book” awards, including the 2011 Francis Parkman Prize for the Best Book in American History and the Merle Curti Award for the Best Book in Social and Intellectual History. Critics said, “Stayin’ Alive will long stand as the finest and most sophisticated portrait of politics and culture in the American 1970s, and also as a model for how to talk about both political and cultural transformations without shortchanging either.”

Capital Moves: RCA’s Seventy Year Quest for Cheap Labor charts the relocation of one firm through four different cities, two countries, and a great deal of social upheaval. It accounts for what made each community attractive for an industrial location and what changed to make the company relocate again. The book received the 2000 Phillip Taft Prize for the Best Book in Labor History.

In addition to his scholarship, Cowie’s essays and opinion pieces have also appeared in the New York Times, TIME magazine, NPR Music, Foreign Affairs, Chronicle of Higher Ed, American Prospect, Politico, Democracy, The New Republic, Inside Higher Ed, Dissent, and other popular outlets.  The recipient of several fellowships, including the Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, the American Council of Learned Societies and Andrew Mellon Foundation, the Society for the Humanities at Cornell, and the Center for US-Mexican Studies at UC San Diego, he has also appeared in a variety of media outlets including CNN’s The Seventies, C‐Span’s Booknotes, NPR’s Weekend Edition, as well as documentaries, podcasts, and radio broadcasts.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by author and historian Gregory May.

The two discuss his work and his books and research for his latest - A Madman’s Will which tells the story of one of the largest and most controversial private emancipations in United States history.

About Gregory May 
Gregory May is a historian who writes about the early American republic. In his first book, Jefferson’s Treasure, he used his knowledge of taxes and tax policy to bring a fresh and vigorous perspective to the new nation’s financial history. In A Madman’s Will, he draws on his past legal experience to tell the story of one of the largest and most controversial private emancipations in United States history.

Greg is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and the Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. After serving as a law clerk for Justice Lewis Powell on the United States Supreme Court, he practiced law in Washington, DC, and New York for over thirty years. He lives in Virginia.

Learn more at his website here. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

On this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta is joined by Dr. Lynn Hudson, historian and professor.

The two discuss the immigration of Black individuals because of Jim Crow,  Black inidivudals and the Klu Klux Klan in Los Angeles, and O'Day Short. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

On today's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow, and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Cassandra Newby-Alexander, an author and historian whose contributions to history
have helped pilot some of the most important research on Black individuals, and the enslaved, as well as extensive work in the state of Virginia.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Sarah Allen, an author, journalist, and executive producer of Showtime's #STAND documentary, where the two met and collaborated. 

This episode looks at the behind-the-scenes of Sarah's career, and how she has come to be one of the most versatile journalists out there. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit, and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by KB Barcomb. The two discuss military records, military history, and how WWI and WII can aid in the lens of discovering family history.

ABOUT KB BARCOMB

-  KB Barcomb specializes in conducting WWI and WWII research through the lens of family history. A retired Army officer, she focuses on the context of military records so as to more accurately analyze their content.  

-  Her sub-specialties include African American personnel; WWII Army Air Forces (aka Air Corps) personnel; and Army personnel of both conflicts.  She is a member of the Society for Military History and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

- She has taught an Advanced World War Records & Research Course for the Applied Genealogy Institute and co-taught with Gena Philibert-Ortega a course on Advanced Family History Research: US Ancestors, 1917-1930 for the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh.

- She also facilitates a Military Records & Research SIG for Kinseekers Genealogical Society the 2nd Monday of each month at 1:30 ET. Non-members are welcome. https://kinseekers.org 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

On this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Alec Ferretti, professional genealogist and board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. 

The two discuss Freedom of Information Act Records, what Alec does for his own family history, and how he came to be a genealogist. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on the podcast, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by her first repeat guest - Gail Lukaisk.

Gail and Kenyatta met on PBS' Genealogy Roadshow where Kenyatta revealed to Gail that a member of her family had been passing as white, and Gail actually had Black ancestry.

Gail went on to write the book White Like Her, which featured a foreword by Kenyatta.

Well, now Gail is back with a new book - a fictional gothic mystery called The Darkness Surrounds Us . She and Kenyatta discuss the book, her writing process, as well as what Gail has been up to, and gives us a glimpse into her next book - coming out in 2024! 

“Lukasik delivers a gripping ghost story. With unpredictable plotting and superior atmospheric, this is a treat for late night devouring.” Publishers Weekly.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

In this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Catherine Wiest Desmarais, CG.

The two discuss Catherine's work with genealogy as well as her specialty in forensic genealogy, and what it means to be in the field, as well as some of her work with military repatriation. 

Catherine holds a pivotal role in the world of genealogy, and this is a fascinating look into her work! 


ABOUT CATHERINE WIEST DESMARAIAS

Board-certified since 2011, Catherine is a full-time professional genealogist specializing in researching Vermont and Irish ancestors, as well as forensic cases for attorneys and U.S. Army military repatriation cases. From 2014 – 2017 she served as the Vice-President of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). Catherine holds a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Vermont, and has taught at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and the Forensic Genealogy Institute. She can be reached through her website: www.stonehouseresearch.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow, and author of The Family Tree Toolkit, is joined by Thomas A. Guglielmo, who is Department Chair and Professor of American Studies at The George Washington University, and the author of Divisions: A New History of Racism and Resistance in America’s World War II Military.

The two discuss military records, immigration, and so much more. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Chris Haley.

Chris is an actor, author, and is the Director of the  Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland, as well as the Utopia Film Festival.

He and Kenyatta discuss his work, how he got into genealogy, and how being related to Alex Haley, author of Roots has inspired him to do other genealogy work in his life.

Please learn more about Chris by visiting his website at https://www.chrishaleyspeaks.com/.

Please note that in this episode, Chris Haley says that Arthur Hailey was the author of Airplane, but it is actually Airport!. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Amy Johnson Crow.

Amy is a professional genealogist, author of 31 Days to Better Genealogy,  and creator of the "WANDER" method and 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.

The two discuss Amy's work, how genealogists can use the WANDER method, and what has helped Amy with her work as a professional genealogist.

Find out more about Amy on her website here: https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by certified genealogist and professor Mark A. Wentling.

The two discuss forensic genealogy, genealogy graduate studies in genealogy, and discuss more the academic side of the profession, as well as examine Mark's career and some of his tips for genealogists. 

More about Mark: 

Mark A. Wentling, MLS, CG, of Massachusetts, owner of Ancestor Introductions, LLC, is a full-time, professional genealogist with more than 25 years of research experience.  He holds the Certified Genealogist credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists.  In addition to his own practice, he is an adjunct professor of genealogy in the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy program at the University of New Haven.  He has also served as a facilitator for the Genealogy Principles course at Boston University, a Mentor for ProGen Study Group, a case study instructor for the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and an expert consultant for the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society's Empire State Exploration guided research program.

He has specialized in forensic genealogy since 2017.  His forensic specialties include heir searching for attorneys and military repatriation research for the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, for which he has located next of kin and DNA donors for over 100 WWII and Korean War servicemembers.  His other specialities include New York and New England family history, Mayflower and U.S. Revolutionary War lineages, and lighthouse keepers.  His research has been published in The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, and recognized by the New York State Assembly and New York State Office of Historic Preservation. 

In addition to a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, he holds a Master of Library Science degree with archives concentration from University of Maryland at College Park, and a B.A. in Sociology.

He currently serves on the board of directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and the Association of Genealogy Educators & Schools (AGES).  He previously served as the first Vice President of APG’s Forensic Genealogy Special Interest Group from 2020 to 2021.  He was the Vice President of APG's New England Chapter from 2018 to 2020, where he developed its peer-mentoring program.

Mark can be reached via his website at https://ancestorintroductions.com or directly by email at mark@ancestorintroductions.com.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit, and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Andre Kearns.

Andre is the current director-at-large for the National Genealogical Society(NGS), as well as chair of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee.

The two discuss Andre's background in genealogy, as well as the recent apology that NGS released regarding racist and discriminatory actions in their past.

You can read the full apology from NGS here.

As well as an article on the apology covered by The Washington Post here.

You can also learn more about the NGS DEI committee here.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by author and certified genealogist Mary Penner.

Kenyatta and Mary discuss genealogy and writing, and how to find a creative spark when writing - for family history - and in general. 

This is an incredibly inspiring conversation that will have you wanting to create your next family history story immediately. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit, breaks format - just slightly. Kenyatta is interviewed by her podcast producer Caitlin Howle, who delves into Kenyatta's career, her goals for the podcast, and why she started Conversations with Kenyatta. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit, and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by narrative biographer and author Jenifer Kahn Bakkala. 

The two discuss writing, how professional genealogy spawns storytelling, and how family history is key. 

Learn more about Jenifer's work here: http://www.jkbgenealogy.com/

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe," by Ketsa.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta is joined by an award-winning author, documentarian, and photographer.  Kenyatta and Candacy discuss her work, her struggles as an artist, and what it means to learn about yourself, and your history, through your work.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, PBS' Genealogy Roadshow host, and author of The Family Tree Toolkit, is joined by Dr. Ned Benton and Dr. Judy-Lynne Peters of John Jay College,  and are the co-directors of the  Northeast Slavery Records Index.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Vincent Leggett, the founder, and president of the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation.

This is a wonderful conversation that discusses history, genealogy, and the work Vincent has been doing.

As always, the music for this episode is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

In this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit, is joined by Dr. Andrea Douglas, current Executive Director of the Jefferson School Heritage Center.

The two discuss Dr. Douglas' work, her career, and how she has been a champion for Black history in the Virginia area. 

The music for this episode, as always, was "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.

In this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit, is joined by James French, Chairman of the Montpelier Foundation Board of Directors.

The two discuss the history of America in its entirety, and how our founding fathers may have been aware of changes that were needed - but did not participate in them. James also examines his own family research, how Montpelier has been working with descendants of the enslaved, and what more can be learned from ancestral homes.

Please note that in this episode Kenyatta refers to the “Colors of Distinction” exhibit but in actuality, the name is “Mere Distinction of Colour".  More information can be found at this link.

The music for this episode, as always, was "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode mentions sexual assault. 

The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

**Please note that some links in our show notes may contain affiliate links, on which Kenyatta receives a small commission.