87. Tamara Buzyna Adams on Preserving Family History and Identity

In this episode, Tamara Buzyna Adams, passionate genealogist, family historian, and occupational therapist, joins us to share her transformational journey of turning a lockdown project into her published book, Last Ship to Freedom. Tamara discusses how turning 50 and navigating the pandemic sparked a deep desire for self-discovery, leading her and her mother to translate her grandmother’s 100-year-old diaries from Russian to English. She reveals how this incredible archive uncovered a gripping piece of history—the 1920 Crimea evacuation—and allowed her to trace her family's resilience back to an 18-month survival journey on a refugee ship. Beyond exploring how understanding our ancestors' struggles solidifies our own modern identity, Tamara opens up about using old photographs, memorabilia, and family albums as powerful cognitive props to maintain meaningful, emotional connections with her father during his battle with dementia. Packed with inspiration, this conversation serves as a beautiful reminder of our modern tools to interview loved ones, bridge generations, and preserve the stories that define us. LEARN MORE AND CONNECT WITH TAMARA BUZYNA ADAMS Email: [email protected] Instagram: @author_tamara_adams Website: https://www.tamarabuzynaadams.com/