Ep 52: Today’s episode dives into something I hear all the time — from beginners and longtime researchers alike:
“I want to feel connected to my ancestors… but I just don’t.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or like you’re “missing something,” this conversation is going to feel like a deep exhale.
I’m sharing why so many people feel disconnected from their lineage, what might be getting in your way, and the surprising places the real connection actually begins. I also open up about a recent personal experience with one of my ancestors that completely shifted my energy during a hard week — something I’ve never shared publicly before.
If you’ve been craving a sense of belonging, guidance, or meaning in your family story, this episode is for you.
And if listening stirs something in you — if you feel that little nudge to finally learn how to do this work — my Rooted + Rising Course Bundle is available right now for a special price of $297 until November 30th. It’s the best place to start or restart your family history journey with support, clarity, and connection.
Explore the course bundle here:
knowyourancestors.co/rooted-rising
Ep 51: Most people think genealogy is just names and dates. But when you slow down and look closely at the records, you can start to see clues about what your ancestors actually lived through — the trauma and the resilience that shaped your family line.
In this episode, we talk about:
What to look for
Where to find the clues
You’ll learn how to piece these clues together to understand not just your ancestors, but the patterns you’ve inherited — and the strengths you can claim.
Links
Rooted & Rising Bundle — Learn how to research your family tree and interpret the stories you find - get 2 self-guided courses for $297 - deal ends Nov 30.
Your Origin Story — I have two discounted spots left (payment plans available).
Custom Genealogy Research — $75/hr for ancestral trips, brick walls, or general research help.
Ep 50: Welcome to Day 3 of Remember, the final day in this 3-day journey to reconnect with your ancestors in a deeper, more meaningful way.
If you haven’t yet, you can get the free workbook and access all three sessions here
In Day 3: Know Who You Are, we reflect on why this work matters.
I share personal stories of feeling real strength from my ancestors during difficult seasons — and how knowing even a little about their lives can shift the way we see ourselves, with more grace, context, and courage.
We close the journey with a grounding guided experience: imagine yourself at the center of a great tree — roots deep, branches reaching — as you invite one or more ancestors to step forward in support. You’ll leave with a felt sense that you are held, strengthened, and not alone.
You’ll experience:
Stories and reflections on how ancestral connection brings meaning, resilience, and self-understanding
A calming, heart-opening guided practice to feel your ancestors’ support
Gentle journal prompts to integrate what you discovered and carry it forward
✨ Thank you for being part of Remember.
Continue your journey:
🌿 Get the free Remember Workbook and access all 3 days
🌸 Join the waitlist to express interest in a future group program
🕯️ Book a free 15-minute call to explore personalized options like Ancestral Analysis or The Genealogy Journey
⚡ Special offer: There are currently 2 discounted Ancestral Analysis spots available, starting at $1,000 off the regular price.
Ep 49 : Welcome back to Day 2 of Remember, a 3-day journey to reconnect with your ancestors in a deeper, more meaningful way.
If you haven’t already, you can get the free workbook and full 3-day experience here
In Day 2: Know How to Do It, we’re learning how to follow the threads — how to begin uncovering your ancestors’ stories through simple, meaningful steps.
In this session, I’ll walk you through how to start (or revisit) your family tree using FamilySearch or Ancestry, and share what I’ve learned from years of research — how to gather what you already know, add new information with confidence, and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to inaccurate connections.
You’ll see how this process doesn’t have to be overwhelming — it’s about curiosity, discovery, and connection.
You’ll learn:
How to begin or update your family tree with FamilySearch or Ancestry
Tips for verifying information and avoiding common mistakes
How to find clues that bring your ancestors’ stories to life
✨ Day 3 will be available tomorrow.
Want to go deeper? Get the free Remember Workbook and access all three sessions at https://knowyourancestors.co/remember
Ep 48: Welcome to Day 1 of Remember, a 3-day journey to reconnect with your ancestors in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Over these three sessions, you’ll discover how to move beyond names and dates — and begin to truly know the people who came before you.
👉 You can get the free workbook and full 3-day experience here
In Day 1: Know What's Possible, we begin by opening our hearts to what’s possible when we approach genealogy not just as research, but as relationship. I share how my own connection to my ancestors shifted when I stopped collecting information and started creating genuine connection.
You’ll learn:
- A new way of seeing genealogy as a path to healing and belonging
- How to begin this journey safely and with an open heart
- Why your ancestors’ stories matter more than perfect records
- A grounding meditation to help you feel your ancestors’ love and support
✨ Day 2 will be available tomorrow.
If this work resonates with you, visit https://knowyourancestors.co/remember to access the full series and companion workbook — completely free.
Ep 47: In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Ruthie Lindsey — author of There I Am: The Journey from Hopelessness to Healing. Ruthie’s story is one of deep resilience, beauty, and the power of choosing life and love even in the midst of chronic pain.
We talk about healing, lineage, and what it means to reconnect with yourself and the people who came before you. Ruthie’s honesty and warmth are contagious — you’ll leave this conversation feeling seen, hopeful, and grounded in your own journey.
You can find Ruthie here:
Website: https://www.ruthielindsey.com
Substack: https://ruthielindsey.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthielindsey/
If this conversation made you curious about your own ancestors and the stories that shaped you, I’d love to help you uncover them. I offer personalized lineage research to help you understand where you come from — and who you come from.
Learn more at https://knowyourancestors.co/services
Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knowyourancestors
If you enjoyed this episode, take a second to leave a rating or review — it helps others find the show and join us on this journey of remembering and connection.
Ep 46: Join Remember: A 3-Day Journey to Honor Your Ancestors and Connect With Your Roots!
We’ll meet October 27-29 for three short, guided sessions (about 30 minutes each) to reflect on your ancestors, uncover their stories, and feel their presence. It’s free to join at knowyourancestors.co/remember.
After closing my group membership and taking a step back, I realized I needed to simplify and reconnect to the heart of Know Your Ancestors. In this episode, I’m sharing what’s changed, what’s next, and how I’m bringing both the practical and spiritual sides of genealogy together.
You’ll hear about:
Why I decided to close my group membership and start fresh
How I’m pairing genealogy research with ancestral connection
What to expect from upcoming episodes (solo stories, guest conversations, and more)
My new offerings — including Ancestral Analysis and The Genealogy Journey
The free 3-day experience Remember that’s happening soon
If you’re ready to feel supported by your lineage, to know your ancestors and know yourself — this next chapter is for you.
Sign up for Remember: knowyourancestors.co/remember
Connect with me: megan@knowyourancestors.co
Follow on Instagram: @knowyourancestors
Ep 44: In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Kate Northrup, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Relaxed Money, to explore her ancestral lineage and how it connects to her work in healing our relationship with time and money. We dive deep into the generational patterns of wealth, scarcity, and abundance that have shaped her family’s story—and how those same patterns may influence our own lives today.
Kate shares personal insights about her paternal lineage, uncovering a fascinating family history of wealth, loss, and resilience. From her great-grandfather’s success in the textile industry to her third great-grandfather, an Irish immigrant who built a fortune in Oregon, Kate reflects on how these stories mirror the financial and emotional narratives we inherit.
Together, we discuss:
✨ The contrasting money beliefs between her mother and father’s families
✨ The impact of generational wealth and how it doesn’t always lead to financial well-being
✨ How her third great-grandfather, an Irish immigrant, became a wealthy businessman in Portland, Oregon
✨ The struggles and resilience of her great-grandmother, who lost three husbands yet remained financially stable
✨ How family stories influence our relationship with money and abundance today
Kate also opens up about how her own career and purpose align with the financial and emotional patterns she’s inherited, and how understanding her ancestors has helped her reframe money as a tool for freedom and presence.
🔗 Listen now and join us on this journey of discovery!
About Kate Northrup
Kate is the author of Money: A Love Story and Do Less, and the founder of Relaxed Money, where she helps ambitious humans heal their relationship with time and money using a neuroscience-backed, trauma-informed approach. Her work focuses on breaking free from scarcity mindsets and creating true financial well-being.
💡 Follow Kate & Learn More:
📌 Podcast: Plenty – Listen Here
📌 Instagram: @katenorthrup
📌 Get Kate’s Free Money Breakthrough Guide: DM her "WISDOM" on Instagram
📖 Ready to explore your own family history?
Download my free mini-class: Three Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors – complete with a workbook!
🔗 Get it here: knowyourancestors.co/3steps
Connect with me:
Follow @knowyourancestors on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Visit knowyourancestors.co
Ep 43: In this episode of Know Your Ancestors, I sit down with Dee Taggart, a breathwork facilitator and intuitive cranial sacral therapist, to explore the deep connections between ancestry, healing, and personal transformation. Dee shares how her spiritual journey led her to uncover the presence of her grandmother, Virginia Lee Gibbs, during a healing session—sparking a newfound curiosity about her family history.
We dive into the lives of the women who came before her—her grandmother, great-grandmother, and second great-grandmother—piecing together their resilience, struggles, and triumphs. From the perseverance of a young widow raising six children to the dynamic, determined spirit of Virginia, Dee reflects on the generational strengths she carries today.
Join us as we discuss the power of ancestral connection, the lessons our predecessors offer, and how acknowledging their journeys can inspire our own.
In This Episode, We Cover:
✨ Dee’s spiritual awakening and journey into breathwork and healing
✨ The moment she felt her grandmother’s presence and what it revealed
✨ The resilience of the women in her maternal line—from 19th-century Kentucky to 20th-century California
✨ How family patterns and struggles, like gambling and perseverance, echo through generations
✨ Ways to honor and connect with your ancestors in daily life
Connect with Dee Taggart:
📷 Instagram:@thedeetaggart
🎙️ Podcast:Her Xpansion (Available onApple Podcasts &Spotify)
📖 Ready to explore your own family history?
Download my free mini-class: Three Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors – complete with a workbook!
🔗 Get it here:knowyourancestors.co/3steps
🎧 Listen now and start uncovering the wisdom of your ancestors!
Connect with me:
Follow @knowyourancestors on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Ep 42: If you have ancestors that lived in England or Wales after 1837, watch (or listen) to learn how to order their civil registration records (birth, marriage, and death). In this episode I share how I searched for civil registration records for the last episode with Zach Mander. These records are very reliable to locate and have useful information, especially if you're having a hard time locating church records for your ancestors.
Watch on YouTube FreeBMD Index
GRO Website 00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:32 Researching Australian Ancestry
01:30 Accessing UK Vital Records
02:50 Using FreeBMD for Ancestry Research
04:26 Finding Registration Districts
07:16 Ordering Death Records
14:33 Searching for Birth Records
17:21 Locating Marriage Records
19:11 Conclusion and Resources
20:05 Podcast Updates and Free Mini Class
Free Mini-class: 3 Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Know Your Family Tree
Know Your Ancestor
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Ep 41: Zach Mander is a radio host and comedic content creator, living in Brisbane, Australia. He knew very little about his ancestors and was curious about learning when they first came to Australia. In this episode, I shared about the life of his great grandfather Lance Harold Mander, his unexpected beginnings, and arrival in Australia.
Thanks to Will from https://www.dfdagency.net/ for helping with some research for this episode! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:49 Zach's Family Background
02:19 Exploring the Family Tree
04:40 Discovering Ancestral Roots
07:39 Lance Harold Mander's Legacy
15:19 Family Tragedies and Resilience
21:22 Reflecting on Family History
22:47 Searching for Birth Records
24:17 Uncovering Family Connections
24:53 Life in London
26:20 The Mander Family
29:53 Marriage Mysteries
33:59 Lance's Life and Legacy
41:42 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Free Mini-class: 3 Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Know Your Family Tree
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Ep 40 - Do you have ancestors who served in WW1 from Canada? If you do, you definitely want to watch to learn how to locate their personnel file. If not, watch to understand the importance of military records and how they can help you connect and better understand your military ancestors. Library and Archives Canada Want help discovering your own ancestors? Email me [hello at knowyourancestors.co] to get started.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:32 Accessing World War I Personnel Files in Canada
01:17 Navigating the Library and Archives Canada Website
02:35 Finding and Verifying Ancestor Records
04:52 Exploring Detailed Military Files
06:50 Understanding Military Service and History
08:01 Researching War Diaries
11:01 Connecting with Your Ancestors
11:51 Genealogy Research Services
13:10 Conclusion and Additional Resources
Free Mini-class: 3 Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Know Your Family Tree
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Ep 39 - Kelsey's great grandmother died when she was young, but she remembers visiting her and requested to learn more about her for this interview. I loved researching Kelsey's great grandmother Luella. She was born in North Dakota, emigrating to Saskatchewan at just 2 years old. Her life was a struggle, but she had a good sense of humor and was generous through it all. Watch the full interview to hear more about Kelsey's upbringing and how her and her great grandmother's lives found similar paths.
Free Mini-class: 3 Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Visit knowyourancestors.co
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
01:53 Kelsey's Journey to Self-Growth
05:38 Childhood and Family Influences
09:24 Great Grandmother Luella's Early Life
13:06 Immigration to Canada
18:41 Life in Saskatchewan and World War I
21:09 The Struggles of War and Family
22:05 Life After War: Hardships and Resilience
22:33 Luella's Early Life and Education
24:16 Marriage and Early Adulthood
25:05 Challenges and Moves
27:13 Family Life and Loss
29:41 Later Years and Legacy
35:56 Reflections and Connections
39:57 Conclusion and Resources
Free Mini-class: 3 Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors
Ep 38 - In this "behind the scenes," look at last week's episode with Christopher Ward from @modelstrangers, I share 2 essential sites to use to research your ancestors who lived in Ireland after 1864. See links below to access the sites I talk about. Let's go! Use this site to look for birth, marriage, and death records: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-search.jsp Use this site to look for census records in Ireland: https://census.nationalarchives.ie/search/ Discover Irish Registration Districts: https://www.swilson.info/regdistmap.php Find your ancestor's Irish Townland: https://www.townlands.ie/ 00:00 Introduction and Recap of Episode 37
01:01 Researching Irish Ancestors: Key Websites
02:04 Understanding Irish Civil Records
03:23 Searching for Ancestors in Civil Records
07:27 Using Registration Districts for Accurate Searches
09:28 Exploring William's Birth Record
10:30 Finding Ballygawly on the Map
12:02 Using Irish Genealogy Website
12:33 Navigating Irish Census Records
14:00 Analyzing Census Data
15:42 Understanding Census Details
17:02 Conclusion and Additional Resources
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Know Your Family Tree
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Ep 37 - Christopher Ward is a videographer and man behind the viral Instagram account @modelstrangers . Born in South Africa to Irish parents, Christopher now lives in Northern Ireland. He knew some about his family tree, including that he is related to the famous Bronte sisters. In this episode, I was able to share more with him about his Bronte relation and looked into the roots of his own artistic talents.
Watch on YouTube Follow @modelstrangers on Instagram Miles Lynch is a genealogist who helped research this episode. You can contact him at forestfamilyresearch at gmail.com Free Mini-class: 3 Steps to Start Knowing Your Ancestors
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Visit knowyourancestors.co
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:16 Christopher Ward's Background
01:59 The Birth of Model Strangers
02:45 Impact and Success Stories
04:38 Connecting Through Stories
05:51 Discovering Ancestral Roots
06:55 The Bronte Family Connection
08:15 Exploring Family History
11:52 Life in Northern Ireland
22:44 Exploring the Life of Margaret Callahan
23:35 The History of Lizard Manor
25:40 Family Life in the Early 1900s
31:16 Discovering the Ward Lineage
31:34 James Ward's Early Life and Family
35:20 The Legacy of the Ward Family
36:44 Reflecting on Family History
40:03 Connecting with the Past
41:07 Closing Thoughts and Resources
Ep 36 - Census records are a great resource for building a timeline of your ancestors' lives. You can discover where they lived, what their occupation was, and who was living with them. Every 10 years you can capture this information, map it, and have an overview of their life. This is what I did when I researched Georgette Todd's ancestors in episode 35. Take a look and try this with your own ancestors!
Want to learn more about your own ancestors?
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Ep 35: Georgette Todd works for Connect Our Kids, a nonprofit that helps foster kids connect to their biological relatives. As a former foster kid herself, Georgette grew up knowing very little about her family, let alone her ancestors. In this episode, I was able to share with Georgette about her 2x great grandparents who immigrated to Hawaii from Germany in the late 1800s and follow down the line to her grandmother who died when Georgette was 4 years old. This discovery led to more questions and the beginning of a connection that Georgette can now build on and draw strength from.
Check out Connect Our Kids and see how you can help Follow Connect Our Kids on Instagram
Want to learn more about your own ancestors?
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
Ep 34: Most of the United States and Canada use the Rectangular Survey System to organize plots of land. If you have ancestors who were farmers or lived rurally, understanding how this system works, can help you locate where your ancestors' land was.
In this episode, I share how I located Angie's ancestors' land in Southern Alberta for episode 33 of the podcast using a tool for Alberta land surveys. I also share how to use the Bureau of Land Management website to locate land plots in the US. Watch to see how you can do this for your own ancestors!
Watch on YouTube HERE
Use Altalis (for Alberta, Canada)
Use the Bureau of Land Management site (for the US)
Want to learn more about your own ancestors?
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube
#33: Angie Reeder is a boutique clothing store owner, style coach, and personal shopper. About six years ago, her life took an unexpected turn and she was left to figure out her future with her 4 kids.
As I shared what I had put together about her great grandmother for this episode, we soon realized that her life had a lot of similarities to Angie's. Watch and hear about Angie's discovery and connection I was able to help foster between her and her great grandmother, Doris Elizabeth Taylor.
Watch on YouTube HERE 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:52 Angie's Background and Early Life
02:37 Career Beginnings and Passion for Style
05:20 Family History and Great Grandmother Doris
07:00 Doris's Early Life and Family Background
13:19 Doris's Marriage and Family Life
17:08 Challenges and Hardships in Doris's Life
22:17 Doris's Later Years and Legacy
28:56 Angie's Reflections and Business Information
32:13 Conclusion and Podcast Information Follow Angie on IG: @opalapparelstyle
Visit Angie's Store: Opal Apparel Style
Want to learn more about your own ancestors?
Sign up for one of my online courses:
Connect with me:
Follow @meganhillyer on Instagram
Like Know Your Ancestors on Facebook
Follow @knowyourancestors on TikTok
Subscribe to @knowyourancestors on YouTube