Episode 214 - Chromosome Mapping 101 / The “Hipster Historian” Shares Stores

Host Scott Fisher opens the show with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org. The guys begin by comparing notes about their new “Ancestral Birth Year Coin” projects. (Fisher’s grandkids have gone nuts over these!) David then talks about two projects that the Smithsonian is now involved in. The first is in helping Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey to restore their damaged family heirlooms, pictures, and records. The second is a dig at Jamestown. It seems the remains of some of the earliest Europeans in American history may have been found and may soon be identified. David next talks about an amazing project by which technology is being used to restore crumbling wax recordings of indigenous people. Hear how it’s being done and the significant material that is being saved. In a related story, you can also now hear the voice of Alexander Graham Bell… from 1881! David then shines his “Blogger Spotlight” on Daniel Duncan’s historicalgenealogy.blogspot.com site. Hear what Daniel’s talking up these days.

Next, Fisher wades into deeper DNA waters with DNA specialist Kitty Munson Cooper. Kitty explains a developing DNA technique called Chromosome Mapping. Why would you want to do this? And how would you even begin? Pay close attention (and maybe even follow the transcript of the show below).

Then, The Hipster Historian, Becky Campbell, joins the show. Becky is a passionate young genie with green hair and tattoos and works in a funeral home. Oh, yes! She has stories! Hear what Becky has to say about hanging with genie buddies who are decades older.

Then, Tom Perry, the Preservation Authority, talks about deadlines for getting your materials digitized in time for the holidays. What should you be worried about first? And, if you’re interested in getting into the digitizing business in your area, naturally Tom has some ideas for you.

That’s all this week on Extreme Genes, America’s Family History Show!