Ep. 121 - A Visit With Karen Batchelor, The First African-American Woman to Join the DAR!

Fisher opens the first new show of the new year with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and AmericanAncestors.org.  They exchange unique family history resolutions.  Fisher then reveals his first research adventure of the new year... his childhood home is on the market in Connecticut, and photos of the exterior and interior are shown with the listing.  Fisher talks of the fun of finding decades old photos to show side-by-side with how those areas of the home look today. David then tells of a centuries old find beneath a Scottish school yard playground.  You won't believe what has been dug up!  Likewise, in Virginia, a foundation hole for a new hotel was being built when something awesome was found.  You'll enjoy this one too.  David also reveals the release of new World War I records from the British Archives that might include information on your American "Dough Boy" ancestor.  He also has the first new free database of NEHGS for guest users.Then, Fisher spends two segments with Karen Batchelor, the first African-American woman to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Karen says she didn't think that would be such a big deal in 1977... but in fact it was!  Hear her story.  She'll also talk about some of the incredible discoveries she's made in her 40 years of research covering slaves, slave owners, Puritans, and pioneers.  As she says... "I want them ALL!"  She's a guest you won't want to miss.Then Tom Perry from TMCPlace.com shares his "Five Steps for Scanning and Storing."  As always, it's great advice from the "Preservation Authority!"It's all this week on Extreme Genes, America's Family History Show!