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Jacqueline Jannotta's genealogy research uncovers a family history of mob ties and tragedy, revealing the ripple effects of trauma and the importance of understanding our shared humanity.Through her genealogical research, Jacqueline gained a greater understanding and compassion for her ancestors, particularly her tough, outspoken grandmother. The trauma experienced by her family shaped their personalities and relationships, and it made her realize the importance of understanding one's roots to better comprehend oneself and others. Jacqueline's belief that we are all interconnected through our stories encourages her to approach communities and cultures with empathy and curiosity. By exploring the complexities of her own lineage, Jacqueline encourages others to look beyond the surface of their family's history, in order to uncover hidden layers that may lead to greater self-awareness and connection with the world around them.About Jacqueline:Jacqueline Jannotta is the award-winning author of the book Let’s Leave the Country! A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad, inspired by her family’s extraordinary year in Genoa, Italy. She’s a graduate of Northwestern University who spent the early part of her career working in television and sitcoms, followed by producing Internet content. After leaving the entertainment business and starting a family, Jacqueline continued writing and also devised a year abroad for her family. Her book was born out of that adventure, and she continues her work as a writer, avid genealogist, and forever optimist who is dedicated to building a better vision for the future.Website: becomingbetterpeople.usMedium: @JacquelineJannottaFacebook and Instagram: @becomingbetterpeople.usMastodon: @JacquelineJannottaYou can purchase her book, "Let's Leave the Country!: A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad" through Amazon (affiliate link)Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Amidst the shocking history of his family's escape from Austria during the Nazi invasion, Christopher Bock discovers the remarkable life of his great-uncle Paul Patek, a metal worker and artist who played a key role in their survival, inspiring Bock to write a book about him and uncovering hidden talents in his own family lineage. "[Researching] really did make me understand my family a lot more in a lot of ways."Key Points: Traverse Christopher Bock's lineage, as we uncover the intricate details of his ancestry. Learn about the gripping escape from Nazi-occupied Austria and the challenges of starting anew. Comprehend the value of investigating family histories and the talents concealed within. Discover the profound influence of family tales in shaping our self-awareness and identity. About Christopher:Everything Christopher Bock does is with passion and thoroughness fueled by curiosity. The list is diverse—photography, collecting baseball cards, keeping bees, and his own hardwood flooring business, Geronimo Floors. But he never thought of writing a book until he was handed his grandfather’s autobiography. That same curiosity and passion led him to the extraordinary story of his grandfather’s escape from Austria in 1938—and the key role a mischievous uncle played in the family’s survival.Christopher's book, "An Ordinary Man: from Vienna to Japan and Back During World War II" is available on Amazon. (affiliate link) Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Shannon Peel is an expert at stories, and while her usual audience is made up of business owners looking to improve their marketing, her discussion of hero vs victim language in storytelling is so valuable to those learning about the stories in their family tree.  We started off talking about her deep roots in western Canada, delved into the "why" questions around emigration, and then found ourselves looking at the way we talk about our ancestors, women in particular.Shannon Peel is the creative force behind the MarketAPeel Brand. She works from her home office overlooking life in Downtown Vancouver, BC Canada. She is passionate about stories and how to they connect people and exploring why people make the choices they make. People describe her as intelligent, quick witted, and creative, all things she takes pride in as she values intelligent thought and solution based productivity. MarketAPeel reflects her values and vision.https://www.marketapeel.agency/speakerLinkedIn: Shannon PeelFacebook: @marketapeelTwitter: @shannonpeel1Instagram: @market_apeel-------------This podcast is supported by Heather Murphy's TraceLine Success.  Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbookConnect with Heather on Instagram or Facebook @msheathermurphy Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

In this episode, Heather shares how she took elements from therapy, even after having a very negative experience, and used them to transform the ways in which she approaches family history.  She explains the connection between the 8 C's of Internal Family Systems and the framework she built to unlock the power of family history research. Join us for a new 12- week group program, Rooted Success, to learn how to use psychology and family history to help you live your version of a successful life. You can find the details at https://programs.heathercmurphy.com (You can get it for 40% off if you sign up by November 30, 2022!) Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Oftentimes when people research in their family history they're looking for inspiration. They're looking for ancestors who did hard things, who were successful, and who can inspire them in their own struggles and what they want to achieve in life. That is what David Alston found.David was adopted as an infant, though the story is complicated, as you will hear in this episode. But as he learned about his birth family he discovered he was related to Harriet Tubman.  Knowing how she lived her life, and that he had a blood connection to her, inspired David to what his purpose in life could be and how he could move forward in helping other people live their own.About David Alston:David Alston has over thirty-five years of experience as an educator, motivational speaker and public figure. David is the 3rd cousin of Harriet Tubman. He has dedicated his life to helping others to live a free and better life. David is the host of The Underground Subway, which is a podcast that focuses on discussing the issues and strategies that will lead to freedom and a better way of life. David is the author of "Blood, Sweat and Cheers... The roadmap to success" and "Son of Another Mother... The Struggle of Adoption." David has a strong passion for motivating others to survive and achieve their purpose.Connect with him on Facebook @BishopDavidAlston This podcast is supported by Heather Murphy's TraceLine Success.  Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbookAncestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

What if your grandchildren could have a video chat with your grandmother, even if they didn't live at the same time?That is the vision behind StoryFile, a way to preserve and share personal experiences and stories in an interactive platform.Heather Smith, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of StoryFile, shares why it was important to her to create a new way to have conversations and make connections across generations and experiences and how you can, and should, make a StoryFile for yourself and other family members.StoryFile is revolutionizing the way we connect with each other by introducing conversational video with Audio Visual technology at the forefront of this generation. Through the click of a button, StoryFile magically turns video into a conversation. This next generation of technology uses artificial intelligence to support video conversations on any device. StoryFile transforms traditional one-way video into a two-way conversation. This is the biggest audio-visual evolution since video was first created.Go to StoryFile.com to create an account and use the code STORIESINOURROOTS for 20% off (valid through November 26, 2022).You can also follow StoryFile at:Instagram @storyfileFacebook @StoryFileAppTwitter @storyfileLinkedIn  StoryFile Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Dave Combs shares stories of music and perseverance that carry through his family tree.About Dave:Dave Combs is a songwriter, entrepreneur, successful business executive, and best-selling author. Over the 40+ years he has written over 120 songs and created fifteen albums of soothing, relaxing instrumental piano music, including the popular standard, Rachel’s Song. He is the author of the bestselling book, Touched by the Music.Connect with DaveWebsite: CombsMusic.comFacebook: @TouchedByTheMusicLinkedIn: Dave CombsYouTube: combsmusicAncestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Lisann Valentin began her family history journey by exploring why her Puerto Rican great-great-grandmother was called La Irlandésa, or “The Irish One.”  Along the way she discovered the things her ancestors were known for “had nothing to do with their careers, it had everything to do with how they showed up vibrantly in their life.”    She uses the inspiration of their lives to support her own dreams and how she shows up in the world. About Lisann: Lisann Valentin is a professional actor, a best-selling author & 5th generation shaman. Through every career change, this multi-hyphenate has leaned on the legacy of belief her family inspired within her. From Wall Street to red-carpets, her lineage led her to intuitive coaching where she seamlessly helps empathic leaders within the corporate world and entertainment industry. You can see this film and television actor recurring on the Netflix series Manifest, or you can learn more about her coaching practice at LisannValentin.com  Website: www.LisannValentin.com Instagram: @LisannValentin Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbookAncestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Renee Harris is the founder of an online skin care business selling soap and lotion for dry skin. Ironically, it was "soap-selling" that her grandfather used as a cover to hide dozens of Jews throughout World War 2 in his home in Holland. Having this special connection made Renee dig in deeper to uncover the stories of courage and hope left by her grandparents. Learn more about the experiences of Renee’s grandparents at  https://hardlotion.com/soap-how-it-helped-my-grandparents-survive-during-ww2/ Website parenttheirpassion.com  Facebook @parenttheirpassion and @hardlotion Instagram @parenttheirpassion and @hardlotionAncestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Ann Hince shares the stories of how she came to meet her birth mother, learned about her birth father, and made other family connections.  We talk about the parts of herself she recognized as she learned about her birth family, that not everyone gets an adoption reunion story, and how her father’s writing helped her get a small feeling of what it means to live during war. About Ann:When Ann was 19, she woke one morning to find her mother dead in her bathroom. Twenty years later the tears from that trauma were still just under the surface.  Ann has found that seeking out our truth, what we truly feel, and accepting those feelings, is the key to inner peace. She has written a book, A Pathway to Insight, available on Amazon.com.  Website: annhince.com Facebook: @annhincewisdom LinkedIn: Ann Hince  Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Anika shares her experiences as a second-generation immigrant and how she realized she didn’t need to choose between the cultures that made her who she is.  Through learning the stories of her parents’ and ancestors she gained a deeper understanding of herself and sees the opportunity we have to celebrate ancestral greatness built out of hard experiences.  Anika also adds some great tips about having conversations to preserve your own family heritage.  About Anika: Anika Chabra is co-founder of the platform Root & Seed which helps others claim, honour, document and celebrate their unique family stories, traditions and culture and includes a mobile based web app that help inspire conversations with our elders. She is also the host of a podcast of the same name, The Root & Seed podcast.Website: rootandseed.comFacebook: @rootandseedcoInstagram: @rootandseedcoTwitter:  @rootandseedcoLinkedIn: @rootandseedcoConnect with Heather:heathercmurphy.com or Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @msheathermurphyAncestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Two World Wars and famine affected  Andrea’s ancestors in Romania, but Andrea herself also experienced the effects from those events.  One of the most apparent effects came through beliefs about wealth.  One family branch says buy land so you always have a way to provide for your family.  Another branch says saving is pointless, enjoy your money while you have it.  Andrea shares how awareness and curiosity helped her identify those beliefs and choose what beliefs she would make part of her future. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Mitch Lomazov is a first-generation American with Russian Jewish roots.  He shares how hearing his family stories gave him a different understanding of history than textbooks and how things that seem ordinary in our families in truth make us unique.  We also discussed how learning about his heritage helps him be more purposeful and grateful for his present and how he strives to consciously choose what he makes part of his, and his family's, future.More about Mitch:Mitch is the Executive Director of Finance at EXCELLence Performance, a world-class business coaching and leadership seminar company. He is certified through a two-year coaching program specializing in young adult coaching and a trained public speaker sought after for topics including communication, behavioral finance, and personal development. Mitch also provides Fractional CFO work where he excels in creating financial vision and develops strategies to make businesses more efficient and profitable factoring in people and behavior and not just the balance sheet.You can connect with him through LinkedIn or his website, epcoaching.com. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Jill Phillips is a family storyteller with a passion to inspire families to connect through the telling of their past. She started life on Lamlash Street in London, emigrated to Canada, where she obtained her master’s degree, and spent 30 years working as an Occupational Therapist and Hospital Manager. Motivated by her family’s experiences in 1960’s London, Jill shares their stories to celebrate a time of close family connections in difficult life situations and a way of life which is fondly remembered. Learn more at www.jmphillipsauthor.com. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

Born in Berlin, Gabrielle grew up in Germany and Austria. After a PhD from the University of London, she taught Literature and Writing at US universities and abroad. She is the author of seven nonfiction books.  Our discussion for this episode focuses on her most recent book,  Api's Berlin Diaries: My Quest to Understand My Grandfather's Nazi Past.Gabrielle loves to tell stories about people in their social and historical context and loves to help others tell their stories.  She encourages you to reach out to her with any questions or comments you may have through her website, www.gabriellerobinson.com.Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

In this episode Tova shares: How a wedding seating chart helped uncover a family name change Why she feels it is time for her generation to start talking about her family’s past Why it is important to focus on the lives of ancestors instead of their deaths About Tova: Tova Levi is a family history researcher who specializes in Jewish genealogy. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is a member of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Her particular areas of interest are the former Austro-Hungarian Empire as well as German and Holocaust research. She is the owner of My Family Lines and creates customized family tree wall décor. Contact Tova and My Family Lines through Instagram to get started with your family tree wall decor. Instagram       @myfamilylinesTwitter            @myfamilylines Episode Sponsor:Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots.Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward. Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

In this episode Lucy shares: What burning paper money on Chinese New Year has to do with honoring ancestors Why she is grateful for her grandmother The tradition of praying to, or for, ancestors About Lucy: Lucy Liu is a business and life coach helping women in life transitions unstuck, kiss overwhelm bye, cultivate rockstar confidence, see clarity, reach new goals, and live a joyful fulfilling life! She is an unshakable optimist, wife, mother, easy-going entrepreneur, women empowerment workshop facilitator, motivational speaker, author and inspires as the host of her weekly podcast The Lucy Liu Show, She has been featured in Medium, VoyageLA, Elephant Journal, ThriveGlobal, FOX, CBS, NBC and dozens of podcasts. Website          www.lucyliucoaching.com Facebook        @mslucyliuInstagram       @mslucyliuTwitter            @mslucyliu LinkedIn          @mslucyliu   Episode Sponsor: Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots. Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

#53.  In this episode Andrea shares: The challenge her grandfather faced within the first weeks, and years, of purchasing a home heating business The moments the business almost didn’t stay in the family How her son’s school project led her to ask deeper questions about the history of her family About Andrea: Andrea currently lives in Mercer Island, Washington—about a mile from the house she grew up in—with her husband, and youngest son (two older sons are in college out of state). She is the author of Twentieth Century Boys: How One Family Business Survived and Thrived, which published on October 26, 2021. The book is a narrative non-fiction which covers over 100 years and spans four generations. It's about a family business and how it was passed down through the generations given the cultural and economic trends and hardships that required the company to change in order to survive. Connect with Andrea: Website          andreawatson.net      Facebook        @andreaclarkwatsonInstagram       @nanwat93 LinkedIn         Andrea Watson   Episode Sponsor: Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots. Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

#52. In this episode Victoria shares: How an inherited cameo piqued her interest in her great-grandmother Why moving across the world connected her to the women in her family How sharing pictures has drawn her extended family closer together About Victoria: From family research, to family tree presentation, to sharing with family, Victoria’s journey with ancestry has been a creative outlet for a frustrated detective/artist. She dabbled with the idea of getting into family tree research for over 30 years. In the late 1980s her mother gave her a copy of a detailed family tree recording her father’s side of the family.  Victoria was struck by the fact that no one had followed the women. So that is what she decided to do... follow the women. Connect with Victoria: Website          www.victoriaspress.com Facebook        @victoriaspressInstagram       @victoriaspress Also mentioned in this episode: Ponga, Canva Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's personalized coaching service, Resilience in Your Roots. Get a free workbook, "Release Limiting Beliefs by Understanding Your Family History " to help identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how to choose your beliefs moving forward.Ancestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.

#51.  Gratitude helps us acknowledge the good in our lives and often that good comes from sources outside of ourselves. Looking for the good that has come from the lives of our ancestors helps us see the good things in our own lives and recognize hardships that were overcome, generosity that was given, and so much more. In this episode you will hear: How gratitude, optimism, and family are connected Two simple ways to show gratitude to your ancestors Why it is important to find the 1% positive that can be found in a situation that seems all negative Get the free workbook, 30 Days of Gratitude for 30 Ancestors! About Heather: Heather Murphy is a mindset coach, genealogist, and host of the Stories in Our Roots podcast.  With an academic background in family history and twenty years experience helping people discover the stories of their ancestors, Heather knows the clarity and strength that comes from spending time in the branches of your family tree. Her mission is to help women become empowered to create more peace in their lives, because most are struggling with the weight of the past, the stress of the present, and the uncertainty of the future. So she helps them understand today’s circumstances and struggles by learning the stories of their ancestors, empowering them to create an incredible future filled with clarity, connection and perspective.   When Heather is not exploring family trees, she’s knitting lace shawls, taking care of her three Welch Harlequin ducks, or trying to understand her teenage son as he discusses quantum mechanics. Website: heathermurphygenealogy.com Facebook: @MsHeatherMurphy Instagram: @msheathermurphy LinkedIn: Heather MurphyAncestry.com Sign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphyReady to share your experience of uncovering your family's past as a guest on Stories in Our Roots? Take the first step and fill out this short application.