Serena never spoke of her life before she married into the Hochhauser family. They knew she was from Eastern Europe and based on her age and the timing of her immigration, they knew she had suffered through the events of the Holocaust and survived. But, how she did so was a story that was never told.

Nearly two decades after Serena’s death a set of historical records from the Red Cross International Tracing Service became more widely available and by piecing together several records from that collection and connecting them to immigration and citizenship records on Ancestry, a story emerged that shocked her family.

My guest, Howard Hochhauser, has been the Chief Financial Officer at Ancestry since 2009. Join me as we explore his journey into his grandmother’s past and how knowing her story has changed their family narrative.

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For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Genealogist Sunny Morton didn’t even know someone was missing from her family tree until a single mention in an obituary led her to a Nun.

Sister Mary Bertilla. This single name sparked a long search that culminated in the discovery of a remarkable, yet nearly forgotten, woman who dedicated herself to faith and service. Her story, encapsulated in a touching obituary, highlights the silent sacrifices she made.

Across the U.S. there are records in forgotten archives for more than 350,000 Women Religious - sisters and nuns - whose quiet contributions have deeply shaped our nation. These women, often overlooked in family histories because they have no descendants, have stories that deserve to be told.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Imagine sitting down at a family dinner where every bite is seasoned with laughter, love, and connection. You're invited to a conversation with my sister-in-law, Shelly Cowan, about an overly large family table and the powerful traditions it supports.

The mother of five boys, Shelly didn't just build a table with her dad, she crafted a space of profound gratitude and deep connection for our family.

I hope you'll discover the subtle art of turning daily habits into treasured traditions and be inspired to create your own gathering places.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Raised in the New York foster care system, Kevin Giddins knew his biological mother's name but not much else. But, an AncestryDNA test led him to her doorstep and an extraordinary reunion. His daughter Camlyn, caught the whole thing on film.

The three of us have a meaningful conversation about the essence of these family relationships and the roles they play in shaping who we are. We delve into the spiritual lessons learned and the impact that understanding our ancestors can have on our personal narratives going forward.

When uncovered, hidden family history can turn into powerful shared stories that move us from being 'secret keepers' to 'story keepers.'

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Cultural nuances, defining moments, and raw honesty. My conversation with my dear friend, Sunny Mahe has all of these things. We also dive deep into the power of faith and family.

From her Tongan heritage to her ten children, I am so inspired by the way that resilience and friendship flourish within the walls of her home.

The stories that live there - all of the stories - define them as a family and give them hope as they move forward together in life and beyond.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Have you ever wondered about the faces in those old family photos tucked away in grandma's attic? Join me as Eric Allen (Vice President of Marketing at Ancestry) and I explore the power of pictures in helping us to discover, preserve, and share our family stories.

Whether it's a box of grandpa's slides from the 1940s or mom's photo album from the 1970s, every image holds a story that can connect us.

So, dust off those family albums and join our mission to keep family stories alive—one photo at a time.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

Ruth Hale, an icon in Utah's theater world, always knew she was adopted. But, it wasn't until her grandson, actor Will Swenson, decided to take a DNA test at the urging of my producer, Lisa Elzey, that the mystery of her parentage had a hope of being solved.

And, you won't believe what we uncovered!

Listen in as Lisa and I share the story of sealed adoption records, scarce DNA matches, and a five year puzzle. Then, hear Will's reaction to the "cosmic" discovery we made about his grandmother's biological family.

This story isn't just about uncovering the past—it's about the profound connections and heartfelt moments that remind us why understanding our family stories can be so incredibly meaningful.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.

From a childhood rooted in family stories to a long-standing family mystery that required solving, follow me on my journey into family history.

Be reminded of the painstaking efforts once required to climb a family tree —from county by county searches in Ohio courthouses to scrolling through microfilms in Salt Lake City's vast library. And rejoice with me in how the digital revolution changed everything (and continues to do so).

But, never forget - whether doing it old school or with all the new technology - that the true essence of genealogy is still in the stories that give life to the names and dates and places on a pedigree chart.

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Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.

For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.