7 of the Best Genealogy Podcasts to Listen to Now

Before nightly news and Netflix documentaries, we tuned in to the radio for need-to-know information. Radio variety shows, soap operas and comedy programs dominated American media in the 1940s. But as The Buggles put it in their 1979 song, “Video Killed the Radio Star.” 

These days, however, podcasts are reviving the art of informative audio. To acquaint you with this source for family history tips and resources, we’ve listed seven of our favorite, free genealogy podcasts.

It’s easy to stream or download a podcast by visiting the website listed for each one, or by using iTunes or an app such as Stitcher Radio or Spotify. Listening can turn your commute or house-cleaning into an educational opportunity.

1. Extreme Genes

Host: Scott Fisher and team

Frequency: Weekly (2013–2023); as needed (2024–present)

With more than 400 episodes and titles such as “One Marriage, Nine Kids, Eight Fathers!” and “Finding A Murder Victim’s Next of Kin,” Scott Fisher, self-proclaimed “roots sleuth” and long-time morning show host, doesn’t shy away from the intimate or interesting. Extreme Genes delivers podcasts that highlight the emotional and sometimes literal journey each genealogist takes to find his or her family. Happily, Fisher posts transcripts of each podcast on his website, so the days of rewinding to catch a minute you missed are over. The show dropped its weekly schedule at the end of 2023, but continues to publish occasional new episodes.

2. The Family Tree Magazine Podcast

Host: Lisa Louise Cooke

Frequency: Twice per month

If you enjoy reading Family Tree Magazine, chances are you’ll love our podcast. Genealogist Lisa Louise Cooke, who also produces the Genealogy Gems podcast (see below), invites expert contributors to delve into the research and news featured in the magazine and on our website.

Each podcast focuses on a theme, such as maximizing military records or finding Irish ancestors. The folks behind Family Tree Magazine, including Editor Andrew Koch, also chat about what they’re working on. The new-in-2023 “Best Websites” bonus episodes highlight key genealogy resources, with detailed tutorials and behind-the-scenes interviews.

Show notes for each episode feature links to recommended websites and articles on FamilyTreeMagazine.com. Subscribe to the podcast here.

3. The Genealogy Guys

Host: George G. Morgan and Drew Smith

Frequency: Once or twice per month

The “Genealogy Guys” are genealogists and family history authors George G. Morgan and Drew Smith. They began podcasting in 2005, discussing genealogy conferences, books, news and research destinations. Each episode comes with a summary on the show website and links to online resources the guys and their guests recommend.

4. Genealogy Gems

Host: Lisa Louise Cooke

Frequency: Monthly

Cooke’s own Genealogy Gems podcast highlights research techniques that are accessible to genealogists of any skill level. She also scores interviews with fascinating figures such as “Who Do You Think You Are?” executive producer Dan Bucatinsky (episode 113) and Pamela Smith Hill, editor of the Laura Ingalls Wilder annotated autobiography Pioneer Girl (episode 183). You also get to hear from other listeners, in letters sharing their research joys and frustrations. Bonus podcast episodes are available to Genealogy Gems Premium members.

5. Genealogy Happy Hour

Host: Amy Crabill Lay and Penny Burke Bonawitz

Frequency: Once or twice per month

“Welcome to the Genealogy Happy Hour, a place where new family historians can learn how to document their family histories and celebrate their new discoveries,” begins this monthly podcast. Genealogy Happy Hour feels like sitting down with old friends and a bottle of wine to discuss the pitfalls and triumphs of genealogical research. The podcast’s conversational tone balances out the amount of research know-how the hosts pack into each episode (despite their self-proclaimed “always in training,” status) on topics such as finding female ancestors” and analyzing documents.

Newer episodes have helpful descriptions below the podcast links at genealogyhappyhour.com. To browse descriptions of older episodes, visit the Soundcloud site.

6. Ancestral Findings

Host: Will Moneymaker

Frequency: Weekly

Featuring not only a podcast, but also resource articles and a weekly genealogy newsletter, the Ancestral Findings website has been around almost two decades. Moneymaker’s bite-sized podcasts are perfect for busy researchers, clocking in at around five minutes long with tightly focused topics such as “How to Use Family Lore to Discover the Real Stories” (episode 74) or “WWI Draft Cards: Where to Find Them and What They Can Tell You About Your Ancestors” (episode 67). If there’s a particular brick wall you’ve run into, scroll through Ancestral Findings’ playlist of hundreds of podcast episodes to find the one that might bust through your road block or at least point you in the right direction.

7. The Photo Detective Podcast

Host: Maureen A. Taylor

Frequency: Weekly

As the Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor helps clients learn about all things related to photographs: using clues to identify relatives and settings, preserving images, and handling old photo formats, to name a few. She shares her expertise in this podcast that has run for nearly 200 episodes, and interviews other expert guests on subjects ranging from home movies to English genealogy to narrative nonfiction.

Last updated, December 2023.